The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India conducted over 500 audits of Digital Addressable Systems during 2024–25 as part of its regulatory oversight of the broadcasting and cable television services sector, reflecting a continued focus on compliance and transparency across distribution platforms, TRAI said in its Annual Report 2024–25.
The television and radio broadcasting industry remains a key pillar of India’s media and entertainment landscape, benefiting from the country’s young demographic profile and rising demand for information and entertainment services. Citing industry estimates, TRAI noted that India’s media and entertainment sector grew by 3.3 per cent in 2024 to reach ₹2.5 trillion and is projected to expand to ₹3.07 trillion by 2027, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 per cent.
During the year under review, TRAI undertook several regulatory initiatives to strengthen the broadcasting and cable services sector.
These included consultation papers and recommendations on the National Broadcasting Policy, reserve prices for auction of FM radio channels, amendments to the Interconnection Regulations, audit-related provisions for Digital Addressable Systems, and the formulation of a Digital Radio Broadcasting Policy for private broadcasters. TRAI also issued a regulatory framework for ground-based broadcasters and service authorisations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
As part of its oversight and compliance functions, TRAI conducted 518 audits of Digital Addressable Systems during 2024–25 through empanelled auditors, underscoring its focus on transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency.
According to TRAI, India’s broadcasting ecosystem comprises television and radio services delivered through cable TV, Direct-to-Home (DTH), Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS), and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platforms. As per industry data cited in the report, the country has approximately 60 million cable TV households, around 2 million HITS subscribers, and 56.92 million active DTH subscribers as of 31 March 2025. IPTV services, while still at a nascent stage, recorded about 0.7 million subscribers during the same period.
The television broadcasting sector consisted of approximately 329 broadcasters providing around 918 private satellite TV channels permitted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). This included 232 standard-definition pay TV channels and 101 high-definition pay TV channels operated by 35 broadcasters. The distribution landscape comprised one HITS operator, four DTH operators, and 53 IPTV operators. Additionally, India had over 81,700 registered local cable operators as of January 2022.
Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati continued to maintain a strong presence through All India Radio, Doordarshan, and the Free-to-Air DTH platform DD Free Dish. As highlighted by TRAI, DD Free Dish remains the largest DTH platform in India, reaching an estimated 49 million households, particularly in rural, remote, and low-income areas. The platform is widely used not only for entertainment but also for disseminating content related to education, health, and agriculture.
On the financial front, TRAI reported that the Indian television industry recorded revenues of ₹67,900 crore at the end of 2024. Of this, subscription revenues accounted for ₹38,500 crore, while advertisement revenues stood at ₹29,400 crore, reflecting the continued importance of both consumer payments and advertising-led monetisation.
Radio broadcasting also demonstrated steady performance during the year. As reported to TRAI by private FM radio operators, there were 388 operational private FM radio stations as of 31 March 2025, in addition to 591 channels operated by All India Radio. Community radio continued to expand, with 531 operational stations out of 639 permissions issued. Advertisement revenues of private FM radio stations stood at ₹1,818.71 crore during 2024–25.
The Authority reiterated its commitment to ensuring orderly growth, consumer protection, and a level playing field as the broadcasting sector navigates rapid technological change and digital disruption.