17 regional channels get free DD Free Dish MPEG-4 slots under pilot scheme
The allotment, part of Prasar Bharati’s 93rd round, aims to expand regional language reach on India’s free-to-air DTH platform
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Published: Jan 2, 2026 9:13 AM | 1 min read
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Prasar Bharati has finalised the allocation of 17 regional television channels to broadcast free of charge on DD Free Dish’s MPEG-4 platform on a pilot basis through March 31, 2026, as per a notification issued under the public broadcaster’s recent allotment process.
The move, part of the 93rd allotment round, aims to broaden the reach of regional language content for viewers across India through India’s free-to-air direct-to-home platform.
Prasar Bharati MPEG-4 announcement
Channels selected for the pilot include established regional names such as TV9 Kannada, Public TV (Kannada) and Mazhavil Manorama (Malayalam), alongside multiple Bengali language channels such as ABP Ananda, R. Bangla, TV9 Bangla, R Plus Gold, Kolkata TV, R Plus Bengali, Enterr 10 Bangla and Khushboo Bangla.
Other regional channels allotted MPEG-4 slots include Kanak News (Odia), ABP Majha and 9X Jhakaas (Marathi), ABP Asmita and Gujarat First (Gujarati), and News State Punjab-Haryana-Himachal (Punjabi).
Under the pilot arrangement, these channels will be carried on the DD Free Dish platform’s MPEG-4 feeds, giving them access to a wide audience without carriage fees for the duration of the trial period.
The list reflects a broad linguistic spread, underlining Prasar Bharati’s intent to strengthen regional broadcasting and diversify content available to DD Free Dish subscribers ahead of the finalisation of long-term slot allotment norms.
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