Updated Sept 7, 2025 — originally published Aug 26, 2020.
The Indian DTH landscape has changed significantly since 2020. Pay-DTH subscriptions have fallen as viewers shift to broadband and OTT: the pay-DTH active base was 56.92 million as of March 31, 2025 (TRAI).
At the same time, Doordarshan’s DD Free Dish has expanded its channel line-up and reach, making free FTA TV an even larger part of India’s TV ecosystem.
Major paid players (Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV & Sun Direct) continue to operate but face subscriber pressure and margin stress; Tata Play reported a widened FY25 net loss as companies adapt to the OTT era.
Top DTH Providers in India (2025)
| Provider | Active Subscribers / Market Share (Mar 2025) | Channels (approx) | Installation / STB | 2025 Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Play (formerly Tata Sky) | Leader; ~32% market share (~56.92M total pay-DTH base) | ~600 incl. ~99 HD | Varies; bundles with OTT/broadband available | Subscriber churn; reported FY25 net loss |
| Airtel Digital TV / Airtel Xstream | ~29% market share | ~500–560 incl. HD | Android TV / hybrid boxes; OTT bundles | Hybrid OTT+DTH focus |
| Dish TV (incl. Videocon d2h) | ~19–20% market share | ~300–600 incl. HD | Traditional packs + Zing Digital low-cost | Consolidated with Videocon; financial restructuring |
| Sun Direct | ~19% market share | Strong South regional + HD | Regional packs; occasional free STB promos | Strong in South India, regional focus |
| DD Free Dish (Doordarshan) | Free-to-air; ~49M households (2024 industry est.) | ~381 channels (2025) | No monthly fee; one-time antenna/box cost | Major growth; free FTA channels expanding reach |
Key Updates Since 2020
- Market Shrinkage: Pay-DTH subscriptions dropped to 56.9M in Mar 2025, continuing a decline as OTT and broadband packages grow.
- DD Free Dish Growth: Free-to-air households rose to nearly 49M, making it the strongest growth area in Indian television.
- Hybrid Models: Tata Play, Airtel, and Dish TV now focus on hybrid OTT+DTH packages to retain subscribers.
- Regional Strength: Sun Direct remains a dominant choice in southern India with competitive regional packs.
Things to Know Before Choosing DTH in 2025
- Installation: Standard installation is included; extra wiring/accessories may cost more.
- Warranty: Typically one year on set-top boxes, handled by the provider.
- Cheapest Option: DD Free Dish is free (one-time setup cost only). For pay-DTH, compare operator packs as prices change often.
- OTT Bundling: Many providers now offer set-top boxes that integrate streaming apps (Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, etc.) with live TV.
FAQ & Glossary
Do I have to pay extra for installation?
Standard installation is usually free or included. If extra wiring or accessories are needed, additional costs may apply.
What about warranty?
Most providers offer a one-year warranty on set-top boxes from the date of activation.
What is the cheapest DTH option in 2025?
DD Free Dish is free-to-air (only a one-time setup cost). Paid operators offer competitive low-cost packs, but prices vary frequently.
What is FTA?
Free-to-Air (FTA) channels can be viewed without paying any subscription fee (common on DD Free Dish).
What is DRP?
Distributor Retail Price (DRP) is the listed price of a channel or bouquet that the customer pays.
What is A la carte?
A la carte means you can subscribe to individual channels instead of only fixed packs.
Provider Profiles (2020 Snapshot)
(Preserved from the original DA360 article for historical context and SEO value.)
- Tata Sky (now Tata Play): First to launch 4K set-top box and video-on-demand service in India. Known for flexible packs, catchy ad campaigns, and a user-friendly app that allows channel customization and small recharge options.
- Airtel Digital TV: Launched in 2008 by Bharti Airtel, quickly grew with nearly 500 channels. Known for unlimited recording, multi-connection facilities, and more recently, Android TV-based set-top boxes.
- Dish TV: India’s first DTH provider (Zee/Videocon group origins). Initially targeted regions where cable was weak. Offered parental controls and customizable combos. Later merged with Videocon d2h.
- Videocon d2h: Founded in 2009, strong on affordable packs, MPEG-4 clarity, and pause/rewind features. Merged with Dish TV in 2018, forming one of the largest pay-TV bases at the time.
- Sun Direct: Launched in 2007, focused on South Indian regional channels with aggressive pricing and early free STB offers. Strong in regional language entertainment.
- DD Free Dish: Started in 2004, India’s only free-to-air DTH, broadcasting Doordarshan channels and a growing list of private channels. Reached tens of millions of households even before 2020.
- Zing Digital: A Dish TV subsidiary, launched in 2015 to provide low-cost regional content packs, especially in Kerala, West Bengal, and Odisha.
- Jio (2020 speculation): In 2020, Jio announced plans for a DTH-like service bundled with broadband. By 2025, its strategy has pivoted more toward JioFiber and OTT integration rather than a standalone DTH rollout.
- Independent TV (Reliance Big TV): Active in the late 2000s–2010s but shut down by 2020. No longer operational.
Conclusion
DTH is no longer growing the way it was in 2020, but it remains relevant for millions of households across India. Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV, and Sun Direct still dominate the paid market, while DD Free Dish continues to expand free access nationwide. With Jio and other fiber/OTT bundles competing, we expect more hybrid services and price adjustments in the coming years.
Recommendation: If you want free basic TV, go for DD Free Dish. For paid services, Tata Play and Airtel Xstream remain strong choices, while Sun Direct is ideal in the South. Always compare current packs and check for OTT integration before subscribing.
4 Comments
Great comparison! It’s really helpful to see how each DTH service stacks up against the others. I’m particularly interested in Tata Play’s features after hearing so much about their customer service. Thanks for breaking it down!
Great comparison! It really helped me understand the pros and cons of each DTH service. I’m leaning towards Tata Play now, but it’s good to know all the options available for 2025. Thank you for the detailed insights!
Great comparison! It’s really helpful to see how Tata Play and Airtel stack up against Dish TV and others. I appreciate the detailed analysis on channel offerings and pricing. Looking forward to 2025 developments in the DTH space!
Great comparison! It’s really helpful to see the strengths of each DTH provider laid out clearly. I’m particularly interested in how Tata Play’s customer service stacks up against the others. Thanks for the detailed insights!