The information and broadcasting ministry on Friday revoked permission for simultaneous uplinking of 10 Zee network channels in Ku Band on GSAT-15 satellite and C Band. This means these channels will no longer be free-to-air.
Rival networks ABP, TV9 and Network 18 had approached the I&B ministry saying Zee illegally put nine of its news channels, national and regional, on DD Free Dish without participating in auctions and paying for the slots. They alleged that this undermined due process, increased Zee network’s reach by millions of viewers, pushed up its TRPs, and gave it an “unfair advantage”.
