DTH signals fade, but FM radio turns up the volume for MIB
The ministry earned ₹1,012.39 crore in non-tax revenue in FY25 through the Bharatkosh platform on the NTR e-portal. The MIB issues licences to TV and radio broadcasters.
The ministry collects licence fees from DTH operators, who provide satellite-based television content across the country using high-powered Ku-band transponders. The segment includes four private operators Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV, and Sun Direct, along with public broadcaster Doordarshan, with the latter running its free-to-air DTH platform DD Free Dish.
DTH subscriber base has been falling steadily over the years. According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data, India's active DTH pay user base has fallen to 56.92 million in 2025 from 70.26 million in 2020. The erosion has been gradual but consistent, with annual drops from 69.57 million in 2021 to 66.92 million in 2022, 65.25 million in 2023, and 61.97 million in 2024.
This sustained decline points to a larger shift in consumer behaviour, as audiences increasingly migrate to digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms that offer more flexible, on-demand viewing experiences. ET reported on May 30 that MIB has also issued demand notices totalling over ₹16,000 crore to the four private DTH operators for outstanding licence fees, further straining a sector grappling with falling revenues and intense competition from OTT platforms and DD Free Dish.As per industry estimates, Prasar Bharati-owned DD Free Dish now reaches between 50 to 60 million homes, making it as large as or even larger than all four private DTH platforms combined.DD Free Dish does not collect subscription fees and operates on a free-to-air model. As such, its growth is not reflected in the ministry's licence fee earnings, as DD Free Dish does not pay a licence fee and operates outside the private DTH revenue framework.In contrast, FM radio continues to hold its ground, particularly in regional and semi-urban markets. The ministry earns revenue from FM broadcasters through non-refundable one-time entry and migration fees, annual licence fees, tower rentals, and processing charges.The ministry highlighted FM radio's growing appeal among younger listeners and local advertisers. Private FM channels are also playing a key role in the government's communication and outreach efforts. The ministry has been actively leveraging FM radio to promote developmental schemes, especially in remote and border areas.
As of March 31, 2024, 388 private FM radio channels were operational across 113 cities in 26 states and five Union territories. New stations have recently been launched in strategic border regions such as Leh and Kargil in Ladakh, and Bhaderwah, Kathua and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. According to TRAI, these FM channels reported total advertising revenues of ₹466.63 crore for the quarter ended March 31, a slight decline from ₹500.11 crore in the December quarter but still indicative of a resilient medium amid a rapidly changing media landscape.
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