India’s paid direct-to-home (DTH) television subscriber base declined to 48.56 million at the end of June 2026, down from 49.09 million in the previous quarter, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) latest performance report. Meanwhile, internet protocol television (IPTV) services recorded 6.21 million subscribers, highlighting the changing distribution landscape in India’s television market.
The figures show that paid DTH operators lost approximately 530,000 active subscribers during the April–June quarter. The year-on-year decline was considerably larger: the industry’s subscriber base fell from 56.07 million in June 2025 to 48.56 million in June 2026, a reduction of approximately 7.51 million, or 13.4%. The numbers come from TRAI’s Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators report for April–June 2026, released on October 12.
Key Takeaways
- Pay DTH subscribers: India’s active paid DTH base stood at 48.56 million on June 30, 2026.
- Quarterly decline: The industry lost approximately 530,000 subscribers compared with the March 2026 quarter.
- Annual decline: The subscriber base fell by 7.51 million, or 13.4%, from June 2025.
- IPTV reaches 6.21 million: Internet-based television services represent an alternative distribution model, although the figures alone do not establish that IPTV growth directly caused DTH losses.
- Four paid DTH operators: TRAI’s figure covers the country’s four licensed paid DTH operators and excludes free-to-air DD Free Dish.
- Industry transition: Broadband expansion, changing viewing habits and competition from streaming and connected-TV services are reshaping how Indian households access entertainment.
India’s Pay DTH Subscriber Base: The Latest Numbers
TRAI’s report provides a snapshot of a television distribution industry experiencing sustained pressure on paid satellite subscriptions.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Active pay DTH subscribers, June 30, 2026 | 48.56 million |
| Active pay DTH subscribers, March 31, 2026 | 49.09 million |
| Quarterly subscriber reduction | 0.53 million |
| Quarterly decline | Approximately 1.08% |
| Active pay DTH subscribers, June 30, 2025 | 56.07 million |
| Annual subscriber reduction | 7.51 million |
| Annual decline | Approximately 13.4% |
| IPTV subscribers reported for the June 2026 quarter | 6.21 million |
Source: TRAI’s Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators report for April–June 2026 and industry reporting. Subscriber figures are rounded.
The quarterly reduction of approximately 530,000 subscribers indicates that the contraction continued through June. The larger year-on-year decline suggests the pressure is not limited to a single quarter.
However, subscriber numbers alone do not reveal the full financial impact on DTH operators. Revenue also depends on subscription pricing, the mix of customers and packages, recharge frequency, channel preferences and operating costs.
Why Is India’s DTH Industry Losing Subscribers?
DTH services deliver television channels to households through satellites and a dish antenna. The model helped expand access to television across India, including areas where cable infrastructure was limited.
The industry now faces competition from multiple distribution models. Consumers can watch entertainment through satellite TV, cable, IPTV, streaming applications and connected televisions. These options overlap, but they do not offer exactly the same service or depend on the same infrastructure.
1. Growth of OTT streaming platforms
Over-the-top (OTT) platforms allow viewers to stream films, series, live events and other content over the internet. Subscription services and advertising-supported platforms give consumers alternatives to conventional channel packages.
Some households may choose streaming services instead of maintaining a paid DTH connection. Others may keep satellite television while using OTT applications for specific programmes.
The effect varies by household. Live television, regional channels, news and sports can remain important reasons to retain a conventional pay-TV service, while on-demand entertainment may be more attractive through streaming.
The available subscriber figures do not quantify how many customers cancelled DTH specifically because they switched to OTT services. Nevertheless, competition from internet-based entertainment is an important factor to consider when assessing the industry’s longer-term outlook.
2. Expansion of broadband and connected televisions
IPTV and streaming services rely on internet connectivity, making broadband availability an important part of the changing television market.
TRAI reported that India’s total internet subscriber base reached 1,114.17 million at the end of June 2026, up from 1,092.79 million at the end of March. The broadband subscriber base increased to 1,087.50 million.
A larger connected population creates more opportunities for households to access internet-delivered television and video. Connected televisions also make it easier to combine traditional television viewing with applications for streaming, catch-up programming and other digital services.
However, internet access does not automatically mean a household will discontinue DTH. Some consumers use broadband and satellite television together.
3. Changing consumer preferences
Television consumption is increasingly shaped by convenience, content choice and the ability to watch programmes across devices.
Younger viewers may prefer on-demand video, while households that prioritise live television or regional programming may continue to rely on conventional pay-TV packages.
Consumers also compare the total cost of their entertainment subscriptions. A household may reconsider a DTH package if it pays separately for broadband, streaming services and television channels.
At the same time, traditional television can remain attractive where internet quality is inconsistent or where a single satellite connection serves multiple viewers with different preferences.
The market is therefore not moving uniformly from one technology to another. Instead, households are choosing combinations of services according to content, cost and connectivity.
IPTV Reaches 6.21 Million Subscribers
IPTV delivers television through internet protocol networks rather than the conventional satellite distribution model used by DTH operators.
TRAI’s report places IPTV subscriber numbers at 6.21 million for the June 2026 quarter. The figure provides an indication of the scale of this alternative distribution channel as Indian telecom and broadband infrastructure expands.
IPTV can be bundled with broadband connections and other telecom services. Depending on the provider and offering, customers may receive television channels and related features through a compatible set-top box or device.
How IPTV differs from DTH
| Feature | Pay DTH | IPTV |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery method | Satellite transmission | Internet protocol network |
| Household equipment | Typically a dish antenna and set-top box | Compatible device or set-top box and network connection |
| Connectivity requirement | Satellite signal and suitable installation | Reliable internet access |
| Service bundling | Often sold as a television package | Can be bundled with broadband and other services |
| Main operational dependency | Satellite coverage and signal reception | Network availability, bandwidth and service quality |
IPTV may be attractive to telecom providers because it can strengthen broadband bundles and provide an additional service to existing customers. For consumers, the appeal depends on pricing, channel availability, picture quality, reliability and ease of use.
The 6.21 million figure should not be compared directly with the 48.56 million DTH figure as though the two represent identical services or mutually exclusive customer groups. Households may use more than one television platform, and the subscriber definitions and reporting coverage may differ.
What the Decline Means for DTH Operators
A shrinking subscriber base can put pressure on operators’ revenue and economics, particularly if customer losses outpace improvements in pricing or operating efficiency.
India’s four licensed paid DTH operators compete for households through channel packages, pricing, distribution, customer service and partnerships with content providers.
As customers leave, operators may have fewer active connections across which to spread certain fixed costs. They may also need to invest in customer retention, product improvements and alternative services.
Revenue pressure and customer retention
The impact depends on the value of the customers leaving. Losing a high-paying subscriber can have a different financial effect from losing a customer who uses a lower-priced package.
Operators can respond through targeted offers, improved service quality, regional content, sports packages and partnerships that combine television with digital entertainment.
They may also seek to improve revenue from existing customers rather than relying solely on subscriber growth. Such efforts must balance higher average revenue per user with consumers’ willingness to pay.
Adapting to a multi-platform market
Traditional operators can also explore ways to integrate streaming services and connected-TV features into their offerings. A platform that gives customers access to linear channels and digital content may be better positioned to meet changing preferences than one that relies exclusively on a conventional channel package.
The effectiveness of these strategies will depend on content costs, customer demand, technology investment and the economics of each service.
The Wider Broadcasting Industry Is Also Facing Pressure
TRAI’s June-quarter report covers more than DTH and IPTV. It also provides data on cable television, broadcasters and radio services.
Private FM radio advertising revenue fell to ₹376.16 crore during the April–June 2026 quarter, from ₹414.03 crore in the preceding quarter, a sequential decline of approximately 9.1%.
This is a separate market from paid DTH, and the change should not be interpreted as evidence that the same factors caused both declines. Nevertheless, the figures illustrate why media companies and distributors need to examine changing consumer behaviour, advertising budgets and the economics of different delivery channels.
The report also recorded 386 operational private FM radio channels across 121 cities at the end of June 2026. It listed 736 registered multi-system operators (MSOs), which form part of India’s cable distribution ecosystem.
These figures underline the breadth of the country’s broadcasting market even as individual segments face different challenges.
What Investors and Industry Participants Should Watch
The next few quarters will help establish whether DTH subscriber losses continue at a similar pace and how operators respond.
Several indicators are worth monitoring:
- Quarterly subscriber additions and losses: Whether the paid DTH base stabilises or continues to decline.
- Average revenue per user: Whether operators can offset subscriber losses through better monetisation of remaining customers.
- IPTV adoption: Whether internet-delivered television expands and which providers drive that growth.
- Broadband penetration: The availability, affordability and quality of internet connections that support IPTV and streaming.
- Customer retention strategies: The impact of pricing, channel bundles, sports rights and integrated digital services.
- Industry financial performance: Changes in revenue, content costs, subscriber acquisition spending and operating margins.
The figures also need to be interpreted alongside free-to-air television. DD Free Dish, operated by Prasar Bharati, is excluded from the paid DTH total. Consequently, the decline in paid subscriptions does not represent a complete count of all households receiving television through satellite-based services.
The Bigger Picture
India’s television market is evolving from a distribution landscape dominated by conventional satellite and cable services towards a more varied mix of satellite television, IPTV, broadband-delivered video and streaming applications.
The fall in paid DTH subscribers to 48.56 million and IPTV’s reported base of 6.21 million illustrate two important developments, but they do not prove that one service is directly replacing the other. Consumers can use several platforms, and different households face different constraints involving cost, connectivity and content.
For DTH operators, the challenge is to retain customers and develop services that remain relevant in a connected entertainment environment. For telecom providers, IPTV can create opportunities to add value to broadband subscriptions. The longer-term balance between these models will depend on consumer choices, network quality, content economics and the ability of providers to offer convenient, competitively priced services.
Looking Ahead
Future TRAI reports will show whether the paid DTH subscriber base continues to contract and whether IPTV’s reported subscriber base expands. The most useful comparisons will include quarterly and annual changes, along with the financial performance of operators and developments in broadband access.
For India’s media industry, the priority will be to adapt to a market where television content can reach consumers through several routes. Satellite television is not necessarily disappearing, but the data suggest that paid DTH operators need to respond to sustained subscriber losses while competing with a broader range of internet-based entertainment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many paid DTH subscribers did India have in June 2026?
India had 48.56 million active paid DTH subscribers as of June 30, 2026, according to TRAI.
How many DTH subscribers were lost during the April–June quarter?
The active subscriber base declined from 49.09 million at the end of March to 48.56 million at the end of June, a reduction of approximately 530,000.
How much did the DTH subscriber base decline year-on-year?
It fell from 56.07 million in June 2025 to 48.56 million in June 2026, a reduction of 7.51 million subscribers, or approximately 13.4%.
How many IPTV subscribers did India have?
TRAI’s June-quarter data reported 6.21 million IPTV subscribers.
What is the difference between IPTV and DTH?
DTH delivers television through satellite signals received by a dish antenna. IPTV delivers television over an internet protocol network and generally requires a suitable internet connection.
Is IPTV directly replacing DTH?
The available figures do not establish a direct one-for-one shift from DTH to IPTV. Some households may switch platforms, while others use both services or choose streaming applications instead.
Does the DTH figure include DD Free Dish?
No. The 48.56 million figure covers active subscribers of the four licensed paid DTH operators. DD Free Dish, the free service operated by Prasar Bharati, is excluded.
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