India's first Television broadcast service Doordarshan was launched on 15th September 1959 in New Delhi. Initially Doordarshan started with a test telecast using a temporary studio and a samll transmitter powered by Prasar Bharati. By 1965, regular daily transmissions were started by Doordarshan as a part of the All India Radio. Until 1972 Doordarshan was only available in 7 cities. In 1972, its services were extended to Amritsar and Mumbai.
Doordarshan was a part of All India Radio till 1976. On 1st April 1976, Doordarshan was seperated from All India Radio and was managed by seperate Director Generals with a new office at Delhi. Only in 1982, Doordarshan existence was spread nation wide and became national broadcaster to reach every parts of the country,
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| First Program On Doordarshan - Krishi Darshan |
The first program Doordarshan telecated was Krishi Darshan on 26th January 1967. It is well remembered as the longest running TV program. Some popular TV shows on Doordarshan were; Hum Log, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Buniyaad, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Shaktimaan, Bharat Ek Khoj, Chitrahaar, Karamchand, Byomkesh Bakshi, Vikram aur Betaal, Malgudi Days, Oshin (a Japanese TV series), Jungle Book, The Peacock Calls and University Girls (documentaries).
Presently Doordarshan operates:
21 channels, out of which two are all India channels - DD National and DD News,
11 regional language satellite channels, and sports channels (DD Sports),
four state networks and Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha TV, which broadcast parliamentary proceedings live.
DD National (also known as DD1) broadcasts regional and local programs. The DD News channel provides 24 hours news broadcast.
Doordarshan also has a service called DD Direct Plus which is DTH service and is free of charge.
Today Doordarshan India also broadcasts internationally through a satellite and is available across 146 channels around the world. From a modest beginning in 1959, Doordarshan now has a global reach and continues to inform and entertain viewers of different generations across geography.
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