11 November 2024 - Good news for private satellite TV channels that Prasar Bharati Inviting Applications for Allotment of Vacant MPEG-2 Slot of DD Free Dish Platform for the Period of 27.11.2024 to 31.03.2025
Prasar Bharati invites applications for allotment of vacant MPEG-2 slots of DD Free Dish DTH Platform for the period from 27.11.2024 to 31.03.2025 through the 83rd online e-auction process to be tentatively held on 21st November 2024.
The e-auction will be conducted in accordance with the E-auction Methodology for allotment of DD Free Dish slots to private TV channels, notified by Prasar Bharati on 27.01.2023 and subsequent Amendment Dated 13. 12.2023 which are available on the Prasar Bharati website, https://prasarbharati.gov.in.
Only satellite channels licensed by the Ministry of I&B would be allowed to participate in the e-auction. Only companies holding valid permission from the Ministry of I & B can apply for participation in the e-auction for the allocation of the DD Free Dish slot.
International Public Broadcasters licensed by the Ministry of I & B can also participate in e-auction.
Categorization of TV channels in different buckets in accordance with genres and language of channel for the allotment period will be as below:
|
S. No. |
Bucket |
Genre / Language |
|
1. |
Bucket A+ |
GEC (Hindi / Urdu) Channels |
|
2. |
Bucket A |
Movie (Hindi / Urdu) Channels |
|
3. |
Bucket B |
a. Music (Hindi / Urdu) Channels b. Sports (Hindi / Urdu) Channels c. All Channels of Bhojpuri Language d. All other remaining Genre of Hindi / Urdu |
|
4. |
Bucket G |
News & Current Affairs (Hindi / Urdu) Channels |
|
5. |
Bucket D |
a. Devotional / Spiritual / Ayush b. All Genres of Marathi & Punjabi Channels c. News & Current Affairs (English) Channels |
|
6. |
Bucket RI |
This bucket is for all Channels in languages* not covered above |
Note: if a particular Indian language is represented on DD Free Dish by any channel(s) under Bucket RI for 02 years continuously that concerned language shall be deemed as represented and it shall be shifted from Bucket RI to Bucket D from next year.
Broadcasters who are desirous of allotment of the slot on DD Free Dish are required to provide clear and unambiguous proof in support of the genre and language classification of their channel. In case of lack of clarity, ambiguity, or conflicting information, applications will be deemed ineligible and may be summarily rejected. For details, please refer checklist of documents provided with the application form. Such declaration for Genre and Language classification should be in accordance with the current norms and as specified in Table 1 of point 5 above. Further, the Channel shall contain content predominantly of Genre and Language as declared at the time of e-auction application.
The Reserve Price for MPEG-2 slots for the commencement of e-auction for different Buckets shall be as under:
|
Round No. |
Reserve Price (in INR) |
Buckets Eligible to Bid |
Buckets Not Eligible to Bid |
|
Round 1 (Bucket A+) |
Rs.7,2Z,74,000/- |
A+, G, A, D, B, RI |
|
|
Round 2 (Bucket D) |
Rs.6,48,98,000/- |
C, A, D, B, RI |
A+ |
|
Round 3 (Bucket A) |
Rs.6,26,72,000/- |
A,D,B,RI |
A+,C |
|
Round 4 (Bucket D) |
Rs.6,19,87,000/- |
D, B, RI |
A+,C,A |
|
Round S (Bucket B) |
Rs.6,16,44,000/— |
B,Rl |
A+,C,A,D |
|
Round 6 (Bucket RI) |
Rs.4,55,48,000/- |
Rl |
A+,C,A,D,B |
Prasar Bharati can extend e-Auction to the next day or as the case may be.
For details like the e-auction process, terms & conditions and payment schedule, etc. please refer to E-auction Methodology on the website https://prasarbharati.gov.in.
Successful channels will be placed on vacant 1ogical Channel Numbers (LCNs) of DD Free Dish. After completion of the e-auction, the successful channel may apply giving three options in the order of preference for allotment of LGN. However, this does not guarantee for placement of a successful channel on preferences given for LGN. All such requests shall be considered by Prasar Bharati in accordance with the prescribed procedure for allotment/change of LCN to private TV channels, which is available on the website https://prasarbharati.gov.in. Prasar Bharati's decision in this regard shall be final.
Successful channels shall be required to make payments as per the ‘Payment Schedule’ prescribed in ‘letter of Allotment' and clause (5) of the E-auction Methodology for allotment of DD Free Dish slots which will also be part of an agreement to be signed between Prasar Bharati & successful bidders.
The successful channel will be placed on DD Free Dish after receipt of payment for 1st installment of the carriage fee, as provided in the allotment of the letter. If the ‘Channel Provider’ fails to place its channel on its allocated slot within one month of the allotment commencement date, the allotment shall stand canceled automatically and the Participation Fee along with any installment already deposited shall be forfeited.
Successful Channels will be required to arrange their own IRD Box in advance at DTH Earth Station, Todapur, New Delhi, to place their Channel on the DD Free Dish Platform.
The Last Date for submission of applications and original Demand Draft is 20th Nov. 2024 (Wednesday) by 15.00 Hrs.
Helpful links -
Official website - https://prasarbharati.gov.in
Official Advertisement - https://fdslots.prasarbharati.org
For DD Free dish upcoming channel list in 83rd e-Auction - e-Auction Results
Currently available DD Free dish MPEG-2 Channels List