The Truly Indian Dish: Doordarshan’s Free Dish Gathers 30 Million Subscribers Even As DTH Subscriptions Stagnate

Doordarshan’s Free Dish has mopped up around 30 million subscribers as other DTH operators have stagnated at around 67 million, reported Financial Express quoting data from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Compared to its competitors, Dish TV’s plans are cheaper at Rs 85 per month and viewers can also choose to pick up channels of their choice. Doordarshan’s Free Dish accounts for 40 per cent of the country’s 183 million cable and satellite (C&S) subscribers in 2017-18, reports KPMG.

Overall, 3.5 million subscribers of Dish TV have opted for channels on an a-la-carte basis. The total subscriber base stood at 23.3 million at the end of quarter one of 2019. Through a change in pricing strategy and packages, Dish TV claims that its Average Revenue Per User in quarter one19 increased to 214 from 201 in the previous quarter.