Streaming platforms hit DTH business

With streaming companies offering free services, the DTH service providers are taking a significant hit. While OTT platforms attract premium customers, DD FreeDish draws away lower-end pay DTH customers.

According to a report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the number of active pay DTH subscribers decreased by nearly 5 percent in FY24, falling to 61.97 million from 65.25 million in FY23. In Q4FY24, the active pay DTH subscriber base declined by 2.4 per cent quarter-over-quarter, dropping by 1.55 million to 61.97 million.

The leading four private DTH operators and one government-owned operator, is experiencing a major decline in its subscriber base.

Dish TV, with 12.67 million subscribers has seen the maximum drop, at 11 percent. Sun also faced a setback with a 6.27 per cent drop, bringing its subscriber countdown to 11.5 million. Tata Play, at 20.15 million subscribers, has seen a 5.39 percent year-on-year dip in its subscriber base.

Bharti Airtel’s DTH division is the only operator that recorded a 1 percent increase in subscriber base, reaching 17.63 million.
BCS Bureau