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Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
MIB sees mixed trends: DTH takes a hit; FM Radio tunes into growth in FY25
The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) saw a dip in earnings from Direct-to-Home (DTH) television services in FY25, signaling a continued decline in the pay TV user base. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, revenues from the private FM radio sector showed steady growth during the same period, according to the ministry's latest annual report. In FY25, DTH revenue decreased to Rs 648.73 crore in FY25 from Rs 692 crore in FY24 and Rs 859.96 crore in FY23, showing a 25% reduction over two years. Conversely, private FM radio revenue increased to Rs 196.28 crore from Rs 186.80 crore in FY24 and Rs 178.99 crore in FY23. The ministry collected Rs 1,012.39 crore in non-tax revenue through the Bharatkosh platform on the NTR e-portal in FY25. The MIB provides licences to television and radio broadcasters. DTH operators, including Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV, Sun Direct, and public broadcaster Doordarshan's DD Free Dish, pay licence fees to the ministry. These operators deliver television content nationwide using Ku-band transponders, ET reported. TRAI data shows a steady decline in active DTH pay users from 70.26 million in 2020 to 56.92 million in 2025. The decrease occurred progressively, with numbers falling from 69.57 million in 2021 to 66.92 million in 2022, 65.25 million in 2023, and 61.97 million in 2024. This ongoing reduction indicates changing viewer preferences, with audiences increasingly choosing digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms for their entertainment needs. Earlier on May 30, ET reported that MIB issued demand notices exceeding Rs 16,000 crore to private DTH operators for pending licence fees, adding pressure to an industry facing revenue challenges and competition from OTT platforms and DD Free Dish. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Industry estimates suggest DD Free Dish, owned by Prasar Bharati, reaches 50-60 million households, matching or surpassing the combined reach of private DTH platforms. DD Free Dish operates without subscription charges on a free-to-air basis. Its growth does not affect ministry revenue as it neither pays licence fees nor operates within the private DTH revenue structure. FM radio maintains its position, particularly in regional and semi-urban areas. The ministry generates revenue through entry and migration fees, annual licences, tower rentals, and processing charges from FM broadcasters. The ministry noted FM radio's popularity among youth and local advertisers. Private FM channels support government communication initiatives, helping promote development schemes in remote and border regions. As of March 31, 2024, 388 private FM radio channels operated across 113 cities in 26 states and five Union territories. New stations launched in border areas include Leh and Kargil in Ladakh, and Bhaderwah, Kathua and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. TRAI reports show FM channels earned Rs 466.63 crore in advertising revenue for the quarter ended March 31, down from Rs 500.11 crore in the December quarter, demonstrating stability despite media industry changes.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DTH signals fade, but FM radio turns up the volume for MIB
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) earned lower revenues from the Direct-to-Home (DTH) television services market in FY25, reflecting a shrinking user base for pay TV services. Earnings from the FM radio sector however rose during the year, according to the ministry's latest annual accounts. In FY25, the MIB earned ₹648.73 crore from private DTH operators, declining from ₹692 crore in FY24 and ₹859.96 crore in FY23, a nearly 25% drop over two years. In contrast, revenue from private FM radio rose to ₹196.28 crore last fiscal from ₹186.80 crore in FY24 and ₹178.99 crore in FY23. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category healthcare Leadership Data Science Public Policy CXO Product Management Degree Operations Management Data Analytics Artificial Intelligence Project Management Technology Management Healthcare Others Finance MCA Design Thinking MBA PGDM Digital Marketing others Cybersecurity Data Science Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details The ministry earned ₹1,012.39 crore in non-tax revenue in FY25 through the Bharatkosh platform on the NTR e-portal. The MIB issues licences to TV and radio broadcasters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Best Method for a Flat Stomach After 50 (It's Genius!) Lulutox The ministry collects licence fees from DTH operators, who provide satellite-based television content across the country using high-powered Ku-band transponders. The segment includes four private operators Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV , and Sun Direct, along with public broadcaster Doordarshan, with the latter running its free-to-air DTH platform DD Free Dish. DTH subscriber base has been falling steadily over the years. According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI ) data, India's active DTH pay user base has fallen to 56.92 million in 2025 from 70.26 million in 2020. The erosion has been gradual but consistent, with annual drops from 69.57 million in 2021 to 66.92 million in 2022, 65.25 million in 2023, and 61.97 million in 2024. Live Events This sustained decline points to a larger shift in consumer behaviour, as audiences increasingly migrate to digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms that offer more flexible, on-demand viewing experiences. ET reported on May 30 that MIB has also issued demand notices totalling over ₹16,000 crore to the four private DTH operators for outstanding licence fees, further straining a sector grappling with falling revenues and intense competition from OTT platforms and DD Free Dish. As per industry estimates, Prasar Bharati-owned DD Free Dish now reaches between 50 to 60 million homes, making it as large as or even larger than all four private DTH platforms combined. DD Free Dish does not collect subscription fees and operates on a free-to-air model. As such, its growth is not reflected in the ministry's licence fee earnings, as DD Free Dish does not pay a licence fee and operates outside the private DTH revenue framework. In contrast, FM radio continues to hold its ground, particularly in regional and semi-urban markets. The ministry earns revenue from FM broadcasters through non-refundable one-time entry and migration fees, annual licence fees, tower rentals, and processing charges. The ministry highlighted FM radio's growing appeal among younger listeners and local advertisers. Private FM channels are also playing a key role in the government's communication and outreach efforts. The ministry has been actively leveraging FM radio to promote developmental schemes, especially in remote and border areas. As of March 31, 2024, 388 private FM radio channels were operational across 113 cities in 26 states and five Union territories. New stations have recently been launched in strategic border regions such as Leh and Kargil in Ladakh, and Bhaderwah, Kathua and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. According to TRAI, these FM channels reported total advertising revenues of ₹466.63 crore for the quarter ended March 31, a slight decline from ₹500.11 crore in the December quarter but still indicative of a resilient medium amid a rapidly changing media landscape.
