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Economic Times
29-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
DTH companies may get licence fee relief
Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) is reviewing the licence fee structure for direct-to-home (DTH) services as lobbying by operators intensifies amid rising subscriber churn and falling revenues, people aware of the development told ET. The ministry is in the process of preparing a Cabinet note that could lead to a significant reduction in the fee charged to private DTH operators, namely Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV and Sun Direct, the people cited earlier said, adding that any proposal to reduce licence fee will also require approval from the finance ministry, as it involves revenue considerations. Following the inter-ministerial consultation, the proposal will require the Union Cabinet's approval for implementation. DTH providers pay 8% of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as licence fee. Industry players argue that this cost has become increasingly difficult to bear, as more consumers migrate to OTT streaming services and the free-to-air DD Free Dish officials confirmed that deliberations are underway and indicated that a decision is likely, though they did not specify a possible revision follows repeated recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), which has urged the ministry to reduce the fee to 3% in FY26 and abolish it entirely by the end of FY27. Trai argues that DTH platforms should be treated on par with other distribution services, whether regulated or not, such as cable TV, DD Free Dish and OTT platforms, none of which pay a licence fee."The DTH sector is under considerable financial strain, and we urge the government to implement Trai's recommendations without delay," said Dish TV CEO Manoj Dobhal. "Regulatory relief is essential for our viability, especially as consumer behaviour shifts and revenues decline."India's active pay-TV DTH subscriber base has dropped from 70.26 million in 2020 to 56.92 million in 2025, a loss of over 13 million subscribers in five years, according to Trai's Performance Indicators FY24, the combined revenue of the four private DTH operators stood at ₹10,230 crore, down 5% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the IB ministry has issued demand notices worth over Rs16,000 crore to these companies for unpaid licence fees, a figure that exceeds the sector's total annual ministry's licence fee collection from DTH has plunged from ₹1,581 crore in FY22 to ₹648 crore in FY25, a decline of nearly 59%, highlighting the sector's worsening financial operators have previously petitioned the government to eliminate the licence fee altogether. They argue that their platforms should be treated on par with other TV distribution systems such as cable and IPTV, which are not subject to similar levies.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DTH companies may get licence fee relief
Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) is reviewing the licence fee structure for direct-to-home (DTH) services as lobbying by operators intensifies amid rising subscriber churn and falling revenues, people aware of the development told ET. The ministry is in the process of preparing a Cabinet note that could lead to a significant reduction in the fee charged to private DTH operators, namely Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV and Sun Direct, the people cited earlier said, adding that any proposal to reduce licence fee will also require approval from the finance ministry, as it involves revenue considerations. Following the inter-ministerial consultation, the proposal will require the Union Cabinet's approval for implementation. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Data Science Design Thinking Healthcare MCA PGDM Public Policy Cybersecurity Management healthcare MBA Project Management Data Analytics Degree Finance Product Management Operations Management Leadership Others Technology Data Science others Artificial Intelligence CXO Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details DTH providers pay 8% of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as licence fee. Industry players argue that this cost has become increasingly difficult to bear, as more consumers migrate to OTT streaming services and the free-to-air DD Free Dish platform. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo Government officials confirmed that deliberations are underway and indicated that a decision is likely, though they did not specify a timeline. The possible revision follows repeated recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), which has urged the ministry to reduce the fee to 3% in FY26 and abolish it entirely by the end of FY27. Live Events Trai argues that DTH platforms should be treated on par with other distribution services, whether regulated or not, such as cable TV, DD Free Dish and OTT platforms, none of which pay a licence fee. "The DTH sector is under considerable financial strain, and we urge the government to implement Trai's recommendations without delay," said Dish TV CEO Manoj Dobhal. "Regulatory relief is essential for our viability, especially as consumer behaviour shifts and revenues decline." India's active pay-TV DTH subscriber base has dropped from 70.26 million in 2020 to 56.92 million in 2025, a loss of over 13 million subscribers in five years, according to Trai's Performance Indicators Reports. In FY24, the combined revenue of the four private DTH operators stood at ₹10,230 crore, down 5% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the IB ministry has issued demand notices worth over Rs16,000 crore to these companies for unpaid licence fees, a figure that exceeds the sector's total annual revenue. The ministry's licence fee collection from DTH has plunged from ₹1,581 crore in FY22 to ₹648 crore in FY25, a decline of nearly 59%, highlighting the sector's worsening financial position. DTH operators have previously petitioned the government to eliminate the licence fee altogether. They argue that their platforms should be treated on par with other TV distribution systems such as cable and IPTV, which are not subject to similar levies.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DTH cos asked to pay ₹16,000 crore licence fee dues
MUMBAI: The ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued demand notices totalling ₹16,000 crore to the country's four private direct to home (DTH) operators over outstanding licence fees, industry sources told ET, potentially compounding problems for an industry battling dwindling revenues and subscriber losses to OTT platforms and DD Free demands cover both the principal amount and accrued interest on the dues, said the officials cited above. They said that the operators have communicated to the government that the notices cannot be enforced, as the matter is sub judice in various High Courts, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), and the Supreme Court. Dish TV CEO Manoj Dobhal acknowledged the pressures facing the sector. "The DTH industry is navigating a difficult phase, with factors such as subscriber churn driven by competition from OTT platforms and DD Free Dish, along with taxation and regulatory issues,' Dobhal said. 'Given these challenges, we would have hoped for a more supportive approach from the authorities." To be sure, the licence fee demand is more than the combined revenue of the four private DTH operators, which stood at ₹10,230 crore in FY24, down 5% from ₹10,837 crore the previous year, as per regulatory filings. In its correspondence, the ministry said the figures are subject to reconciliation based on the outcome of audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), as well as pending court decisions. In its Q4 FY25 regulatory filing, Dish TV disclosed that it had received a communication from the ministry dated 22 April 2025, directing the company to pay ₹6,735 crore toward licence fees, including interest, covering the period from the grant of its DTH licence up to FY24. The company added that it has disputed the demand in its response. As of FY24, Tata Play has received a consolidated demand of ₹3,628 crore, including ₹1,401.66 crore in interest. Sun Direct has received a demand of ₹1,051.84 crore (excluding interest) as of March 2024. As of March 2025, Dish TV had made a provision of ₹4,612 crore towards licence fee dues. Tata Play had provisioned approximately ₹2,002 crore and recognised a further ₹2,280 crore as a contingent liability. Bharti Airtel had made provisions of about ₹3,426 crore as of 31 March 2024. Bharti Telemedia, Tata Play and Sun Direct declined to comment on the matter. A senior DTH executive added that the ministry has raised similar demands in the past even when legal disputes remain unresolved. 'DTH operators have repeatedly urged the ministry to exclude pass-through costs, such as content expenses, from the licence fee calculations and to address the issue of double taxation. However, these concerns are yet to be addressed,' the executive said. The DTH industry lost 8 million subscribers between FY21 and FY24. The active pay DTH subscriber base stood at 58.22 million, as of December 2024. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has, on two occasions, recommended phasing out the DTH licence fee by the end of FY27. Since 2020, TRAI has issued 17 recommendations aimed at reforming the broadcasting sector. The ministry of information and broadcasting has historically calculated the licence fee as 10% of gross revenue, without deductions. However, in 2020, it amended the DTH guidelines to set the licence fee at 8% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR).
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DTH cos asked to pay ₹16kcr licence fee dues
At a time when the direct-to-home (DTH) industry is contending with several challenges-including a declining subscriber base and falling revenues-the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued demand notices totalling ₹16,000 crore to the country's four private DTH operators for outstanding licence fee dues, according to industry sources. These demands cover both the principal amount and accrued interest. Industry officials noted that the operators have communicated to the MIB that the notices cannot be enforced, as the matter is sub judice in various High Courts, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), and the Supreme Court. The MIB's licence fee demand exceeds the combined revenue of the four private DTH operators, which stood at ₹10,230 crore in FY24-down 5% from ₹10,837 crore the previous year, as per regulatory filings. The industry has been under stress, having lost eight million subscribers between FY21 and FY24. The active pay DTH subscriber base stood at 58.22 million as of December 2024. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo In its correspondence, the MIB stated that the figures are subject to reconciliation based on the outcome of audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), as well as pending judicial decisions. In its Q4 FY25 regulatory filing, Dish TV disclosed that it had received a communication from the MIB dated April 22, 2025, directing the company to pay ₹6,735 crore towards licence fees, including interest, covering the period from the grant of its DTH licence up to FY24. The company added that it has disputed the demand in its response. Live Events As of FY24, Tata Play has received a consolidated demand of ₹3,628 crore, including ₹1,401.66 crore in interest. Sun Direct has received a demand of ₹1,051.84 crore (excluding interest) as of March 2024. Bharti Telemedia, Tata Play, and Sun Direct declined to comment on the matter. Dish TV CEO Manoj Dobhal acknowledged the pressures facing the sector, saying: "The DTH industry is navigating a difficult phase, with factors such as subscriber churn driven by competition from OTT platforms and DD Free Dish, along with taxation and regulatory issues. Given these challenges, we would have hoped for a more supportive approach from the authorities."
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Dish TV narrows Q4 consolidated net loss to Rs 402.2 crore
Direct to home (DTH) operator Dish TV India reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 402.2 crore for the quarter ended 31 March 2025, a marked improvement from Rs 1,989.7 crore in the same period last year. The recovery was primarily driven by the absence of deferred tax expenses. Despite the reduced loss, the company continues to face operational headwinds, with revenue and profitability under pressure. Subscription revenue—the broadcaster's main income stream—declined 16.82% year-on-year to Rs 295.9 crore. Total operating revenue fell 15.55% to Rs 343.7 crore, impacted by continued subscriber churn and a sharp 40.4% drop in advertising income to Rs 4.1 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Honeywell HWL-02E Pro Floor Lamp Review – Sharing the True Meaning of 'Natural Light' with the Whole Family - TechBullion TechBullion Undo Total expenditure rose slightly by 1.94% to Rs 246.3 crore. EBITDA for the quarter declined 41.1% to Rs 97.3 crore. Exceptional items stood at Rs 335.4 crore, marginally lower than Rs 402.7 crore in the year-ago period. Subscription income remained the key revenue driver, accounting for 86.1% of operating revenue. Marketing and promotional fees edged up 2.6% to Rs 35.8 crore, while other operating income declined 16.7% to Rs 7.9 crore. The company said new subscriber additions were broadly in line with industry trends, although churn remained elevated, resulting in a net decline in the subscriber base. Live Events Amidst these challenges, Dish TV continued efforts to improve operations—focusing on enhancing the quality of new acquisitions, reducing churn, and lowering recurring set-top box (STB) capex. These measures were aimed at freeing up internal cash flows for investment in emerging digital ventures. Reduced STB-related spending enabled the company to channel internal accruals into initiatives such as ShopZop and FLIQS. Management stated that future digital investments will also be internally funded. Commenting on the evolving media landscape, CEO Manoj Dobhal said, 'As the industry shifts towards hybrid models blending traditional and digital-first approaches, strengthening the content and creator ecosystem is more vital than ever. There's growing demand for diverse, regional content, and empowering creators is essential to meet this.' He added, 'With Dish TV Smart+ and the FLIQS segment within our WATCHO app, we aim to redefine how creators engage with audiences, ensuring India's talent receives the reach and recognition it deserves.' Dish TV's in-house OTT platform, Watcho – OTT Super App, continued its growth trajectory, surpassing 10 million paid subscribers during the quarter. The platform now hosts over 24 apps across a wide range of content categories at competitive prices. For the full financial year (FY25), the company reported a net loss of Rs 487.7 crore, significantly down from Rs 1,966.6 crore in FY24, largely due to the absence of deferred tax charges, which amounted to Rs 1,597.9 crore last year. Annual operating revenue declined 15.6% to Rs 1,567.6 crore, with subscription income falling 16.3% to Rs 1,377.1 crore. Advertising revenue dropped 33% to Rs 20.1 crore, while other operating income fell 25.2% to Rs 33.8 crore. Marketing and promotional spend remained stable at Rs 136.7 crore. Dish TV managed to reduce overall expenditure by 5.8% to Rs 1,038.5 crore. Full-year EBITDA stood at Rs 529.1 crore, a 29.8% decline from Rs 753.7 crore in FY24. Exceptional items for the year totalled Rs 335.4 crore, down from Rs 402.7 crore the previous year. In a regulatory filing dated 28 May 2025, the company announced the elevation of Manoj Dobhal, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, as Chairman of the Board with immediate effect. The Board also approved the re-appointment of Chandra Wadhwa & Co. as Cost Auditors for FY26, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming AGM, and the re-appointment of S M A M & Co., Chartered Accountants (FRN: 028845C), as Internal Auditors for FY25.
