 | Art & Culture • Health • Movies & Entertainment • Society • Reference • Sports • Travel • Lifestyle | |
| ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
|
| Regional DD Channels | |
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 Chandana has also telecasted programmes on promotion of fire safety at home work place, industry and at community level. Some of the past programs were: Agni Sanchike weekly T.V. serial programme and Fire Warden Organization, to provide an opportunity to volunteers to join hands with the Fire Services in improving fire safety awareness and quick reaction habits in the community. Chandana channel also telecasted 20 commissioned programs, documentaries and software such as drama, telefilms and serials during the year 2004. 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. It used to be operated from Delhi but in the year 2006, the Centre decided to shift the operations of Doordarshan`s `Kashir` channel back to Srinagar from Delhi after more than 17 years since the outbreak of violence in Kashmir in late 1980s, thus fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people of the Valley. DD Kashir also became a 24-hour channel from 15th August,2000. the channel used to telecast a 14 and half hour programme daily. Out of these,commissioned programmes account for six hours, another four and half hours are taken by in-house and news/current affairs programmes while the archival programmes take four hours daily. The special audience programmes cover Gojri, Pahari, Ladakhi, Dogri, Sheena, Balti, Pushtu, Bhadarwahi and Punjabi audiences. The channel for which the centre has allocated Rs.90 crore for one year, has a reach of 20 to 25 km and does not cover remote villages of the valley which are most affected by militancy. It therefore fails to counter the massive anti-India propaganda launched by Pakistan television (PTV) through its powerful transmitters along the border. The channel which is non-propagandist and aims at integrating the people of the state with the rest of the country, cannot be watched by a majority of the people even within the 25 km radius as power supply remains cut for almost 12 hours every day. 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. DD State Networks Both cable and terrestrial TV`s reception in such places are less than in the rest of the country. Because of this fact states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Northeastern states get preference for the DTH service hardware. The satellite television revolution of the 1990s provided more viewing choices and greatly expanded the viewership of television in urban India. But in spite of this almost 81% of the rural population in our country still cannot afford to buy even a small black and white television set. The second most populous state of the country Bihar, just one out of eighteen rural households has managed to buy a television set but in Punjab, a majority, actually three out of every five, rural households are rich enough to buy a television set. Among all the states in the country rural television ownership is highest in Punjab followed by its neighbouring states Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Rural television ownership is low in Uttar Pradesh as could be expected but in Uttaranchal, a part of undivided Uttar Pradesh, every third rural household has a television set. In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan ownership is around the national average and only in the tribal dominated state of Chattisgarh it is very much below the average. The very low level of television ownership is a matter of concern, especially to Prasar Bharati. There is Near-absence of locally relevant programmes on Doordarshan in these areas. For example Doordarshan has just two hours of local programming from Patna (the lowest for a major state capital). Similarly there is very little of local programming from Ranchi and Raipur. It is said that Bhojpuri is the only language understood by the majority of rural people of Bihar but there is hardly any regular programmes in Bhojpuri on Doordarshan. Doordarshan played a pivotal role in generating awareness in the State of Himachal Pradesh. The efforts of the State Government were realized in June, 1995 when the Doordarshan Kendra, Shimla started functioning though partially. Initially its transmission time was just half an hour per day. The State Government took up the matter of strengthening the production facilities in Doordarshan, Shimla and increasing the transmission time from half an hour to at least 3 hours per day. About 15 lakh more viewers residing in remote areas of State have got access to the programmes of DDK, Shimla. The programmes of Shimla Doordarshan are also available on Satellite 3A. The cable network Act in Himachal Pradesh that every cable operator in Himachal Pradesh shall make available the signal of Doordarshan Shimla through his or her cable networks and ensure to adhere to the Programme code, Advertisement code etc. the Doordarshan Kendra was set up in Dehradun, Uttaranchal was set up in the year 2001. This is the 63rd studio of Doordarshan in the country and it happens to be the most modern of all the studios. At present there are 46 DD transmitters functional in Uttaranchal, which covered around 80% of the people of the State. Doordarshan is also available in almost all parts of the state of Jharkhand. Bigger cities of Jaharkhand is served by all television channels available in India and channels are received through cable. In some interior regions, channels are received via satellite dishes. Doordarshan continues to be a favorite channel in many homes in this age of cable television. Its network has expanded, giving adequate attention to regional interests. | |