Doordarshan reaps US$14.26 million from DTH slot auction

India’s public television network Doordarshan (DD) raised US$14.26 million from the e-auction to private broadcasters of 29 satellite slots on its free to air direct-to-home (DTH) service- DD Direct Plus, rapidtvnews reports.

The broadcaster is expected to auction another 87 slots during the next few months in order to increase its own DTH offering from 59 to 150 channels, in line with government plans.

According to the Prasar Bharati, which runs Doordarshan,  45 private media companies participated in the auction, which was conducted in two parts last year.

This mechanism was adopted after a Court directed Prasar Bharati to adopt a transparent system for allocating slots on DD Direct Plus. Private broadcasters had previously complained of being dropped from the state’s DTH platform without explanation or valid reason.

Following the e-auction success, Doordarshan is now reportedly considering whether to adopt the system for allocating TV programming on its channels.