Doordarshan,sometimes
DoorDarshan ( literally means
TeleVision) is the public television
broadcaster of India and a division of
Prasar Bharati, a public service broadcaster nominated by the
Government of India. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in the world in terms of the infrastructure of
studios and
transmitters. Recently it has also started Digital Terrestrial Transmitters.
Beginning
Doordarshan had a modest beginning with the experimental telecast starting in Delhi in September 1959 with a small transmitter and a makeshift studio. The regular daily transmission started in 1965 as a part of All India Radio. The television service was extended to Mumbai (then Bombay) and Amritsar in 1972. Till 1975, seven Indian cities had television service and Doordarshan remained the only television channel in India. Television services were separated from radio in 1976. Each office of All India Radio and Doordarshan were placed under the management of two separate Director Generals in New Delhi. Finally Doordarshan as a National Broadcaster came into existence.
Going national
National programme was introduced in 1982. In the same year, colour TV was introduced in the Indian market with the live telecast of the Independence Day speech by then prime minister Indira Gandhi on 15 August 1982, followed by the 1982 Asian Games being held in Delhi. The 80s was the era of Doordarshan with soaps like Hum Log (1984), Buniyaad (1986-87), comedy shows like Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984) and mythological dramas like Ramayan (1987-88) and Mahabharat (1988-89) glued millions to Doordarshan. Other popular programs included Hindi film songs based programs like Chitrahaar and Rangoli and crime thrillers like Karamchand (starring Pankaj Kapoor), Byomkesh Bakshi (starring Rajit kapur) and Janki Jasoos.
Now more than 90 percent of the Indian population can receive Doordarshan (DD National) programmes through a network of nearly 1400 terrestrial transmitters and about 46 Doordarshan studios produce TV programs today
Channels
Presently, Doordarshan operates 19 channels – two All India channels, 11 Regional languages Satellite Channels (RLSC), four State Networks (SN), an International channel, a Sports Channel and two channels (DD-RS & DD-LS) for live broadcast of parliamentary proceedings.
On DD National, Regional programmes and Local Programmes are carried on time-sharing basis. DD-News channel, launched on 3 November 2003, which replaced the DD-Metro Entertainment channel, provides 24-Hour news service. The Regional Languages Satellite channels have two components – The Regional service for the particular state relayed by all terrestrial transmitters in the state and additional programmes in the Regional Language in prime time and non-prime time available only through cable operators. Sports Channel is exclusively devoted to the broadcasting of sporting events of national and international importance. This is the only Sports Channels which telecasts rural sports like Kho-Kho, Kabbadi etc. something which private broadcasters will not attempt to telecast as it will not attract any revenues.
Active Doordarshan
It is an Interactive Service of Tata Sky to show 4 TV Channels of Doordarshan which are not available at Tata sky as normal Channel. Active Doordarshan channels are Rajyasabha TV, Gyan Darshan, DD Urdu and DD Bharati
Criticism
Doordarshan is often criticized for low quality of programs and sometimes even poor telecast and presentation quality. Additionally, since it is not a profit and loss enterprise like private channels STAR Plus, Zee TV or Sony TV, it does not have the requisite push for better programming. Despite being heavily funded and protected by the government, many critics have pointed that it continues to post losses regularly and has failed to deliver either quality educational programmes or entertainment programs. The media have regularly criticized the channel for telecasting one too many ads in cricket matches often showing only 5 of the 6 balls of an over and even doubled the time between two overs for commercial slots to make extra money One cricket magazine described Doordarshan's live telecast as a "horror show".Supporters argue that it has a greater responsibility towards the nation, such as emergency services, important government announcements and public broadcasts; entertainment comes a distant second priority. However many contradict this stating that Doordarshan is more interested only in cricket matches and has abdicated its so called "responsibilities" in favour of monetary gains,and political dealings.
International Broadcasting
DD-India is being broadcasted internationally through Satellite. It is available in 146 countries worldwide, however the information on picking up this channel in other countries is not easily available. In the UK, DD-India is available through the Eurobird Satellite on the Sky system on Channel 833 (the logo is shown as Rayat TV). The timing and programming of DD-India international is different from that of India
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