Television News Channels in India: Which is the Oldest?
Want the short answer? Doordarshan's news service, now called DD News, is the oldest television news channel in India. Doordarshan began experimental TV broadcasts in 1959 and rolled out regular services over the 1960s; news bulletins came early in its history, making it the original TV news source for Indian viewers.
Why does that matter? Because DD News set the template: scheduled news bulletins, government-owned coverage, and national reach even when private networks didn't exist. For decades, most Indians got their TV news from Doordarshan. It had the infrastructure, the reach into rural areas, and the official voice during major events.
Where DD News fits today
Today you’ll find dozens of private 24-hour news channels offering breaking news, talk shows, and live reporting. DD News still operates as the public broadcaster’s dedicated news channel with a wide terrestrial and satellite presence. It focuses on national issues, government announcements, and regional programming. If you want a sense of continuity and broadly distributed coverage, DD News remains the reference point.
Private channels changed the game by offering round-the-clock updates, aggressive live reporting, and niche language options. Channels such as NDTV, Aaj Tak, and CNN-IBN brought new formats and faster news cycles. But historically, they followed a path first walked by Doordarshan’s news service.
How to choose a TV news channel
Pick based on what you need. If you want balanced, nationwide coverage and official updates, DD News is reliable. If you want breaking updates, panel debates, or regional language reporting, check private channels that specialize in those areas. Also consider your platform: satellite TV, cable, and streaming apps can all carry different mixes of channels.
Look at language options, live reporting quality, and whether the channel focuses on analysis or headlines. For local news, regional channels often beat national networks. For national policy and official statements, DD News and other national players remain useful.
Quick tip: don’t rely on just one channel. Cross-check major stories across a couple of sources to spot discrepancies and get fuller context. Each channel has its strengths—use them together to form a clearer picture.
How to watch DD News and other channels: DD News is widely available on cable, major DTH platforms, and India’s free-to-air service DD Free Dish, so you don’t need a paid subscription to catch national bulletins. Many private channels are on basic cable packs or free streaming apps. If you prefer online, most channels stream live on their official apps and YouTube, making it easy to switch between feeds and compare coverage.
Knowing the history helps when you judge sources. DD News archives contain old footage useful for researchers and educators. The channel also trained many reporters who later moved to private networks. So recognizing DD News as the oldest helps you see how TV news evolved in India.
