DD Free Dish Scheme 2024 | Complete List, Channels, and More

DD Free Dish, also known as DD Direct+, is India’s exclusive Free Direct-To-Home Service introduced in December 16, 2004. This DTH service is owned and managed by the Public Service Broadcaster Prasar Bharati, which operates Doordarshan. The ownership and operation of DD Free Dish DTH service rest with the Public Service Broadcaster Prasar Bharati. DD Free Dish stands out as the sole Free-to-Air (FTA) Direct-To-Home (DTH) Service, exempting viewers from monthly subscription fees. Its affordability is noteworthy, requiring only a modest one-time investment of approximately Rs. 2000/- for the purchase of a Set-top Box (STB) along with a compact Dish Antenna and accessories.

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This distinctive free-to-air model has propelled DD Free Dish to become the largest DTH platform. Let’s know about the scheme in detail. We will also talk about free dish tv yojana apply online, DD free dish scheme price, DD free dish scheme channel list, DD free dish scheme amount, DD free dish set top box, DD free dish, DD free dish price, DD free dish new channel coming soon list

What is the DD Free Dish Scheme 2024?

DD Free Dish, sanctioned by the Government of India and administered through Prasar Bharati, received Cabinet approval on November 19, 2003. The formal inauguration of DD Free Dish took place on December 16, 2004, with the Honourable Prime Minister of India leading the ceremony. Unlike DTH operators worldwide, who typically impose activation and monthly subscription charges based on the channels/bouquets chosen by the subscriber, DD Free Dish is a unique Free-to-Air (FTA) DTH platform that does not levy such fees. This service covers the entire country, excluding Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and extends its reach to areas without access to terrestrial or cable TV, including border, remote, and tribal regions.

DD Free Dish Scheme

Notably, DD Free Dish is available across the nation except in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. However, a dedicated 10-channel DTH service in C-Band has been established by Prasar Bharati exclusively for Andaman & Nicobar Islands, also operating on a Free-To-Air basis.

As of 2023 market estimates, more than 4.50 Crore households are tuned in to DD Free Dish.

DD Free Dish Scheme 2024 Key Highlights 
DD Free Dish Scheme Launch DateDecember 16, 2004
DD Free Dish Scheme Official Website Prashar Bharti Official Website 
DD Free Dish Scheme Objective To provide free dishes all across the country with zero subscription fees. 
DD Free Dish Scheme Beneficiary Every citizen of India 
DD Free Dish Scheme Subscription FeeRs 0
DD Free Dish Scheme Set Top Box Cost Rs 2000 (One Time)
DD Free Dish Scheme Channels 250 ( as per 2024)
DD Free Dish Scheme Availability at all nearby stores and e-Commerce websites
DD Free Dish Scheme Mode of Application Online/Offline 
DD Free Dish Scheme Customer Care Number 1800114554 (Toll-Free)011-25806200 (From 08:00 AM to 08:PM)

DD Free Dish Scheme Benefits 2024

  • DD Free Dish ensures high-quality pictures for all channels in the bouquet.
  • Signals are received directly from broadcasters, eliminating intermediaries.
  • Subscribers are not required to pay recurring charges to access any programs.
  • DD Free Dish is a lifetime-free service with no monthly or annual subscription fees.
  • Unlike private DTH operators, DD Free Dish offers a complete bouquet, including HD channels, without additional charges.
  • To access DD Free Dish channels, viewers need to purchase a DD Free Dish Set-Top Box and a dish with accessories from the open market.
  • The complete set typically costs around Rs. 2000, depending on the type of set-top box.
  • The DD Free Dish Receive System includes a Set-Top-Box, a small-sized Dish Antenna, LNBC, RF cable, and other necessary accessories.

DD Free Dish Scheme In News | BIND Scheme

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme proposed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This central sector scheme, with an allocated budget of Rs. 2,539.61 crore until 2025-26, aims to support Prasar Bharati, specifically in the expansion and enhancement of its broadcasting infrastructure, content development, and organizational civil work.

Prasar Bharati, serving as the primary public broadcaster in the country through Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR), holds a crucial role in providing information, education, entertainment, and engagement, especially in remote areas. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prasar Bharati played a pivotal role in disseminating public health messages and awareness.

The DD Free Dish Scheme under the BIND Scheme seeks to extend Prasar Bharati’s outreach, including in Left Wing Extremism (LWE), border, and strategic areas, offering high-quality content to viewers. This initiative also aims to enhance the coverage of AIR FM transmitters in the country to 66% by geographical area and 80% by population, surpassing the current figures of 59% and 68%, respectively.

As part of the BIND Scheme, over 8 lakh DD Free Dish Set-Top Boxes (STBs) will be distributed freely to individuals residing in remote, tribal, LWE, and border areas, contributing to increased accessibility and viewership.

Good News for Journalist Welfare Scheme Beneficiaries 2023 | Now You Can Also Apply Online 

DD Free Dish Scheme TV Channels List (Full) 

The DD Free Dish channels are categorized into seven groups: national, regional, state, entertainment, Hindi music, news, devotional, and Doordarshan parliamentary. Let’s explore these categories in more detail and examine the channels available, along with their respective channel numbers.

Doordarshan Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL NAME
001DD News
002DD National
113DD National HD
003DD Retro
004DD Kisan
005DD India
079DD Sports
077DD Bharati
114DD Urdu
CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL NAME
090DD Assam
093DD Bangla
086DD Chandana
008DD Girnar
009DD Kishar
089DD Malayalam
091DD Odia
021DD Phodhigai
022DD Punjabi
023DD Sahyadri
088DD Saptagiri
024DD Yadagiri
092DD Arun Prabha
080DD Bihar
082DD Madhya Pradesh
078DD Rajasthan
076DD Uttar Pradesh

Regional Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL NAME
084DD Chhattisgarh
081DD Jharkhand
097DD Goa
098DD Haryana
087DD Uttarakhand
105DD Manipur
104DD Meghalaya
107DD Mizoram
106DD Nagaland
083DD Tripura

General Entertainment  Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL NAME
38Colors Rishtey
48Zee Anmol
41Big Magic
29Dangal TV
28Shemaroo TV
37Sony Pal
33Star Utsav
58Sony Wah
82Filmachi
19Manoranjan Grand
34The Q
50Azaad
9Ishara TV

Music Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL NAME
061MTV Beats
063B4U Music
0579XM
062Mastiii
007Showbox

Movies Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL NAME
55Star Utsav movies
19ABZY Dhakad
10ABZY Movies
32ABZY Cool
42B4U Kadak
12B4U Movies
15Dhinchaak
51Enterr10 Movies
58Maha Movie
43Manoranjan TV
52Goldmines Movies
39Movie Plus
35Rishtey Cineplex
34Surya Cinema
48Zee Anmol Cinema
35Cineplex Bollywood
110BFlix Movies
33Dhinchaak 2

News Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL NAME
068Aaj Tak
013Aajtak Tez
069ABP News
064India TV
049NDTV India
066Times Now Navbharat
073News 24 Think First
065News Nation
056News18 India
067Republic Bharat
044TV9 Bharatvarsh
059Zee Hindustan
070Zee News
115Swadesh News
100Samay
060India News
101India News UP/UK
108News State UP/UK
102Sudarshan News
103News 18 UP/UK
116Raftaar Media
13Good News Today

Educational Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL LIST
DD SWAYAM Prabha 1117
DD SWAYAM Prabha 2118
DD SWAYAM Prabha 3119
DD SWAYAM Prabha 4120
DD SWAYAM Prabha 5121
DD SWAYAM Prabha 6122
DD SWAYAM Prabha 7123
DD SWAYAM Prabha 8124
DD SWAYAM Prabha 9125
DD SWAYAM Prabha 10126
DD SWAYAM Prabha 11127
DD SWAYAM Prabha 12128
DD SWAYAM Prabha 13129
DD SWAYAM Prabha 14130
DD SWAYAM Prabha 15131
DD SWAYAM Prabha 16132
DD SWAYAM Prabha 17133
DD SWAYAM Prabha 18134
DD SWAYAM Prabha 19135
DD SWAYAM Prabha 20136
DD SWAYAM Prabha 21137
DD SWAYAM Prabha 22138
DD eVidya 1139
DD eVidya 2140
DD eVidya 3141
DD eVidya 4142
DD eVidya 5143
DD eVidya 6144
DD eVidya 7145
DD eVidya 8146
DD eVidya 9147
DD eVidya 10148
DD eVidya 11149
DD eVidya 12150
DD Vande Gujarat 1151
DD Vande Gujarat 2152
DD Vande Gujarat 3153
DD Vande Gujarat 4154
DD Vande Gujarat 5155
DD Vande Gujarat 6156
DD Vande Gujarat 7157
DD Vande Gujarat 8158
DD Vande Gujarat 9159
DD Vande Gujarat 10160
DD Vande Gujarat 11161
DD Vande Gujarat 12162
DD Vande Gujarat 13163
DD Vande Gujarat 14164
DD Vande Gujarat 15165
DD Vande Gujarat 16166

Bhojpuri Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL LIST
Bhojpuri Cinema30
B4U Bhojpuri14
Big Ganga16
Zee Biskope31
Filamchi Bhojpuri46
Goldmines Bhojpuri17
Manoranjan Prime18

Marathi Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL LIST
Sun Marathi6
Shemaroo Marathibana20
Fakt Marathi24
Zee Chitramandir71

Punjabi Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL LIST
Zee Punjabi72
Manoranjan Movies40
Chardikala Time TV96
Popcorn Movies53

Devotional Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL NAME
75Sadhana Bhakti
85Lord Buddha TV
45Aastha TV
53Sadhana TV
54Sanskar TV
11Vedic

Parliamentary Channel List 2024 

CHANNEL NUMBERCHANNEL NAME
026Lok Sabha TV
027Rajya Sabha TV

DD Free Dish Scheme How to Apply Online 2024 

To apply for the DD Free Dish scheme, you must be aware of the one-time fees that will be applicable for the Set Top Box and Dish. You have to pay a one-time amount for the DD Free Dish which total amounts to Rs 2000 as of now. After that the whole subscription is free of cost, you can enjoy 250+ channels from the bouquet without paying a single rupee. Prasar Bharati has enlisted 11 manufacturers of Set-Top-Boxes (STBs) authorized to sell DD Free Dish STBs in India. The authorized DD Free Dish STB is accessible in the open market. Individuals looking to purchase the authorized DD Free Dish STB can reach out to any of the enlisted STB manufacturers.

DD Free Dish Scheme
DD Free Dish Scheme

You can also buy it from your nearby STB Dealers. 

DD Free Dish Scheme FAQs

Will DD Free Dish Signal be available in remote villages, where no TV tower is installed?

Yes, the DD Free Dish signal is accessible through satellite and doesn’t necessitate any tower or cable for distribution.

What is the composition of DD Free Dish bouquet?

The DD Free Dish bouquet includes a diverse range of Doordarshan TV channels, Private TV Channels in various genres such as GEC, Movies, Music, Sports, News & Current affairs, Devotional/Spiritual/Ayush, etc. in multiple Indian languages and English. It also comprises Educational channels and Radio channels of All India Radio.

Once the Dish & Set Top Box are installed, will it be possible to receive all channels, or do I have to pay to see Private TV channels?

DD Free Dish platform is entirely free, and viewers are not required to pay for any channels on the DD Free Dish platform, including private TV channels. Once the receive equipment is installed, all channels in the bouquet can be accessed without any additional cost.

If one shifts his residence or moves to another city, can he continue to use the same STB and Dish to receive DD Free Dish?

Yes, it is possible to carry the equipment anywhere in India and continue enjoying DD Free Dish after installing the dish at the new location through a local installer.

What is the cost of the Receive Equipment for DD Free Dish?

The indicative price of a Receive System (comprising Set-Top Box, Dish Antenna, LNB, cable, and other associated accessories) may be less than Rs. 2000. However, the actual cost can vary based on the equipment’s make and is subject to local taxes and prevailing custom duty.

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