MIB Reports Decline in DTH Revenue, Growth for FM Radio in FY25

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has reported a significant decline in revenue from Direct-to-Home (DTH) television services for the fiscal year 2025. DTH earnings fell to Rs 648.73 crore, down from Rs 692 crore in the previous year and Rs 859.96 crore in fiscal year 2023. This trend reflects a broader decrease in the pay TV user base, which has dropped markedly in recent years.

Conversely, revenue from the private FM radio sector showed a positive trajectory, increasing to Rs 196.28 crore in FY25, up from Rs 186.80 crore in FY24 and Rs 178.99 crore in FY23. This growth illustrates the enduring popularity of FM radio, particularly in regional and semi-urban areas, as audiences continue to seek diverse entertainment options.

The MIB’s annual report indicates that the ministry collected a total of Rs 1,012.39 crore in non-tax revenue through the Bharatkosh platform on the NTR e-portal in FY25. The ministry is responsible for issuing licenses to various television and radio broadcasters. DTH operators, including major players such as Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, and Dish TV, as well as public broadcaster Doordarshan’s DD Free Dish, are required to pay licensing fees for their operations.

Declining DTH Subscribers

Data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reveals a steady decline in active DTH subscribers, decreasing from 70.26 million in 2020 to 56.92 million in 2025. The reduction has been gradual, with figures dropping from 69.57 million in 2021, 66.92 million in 2022, 65.25 million in 2023, and 61.97 million in 2024. This trend reflects shifting viewer preferences, with many audiences gravitating towards digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms for their content consumption.

In a related development, the MIB issued demand notices exceeding Rs 16,000 crore to private DTH operators for outstanding licensing fees. This adds pressure to an industry already grappling with revenue challenges and stiff competition from both OTT services and DD Free Dish. Estimates suggest that DD Free Dish, operated by Prasar Bharati, reaches between 50 million and 60 million households, potentially surpassing the combined reach of private DTH platforms. Notably, DD Free Dish operates on a free-to-air basis, which means it does not contribute to the ministry’s licensing revenue.

FM Radio’s Steady Growth

Despite the challenges facing DTH services, FM radio continues to thrive. The MIB highlighted the medium’s strong position, particularly among youth and local advertisers. FM channels also play a vital role in supporting government communication initiatives, which promote development schemes in remote and border regions. As of March 31, 2024, there were 388 private FM radio channels operating across 113 cities in 26 states and five Union territories. Recent expansions have included new stations in border areas such as Leh and Kargil in Ladakh, along with Bhaderwah, Kathua, and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the latest quarter, FM channels reported Rs 466.63 crore in advertising revenue, a slight decline from Rs 500.11 crore in the preceding quarter. This modest decrease underscores the resilience of FM radio amid ongoing changes in the media landscape.

The contrasting trends between declining DTH revenues and the steady growth of FM radio reveal significant shifts in the Indian media industry. As consumer preferences evolve, both sectors face unique challenges and opportunities moving forward.