Television (T.V.)

Television broadcasting has become the most effective audio-visual medium for spreading information and educating the masses. Its reach and impact are far greater than radio or print because it combines sound with moving images, making communication more powerful and memorable.

The story of television in India begins in 1959, when services were limited to the National Capital, Delhi. For over a decade, TV remained a Delhi-only experiment. The real expansion came after 1972, when several other centres became operational, gradually extending the network across the country.

A major turning point came in 1976. Until then, television was part of All India Radio (AIR). In 1976, it was delinked from AIR and given a separate identity as Doordarshan (DD). This separation allowed television to develop its own programming and administrative structure.

The next leap forward came with the launch of the INSAT-1A satellite. Once the National Television channel (DD1) became operational through this satellite, two important changes happened:

• Common National Programmes (CNP) were started for the entire network. This meant that viewers across the country could watch the same national news, cultural programmes, and special events simultaneously. …