TV9 Marathi has become the first and only Marathi news channel to be available on DD FreeDish. The move will help the channel reach millions of additional viewers across the State and the country, bringing fearless and unbiased journalism directly to homes free of cost.

As India’s largest free-to-air DTH platform, Doordarshan FreeDish has long been a crucial source of information and entertainment for households, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. The addition of TV9 Marathi now fills a major gap for Marathi-speaking audiences seeking credible, ground-level news coverage in their native language, the news network said in a press statement yesterday.

Reinforcing its new brand positioning as ‘Ekmev’ (One and Only), TV9 Marathi’s expansion marks a significant step in making high-quality journalism accessible to every corner of Maharashtra.

Commenting on the milestone, Barun Das, Managing Director and CEO of TV9 Network, said, “At TV9, we are committed to setting new benchmarks. While certain organizations may adopt controversial methods to grow viewership, here is another meaningful first from TV9 Network. TV9 Marathi is the first regional language news channel available on DD FreeDish. We are glad that we will now be able to reach the vast FreeDish audience, that has been so far deprived of TV9 Marathi.”

TV9 Marathi has dominated the Marathi news genre for three consecutive years, according to BARC ratings, standing out for its fearless journalism, innovative storytelling, and deep-rooted understanding of Maharashtra’s socio-political fabric, the network’s statement added. With an aggressive reporting style and impactful news formats that have since become industry benchmarks, the channel continues to lead from the front.

Bhushan Khot, Business Head of TV9 Marathi, also expressed his pride in this achievement, stating, “TV9 Marathi has been a dominant leader for three years and has become the one and only choice of viewers. Our new brand positioning suits our aggressive style of news reporting and presentation. TV9 Marathi being ‘Ekmev’ reaffirms its place as the ultimate news destination for Maharashtra’s viewers.”

Umesh Kumawat, Managing Editor, TV9 Marathi, added, “TV9 Marathi will now give DD Free Dish viewers an opportunity to experience Maharashtra’s ‘Ekmev’ of Marathi news. From common citizens to top decision-makers, people rely on TV9 Marathi for trustworthy news breaks and updates— a reflection of the strong trust we’ve built over time.”