Consulting editor Sudhir Choudhary has signed a deal with Prasar Bharti for a show on Doordarshan (DD) News, with the contract offering the anchor a whopping Rs 15 crore annually.

The deal is possibly the biggest-ever media deal for the revival of Doordarshan, with the aim to make it a dominant player in Indian news television. Choudhary will be at the helm for the same.

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While earlier speculations estimated the amount to be around Rs 14 crore, the official document reportedly puts it at Rs 15 crore per annum plus GST. Additionally, the amount is subject to escalating at the rate of 10 percent every year.

As per the deal, Chaudhary will be paid the massive amount to produce one-hour long exclusive show from DD News to air five days a week, making a total of 260 shows in a year. The agreement has been signed between Prasar Bharati and ESSPRIT Productions Pvt Ltd, represented by Sudhir Choudhary.

“Both parties agreed on the cost of producing one-hour duration exclusive shows to be aired on 5 days a week on DD News (total 260 shows in a year) at Rs 15.00 crore per annum plus GST, which was within the figure of Rs 28.60 crore plus tax for producing one hour programme of 260 shows a year as per CBC approved rates dated 24.5.2012,” stated the official document.

Dear ⁦@PMOIndia⁩ we the tax payers via public broadcaster ⁦@DDNational⁩ will pay ₹ 15 crore package for ex jail bird (Tihar return) Sudhir Chowdhary. No better “journalist” at tax payer cost. Cab Sec salary package ₹ 30 lakhs pic.twitter.com/PoUn4T8Jhq

— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) March 19, 2025

Choudhary was the face of Zee News for nearly a decade and joined Aaj Tak in June 2022, less than two weeks after he quit the former. The controversial journalist has found himself in deep troubles over his remarks for being Islamphobic, casteist, other objectionable and unverified statements on national issues.

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A senior employee stated that the signs of a “stronghold” are clear, reported NewsLaundry. “If Sudhir asks for even a room, he will be given a floor. We have never seen this happen here,” the employee told NewsLaundry.

Choudhary had met the Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi and chairman Navneet Sehgal earlier this month, according to reports.