Digital shift forces 50 TV channels to surrender licences

Changing viewer preferences, rising OTT adoption and weak advertising growth are forcing broadcasters to rethink traditional television operations, leading to licence surrenders, consolidation and a broader structural reset across India’s TV industry.

India’s television broadcasting industry is witnessing a significant churn, with around 50 channels surrendering their licences over the past three years as broadcasters grapple with structural shifts in consumption and revenue models. According to data from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, major networks such as Zee Entertainment Enterprises, NDTV, ABP Network, TV Today Network, Eenadu Television and JioStar have either exited or rationalised their television operations.

In a separate move highlighting consolidation within the sector, Culver Max Entertainment, which operates Sony Pictures Network India, surrendered 26 downlinking permissions after receiving approval to both uplink and downlink the same set of channels, streamlining regulatory requirements.

Pay-TV under pressure

At the core of the reset is sustained pressure on India’s pay-TV ecosystem. Industry experts point to a clear audience split, with affluent households increasingly shifting to OTT streaming platforms, while price-sensitive viewers migrate to DD Free Dish. This has steadily eroded the subscriber base of pay television.

According to industry estimates, the pay DTH subscriber base has declined from about 72 million in FY19 to nearly 62 million in FY24 and is expected to fall further in the coming years. This subscriber contraction has directly impacted advertising reach and channel viability.

Advertising slowdown and strategic exits

Weak advertising trends have further strained broadcasters. Forecasts indicate that television advertising revenue is expected to decline marginally in 2025, even as the overall advertising market continues to grow, driven largely by digital platforms. As a result, broadcasters are reassessing expansion plans and trimming underperforming assets.

Enter10 Media, which operates the popular Hindi general entertainment channel Dangal, has also surrendered select licences following a strategic review. The broadcaster has shelved plans for additional channel launches, including Dangal HD and DaDangal Oriya, citing business priorities and resource constraints.

Industry bodies say the developments reflect deeper structural changes driven by technology convergence, evolving audience behaviour and regulatory complexities. As digital consumption accelerates, experts believe further consolidation and rationalisation are likely, marking a decisive shift in India’s television broadcasting landscape.