Doordarshan Launched - [September 15,1959] This Day in History

On 15 September 1959, the Government of India launched Doordarshan or DD in short, India՚s public service broadcaster in Delhi. Starting as an experiment with a small 5 KW transmitter and an improvised studio, DD became a national broadcaster in 1982.

This is an important topic for the modern Indian history segment of the UPSC syllabus.

Origins of Doordarshan

• When it started out, DD was part of All India Radio. The initial equipment was provided by Philips India Ltd. and the coverage area was only 40 km around the national capital. It was inaugurated by the then President Dr Rajendra Prasad.
• DD initially telecast programmes only two days a week for a duration of one hour per day.
• With aid from the Ford Foundation, educational programmes were telecast for school children in Delhi from 1964.
• Daily transmission of programmes commenced in 1965. The duration of the broadcast was only three hours per day. It also started a news bulletin (lasting only five minutes) in 1965.
• In 1967, DD aired its first programme called ‘Krishi Darshan’. This was a 20-minute programme for farmers educating them about various aspects of agriculture. This was done in collaboration with the Department of Atomic Energy, the Indian Research Institute, and the Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments. Krishi Darshan is one of the longest-running shows on Indian television, along with Chitrahaar, a show that plays Bollywood songs.
• The television service was extended to Bombay and Amritsar in 1972.
• Gradually over the years, the duration of the service and the transmitter range were increased.
• The government conducted a satellite TV experiment in 1975 - 76 for educational purposes. This was the first attempt anywhere in the world to use space technology for social education. Even up to 1975, only 7 Indian cities had a TV service.
• In 1976, radio and television services were separated.
• National telecast was started in 1982, the same year India saw colour TV.
• The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi՚s Independence Day speech was aired live on TV that year; so was the 1982 Asian Games which were hosted by Delhi.
• Currently, 90% of the Indian population can view DD programmes through a network of about 1400 terrestrial transmitters.
• Apart from Indian shows, DD also played programmes from NBC, ABC and other international broadcasters.
• It covers all government events and shows.
• Effective from 1997, Prasar Bharati is the broadcasting corporation that owns both Doordarshan and the All India Radio. Prasar Bharati is controlled by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• Doordarshan՚s viewership has fallen sharply since the advent of private TV channels in 1991.
• National events including cricket tournaments are aired on DD because of the compulsory feed given to it by the private channels. It also earns revenue through this.
• DD has at present many channels including 2 all-India channels, a sports channel, an international channel, Rajya Sabha TV, Lok Sabha TV and a string of regional language channels.
• DD was and continues to be an important government tool for disseminating education, social messages and information to the public. From a humble experimental beginning in 1959, DD has grown to be India՚s national broadcaster with global reach as well.

Origins and Evolution of Doordarshan Doordarshan (DD), India՚s public broadcaster, has a rich history intertwined with the nation՚s development. Its journey began in 1959 as a part of All India Radio (AIR), with initial equipment provided by Philips India Ltd. Coverage was limited to a 40 km radius around Delhi, and its first broadcast was inaugurated by President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Early Years (as you mentioned) :

• Limited broadcasts (two days a week, one hour per day)
• Educational programs for schools (Ford Foundation collaboration)
• Daily transmissions and news bulletins (1965)
• Launch of Krishi Darshan (1967)

Expansion and Experimentation (as you mentioned) :

• Service extended to Bombay and Amritsar (1972)
• Satellite TV experiment for education (1975 - 76)
• Separation of radio and television services (1976)

National Telecast and Color TV (as you mentioned) :

• National telecast and color TV introduced (1982)
• Live telecast of PM՚s Independence Day speech and Asian Games (1982)

Later Developments (as you mentioned) :

• Extensive network of terrestrial transmitters
• Broadcast of international programs
• Coverage of government events
• Prasar Bharati established (1997)
• Competition from private channels
• Compulsory feed of national events
• Multiple channels (national, sports, international, regional)

Additional Points:

1. Early Focus on Social Development: From its inception, Doordarshan had a strong focus on social development and education. Krishi Darshan, for example, played a crucial role in disseminating agricultural information to farmers. Educational programs for schools were another early priority.
2. Role in Nation Building: Doordarshan played a significant role in nation-building, promoting national integration, and disseminating information about government policies and programs. It was a key tool for reaching a vast and diverse population.
3. Growth of Regional Channels: The expansion of Doordarshan included the development of regional language channels, catering to the diverse linguistic landscape of India. This helped to connect with local communities and promote regional cultures.
4. Impact of Satellite Television: The advent of satellite television in the 1990s brought about a revolution in the Indian media landscape. Doordarshan faced stiff competition from private channels, which offered a wider variety of entertainment and news programming.
5. Challenges and Adaptations: Doordarshan has had to adapt to the changing media environment. It has focused on improving its content, upgrading its technology, and expanding its digital presence.
6. News and Current Affairs: Doordarshan News plays a vital role in providing news and current affairs coverage to the Indian public. It is expected to maintain impartiality and objectivity in its reporting.
7. Entertainment and Cultural Programming: While facing competition from private entertainment channels, Doordarshan continues to produce and broadcast a range of entertainment and cultural programs, including dramas, comedies, and music shows.
8. Future of Doordarshan: The future of Doordarshan lies in its ability to adapt to the digital age and cater to the changing needs and preferences of viewers. It needs to leverage new technologies and platforms to reach a wider audience and remain relevant in the competitive media landscape. Maintaining its public service broadcasting mandate while also attracting viewers will be a key challenge.