Television: Era of Doordarshan,
Infotainment, and Entertainment
Introduction
Television became a significant medium of communication across the world after World
War II, particularly in the 1950s in the United States and Britain. It was intended to bring
information, education, and entertainment to the people in the comfort of their homes.
Today, while the advent of Over-The-Top (OTT) services and digital platforms like YouTube
has raised questions about television’s relevance, scholars such as Jonathan Gray and
Amanda Lotz argue that traditional television formats, such as weekly episode broadcasts,
continue to thrive in the digital age. In India, television remains a dominant form of media,
deeply embedded in the social fabric. This essay will explore the history and transformation
of television in India, focusing on the era of Doordarshan, the rise of infotainment, and the
development of private satellite channels that reshaped the media landscape.
Historical Background of Television in India
The history of television in India can be traced back to the early 20th century, long before
the official launch of Doordarshan in 1959. The roots of television broadcasting in India can
be seen in the establishment of radio services during the British colonial period. In 1923,
the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) began broadcasting in Bombay and Calcutta. These
stations, however, were short-lived and eventually taken over by the British government,
leading to the formation of All India Radio (AIR) in 1936. By the late 1930s, the role of AIR
had expanded, and it became a tool for disseminating government propaganda, particularly
during the Second World War.
Television in India, however, had to wait until the post-independence era to take shape. The
Indian government under Jawaharlal Nehru, who championed the policy of “communication
for development,” saw television as a potential tool for nation-building and development.
The first experiments in television broadcasting were conducted in the 1950s. The official
launch of television in India came in 1959, with Doordarshan (DD), a service initially based
in Delhi, broadcasting programs aimed at education and information dissemination. The
broadcasts were limited in scope, and programming was minimal, consisting of only a few
hours of educational content per week, focusing on road safety, food adulteration, and other
socially relevant topics..
The Doordarshan Era
The history of television in India can be traced back to 1923 when broadcast stations were
established in Bombay and Calcutta by the Indian Broadcasting Company. However, it was
only in 1959 that television was officially introduced in India with the launch of
Doordarshan in Delhi. Initially, television was envisioned as an experimental educational
service. During its early years, television broadcasts were limited to only two one-hour
transmissions a week, focusing on topics like road safety, food adulteration, and public
property care. The first significant shift towards regular programming occurred in the
1960s, when Hindi news bulletins and agricultural programs aimed at farmers were
introduced.
Until the 1970s, television was largely confined to a small, politically elite group in Delhi,
while the rest of the country remained unaware of its existence. However, in 1976, the
government decided to expand television services and established Doordarshan as an
independent entity, separate from All India Radio. The government, under Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi, recognized the potential of television as a powerful tool for nation-building
and used it to communicate policies and developmental goals. During the Emergency (1975-
1977), Doordarshan played a pivotal role in disseminating government propaganda, with
programming promoting the government's 20-point agenda on topics like irrigation,
education, and family planning.
One of the most notable initiatives during this period was the Satellite Instructional
Television Experiment (SITE) launched in 1975-76. This experiment used an American
broadcast satellite to reach over 2000 villages in states like Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya
Pradesh, providing educational programming to rural areas. Through this initiative, the
government not only educated the public but also reinforced its political and developmental
agenda. SITE served as an example of how Doordarshan could be harnessed to broadcast
government programs to remote areas, demonstrating the government's control over
television and its use as a propaganda tool.
Doordarshan's Development and Expansion
In terms of programming, Doordarshan began with educational initiatives but soon
expanded to include entertainment content. Programs like Chitrahar, Chitramala,
Shaktiman, Newsline, and Janvaani were created to cater to a diverse audience, offering a
mix of music, sports, current affairs, and children's programming. These shows introduced
Indian viewers to a variety of genres and played a significant role in shaping the cultural
landscape of the nation. The telecast of the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi marked a milestone
in Indian television history, as it was broadcast nationally in color. This was the beginning
of a new era of televised content, which allowed for uniform viewing experiences across the
country.
Television’s mass appeal grew rapidly, especially among the growing middle class. The
broadcast of the Prime Minister’s address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15,
1982, in color, is remembered as a historic moment. The growing middle class in urban
India, with rising disposable income, began to view television as the primary form of
entertainment in households. However, despite these advancements, Doordarshan faced
significant challenges during the pre-1991 era. It struggled with issues of institutional
autonomy, its centralization in Delhi, and its tendency to promote the political agenda of the
ruling government. This undermined its credibility as a public broadcaster.
The Era of Infotainment and Private Satellite Channels
The economic liberalization of 1991 led to profound changes in the Indian television
industry. The opening up of the market to private players brought in a wave of new
channels, ushering in the era of infotainment and entertainment television. These private
channels, often driven by commercial interests, began to shape the viewing habits of the
Indian audience in ways that Doordarshan could not.
Private channels introduced a variety of content, catering to different segments of the
population. Shows that blended information with entertainment, commonly referred to as
infotainment, became highly popular. Channels like NDTV, Zee TV, Star Plus, and Sony
began to offer news programs, talk shows, reality television, and soap operas that catered to
the tastes of a wider audience. This new content was not only entertaining but also
educational, reflecting the convergence of information and entertainment in the post-
liberalization era.
The rise of infotainment channels also gave rise to a new wave of programming that focused
on reality-based content. Game shows, talk shows, and reality competitions became an
integral part of television programming. These shows attracted large audiences and
reflected the changing social and cultural landscape of India. At the same time, soap operas
gained immense popularity, becoming a defining feature of Indian television in the 1990s
and 2000s. These serials captivated viewers with their compelling stories and melodrama,
creating a sense of community among audiences who gathered to watch the same show at a
designated time every day.
Rise of Satellite TV: Soap Operas, 24×7 News, Changes and Effects
The rise of satellite television in India marked a transformative period in media history,
redefining not only the content and form of programming but also its social and political
implications. Initially dominated by Doordarshan, Indian television underwent major
changes with the introduction of satellite channels post-1991, which led to a new era of
entertainment and information dissemination through soap operas and 24×7 news
channels.
Soap Operas as Tools for Development and Social Commentary
Soap operas on Doordarshan did not begin as commercial ventures but were designed as
tools for development communication. Drawing inspiration from Mexico’s Televisa, which
successfully used television dramas for promoting family planning and literacy, India
launched its first soap opera, Hum Log, in 1984. Airing 156 episodes over two years, Hum
Log centered on a North Indian middle-class family and explored themes such as political
corruption, unemployment, women’s issues, joint family values, smuggling, and family
planning. Sponsored by Maggi Noodles, the show became an instant success, with plots
being modified based on audience feedback—turning it into an interactive national
phenomenon.
Following Hum Log, other socially relevant dramas like Buniyaad, Nukkad, Rajani, and Yeh
Jo Hai Zindagi gained popularity. These shows highlighted everyday struggles of the
common people, showcasing caste, class, gender, and governance-related issues. Renowned
filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Shyam Benegal, and Govind Nihalani also contributed, creating
powerful narratives such as Sadgati, Bharat Ek Khoj, and Tamas, respectively.
Simultaneously, mythological serials such as Ramayan and Mahabharat attracted massive
viewership. These shows not only reinforced Hindu religious identity but also contributed
to the rise of Hindu nationalism, particularly during the politically charged period leading to
the Babri Masjid demolition. Viewers often treated the TV sets as sacred, offering prayers
during telecasts, and actors like Arun Govil (Ram) and Dipika (Sita) were seen as divine
figures and even participated in political rallies.
Rise of 24×7 News Channels and the Breaking of Doordarshan’s Monopoly
The dominance of Doordarshan began to fade in the early 1990s with the entry of private
and international players. The Gulf War (1990-91) telecast by CNN triggered Indian interest
in satellite news. The real turning point came with the launch of STAR TV in 1991, which
offered a range of Western entertainment and news programming, followed by Zee TV in
1992, India’s first Hindi satellite channel.
Though private Indian networks were initially barred from broadcasting news, Zee’s
partnership with Asian News International (ANI) allowed it to bypass regulations and soon
develop into a 24x7 news channel. This move paved the way for others like Aaj Tak, NDTV
24x7, India Today, Times Now, Republic TV, and more. These channels diversified the
landscape of Indian television by introducing round-the-clock coverage, live debates, panel
discussions, investigative journalism, and political commentary.
However, the rise of private channels also brought challenges. News content became
increasingly shaped by the ideological leanings of media houses, anchors, and their
intended audience. This led to concerns about bias, sensationalism, and politicization of
news, impacting public opinion and democratic discourse.
Broader Changes and Lasting Effects
The rise of satellite television drastically changed modes of content consumption, with a
visible shift from state-driven narratives to market-driven, commercialized programming.
Doordarshan itself expanded offerings by launching DD Metro, catering to urban
consumerism.
By March 2020, India had 918 permitted private TV channels, including 392 news and 526
non-news channels (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting). Technological advances
and media convergence have further blurred the lines between print, broadcast, and digital
media, making news more interactive and dialogic, and shifting focus from one-way
information to critical analysis and audience engagement.
Social media integration now plays a major role in news production and consumption,
making it easier for audiences to interact, respond, and participate in news cycles.
Conclusion
Television in India has undergone a significant transformation since its humble beginnings
in the 1950s. From being a tool for government propaganda and development during the
Doordarshan era, television evolved into a vibrant, multifaceted medium of infotainment
and entertainment in the post-liberalization period. The advent of private satellite channels
brought in a wave of new programming, which redefined the television experience for
Indian audiences. Today, television continues to be a dominant form of media, even as new
platforms like OTT services and YouTube have emerged. However, television’s capacity to
blend information and entertainment remains a hallmark of its appeal, ensuring its place in
the media landscape for years to come.The rise of satellite TV in India brought significant
shifts in television programming, especially through soap operas and 24×7 news channels.
While it diversified entertainment and democratized access to information, it also raised
concerns about media ethics, commercialization, and ideological polarization. Overall, this
media revolution has had a profound and lasting impact on Indian society, culture, and
politics.
