DD Free Dish to Remain Unencrypted, Prasar Bharati CEO Defies TRAI Push

• Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi confirmed DD Free Dish MPEG2 will remain unencrypted, rejecting calls for it to become an addressable system.
• This decision contradicts TRAI's July 2024 recommendations for DD Free Dish to adopt an addressable and encrypted framework.
• Private broadcasters and DTH operators argue that DD Free Dish's unencrypted nature creates an uneven playing field, leading to piracy and unfair competition.
• Industry experts highlight that Prasar Bharati's vertically integrated model and direct B2C operation are unique and potentially against MIB guidelines.
• Prasar Bharati maintains that DD Free Dish fulfills a public service mandate, providing free access to information and entertainment, especially in rural areas.