NEW DELHI (Feb 10, 2026) – Prasar Bharati has officially invited applications for the allotment of vacant MPEG-4 slots on its DD Free Dish DTH platform. The online e-auction is set to begin on March 16, 2026, offering broadcasters a chance to reach India’s largest free-to-air audience.
The slots won during this 8th annual MPEG-4 auction will be valid for one year, spanning from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
Auction Framework & Eligibility
Broadcasters must adhere to the revised 2025 e-auction methodology. Key requirements include:
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Permit: Channels must hold a valid permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
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Deadline: Online applications, documents, and fees must be submitted by March 9, 2026.
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Fees: A non-refundable processing fee of ₹25,000 and a participation fee of ₹3 lakh are required.
Bucket-Wise Pricing Structure
Prasar Bharati has categorized slots into “buckets” based on language, genre, and quality to ensure a competitive bidding environment:
| Category / Bucket | Content Type | Reserve Price (Starts at) | Bid Increment |
| Regional Buckets | South Indian, Punjabi, Marathi, Bengali, etc. | ₹5 Lakh | ₹50,000 |
| General/News | Hindi/National News and Entertainment | Higher (Based on reach) | ₹1 Lakh |
| HD Bucket | High-Definition Channels | Highest Threshold | ₹1 Lakh |
Strategic Importance
DD Free Dish continues to be a powerhouse for broadcasters because it requires no monthly subscription fee from viewers. For channels, securing an MPEG-4 slot—which requires a more modern set-top box compared to the older MPEG-2 standard—provides access to a growing segment of technologically upgraded households across rural and urban India.
Key Dates to Remember
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Application Deadline: March 9, 2026
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e-Auction Starts: March 16, 2026
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Slot Validity Begins: April 1, 2026
