Prasar Bharati has announced the successful channels under the 93rd allotment of MPEG-4 slots on the DD Free Dish platform, marking a significant expansion of regional language offerings on India’s largest free-to-air direct-to-home service.

The newly allotted slots have been granted on a pilot basis and will remain valid till March 31, 2026.

The latest allocation further strengthens DD Free Dish’s regional bouquet, with prominent additions spanning Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Odia, Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi languages. In the Kannada segment, popular news channels TV9 Kannada and Public TV have secured slots, enhancing news and regional programming options for viewers in the state. Malayalam audiences will see the addition of Mazhavil Manorama, a well-known general entertainment channel with a strong following.

Bengali language channels have emerged as the biggest beneficiaries in this auction cycle. A robust mix of news and entertainment channels including ABP Ananda, R Bangla, TV9 Bangla, R Plus Gold, Kolkata TV, R Plus, Enterr 10 Bangla and Khushboo Bangla have been allotted MPEG-4 slots, significantly expanding choice for Bengali-speaking audiences across eastern India and beyond.

In the eastern region, Odia news presence on DD Free Dish has been strengthened with the inclusion of Kanak News. Marathi viewers will now have access to ABP Majha and 9X Jhakaas, adding to both news and entertainment offerings in the language.

Gujarat’s regional line-up has also been expanded with the addition of ABP Asmita and Gujarat First, catering to the state’s strong demand for local news and programming. For Punjabi-speaking audiences in the northern belt, News State Punjab-Haryana-Himachal has secured a slot under the new allotment.

DD Free Dish continues to play a crucial role as a mass distribution platform for broadcasters seeking wide reach without subscription barriers. With millions of households relying on the free-to-air service, the addition of these regional channels is expected to significantly enhance audience reach for broadcasters while ensuring greater access to diverse language content for viewers across the country.