Prasar Bharati rules out DD Free Dish encryption
TRAI has been asking Prasar Bharati to encrypt signals of private TV channels on DD Free Dish before uplinking them to prevent unauthorised transmission
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Published: Feb 5, 2026 11:50 AM | 1 min read
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Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi has ruled out any move to encrypt DD Free Dish, saying the free-to-air direct-to-home platform will not be made addressable.
As per media reports, Dwivedi made the remark at a recent stakeholder meeting with broadcasters.
The statement comes amid growing pressure from broadcasters, cable operators and DTH platforms regarding worries about the platform’s unencrypted, non-addressable structure creating a regulatory and commercial imbalance.
DD Free Dish facing reform calls. Read e4m report here
Concerns have been mounting within India’s broadcast and advertising industries over the lack of transparency and regulatory oversight surrounding Doordarshan’s free-to-air direct-to-home platform, DD Free Dish.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been asking Prasar Bharati to encrypt signals of private TV channels on DD FreeDish before uplinking them to prevent unauthorised transmission.
The debate revolves around the absence of transparent subscriber data, the transmission of unencrypted signals despite legal mandates, and the commercial consequences of a government-backed platform competing with private operators without the same compliance burden.
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