Airtel Digital TV is wholly owned by Bharti Airtel through its subsidiary Bharti Telemedia Limited. Airtel didn’t always hold full ownership — private equity firm Warburg Pincus once held a 20% stake in Bharti Telemedia, but Airtel bought that stake back, completing the transaction in March 2021 to take full control of the DTH business.
As of September 2025, Airtel Digital TV had a subscriber base of 15.4 million, making it India’s second-largest DTH provider with roughly 29% market share. A potential merger with Tata Play, which would have combined the two companies’ struggling DTH businesses, was discussed but ultimately called off after Airtel and Tata Group couldn’t agree on terms.
Quick Facts
| Service | Airtel Digital TV |
|---|---|
| Owner | Bharti Airtel (via Bharti Telemedia Limited) |
| Ownership Stake | 100%, since March 2021 |
| Subscribers (Sept 2025) | 15.4 million |
| DTH Market Share | ~29% (2nd largest in India) |
| 2025 Merger Talks | Called off (proposed Tata Play combination) |
Ownership History
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Airtel Digital TV launches as Bharti Airtel’s DTH service |
| 2010s | Warburg Pincus acquires a 20% stake in Bharti Telemedia, the entity operating Airtel Digital TV |
| Feb 2021 | Bharti Airtel announces plans to buy back Warburg Pincus’s 20% stake |
| March 2021 | Buyback completes, giving Bharti Airtel full 100% ownership of Bharti Telemedia |
| 2024-2025 | Airtel and Tata Group discuss merging their respective DTH businesses (Airtel Digital TV and Tata Play) amid industry-wide DTH struggles; talks are ultimately called off |
Key Ownership Highlights
- The 2021 Warburg Pincus buyback consolidated full ownership under Bharti Airtel at a time when many DTH operators were exploring partnerships or consolidation amid streaming competition.
- The called-off Tata Play merger reflects broader challenges facing India’s DTH industry, which has faced subscriber pressure from streaming services even as both companies remain individually significant players.
- At roughly 29% market share, Airtel Digital TV remains a major player in Indian DTH despite the industry’s structural headwinds.
Related Reading
Airtel Digital TV is the DTH arm of Bharti Airtel, competing with Dish TV and Sun Direct in India’s shrinking DTH market.
FAQ
Who owns Airtel Digital TV?
Bharti Airtel owns Airtel Digital TV in full, through its subsidiary Bharti Telemedia Limited, since completing a full buyback of Warburg Pincus’s minority stake in March 2021.
Did Airtel Digital TV merge with Tata Play?
No. Merger talks between Airtel and Tata Group over their DTH businesses were discussed in 2024-2025 but ultimately called off.