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. All Doordarshan Kendras generate programmes in their respective regional languages. The Regional Language Satellite Services and Regional State Networks broadcast a wide spectrum of programmes covering various issues like developmental news, serials, documentaries, news and current affairs programmes to communicate with the people in their own language. Programmes in regional languages are available in the respective states, terrestrially during the regional window of DD National and round the clock on the Regional Language Satellite Channels across the country.

The regional channels of DD are of great importance. These should be considered the primary channel in their respective State. The need, demand and even the commercial potential of regional-language channels is obvious from the number of such private commercial channels that are now operating; including, many in Tamil alone. Doordarshan has utilized the terrestrial network, which could have provided local programming, to relay programming in a language not easily comprehended by the bulk of the audience. The result is that private channels, in the regional languages, in spite of being satellite and cable channels, have appropriated the bulk of the audience in almost all regional languages; as also a major portion of the advertising revenue. More importantly, the audience has been deprived of quality programming in the relevant languages by DD.

DD North East
DD North East Channel is a composite satellite television service for the North Eastern states of India broadcasting programmes in Assamese, English and other languages and dialects of the North East region. The programmes are a mix including entertainment programmes, informative programmes, social programmes, news and current affairs, art and culture. The programmes are produced at Doordarshan studios in Guwahati, Agartala, Kohima, Imphal, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Tura, Aizawl, Itanagar and Shillong.

DD Oriya
DD Oriya is a leading round the clock satellite channel broadcasting in Oriya language. It was launched in 1994. DD Oriya broadcasts serials, cultural programmes, infotainment programmes, news and current affairs etc. Most of its programmes are produced at Doordarshan Kendras of Bhubaneshwar, Sambalpur and Bhawanipatna. While the weekly transmission hours for the terrestrial channel with satellite support is 37 hours and 30 min, for the satellite (DD-6-Oriya) it is 168 hours. DD-6 programmes are mostly related to Oriya films, folk dance, music, and other cultural programmes only besides regional news. DD Oriya grabs about 29% of the Total Market share in India. It reaches to almost 23% of the total population in India.

DD Podhigai
DD Podhigai is the Tamil language channel launched in 1993. This channel has a huge viewership as Tamil films shown on DD Podhigai attract a large number of viewers within as well as outside Tamil Nadu. Serials, films, infotainment programmes, news and current affairs are the prominent programme genres broadcasted at this channel. DD - Podhigai is the only regional language satellite channel that has eight hours of terrestrial transmission. In the terrestrial mode, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., DD Podhigai reaches 94% population of Tamil Nadu. The channel originates its programmes in Chennai.

This channel is so popular that The Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai also introduced an award known as the `Podhigai Awards` for recognising contributions of people in different fields, including art and sport. Podhigai awards were for excellence in the fields of literature, science, folk arts, theatre, sports and social service. The first set of awards shall be presented on the occasion of Pongal 2007.

All the films shown on this channel are dubbed in Tamil. Doordarshan`s Podhigai channel, is also telecasting some of the world`s best English films in its programme, `World Classics` every Saturday at 2.40 p.m. Till now, the films that have gone on air include - Sergei Eienstains` "Battleship of Potemkin", Orson Well`s "Citizen Kane", Satyajit Ray`s "Charulatha", Charles Chaplin`s "Modern Times", Akira Kurusowa`s classic, "Madadyao" and Alfred Hitchcock`s "39 Steps".

DD Punjabi
DD Punjabi Channel was launched in 1998, and it became a 24-hour service within two years. Numerous Punjabi viewers residing in different parts of India watch the cultural programmes broadcast on DD Punjabi with interest across the state and by a number of Punjabi viewers residing in different parts of India. In its terrestrial mode DD Punjabi has near 100 per cent reach in the State of Punjab. These programmes enlighten the viewers in cultivating modern social modes. Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar is the hub of DD Punjabi productions.

DD Sahyadri
DD Sahyadri is the Marathi language channel, launched in 1994. Supported by Doordarshan studios in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, DD Sahyadri is a household name in Maharashtra. This is largely because of its programmes with high production values. Despite stiff competition from private satellite channels, DD Sahyadri holds its own with acclaimed serials, informative programmes, public debates and film-based programmes. Old and new Marathi films shown on this channel are a favorite among the regular viewers.
DD Sahyadri runs four news broadcasts. Among its current affairs content offering, the talk show Maha Charcha is a long running property. The channel also caters to farmers and the Sindhi community with development news as the main focus. Sahyadri`s 7 pm bulletin Batmya is also popular in the CS4+ all Maharashtra market. DD Sahyadri`s programming budgets, in fact, are comparatively smaller than the rest of the Marathi channels. DD Sahyadri offers about six to eight event properties a year with the big ones being the annual DD Awards, Hirkhani Awards (felicitating women achievers) and the Navaratan Awards. The channel is under attack from a clutch of private players: Alpha Marathi, ETV Marathi, Prabhat, and Tara Marathi.

Game shows such as Saap Shidi, which is a snakes and ladders game with live participation, Aaj Atta Tabadtob (a phone in quiz) and Chala Banuya Roadpati (a spoof on Star Plus`s Kaun Banega Crorepati) were introduced. Some of the other programmes include Sanga Utar Sanga (quiz program), Dum dama dum (for children along the lines of Sony Entertainment`s Boogie Woogie), Kala Darpan (based on heritage, culture and music of tribal and rural folk) Spot light (Marathi film and play appreciation), Tarangan (five minute snippet on Marathi artistes), Raag Ek Raag Anek (based on Indian classical music) Padgham (channel promotions) and Chalta Bolta (a mobile camera team on the move talks to people in Maharashtra in a quiz format), talk shows like Nati Goti (a celebrity chat show) and Samora Samor (a personality based talk show).

Additionally, two news bulletins were introduced and experts were invited to review an issue for the day in a 30-minute current affairs show at 9:30 pm. Today, DD Sahyadri has a programming mix consisting of 41 per cent information, 44 per cent entertainment, seven per cent education and eight per cent other genres.

DD Saptagiri
DD Saptagiri is the Telugu language satellite channel supported by Doordarshan studios in Hyderabad and Vijaywada. Launched in 1993 DD Saptagiri has entertainment serials, infotainment programmes, news & current affairs, social programmes and film programmes as its major content. In terrestrial mode, DD Saptagiri is available to 90% of the population of Andhra Pradesh. DD Saptagiri is a State owned channel. It is the only channel which takes care of Telugu Culture and works only on telugu cultural strength. This channel provides news in telugu along with daily and weekly soaps.

The DD-Saptagiri channel also telecasted a discussion in vedika programme on "Rashtra Prabhutvamu-Varshikotsava Sameeksha" at 8 p.m on May 15. The programme was organized on the occasion of completion of one-year rule of the Y.S.Rajashekara Reddy Government. K.Rosaiah, Minister of Finance, K.Shiva Prasad Rao, former Minister, and N.Narasimhaiah, MLA, had also participated. DD-Saptagiri also telecasts a series of quiz programmes on general knowledge.

DD Bangla
DD Bangla is the Bengali language satellite channel supported by Doordarshan studios in Kolkata, Shantiniketan and Jalpaiguri, which are small regions near Kolkata. Launched in 2001 DD Bangla has entertainment serials, infotainment programmes, news & current affairs, social programmes and film programmes as its major content. Sopas in the regional language have also become a craze among the regular viewers. In terrestrial mode, DD Bangla is available to 97.1 % of the population of West Bengal. ETV Bangla, Akash Bangla, Alpha Bangla, DD Bangla and the now phased-out Tara Bangla and numerous cable channels, this year has already seen plenty of action and lots more is lined up in the near future.

DD Gujarati
DD Gujarati is the Gujarati language satellite channel supported by Doordarshan studios in Ahmedabad and Rajkot. Launched in 1992 DD Gujarati has entertainment serials, infotainment programmes, news & current affairs, social programmes and film programmes as its major content. In terrestrial mode, DD Gujarati is available to 84.8% of the population of Gujarat. Satellite penetration is almost 50% in urban Gujarat.

DD Chandana
A regional language satellite channel was launched on 15th August 1991, which became 24 hrs channel on 1st January 2000. This came to be later on christened as "Chandana", which true to its name has been the true cultural ambassador of the State. It is the Kannada language satellite channel supported by Doordarshan studios in Bangalore and Gulbarga. It has entertainment serials, infotainment programmes, news & 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. Today Doordarshan Bangalore covers an area of 76.2 % and population of 82.4%.

DD Kashir
DD Kashir is the Kashmiri language satellite channel supported by Doordarshan studios in Srinagar, Jammu and Leh. Launched in 2003 DD Kashir has entertainment serials, infotainment programmes, news & current affairs, social and cultural programmes and film programmes as its major content. In terrestrial mode, DD Kashir is available to 96 % of the population of the valley.

DD Malayalam
DD Malayalam is the Malayalam language satellite channel supported by Doordarshan studios in Thiruvanthapuram and Thrissur. Launched in 1994 DD Malayalam has entertainment serials, infotainment programmes, news & current affairs, social programmes and film programmes as its major content. In terrestrial mode, DD Malayalam is available to 99.2 % of the population of Kerala. It is also received in 64 countries spread over the continents of Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and America. In Kerala DD`s Malayalam programmes are taken as the benchmark of quality of content.

Some of the outstanding professionals in the field of film and TV production have been associated with Doordarshan Kendra Thiruvananthapuram. The mega serial, Jwalayayi produced by super star Mammootty, continued for more than 2 years and is considered by the industry as the super hit Malayalam mega serial. The second part of Jwalayayi is on air and is already a hit. The other mega serials are not far behind as per viewership data. DD Malayalam news Varthakal from its inception in 1985 has become an addiction for Malayalee viewers for the style of presentation and clarity of content.