Ziraat Times Team Report
New Delhi: On World Television Day 2025, India is celebrating a communication milestone unmatched by any other nation—a television network that reaches 900 million viewers across 230 million households, powered by 918 private satellite channels and strengthened by 6.5 crore DD Free Dish homes that ensure free access for millions. More than a medium, television in India has become a cultural lifeline, a classroom, a public square, and for many households, the most trusted window to the world.
From the flickering black-and-white broadcasts of 1959 to the high-definition, digital, multilingual universe of today, India’s television story is deeply woven into its democratic and social trajectory. Marking the UN-designated day, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Prasar Bharati highlighted TV’s enduring role in educating, informing, and unifying a country of extraordinary diversity.
Television’s reach—with Doordarshan at its spine—has not only shaped public opinion and aspirations but also bridged rural-urban divides through development messaging, educational programming, and free nationwide broadcasting networks.
A Media & Entertainment Powerhouse
The celebration comes at a time when India’s Media & Entertainment sector is thriving.
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The industry contributed ₹2.5 trillion to the economy in 2024.
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It is projected to surpass ₹3 trillion by 2027.
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The TV/broadcasting segment alone generated ₹680 billion in 2024.
Hybrid consumption—TV plus OTT—along with affordable Smart TVs, 4K content, and expanding broadband, has kept television central to India’s digital ecosystem despite the rise of streaming giants.
A Modest Beginning (1959–1965)
Television in India began as an educational experiment by All India Radio in collaboration with UNESCO. Broadcasts served a small neighbourhood in Delhi, focusing on school lessons and rural development.
Nationwide Expansion (1965–1982)
With regular television service starting in 1965, Doordarshan rapidly grew into a national institution. New centres opened across cities, and the transformative SITE experiment (1975-76) brought satellite-based education to 2,400 villages—one of the largest such projects in world history.
Colour TV & National Coverage (1982–1990)
The 1982 Asian Games marked the arrival of colour television. By the end of the decade, Doordarshan covered nearly 70% of India’s population and 80% of its geography.
Satellite Boom & Liberalisation (1991–2011)
Economic reforms ushered in India’s private television revolution. Star TV, Zee, and Sony redefined entertainment. Doordarshan launched new national and regional channels, while DD Direct Plus introduced free-to-air DTH in 2004, democratizing access.
Digitisation & the Modern Era (2012–Present)
Cable digitisation, HD broadcasting, Smart TVs, and the massive expansion of DD Free Dish—from 59 channels in 2014 to 482 channels today—have placed India among the world’s largest digital broadcast ecosystems.
COVID-19: When TV Became the Classroom
During the pandemic, Doordarshan’s regional and national broadcasts ensured millions of students—especially those without internet—remained connected to schooling.
PM e-Vidya & SWAYAM Prabha: 24×7 Learning
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12 dedicated TV channels (Classes I–XII)
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Integration with SWAYAM, DIKSHA, NCERT repositories
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24×7 educational broadcasts through GSAT satellites
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Teacher training, skill development, and curriculum-aligned lessons