DD National

DD National (formerly DD1) is a state-owned general entertainment television channel in India. It is also called Doordarshan. It is the flagship channel of Doordarshan, India's public service broadcaster, and the most widely available terrestrial television channel in India.[1]

DD National
DD National logo
Launched15 September 1959 (1959-09-15)
Owned byDoordarshan
Picture format1080p HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 576i for the SDTV feed)
SloganSatyam Shivam Sundram
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
English
Broadcast areaInternational
HeadquartersNew Delhi, India
Sister channel(s)DD India
DD News
DD Sports
DD Bharati
DD Retro
WebsiteDD National
Availability
Terrestrial
DVB-T2 (India)Check local frequencies
Satellite
Dish TVChannel 193 (SD), 192 (HD)
Tata SkyChannel 114
Independent TVChannel 205
Airtel Digital TVChannel 148
Sun Direct DTHChannel 302
DD Free DishChannel 2
d2hChannel 149
Dish Home
(Nepal)		Channel 215
Cignal Digital TVChannel 171 (SD)
G SatComing Soon
Cable
SkyCable PhilippinesChannel 233 (Digital)
Cablelink PhilippinesChannel 243
Destiny Cable PhilippinesChannel 116 (Analog)
Channel 233 (Digital)
Asianet Digital TV (India)Channel 500
Streaming media

History

1959 to 1982: Beginning

On 15 September 1959, at the studio of All India Radio, Delhi, the very first TV channel in India started an experimental telecast with a small transmitter and a makeshift studio. Until 1965, all the regular daily transmissions were operated by the All India Radio. Krishi Darshan, Chaupaal, Samachar, and Kalyani were the first programs on the channel.

1982 to 1992: Golden Years

On 15 August 1982, Doordarshan introduced a national telecast service from its own TV studio in Mandi House, New Delhi. On 9 August 1984, Doordarshan launched its second channel for the metro/urban audience, 'DD2', the existing first channel was renamed 'DD1' and started regular transmission. In the same year, DD1 started telecast of sponsored TV serials, which were produced by veteran filmmakers. Hum Log was the first sponsored TV serial of Indian television and started airing on 7 July 1984.

After the success of Hum Log, many other TV producers and filmmakers created many popular shows. Some of them were Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Buniyaad, Malgudi Days, Shrikant, Ramayan, Bharat Ek Khoj, Mahabharat, Mirza Ghalib, The Sword of Tipu Sultan, Chanakya, The Great Maratha, Vishwamitra, Luv Kush Uttar Ramayan, Buddha, Surabhi, Tiltliyan, Taaraa, Star Trek, Khaandaan, 13 Panne, Air Hostess, Waah Janaab, Tamas, Vikram Aur Betal, Tenali Rama, Kirdaar, Singhasan Battisi, Guldasta, Mrignayani, Shrikant, Sadgati, Nukkad, Lot Pot, Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne, Bhim Bhawani, Kakkaji Kahin, Paying Guest, Ados Pados, Upannyas, Fauji, Karamchand, Vyomkesh Bakshi, Samandar, Param Veer Chakra, Wagle Ki Duniya, Buniyaad, Kachchi Dhoop, Chunauti, Mahanagar, Talash, Umeed, Subah, Mr. Yogi, Circus, Ek Bhool, Chote Babu, Yugantar, Kehkashan, Yatra, Rajni, Street Hawk, Udaan, Gaata Jaaye Banjara, Phool Khile Hain Gulsan Gulsan, Pingu, Circus, Taaj Mahel, Khubsuraat, and Dada Dadi Ki Kahaniya were the most popular serials of those days.

1992 to 2010: Competition

After the entry of private channels in India, Doordarshan started facing strong competition from Zee TV in 1992. Even though in those days, cable and satellite channels were not easily available, DD1 was still ruling the chart, as it was the only channel available terrestrially. In 1993, Doordarshan revamped both channels for a stronger competition, as DD National and DD Metro.

With the telecast of popular TV shows like Chandrakanta, Alif Laila, Tehkikaat, Chitrahaar, Udaan, Byomkesh Bakshi, Farmaan, Katha Sagar, Neem Ka Ped and Chanakya, DD National retained viewers, but Doordarshan Board focused more on its DD Metro Channel, which was aimed to compete with Zee TV. In the meantime, DD Metro became one of the popular destinations of TV viewers with its shows like Junoon, Superhit Muquabala, and Azanabi. Some of the popular shows were also aired on DD National.

In 1995, when most of the channels like DD Metro, Zee TV, Home TV, STAR Plus and Sony TV started focusing on their prime time slots, DD National was still stacked with its role and responsibilities, as at the time it was the only source of news on TV. To provide more entertainment, DD National opened an afternoon slot for housewives, with the telecast of Shanti. To support the success of Shanti, many other shows like Swabhimaan, Farz, and Yug were introduced and all of them were praised.

In 1997, Prasar Bharati, the parent body of Doordarshan, was formed. While private channels like Zee TV, STAR Plus and Sony TV started airing high budget TV serials from top production houses, DD National was still doing the best in afternoon slots with Kasam, Itihaas, Agni, Aprajita, Aurat, Ardhangini, Sanjog, Deewar, Aane Wala Pal, Waqt Ki Raftaar and other programs. There were a few notable programs like India's Most Wanted, Gul Sanobar, Surabhi, Noorjahan, Om namah Shivay, Jai Ganga Maiya, and Suraag in prime time, but those were not enough to give competition to private channels.

In the late 1997, DD National started airing Mukesh Khanna's Shaktimaan, which was the blockbuster TV serial in Indian history. In 2000, after tasting success with India's Most Wanted, Jasoos Vijay and Suraag in prime time, Prasar Bharati decided to revamp both channels, and many new serials were introduced on DD National, but very few of them were successful because of a limited prime time slots of 9 to 10:30, compared to 8 to 11 for other channels. New channels like Sahara TV and SAB TV were also performing better than DD channels in prime time.

In 2002, DD offered its time slots to popular filmmakers and got some popular shows of the time. Ramanand Sagar's Aankhen, BR Chopra's Aap Beeti, Adhikaari Brothers CID Officer, Kiran Bedi's Galti Kiski, and Time's Dishayen were telecast on the channels and prized by viewers. In 2003, when DD Metro Channel was converted into DD News, Prasar Bharati focused on its DD national channels, and shows like Meher, Miss India, Kayamat, Kaanch, and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani were introduced. Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani achieved unprecedented ratings and became DD National's biggest blockbuster during this period. In 2005, Hawayein starring Ravi Kishan and Malini Kapoor became one of the most popular shows and also won a title of Best TV Serial of the Year at the ITA Awards.

In this period, DD introduced many popular serials like Air Hostess, Wo Huye Na hamare, Kyunki Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, Tum Dena Sath Mera, Hari Mirchi lal Mirchi, Soni Mahiwaal, Wheel Smart Shrimati, Krazzy Kiya Re, Chandramukhi, Jo Kahunga Sach Kahunga, Tahreer Munshi Premchand Ki, and Kashmkash Zindagi Ki.

2010 to 2020

At prime time, DD was still not able to compete with private channels, and it also started losing its peak position in afternoon slots to re-runs on other channels. In 2012, DD started airing Ekta Kapoor's Pavitra Bandhan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saraswatichandra and a few other serials. In 2013, it reduced its window for regional telecasts to 4 PM-7 PM, and stopped airing news at night, which added one and a half hour to its prime time. To enrich the new four-hour long prime time, DD brought TV serials like Gora, Bharat Ki Shaan, Baba Aazmi's Yeh Kaha Aa Gaye Hum, Dil Jo Kah Na Saka, and Sanjeev Kapoor's Chef Ki Rasoi. It also launched a campaign for its afternoon slots, DD Dophar Aapke Ghar, by airing serials like Amrita, Anudamini, Aisa Prem Kahan, and Chupau Kaise Laaga Chunari Me Daag.

In November 2014, Prasar Bharati relaunched DD National as 'Desh Ka Apna Channel' with a new theme and serials like Happy Homes, Khwabon Ke Darmiyaan, Khamosh Sa Afsaana, Dard Ka Rishta, Paltan, Stree Shakti, Zindagi Ek Bhanwar, and Janmon Ka Bandhan. Initially, these shows did better, but later, as TRP fell in 2016, Prasar Bharati decided to go for a slot sale policy and invited bids from makers for its 7 PM to 11 PM slot. Afternoon slots in 2016 aired serials like Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, U-turn, and Munidhar. However, the strategy was not enough for its revival.

In late 2016, the slot sale policy of DD was put on hold by the government. Although many production houses like Balaji Telefilms and SaaiBaba Telefilms had won slots for airing their programs, it could not be commenced as the policy was reported for review. From 2017, Doordarshan has been repeating programs from its library and does not telecast any new serial.

2020 to present

Due to COVID-19, when all other TV Channels were stopped shooting for fresh episodes of their serials, Doordarshan decided to Re-telecast its Blockbuster shows from 1980s and 1990s. DD National telecasted Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana, Uttar Ramayana, Shri Krishna, Mukesh Khanna's Shaktimaan, Shrimaan Shrimati, Shahrukh Khan's Circus, Byomkesh Bakshi, Chanakya, Dekh Bhai Dekh, The Jungle Book and many more. Whereas its Sister Channel DD Bharati telecasted BR Chopra's Mahabharata, Sai Baba, Alif Laila, BR Chopra's Vishnu Puran and many more hit series.

This move turned out to be a Magic Lamp for Doordarshan, as retelecast for these serials broke all TRP records. First Episode of Ramayana gained highest TRP since 2015 for all Hindi TV Channels of All categories. DD National instantly became #1st in TRP chart and with its shows Ramayana and Shaktimaan were on #1st and #5th in Ratings. Note that, since 2010's DD national was out of top 10 in Hindi GEC Ratings.

Final Battle of Ram-Ravana aired on 16 April 2020 recorded 77 Million viewers. Ramayana became the world's second most-watched broadcast of a TV show, behind the finale of M*A*S*H (105.9 Million) and beating the finale of Seinfeld (76 Million).

After Ramayana, Uttar Ramayan and Shri Krishna too enjoyed #1 Rank in BARC TRP Charts.

Its sister channel DD Bharati, which was even not in notice since its inception in 2000, became 5th most-watched TV Channel in TRP Charts, with Mahabharata became #2 on TRP Charts.

Following success of rerun shows, Doordarshan launched a new channel DD Retro on 13 April 2020 for all old classic serials of Doordarshan

Prasar Bharati Board
  • Chairman — Dr. A. Surya Prakash
  • Chief Executive Officer — Shri Shashi Shekhar Vempati
  • Member (Personnel) — Vacant
  • Member (Finance) — Shri Rajeev Singh

Part-time members
  • Additional Secretary and Representative of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting — Shri Ali R. Rizvi
  • Ex Officio members — Tripurari Sharan, DG, Doordarshan, and L.D. Mandloi, DG, All India Radio
  • Part-time member : Kajol

Sports broadcasting

Usually, all One Day and Twenty20 international cricket matches involving or hosted by India are shown live on DD National. It also broadcast the 2014 Men's Hockey World Cup matches involving India, and also the semi-final and final matches. The ICC Champions Trophy was also broadcast by DD National.

These matches are broadcast under compulsory simulcasts from pay television rightsholders such as Star Sports, under laws requiring sporting events of national importance to be simulcast by DD National. In 2017, in response to complaints by Tata Sky, the Supreme Court of India ruled that these simulcasts are only allowed to be carried by on the free-to-air terrestrial and DD Free Dish, and that DD National must be blacked out on pay television providers in defense of the pay-television rightsholder when such events are broadcast.

Since then, Prasar Bharati decided to telecast Cricket Matches only on DD Sports Channel, and since then all matches were telecasted on DD Sports channel, but only on DD Freedish, DTT mode with different feed named DD Sports 2.0.[2][3]

Editorial independence

The idea of autonomy for the government-controlled Doordarshan was first mooted when the Janata Party came to power in 1977, in the aftermath of Emergency when the Doordarshan ended up as the government's mouthpiece. The idea was revived when the Janata Dal took office in 1989. The following governments showed no interest in autonomy despite making politically correct noises about autonomy.[4]

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See also

References
  1. "India's largest terrestrial network" (Press release). Associated Press. Archived from the original on 6 April 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
  2. "SC order dilutes Doordarshan presence in DTH, cable space". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  3. "Star warns cable TV, DTH platforms against re-transmitting DD's feed of India cricket matches". Television Post. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  4. "Rediff On The NeT: Autonomy appears a pipe dream for Doordarshan". Rediff.com. 11 February 1999. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
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