DD Free Dish is India’s only free-to-air Direct-to-Home (DTH) service, operated by Prasar Bharati. Launched in 2004, it provides free access to a wide variety of television channels, including general entertainment, news, movies, music, education, and regional programming, catering to diverse linguistic and cultural audiences across India. It is particularly popular in rural and remote areas where paid DTH services may not be affordable.
The platform transmits channels via satellite, enabling users to access them without subscription fees after a one-time investment in a Free Dish-compatible set-top box and dish antenna. Over the years, DD Free Dish has grown significantly in reach and influence, hosting more than 160 TV channels and several radio channels.
DD Free Dish allocates channel slots through an auction process, encouraging private broadcasters to offer high-quality content. Popular channels from networks like Zee, Sony, and Star have joined the platform, enhancing its appeal.