Station identification of Doordarshan during its administration by All India Radio, circa 1960s.
On 15 September 1959 at the studio of All India Radio, Delhi, the first TV channel in India started an experimental telecast with a small transmitter and a makeshift studio, adopting the brand Doordarshan, Hindi for television. Until 1965, AIR was responsible for the programming production and overall control over content as the television service began to assume overall production. Krishi Darshan, Chaupaal, Doordarshan Samachar, and Kalyani were among the first generation of programmes produced for the channel. In 1976, the split of the TV and radio services was made official with Doordarshan assuming overall control for television broadcasting. By the time the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) commenced in 1975, Doordarshan coordinated with AIR as the producer of programs aired in the targeted areas of several Indian states. It would foreshadow the start of the channel's road to be a nationally aired station. By the time SITE had begun, the channel had only been seen in several major Indian cities, airing in some as a trilingual station with a news service in regional languages. Doordarshan operated using the black and white NTSC format under a UNESCO grant. When television started in neighbouring Sri Lanka, the country opted for the PAL format (which was later adopted by Doordarshan in 1982) and television sets manufactured by Japanese companies saw their sales skyrocket. The stark contrast between Doordarshan's SITE-influenced schedule and ITN Sri Lanka's schedule built mainly on imports showed Doordarshan's inferiority at the time.[4]
DD's regional news opt-outs aired on regional stations as a breakaway from programming from New Delhi would plant the seeds for the expansion of the network from one channel to many in the years to come.
1982 to 1992: Success
Doordarshan was co-partner in the launch of the Indian National Satellite System in the 1980s and took notice of its potential. The central government began planning to bring Doorsharsan as a national channel aired to millions of Indians. On 15 August 1982 on the Indian Independence day Doordarshan introduced a national colour telecast service from its own TV studio in Mandi House, New Delhi using PAL Colour. It broadcast the celebrations in full color from Red Fort marking the 35th year of India's nationhood.
On 9 August 1984, as Doordarshan launched its second channel for the metro/urban audience called 'DD2'. The existing first channel was renamed 'DD1' and started regular transmission of nationwide satellite broadcasts. In the same year, DD1 started telecast of sponsored TV serials which were produced by established filmmakers and many film production firms for the channel. These drama series were sponsored b Indian companies. DD1's Hum Log was the first sponsored TV serial of Indian television and started airing with its series premiere on 7 July 1984.
After the success of Hum Log, many other TV producers and filmmakers produced many memorable series aired on DD-1. Some of them, together with the acquired foreign language programming of the period, were Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Buniyaad, Malgudi Days, Shrikant, Ramayan, Bharat Ek Khoj, Mahabharat, Mirza Ghalib, The Sword of Tipu Sultan, Chanakya, The Great Maratha, Vishwamitra, Uttar Ramayan, Buddha, Surabhi, Tiltliyan, Taaraa, Star Trek, Khaandaan, 13 Panne, Air Hostess, Waah Janaab, Tamas, Vikram Aur Betal, Tenali Rama, Kirdaar, Singhasan Battisi,Guldasta,Mrignayani,Shrikant,Sadgati, Nukkad, Lot Pot, Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne, Bhim Bhawani, Kakkaji Kahin, Paying Guest, Ados Pados, Upannyas, Fauji, Karamchand, Byomkesh Bakshi, Samandar, Param Veer Chakra, Wagle Ki Duniya, Buniyaad, Kachchi Dhoop, Chunauti, Mahanagar, Phir wahi Talash, Umeed, Subah, Mr. Yogi, Circus, Ek Bhool, Chote Babu, Yugantar, Kehkashan, Yatra, Rajni, Street Hawk, Udaan, Gaata Jaaye Banjara, Phool Khile Hain Gulsan Gulsan, Pingu,Circus, Taaj Mahel, Khubsuraat, and Dada Dadi Ki Kahaniya. Many of these productions ended up being high rating successes for DD-1. Of these, Ramayan ended up not just being DD-1's most expensive Indian TV drama of the 80s, but also the highest rating drama of its time.
DD National served as the home for NDTV's smash Friday news program The World This Week from 1984 to 1995. During those years, DD National also aired NDTV-produced network coverage of federal and state elections and budget deliberations of Parliament.
1992 to 2010: Competition
After the entry of private channels in India, Doordarshan started facing strong competition from Zee TV in 1992. Even though in those days, cable and satellite channels were not easily available, DD1 was still ruling the chart, as it was the only channel available terrestrially. In 1993, Doordarshan revamped both channels for a stronger competition. DD-1 was relaunched into its present name, DD National, while DD-2 received the DD Metro brand.
With the telecast of popular TV shows like Chandrakanta, Alif Laila, Tehkikaat, Chitrahaar, Udaan, Byomkesh Bakshi, Farmaan, Katha Sagar, Neem Ka Ped and Chanakya, DD National retained viewers and the high ratings, but Doordarshan Board focused more on its sister channel, DD Metro, which was aimed to compete with Zee TV. In the meantime, the channel became one of the popular destinations of TV viewers with its shows like Junoon, Superhit Muquabala, and Azanabi, many of its programming being also aired on DD National either on simulcast or tape delay.
In 1995, when most of the channels like DD Metro, Zee TV, Home TV, STAR Plus and Sony TV started focusing on their prime time slots, DD National was still stacked with its role and responsibilities, as at the time it was the only source of news on TV. To provide more entertainment, DD National opened an afternoon slot for housewives, with the telecast of Shanti. To support the success of Shanti, many other shows like Swabhimaan, Farz, and Yug were introduced and all of them were praised.
In 1997, Prasar Bharati, the parent body of Doordarshan, was formed. While private channels like Zee TV, STAR Plus and Sony TV started airing high budget TV serials from top production houses, DD National was still doing the best in afternoon slots with Kasam, Itihaas, Agni, Aprajita, Aurat, Ardhangini, Sanjog, Deewar, Aane Wala Pal, Waqt Ki Raftaar and other programs. There were a few notable programs like India's Most Wanted, Gul Sanobar, Surabhi, Noorjahan, Om namah Shivay, Jai Ganga Maiya, and Suraag in prime time, but those were not enough to give competition to private channels.
In the late 1997, DD National started airing Mukesh Khanna's Shaktimaan, which was the blockbuster TV serial in Indian history. In 2000, after tasting success with India's Most Wanted, Jasoos Vijay and Suraag in prime time, Prasar Bharati decided to revamp both channels, and many new serials were introduced on DD National, but very few of them were successful because of a limited prime time slots of 9 to 10:30, compared to 8 to 11 for other channels. New channels like Sahara TV and SAB TV were also performing better than DD channels in prime time.
In 2002, DD offered its time slots to popular filmmakers and got some popular shows of the time. Ramanand Sagar's Aankhen, BR Chopra's Aap Beeti, Adhikaari Brothers CID Officer, Kiran Bedi's Galti Kiski, and Time's Dishayen were telecast on the channels and prized by viewers. In 2003, when DD Metro Channel was converted into DD News, Prasar Bharati focused on its DD national channels, and shows like Meher, Miss India, Shikwah, Kayamat, Kaanch, and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani were introduced. Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani achieved unprecedented ratings and became DD National's biggest blockbuster during this period. In 2005, Hawayein starring Ravi Kishan and Malini Kapoor became one of the most popular shows and also won a title of Best TV Serial of the Year at the ITA Awards.
In this period, DD introduced many popular serials like Air Hostess, Wo Huye Na hamare, Kyunki Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, Tum Dena Sath Mera, Hari Mirchi lal Mirchi, Soni Mahiwaal, Wheel Smart Shrimati, Krazzy Kiya Re, Chandramukhi, Jo Kahunga Sach Kahunga, Tahreer Munshi Premchand Ki, and Kashmkash Zindagi Ki.
2010 to 2020: Loss of prominence
At prime time, DD was still not able to compete with private channels, and it also started losing its peak position in afternoon slots to re-runs on other channels. In 2012, DD started airing Ekta Kapoor's Pavitra Bandhan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saraswatichandra and a few other serials. In 2013, it reduced its window for regional telecasts to 4 PM-7 PM, and stopped airing news at night, which added one and a half hour to its prime time. To enrich the new four-hour long prime time, DD brought TV serials like Gora, Bharat Ki Shaan, Baba Aazmi's Yeh Kaha Aa Gaye Hum, Dil Jo Kah Na Saka, and Sanjeev Kapoor's Chef Ki Rasoi. It also launched a campaign for its afternoon slots, DD Dophar Aapke Ghar, by airing serials like Amrita, Anudamini, Aisa Prem Kahan, and Chupau Kaise Laaga Chunari Me Daag.
In November 2014, Prasar Bharati relaunched DD National as 'Desh Ka Apna Channel' with a new theme and serials like Happy Homes, Khwabon Ke Darmiyaan, Khamosh Sa Afsaana, Dard Ka Rishta, Shama, Paltan, Stree Shakti, Zindagi Ek Bhanwar, and Janmon Ka Bandhan. Initially, these shows did better, but later, as TRP fell in 2016, Prasar Bharati decided to go for a slot sale policy and invited bids from makers for its 7 PM to 11 PM slot. Afternoon slots in 2016 aired serials like Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, U-turn, and Munidhar. However, the strategy was not enough for its revival.
In late 2016, the slot sale policy of DD was put on hold by the government. Although many production houses like Balaji Telefilms and SaaiBaba Telefilms had won slots for airing their programs, it could not be commenced as the policy was reported for review. From 2017, Doordarshan has been repeating programs from its library and does not telecast any new serial.
2020 to present
Due to COVID-19, when all other TV Channels were stopped shooting for fresh episodes of their serials, Doordarshan decided to re-telecast its blockbuster drama programming from the 1980s and 1990s. DD National telecast repeats of Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, Luv Kush, Shri Krishna, Mukesh Khanna's Shaktimaan, Shrimaan Shrimati, Shahrukh Khan's Circus, Byomkesh Bakshi, Chanakya, Dekh Bhai Dekh, The Jungle Book and many more. At the same time its sister channel DD Bharati telecast BR Chopra's Mahabharat, Sai Baba, Alif Laila, BR Chopra's Vishnu Puran and many more hit series.
This move turned out to be a Magic Lamp for the Doordarshan network, as the rerun broadcasts for these drama productions broke all TRP records. First episode of Ramayana gained highest TRP since 2015 for all Hindi TV Channels of All categories. DD National instantly became #1st in TRP chart and with its shows Ramayana and Shaktimaan were on #1st and #5th in Ratings. Note that, since 2010's DD National was out of top 10 in Hindi GEC Ratings.
After Ramayana, Uttar Ramayan and Shri Krishna too enjoyed #1 Rank in BARC TRP Charts.
Its sister channel DD Bharati, which was even not in notice since its inception in 2000, became 5th most-watched TV Channel in TRP Charts, with Mahabharata became #2 on TRP Charts.
Following the success of the reruns, DD National finally regained its status as the country's number 1 station. Bolstered by high ratings of the programming repeats Doordarshan launched DD Retro on 13 April 2020, with its library mainly composed of many of Doordarshan's legendary drama series.
Shortly after Prasar Bharati changed its logo, the broadcaster announced the rebranding of DD National, including its logo, which would be in effect from 15 August 2022, coinciding with the celebrations of Indian Independence day and in celebration of 40 years of nationwide broadcasts.[5] The new logo made its debut on 14 August, one day before the holiday.
Notable anchors
Over its long journey, being India's biggest public broadcaster, DD National has had a long list of notable anchors. Many on whom are widely recognised faces, distinguished personalities and also people known for their contribution to news and media as well as for their role in popularising Indian art and culture.
Usually, all One Day and Twenty20 international cricket matches involving or hosted by India are shown live on DD National. It also broadcast the 2014 Men's Hockey World Cup matches involving India, and also the semi-final and final matches. The ICC Champions Trophy was also broadcast by DD National.
These matches are broadcast under compulsory simulcasts from pay television rightsholders such as Star Sports, under laws requiring sporting events of national importance to be simulcast by DD National. In 2017, in response to complaints by Tata Sky, the Supreme Court of India ruled that these simulcasts are only allowed to be carried by on the free-to-air terrestrial and DD Free Dish, and that DD National must be blacked out on pay television providers in defense of the pay-television rightsholder when such events are broadcast.
Since then, Prasar Bharati decided to telecast Cricket Matches only on DD Sports Channel, and since then all matches were telecast on DD Sports channel, but only on DD Freedish, DTT mode with different feed named DD Sports 2.0.[6][7][8]
Editorial independence
The idea of autonomy for the government-controlled Doordarshan was first mooted when the Janata Party came to power in 1977, in the aftermath of Emergency when the Doordarshan ended up as the government's mouthpiece. The idea was revived when the Janata Dal took office in 1989. The following governments showed no interest in autonomy despite making politically correct noises about autonomy.[9]
Doordarshan is an Indian state-owned public television broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and one of Prasar Bharati's two divisions. As one of India's largest broadcasting organisations in studio and transmitter infrastructure, it was established on 15 September 1959. Doordarshan, which also broadcasts on digital terrestrial transmitters, provides television, radio, online and mobile services throughout metropolitan and regional India and overseas.
Prasar Bharati is an Indian state-owned public broadcaster, headquartered in New Delhi, India. It is a statutory autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament and comprises the Doordarshan television broadcasting and Akashvani, which were earlier media units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Parliament of India passed the Prasar Bharati Act to grant this autonomy in 1990, but it was not enacted until 15 September 1997.
The television industry in India is very diverse and produces thousands of programmes in many Indian languages. Nearly 87% Indian households own a television. As of 2016, the country had over 900 channels of which 184 were pay channels. National channels operate in Hindi and English, in addition to channels in several other languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Assamese, Gujarati, Urdu, Bhojpuri, Kashmiri, Konkani and Haryanvi, among others. The Hindi, Telugu and Tamil language television industries are by far the largest television industries in India.
Ramayan is an Indian Hindi-language epic television series based on ancient Indian Sanskrit Epic Ramayana. The show was created, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar. It originally aired between 1987 and 1988 on DD National and it was narrated by Ashok Kumar and the director Ramanand Sagar. The music was composed by Ravindra Jain. During its run, the show became the most watched television series in the world, garnering a viewership of 82 percent. The repeat telecast was aired on 20 different channels in 17 countries on all the five continents at different times. The success of the series was documented well by the media. According to BBC, the serial has been viewed by over 650 million viewers. Each episode of the series reportedly earned DD National ₹40 lakh.
DD Chandana is a Kannada TV channel owned and operated by Prasar Bharati under Doordarshan, supported by Doordarshan studios in Bengaluru and Kalburgi. Launched in 1994 DD Chandana has entertainment serials, infotainment programmes, news and current affairs, social programmes and film programmes as its major content. In terrestrial mode, DD Chandana is available to 81.7% of the population of Karnataka. DD Chandana TV channel also available on DD Free dish DTH, at channel number 86.
Lok Sabha TV was an Indian public cable television network channel that offered coverage of central government proceedings and other public affairs programming. Its remit was to make accessible to all the work of the parliamentary and legislative bodies of India. The channel broadcast live and recorded coverage of the Lok Sabha while Rajya Sabha TV covered the sessions of the Rajya Sabha.
DD Sahyadri is a Marathi TV channel. It is a regional channel dedicated to Maharashtra. It shows Marathi serials, news, films infotainment and educational programs about agriculture, healthcare, and other subjects. It is part of Doordarshan network. It is a Free-to-air channel.
DD Metro also known as DD 2 was an Indian free-to-air television channel. It was launched in 1984 as DD2 in Delhi as an alternative to DD National. Later, it increased its coverage area by expanding to Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. In 1993, the channel was rebranded as DD-2 Metro. On 3 November 2003, the Prasar Bharati Corporation replaced DD Metro with their new news channel, DD News.
DD India, is an Indian state-owned international English language news and current affairs channel from India. The service is also aimed at the overseas market, similar to WION, CNN International, BBC News, DW, VOA, France24, NHK World-Japan, Arirang, CNA, RT and RTR-Planeta and broadcasts through satellite and cable operators throughout the world as well as online and through its mobile app. It became a full-fledged English news and current affairs channel in January 2019, followed by a decision of the parent Prasar Bharati's board. The total budget provided by the government to this channel is ₹2,640 crore (US$320 million).
DD Chennai, formerly known as DD Madras, is a state-owned television channel telecasting from Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai.
DD Punjabi is a state-owned Punjabi language TV channel, started in 1998, which is produced and telecasted from Doordarshan Kendra Jalandhar in Indian Punjab.
DD Bharati is an Indian state-owned art and culture television channel, founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is the flagship channel of Doordarshan was launched on 26 January 2002, by converting the first DD News channel, which was underperforming. However Doordarshan again relaunched DD News channel on 3rd November 2003 by converting popular DD Metro. It telecasts various cultural programmes and is dedicated to show India's vast culture and traditions.
DD News is an Indian state-owned news television channel, founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is the flagship channel of Doordarshan. India's only 24-hour terrestrial TV news channel broadcasting solely in Hindi, and formerly in English. The Prasar Bharati Board approved the proposal to start a 24-hour news channel in place of DD Metro, which was closing. This was subsequently approved by the Union Cabinet in a meeting held on 3 October 2003.
Shri Krishna, also known as Krishna is a 1993-1999 Indian Hindi-language television series, created, written and directed by Ramanand Sagar. It is an adaptation of the stories of the life of Krishna, based on the Srimad Bhagavatam, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Harivamsa, Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana, Garga Samhita, Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata. The series has a total of 221 episodes.
Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar also referred as Jalandhar Doordarshan is an Indian television station in Jalandhar, owned and operated by state-owned Doordarshan, the television network of Prasar Bharati. It was established in 1979, and now produces and broadcasts the 24-hour Punjabi language TV channel, DD Punjabi, which was launched in 1998 and covers most of the state of Punjab, India.
Doordarshan Kendra, Mumbai also referred as Mumbai Doordarshan is an Indian television station in Mumbai, owned and operated by state-owned Doordarshan, the television network of Prasar Bharati. It was established on 2 October 1972, and now produces and broadcasts the 24-hour Marathi language TV channel, DD Sahyadri, which was launched in 1994 and covers most of the state of Maharashtra, India.
DD Yadagiri is a state-owned Telugu language television channel operated by India's national broadcaster Doordarshan. It is one of the 11 Indian language channels operated by Doordarshan and is telecast from Doordarshan Kendra, Hyderabad and caters the state of Telangana. The channel is named for Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple of Yadagirigutta in the state.
DD Retro was an Indian Hindi-language TV channel. It was launched by Prasar Bharati on 13 April 2020. It is a free-to-air general entertainment channel on which old classic shows of Doordarshan are telecasted,
DD Science is a 2019 Indian science television series that aired on national television Doordarshan. It is a one-hour program on science and technology created by Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous organization under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in association with the public broadcaster, Doordarshan.
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