Sony Pal, Colors Rishtey won’t return to Free Dish despite winning slots

In November, DD Free Dish had said that the channels will be available on the platform from December

by Team PITCH
December 15, 2022

Sony Pal, Colors Rishtey won’t return to Free Dish despite winning slots

Sony Pal and Colors Rishtey have pulled out of DD Free Dish, as per media reports. This is despite the channels, owned by Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and Viacom18 respectively, winning slots in the e-auction conducted in November.

This is also quite contrary to DD Free Dish's confirmation last month when the platform put out a statement saying that both Sony Pal and Colors Rishtey will be available on Free Dish from December.

Industry observers had also said the return of Sony Pal and Colors Rishtey was not surprising since the pay broadcasters have not benefited much from the pull-out.

The big four broadcasters pulled out their Hindi GECs from DD Free Dish early this year. However, they did face loss of ad revenue due to a drop in GRPs of the Hindi GECs even as the subscription revenue remained under pressure due to the migration of customers to alternate platforms like DD Free Dish and OTT video streaming. The channels have also said earlier that their ad revenue growth has been hit hard due to the pull-out from DD Free Dish.

Click on the links below to read our earlier reports on this news.

https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/sony-pal-colors-rishtey-set-to-join-dd-free-dish-from-dec-123846.html

https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/big-4-exit-from-dd-free-dish-who-gains-what-118979.html