Doordarshan revamps prime time programming

NEW DELHI: Based on inputs from viewers and the audience research surveys conducted by it, Doordarshan has revamped the prime time programming on its main channels: DD National, DD Urdu, DD Bharati and DD News.

Doordarshan Director-General Tripurari Sharan told indiantelevision.com that five new series had commenced from today on the DD National channel.

Sharan said that the inputs received from various sources relating to the 8 pm to 10 pm slot had been collated before revamping the channels.

While the revamping of DD Bharati had taken place from Republic Day with the introduction of some new programmes and changing the time slots of some of the others, DD National and DD Urdu had been revamped from this week.

DD News will also shortly see a change in news presentation, with new presenters and a lighter format. Sharan said discussions and news will be presented in one-hour format for Hindi and English news. Attempts had also been made to make use of appropriate technology to upgrade the standard of presentation.

Additional Director General Ashok Jailkhani said that the attempt in DD Urdu had been to understand the psyche of the viewers before deciding the programmes. He said that around 50 proposals had been cleared for new serials on DD Urdu following a decision by the Prasar Bharati Board, and were in various stages of production.

ADG Raj Shekhar Vyas who looks after DD National said the attempt had been to consolidate the prime time slot with quality programming. Doordarshan is also reviving some of its popular shows like ?Ek Tha Rusty?, and ?Byomkesh Bakshi?.