JIOSTAR has relinquished the uplinking and downlinking permissions for three of its non-news television channels, describing the move as a “business decision”. The channels affected are Unchi Udann (formerly Sports18 Hindi), Sports18 Hindi HD and Sports18 2 HD.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) recorded the surrender on 20 February. The development follows JioStar’s consolidation of all Sports18 channels into the Star Sports Network, which came into effect on 15 March 2025.
In India, private satellite television broadcasters must obtain specific permissions for uplinking and/or downlinking. These licences are issued and regulated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the country’s broadcasting framework.
Separately, Living Foodz HD surrendered its licence on 12 February. According to the ministry, the decision was based on commercial viability concerns, with the channel’s uplinking and downlinking operations having already been suspended since 13 November 2023.
