MUMBAI: TV9 Marathi has become the first Marathi news channel to launch on DD Free Dish, India's largest free-to-air direct-to-home platform. This strategic move significantly broadens the channel's viewership, delivering Marathi news to millions of additional households across Maharashtra.

“At TV9, we have already created many firsts in the industry. While certain organisations may adopt controversial methods to grow viewership, here is another meaningful first from TV9 Network: TV9 Marathi is the first regional language news channel available on DD Free Dish. We are glad that we will now be able to reach the vast DD Free Dish audience, that has been so far deprived of TV9 Marathi,” said TV9 Network MD & CEO Barun Das.

TV9 Marathi has consistently led the Marathi news genre for three consecutive years, according to BARC data, claimed TV9 in a press release. The channel's innovative programming and in-depth reporting have established it as a primary source of news for viewers in Maharashtra. The move to DD Free Dish further solidifies this position.

TV9 Marathi business head Bhushan Khot highlighted: “TV9 Marathi has been a dominant leader for three years and has become the one and only choice of viewers; hence, we have a new brand positioning that suits our aggressive style of news reporting and presentation and our entire approach as a fearless brand. The brand positioning of TV9 Marathi, Ekmev (one and only), reaffirms the fact that TV9 Marathi is the ultimate news destination for viewers in Maharashtra.” 

TV9 managing editor Umesh Kumawat added:  “TV9 Marathi will now, give the viewers of DD Free Dish an opportunity to watch Maharashtra’s Ekamev of Marathi news. TV9 Marathi has been a trendsetter in the Marathi news genre and has brought a key shift in news presentation, which the competition has often tried to follow. From common people to decision-makers, all rely on TV9 Marathi for news breaks and updates, which shows the kind of trust the brand has built over the years.”