DD Free Dish, India’s only free Direct-To-Home (DTH) service operated by Prasar Bharati, offers a subscription-free platform for television viewers across the country. To maintain and expand its diverse channel lineup, Prasar Bharati conducts regular e-auctions, inviting broadcasters to bid for slots on the DD Free Dish platform.
DD Free Dish e-Auction Process
Prasar Bharati organizes e-auctions to allocate channel slots on DD Free Dish. These auctions are categorized based on channel genres and formats, such as MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 slots. Broadcasters participate in these auctions to secure a place on the platform, thereby reaching a wider audience without the barrier of subscription fees.
In a recent e-auction, Prasar Bharati earned ₹55.4 crore on the first day by allocating three slots in the Hindi/Urdu General Entertainment Channel (GEC) category for the period from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.The auction saw the return of major broadcasters like Zee Anmol and Star Utsav after a three-year hiatus, contributing to a total revenue of ₹208.10 crore from 11 slots over two days.
Current Channel Lineup on DD Free Dish
As of January 31, 2025, DD Free Dish offers a wide array of channels across various genres and languages. The platform provides both Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) channels, including national and regional broadcasters.
National Channels:
- DD National
- DD News
- DD Sports
- DD Bharati
- DD India
Regional Channels:
- News 18 UP/UK
- Bhojpuri cinema
- Filamchi Bhojpuri
- B4U Bhojpuri
- DD Assam
- DD Bangla
- DD Chandana
- DD Girnar
- DD Sahyadri
Private Channels:
- abp News
- AAJ Tak
- TV9 Bharatvarsh
- ZEE News
- India TV
- Bharat 24
- News Nation
- News 24
- Republic Bharat
- News 18 India
- Times Now Navbharat
- NDTV India
- Good News Today
- Sudarshan News
- Star Gold Thrills
- Goldmines
- Goldmines Bollywood
- Goldmines Movies
- ZEE Anmol Cinema
- ZEE Anmol Cinema 2
- ZEE Biskope
- Rishtey Cineplex
- ZEE Action
- B4U Movies
- B4U Kadak
- Manoranjan Movies
- Manoranjan Prime
- Cineplex Bollywood
- All Time Movies
For a comprehensive and updated list of channels, including their frequencies and transponder details, you can refer to the official DD Free Dish website.
Purchasing a DD Free Dish Set-Top Box
To access DD Free Dish services, viewers need to purchase a compatible set-top box and dish antenna. These are available through various online and offline retailers. The indicative price of a complete receive system, which includes the set-top box, dish antenna, LNB, cable, and other accessories, is typically less than ₹2,000. However, prices may vary depending on the make of the equipment and local taxes.
One option is the Catvision DD Free Dish DTH MPEG4 HD Set-Top Box, which offers access to over 115 free TV channels. This set-top box is available for purchase on Amazon India.
- Catvision Doordarshan Freedish MPEG 2 Standard Definition Set Top Box for FreeDish 90+ Channels (Rs. 825) Purchase
- Catvision FreeDish Set Top Box with WiFi | 115+ TV Channels (Rs. 1499) Purchase
Alternatively, the Catvision Standard Definition DD Free Dish Set-Top Box CSR-201SP is available for purchase directly from the manufacturer’s website.
It’s important to note that DD Free Dish does not require any monthly subscription fees. The only cost involved is the one-time purchase of the receive equipment. Once installed, viewers can enjoy a variety of channels free of charge.
For detailed instructions on setting up your DD Free Dish set-top box, you can refer to the official Prasar Bharati guide.
By investing in a DD Free Dish set-top box, viewers can access a diverse range of television channels without the burden of monthly subscription fees, making it an attractive option for households across India.