Prasar Bharati on Wednesday announced the launch of its 88th e-auction process to allocate vacant MPEG-4 slots on India’s largest free-to-air DTH platform, DD Free Dish. The move is expected to further expand the platform’s reach and content offerings, particularly for audiences using MPEG-4 compatible set-top boxes.

As per an official note from Prasar Bharati dated May 28, 2025, the auction is being conducted to fill vacant MPEG-4 slots and invites participation from eligible broadcasters whose channels are licensed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). Only non-news channels in Standard Definition (SD) format are eligible, with genres ranging from general entertainment and music to devotional content and more. These channels must also be uplinked from India.

The auction process will be carried out online, under Prasar Bharati’s direct supervision, and is based on the policy guidelines issued on January 15, 2019. The reserve price for each MPEG-4 slot has been set at Rs.5 lakh per month, with the slot tenure valid up to March 31, 2026, unless policy changes are introduced earlier.

Broadcasters looking to participate must submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of Rs.1.50 lakh through a Demand Draft, along with a non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 25,000. All applications, along with the requisite documents, need to be addressed to the Deputy Director General (Policy), Prasar Bharati Secretariat, New Delhi.

These MPEG-4 slots are specifically accessible to users of MPEG-4 set-top boxes, a growing subset of DD Free Dish’s estimated user base of over 50 million viewers. The inclusion of new channels through these slots will not only diversify the platform’s content portfolio but also enhance the viewing experience for millions of households, particularly in rural and remote regions where DD Free Dish remains a primary source of television access.

Through this transparent, tech-driven auction model, Prasar Bharati continues to strengthen its commitment to providing free and inclusive content to the public, enabling wider broadcasting opportunities while supporting India’s media and entertainment ecosystem.

Interested broadcasters are advised to check the official Prasar Bharati website for the detailed cut-off date and additional procedural guidelines.