Variety of Indian Channels has evolved as mushrooms over the past decade. Dramas, reality shows, comedies, musical thrillers, news, thrillers all adorn the body of Indian television. Television Industry developed in leaps and bounds as the viewer ship increased. Initially the monopoly of Doordarshan was witnessed as it had been the one and only infotainment channel. Television telecasts numerous programmes that are audience specific known as special audience programmes like children`s programmes, women`s programmes, youth programmes and educational/school telecasts.
The target audience is at first kept into consideration and later these special programmes are planned fulfilling the desires of specific groups. In case of children`s programmes, stories, music, games and general knowledge are available. In women`s programmes, tips on cooking, sewing, legal problems etc. are given. In the case of farmers programmes, subjects on agriculture, dairy farming, poultry, cooperative activities etc. are adequately covered. The youth programme has a separate format which provides for discussion on the problems, desires and requirements of the youth, generally presented by young anchors and for the young audience.
A new day dawned upon with the introduction of satellite television. Several TV channels came into existence and these were available in various Indian languages, such as, Hindi language, Bengali language, Tamil language, Kannada language, Oriya language, Telugu language, Gujarati language, Bhojpuri language, Punjabi language, Urdu language, etc. The Indian TV channels broadcast serials, news, sports, documentaries, movies and several other shows. Currently, there are several free and subscription services, which provide over 515 channels.
Animation Channels in India
The Animation Channels include Cartoon Network, Disney Channel India, Nickelodeon, Hungama Tv, Pogo, Disney XD, Animax etc. the sports Channel. The Cartoon channels and animation not only cater to the children but all also provide entertainment to the grown ups acting as a stress buster. Indian Sports Channels is an important part among the television viewing audience in India. Lots of Sports channels provide the viewers live coverage of various sports events. Indian Sports Channels are public sports channel, featuring international games and national games apart from DD-Sports, a Doordarshan presentation. There are numerous private sports channels, which have penetrated into the Indian TV market.
Religious Channels in India
Indian Religious TV Channels like Aastha, Sanskar TV, Jagran TV, Good News TV and others propagate various religious and spiritual principles and messages through satellite television. The easiest way to indulge in spirituality is with the help of several Indian religious channels. Religion is an indispensable part of Indian daily life.
There are numerous Indian religious channels that telecast programmes 24 hours. Most of the Indian religious TV channels offer spiritual programming for the viewers in India. These Indian religious channels are also widely watched in the Western countries as well. Such religious channels are fine ways of reaching out to the people interested in Eastern religious philosophies. The Indian religious channels telecast several programmes comprising religious songs, religious debates, lectures and programmes on Yoga and Ayurveda. During festive seasons LIVE programmes are also telecasted for the viewers.
Documentary Channels in India
Indian Documentary Channels` throw light on the inquisitive plethora of human beings, of human nature. The exploration into the abyss of human psyche, the voyage into unattained attainable while throwing light into the pillars of human civilization; the socio-economic and political pillars. Although some documentaries made by Indian filmmakers have been telecast on Doordarshan and some Indian news channels, yet there are no specific genre dedicated documentary channels in India. Nat Geo, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Junior, National Geographic Junior, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science etc fall under this branch.
Music Channels in India
Indian music channels are quite popular with the viewers. Irrespective of region, language and age people follow the music channels that are aired on Indian television. While some of the Indian music channels solely play Hindi film songs, there are several music channels that play an assortment of songs round the clock. Whether it is Indipop, film music or classical songs; the latest albums are promoted through the Indian music channels. Channel [V], MTV, B4U Music and others play various songs throughout the day.
News Channels in India
Indian News Channels are many in number, catering to the interests of a large Diaspora. Many upcoming news channels are in complete competition with the existing ones to keep the people abreast with the latest news and events around the world.
The emerging media powerhouses provided prime time television content to almost all leading satellite channels in India including STAR-TV, SONY Entertainment, BBC World, Zee, MTV and Discovery Channel. After The India Show, TV18 produced a weekly business news program, India Business Report, for BBC World. Indian viewers had very limited options and for watching the updated news they had to watch Doordarshan and some international news channels like BBC or CNN. In the rush to provide more news, accurate information, Zee-TV launched the news channel Zee News in 1995.
STAR-TV was the other round-the-clock news channel which aired its exclusively 24-hour news channels, STAR News in 1998. A contract of five years was made by Star with Prannoy Roy-owned NDTV (New Delhi Television Company) to provide news content for this news channel. The untiring and exhaustive coverage of the Kargil war between India and Pakistan gained more publicity and attracted more viewers towards the channel giving birth to news icon Barkha Dutt. After the huge success of news programme `Aaj Tak`, the India Today Group launched a 24-hour Hindi news channel with the same name, `Aaj Tak`, in December 2000, which covers India with insight, valour and caters to the regional and local viewers. Within 11 months of its launch, Aaj Tak emerged as India`s leading news channel and was honoured `Best News Channel` award from Indian Television Academy Awards.
Variety of Indian Channels are the Plates upon which catered is the rainbow of Indian channels-of the mass to the class, of the working to the capitalists, of the housewives to the working ladies. India is rising so is Indian channels. Variety of Indian Channels point towards the Indianness of India; the nation that boasts of cultural globalization of multiculturalism of the economic booms and the social Renaissance!
