The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) has submitted a comprehensive response to Prasar Bharati’s recent consultation on the e-auction methodology for allotment of slots on the DD Free Dish DTH platform, calling for a more transparent, equitable and robust process.

In a press release, NBDA welcomed the consultation and said its comments were aimed at helping Prasar Bharati frame a policy that strengthens DD Free Dish while ensuring fairness for broadcasters. The association urged that before any future e-auction, Prasar Bharati must publicly disclose key information, including the total number of slots available in the auction and before each round, a full list of applicants categorized by bucket, and the final list of eligible and ineligible participants. It also stressed that all screening and eligibility checks should be completed in advance to prevent mid-auction disqualifications.

NBDA further recommended that the number of slots reserved for news and current affairs channels be increased to at least 14, highlighting the vital public service role these channels play. It argued that the current reserve pricing and categorization for Bucket C (News & Current Affairs) needed urgent review. The association pointed out that news broadcasters already face high operating costs and declining advertising revenues, and the steep auction prices on DD Free Dish only deepen financial stress, creating market distortions that benefit private distributors.

In its detailed submission, NBDA said the present auction policy often leads to unfair outcomes, with sharp variations in bids due to lack of information symmetry. It added that more transparency and consistency would help broadcasters make informed decisions and ensure a level playing field.

The association also recommended that Prasar Bharati expand MPEG-2 capacity by adding a new transport stream and converting some of the currently unused MPEG-4 slots into MPEG-2, to meet the high demand for universally compatible slots. It urged Prasar Bharati to undertake a scientific study to accurately assess viewership on the DD Free Dish platform, noting that such data would be crucial for strategic planning and growth of both the service and participating channels.

NBDA underlined that news channels are essential for an informed citizenry and directly align with Prasar Bharati’s mandate to safeguard the citizen’s right to be informed. It emphasized that the auction framework should not be driven solely by revenue considerations but anchored in public interest, transparency, and the right to information.

The association concluded by urging Prasar Bharati to publish the revised draft of the e-auction policy for stakeholder feedback and convene a meeting to discuss proposed modifications before implementing any changes.