The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has said that national broadcaster Doordarshan’s channels have shown fluctuating viewership trends.

“PrasarBharati has informed that there has been fluctuating trend in viewership among the Doordarshan channels and the viewership for DD Retro, DD Sports and DD Punjabi channels are in rising trend since 2021 onwards,” Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur informed Lok Sabha (Lower House) last week.

He added that Doordarshan has been revamping the content of the channels, both at national and regional levels, to enhance viewership.

Thakur was replying to a query from a fellow parliamentarian who had asked whether Doordarshan’s viewership has been “declining sharply in recent years” and the measures taken by the government to arrest this slide.

“A number of mega shows have been launched along with new serials to attract viewers across different segments. Doordarshan is also strengthening its marketing vertical for publicity of programmes,” The Minister explained.

According to him, total revenue generated in Doordarshan through advertisements during the last five financial years stood at Rs.2077.02 crore, while in the current year it was Rs.155.36 crore (up to January 2023).

To another question from another parliamentarian, Thakur admitted that Prasar Bharati, parent of Doordarshan and All India Radio, has brought in Hindusthan Samachar to provide it with news feeds.

“Prasar Bharati has signed an agreement with M/s Hindusthan Samachar for the period 14.02.2023 to 31.03.2025 for providing news feed in different languages.

“Prasar Bharati gets news feeds from multiple sources. All the content broadcast/telecast on AIR and DD is in accordance with the objectives of Prasar Bharati Act of 1990 and in compliance with the approved guidelines of Prasar Bharati,” the Minister pointed out.