Television - Doordarshan

Doordarshan, the Public Service Broadcaster of India, is one of the largest terrestrial networks in the world. It was started on an experimental basis on 15th September 1959 to transmit educational and developmental programmes. A major landmark came with the introduction of colour television in 1982 during the 9th Asian Games that ushered in a major revolution in broadcasting in the country. This was followed by a phase of rapid expansion of Doordarshan when, in 1984, DD installed a transmitter in the country more or less every day. With this, the reach of television increased far and wide.

As per the latest data, Doordarshan has 1314 transmitters (1188 for DD 1 + 121 for DD 2 + 5 others) with 56 studio centres and 23 satellite channels (which includes Gyandarshan).

The flagship of Doordarshan - DD 1 (National) operates through a network of 1188 transmitters of varying power, covering 77.5% of the land area and 89.6% population of India.

The primary channel of Doordarshan (DD-I) has 3 major components of programmes that consist - information, education and entertainment. The information component consists of News and Current Affairs. The education component is drawn from the contributions from IGNOU, UGC, CIET, and SIET etc.

Question Hour in Parliament is telecast live on the National channel. Specific window is earmarked for programmes in regional languages between 2:30 PM and 8.00 PM on all weekdays. The entertainment programmes mainly consists of mid-day daily soaps between 12:00 to 2:00 pm and again between 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm. This includes feature films on Friday and Saturday and regional Award winning films on Sunday.

Doordarshan has made a significant contribution to accelerate socio-economic change, promote national integration and stimulate scientific temper. Being a Public Service Broadcaster, it strives to carry messages in its programmes on means of population control and family welfare, agricultural information and knowledge, preservation of environment and ecological balance, highlighting the need for social welfare measures for women, children and the less privileged. It also promotes games and sports, and the artistic and cultural heritage of the country.

Till about the end of 1980s, private television channels were not allowed to venture into Indian market. With the opening up of Indian economy in the 1990s, private television channels were allowed to setup their network. This brought a revolution in the Indian media industry and today more than a 100 private television channels are available in the country.

स्रोत : राष्‍ट्रीय पोर्टल विषयवस्‍तु प्रबंधन दल