Programming
For the first few years after its inception, the channel only aired educational and informative programs with news being one of the biggest draws. Once the national feed started in 1982, the channel started airing regional and local shows on time-sharing basis. For most Indian states, this meant one national and one local news telecast. The channel soon started airing entertainment shows and the popularity of some of the earliest series such as Hum Log, film-based shows such as Chitrahaar and Hindi movies resulted in a gradual increase in entertainment and commercial programming. Rangoli is the oldest programme on DD National, dedicated to Classic Hindi songs.
Until the mid-80s, channel transmission was limited to evenings only. On February 11, 1987, the channel introduced morning transmission with a two hour telecast. This included ten minute news bulletins in Hindi and English apart from other short shows. On January 1, 1989, afternoon transmission, aimed at housewives and children, was launched.
The channel's educational programming includes distance learning shows for UGC and IGNOU as well as learning shows for kids sponsored by NCERT.
Since late-90s, the channel broadcasts from 4:30 am IST till 2:00 am terrestrially while the satellite feed is available 24 hours a day.
Read more about this topic: DD National
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