News Headline
Doordarshan mulls reach extension in south & east markets with new regional offerings
MUMBAI: India’s public broadcaster Doordarshan is all set to expand its viewership in non-Hindi speaking markets having drawn up plans to increase presence in the southern and eastern parts of the country by launching new TV channels.
Quoting BARC data (and other industry figures) that DD’s satellite-based FTA service FreeDish reaches 22 million homes, Doordarshan DG Supriya Sahu told Indiantelevision.com, “We are working on a plan to expand our bouquet of channels for the southern and eastern markets by increasing the number of regional channels.”
According to Sahu, compared to private broadcasters’ regional channels, pubcaster’s language channels like DD Punjabi, DD Sahyadri and DD Podhigai (Tamil) were “working great” and, hence, the next natural move was to “strengthen” the network by “moving deeper into rural areas”.
Sahu, however, did not clarify or shed more light on the nature and programming of the proposed regional language channels and whether they would be totally funded by taxpayers’ money or marketing initiatives simultaneously will be undertaken to try making the new channels financially viable.
India’s national radio and TV services, All India Radio and Doordarshan, are funded by taxpayers’ money with the federal government extending annual financial aids to bridge the gap between revenue and expenditure.
Doordarshan is also working on a whole range of other issue, which include improving content and better cross-channel promotion and marketing of all the channels in its 30-channel+ bouquet. Sahu added that such promotions will be “high” on social media as also traditional platforms.
However, Indian TV industry observers are of the opinion that the pubcaster should do additional due diligence of viewership trends before formally launching more Indian language channels as DD’s bouquet already consists of fairly large number of regional offerings and in most such markets DD channels are amongst the top five, but not in pole position.
For example, if BARC India data for Week 25 for Punjabi language channels are examined, DD Punjabi was at No. 4 having garnered 25,022 (‘000) weekly Impressions in the markets (urban+rural) of Punjab/Haryana / Chandigarh /Himachal/ J&K (NCCS All: 2+ individuals). Private sector TV channels like PTC Punjabi, MH1 Music and Chardikala Time TV occupied the top three slots, respectively, in terms of viewership.
Non-cricket Sports League In The Offing
Meanwhile, Sahu also told Indiantelevision.com that Doordarshan is working on a blueprint to enter sports business with three different sports leagues — basketball, tackle football (a modified form of American football) and the indigenous kabaddi.
“We are in the final stage of finalising various logistical aspects (of such sports leagues), including the bouquet of games, partnerships, production values and marketing initiatives for the leagues,” Sahu said, adding that help of an American company with expertise in conducting university sports could be taken.
Though the game of kabaddi, men and women, has already been turned into a league and is promoted heavily by Star Sports, which, according to the private broadcaster, has given it good dividends in terms of revenue and viewership.
“We are not restricted to three games (for the league model),” the DD DG said, explaining more games could be taken up as the pubcaster is working on various models to bring down the costs of holding such leagues. “The sports league is not a one-time affair and is a long-term strategy spread over four to five years that will give good returns,” she added.
A recent report by GroupM ESP and sports business media outlet SportzPower states that sports sponsorship in India grew 19.33 per cent in 2016 touching Rs 64,000 million.
ALSO READ:
Doordarshan in talks with Disney for kiddy content in evening slots
FreeDish creates record, sells 11 slots for Rs 851 million
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
