Doordarshan to complete 50 years

Doordarshan will complete 50 years of transmission in September this year. The occasion has been flagged off by a curtain-raiser concert, 'AR Rahman Unplugged'.

The event was a collaboration between Doordarshan and Phat Phish India, which also produced and presented the show.

From humble beginnings in 1959, when Doordarshan started with experimental telecast using a small transmitter and a makeshift studio, Doordarshan today operates more than 30 channels across India and an international channel abroad.

Doordarshan will soon commence HDTV transmissions on an experimental basis, followed by a commercial rollout, in time for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi in 2010. Thus, Indian television viewers will be able to watch the Commonwealth Games on HDTV ready televisions.

Commenting on his association, AR Rahman says, "I am proud to be associated with Doordarshan. It feels great to be a part of such a momentous occasion today, when the channel is completing 50 glorious years."

KR Harish, managing director, Phat Phish India, says, "We are happy to work with Doordarshan and bring in content that will not only kick start the golden jubilee celebration, but also usher in programming of scale richness that will start a new era on Doordarshan."

Phat Phish, an integrated entertainment and communications company, was associated with Doordarshan in launching a nationwide reality talent hunt called The Big Band in October 2008. The show was launched jointly with AR Rahman.

Doordarshan's year-long anniversary celebrations will mark a series of events across all centres, which will culminate with the 2010 Commonwealth Games next year.