TV news broadcasters to boycott DD Free Dish e-auction

TV news broadcasters have decided to boycott the DD Free Dish e-auction in protest against the Prasar Bharati’s new methodology, which they allege are detrimental to them. Industry bodies New Broadcasters and Digital Association and News Broadcasters Federation have sent a letter to the information and broadcasting minister in this regard.
Prasar Bharati’s Free Dish DTH reaches almost 50 million Indian homes.
News broadcasters complain that the number of slots allotted for news channels has been reduced to six from 14. And the changed auction method for DD Free Dish will let GECs to bid for slots that were hitherto allotted for news channels. They are also worried about the fact that there is no scientific base to ascertain the exact reach of the DD Free Dish.
The news broadcasters say that all these issues will increase the price of DD Free Dish slots, making them unworkable for them.