114 TV Channels Shut
India's Rs 62,000 crore broadcasting industry faces 9.2% revenue crash as 17 major channels surrender licences
India's linear television model is facing significant pressure as consumers increasingly shift towards over-the-top (OTT) platforms, short-form video, and connected TV. This shift has led to an acceleration of TV channel exits, with 114 television channel licences surrendered between 2022 and 2026.
Among the broadcasters that have surrendered licences are JioStar, Zee Entertainment, NDTV, and B4U Networks. By August 5, 2023, six broadcasters had surrendered 17 licences to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). The reasons cited for surrendering these licences include strategic decisions, changes in business plans, and a challenging operating environment.
The Indian broadcasting industry, worth around Rs 62,000 crore, is experiencing a decline in linear TV revenues. In 2025, linear pay TV lost around 11 million subscriptions, while free TV added 4.5 million subscriptions and connected TV gained about 10 million subscriptions. This shift has resulted in a 9.2% decline in linear TV revenues, which fell to Rs 62,000 crore in 2025.
The decline in linear TV revenues is largely attributed to the shift in consumer preferences towards OTT platforms and connected TV. India has an estimated 62-65 million connected TV households and 207 million viewers. The broadcasting industry is struggling to adapt to this change, with advertising revenues also under pressure as traditional TV advertisers divert their budgets to more measurable platforms.
## What happens next The future of India's linear television model remains uncertain as the industry continues to evolve. With the rise of connected TV and OTT platforms, broadcasters will need to adapt to changing consumer preferences to remain relevant. The shift towards connected TV and OTT platforms is expected to continue, with significant implications for the Indian broadcasting industry.
## Why it matters The decline of India's linear television model has significant implications for the broadcasting industry, which is worth around Rs 62,000 crore. The shift towards OTT platforms and connected TV is changing the way consumers consume television content, and broadcasters will need to adapt to these changes to remain relevant. The impact of this shift will be felt across the industry, from advertisers to content creators, and will likely lead to significant changes in the way television content is created and consumed in India.
