Prasar Bharati to sell vacant DD Free Dish MPEG-4 slots through 43rd e-auction

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has invited applications from satellite TV channels for allotment of MPEG-4 slots of its free Direct to Home (DTH) platform DD Free Dish on pro-rata basis for the period from February 1 to May 14, 2020, through the 43rd online e-auction process.

In its notice, Prasar Bharati stated that only channels licensed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) would be allowed to participate in this online e-Auction process. Only companies holding valid permission from MIB or their authorised distributor partners can apply for the allocation of DD Free Dish slot.

If bidder company is other than the channel license holder, the letter/agreement signed between license holder company and distributor company authorising the bidder for distribution of the channel and bidding on behalf of the channel must be submitted, it added. International public broadcasters licensed/registered by the MIB can also participate in the e-auction.

Bidding in the e-auction of MPEG-4 slots will be open to all genre (language) channels at a reserve price of Rs 16, 50, 000. The carriage fee along with applicable GST will be payable in two instalments. The first instalment in advance by 30th January before placement of channel on DD Free Dish. While the second instalment is payable by 27th February after adjusting the participation fee amount.

The applicants will be required to furnish demand drafts along with the bidder registration form. The last date for submission of applications is Monday, 20th January latest by 3 pm.