India’s television broadcasting sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with 50 channels surrendering their satellite broadcast licences over the past three years, reflecting profound changes in viewer behaviour, digital adoption, and industry economics. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting data, cited by the Economic Times, highlights that major broadcasters, including JioStar, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Eenadu Television, TV Today Network, NDTV, and ABP Network, have given up their licences during this period.

Culver Max Entertainment and Consolidation Moves

Culver Max Entertainment, the parent company of Sony Pictures Network India, also surrendered 26 downlinking permissions. The broadcaster had received approval from the ministry to both uplink and downlink the same set of channels, making the multiple licences redundant. These moves reflect a broader trend of consolidation and strategic realignment in India’s pay-TV ecosystem.

Why Broadcasters Are Giving Up Licences

Several factors are driving this wave of licence surrenders:

1. Digital Migration of Viewers: Affluent households increasingly prefer OTT platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Amazon Prime Video, reducing viewership for traditional television.
2. Shift Towards Free-to-Air Services: Price-sensitive households are migrating to DD Free Dish, reducing subscription revenue for pay-TV operators. The pay DTH subscriber base has fallen from 72 million in FY19 to 62 million in FY24 and is expected to decline further.
3. Weak Advertising Trends: Television advertising revenue is under pressure. According to WPP, TV ad revenue is projected to decline 1.5% in 2025 to ₹477.4 billion, even as the overall advertising market grows 9.2% year-on-year to ₹1.8 trillion, and is expected to reach ₹2 trillion in 2026.
4. Strategic Business Decisions: Some broadcasters, such as Enter10 Media, have surrendered licences after strategic reviews. Enter10, which operates Dangal, among the country’s top 10 channels by viewership, gave up licences for Dangal HD and DaDangal Oriya, shelving planned HD and regional expansions due to business objectives and resource constraints.

Structural and Regulatory Pressures

Industry analysts say these trends reflect deeper structural shifts driven by the convergence of media and technology, evolving audience preferences, and changes in content consumption patterns. The growth of OTT platforms, combined with the pressure to maintain multiple regional and HD channels, has made it increasingly challenging for broadcasters to sustain traditional satellite operations.

Regulatory challenges have also intensified stress in the sector. Compliance requirements, licence renewals, and restrictions on simultaneous uplinking and downlinking have added to operational complexities, prompting several broadcasters to streamline their portfolios.

The Future of Television Broadcasting in India

While traditional TV faces headwinds, industry experts suggest that the medium is not disappearing but evolving. Broadcasters are increasingly integrating digital strategies, focusing on content quality, regional channels, and targeted advertising, while shedding redundant licences.

The recent trend of licence surrenders underscores the ongoing digital-first shift in India’s media landscape, as broadcasters recalibrate for profitability and sustainability in a rapidly changing ecosystem. As viewers migrate to on-demand and digital platforms, the television industry is likely to continue consolidating, with fewer, stronger players dominating the space.

This period marks a turning point for Indian broadcasting, highlighting the need for agility, innovation, and adaptation to new consumer habits and technological platforms.