DD Saptagiri
{{short description|Indian Telugu-language public TV channel}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox broadcasting network
| network_name = Doordarshan Saptagiri
దూరదర్శన్ సప్తగిరి
| network_logo = DD Saptagiri New logo.jpg
| country = India
| network_type = Broadcast television network
| available = India and parts of Asia, China and Gulf Countries.
| owner = Prasar Bharati
| launch_date = 10 October 1993 (as Doordarshan Kendra Hyderabad)
27 September 2004 (as Doordarshan Kendra Vijayawada)
| founder = Govt. of India
| headquarters = Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India
| website = [http://www.ddsaptagiri.tv/vijayawada_kendra.html]
}}
DD Saptagiri, previously known as DD-8, is state-owned Indian television channel operated by Doordarshan, catering to Telugu-speaking audiences in Andhra Pradesh. Originally launched in 1993 as DD-8,{{Cite web |title=Prasar Bharti Annual Report 2009-10 |url=https://prasarbharati.gov.in/Annual_ReportPDF/English-2009-10.pdf |website=Prasar Bharati |page=76}} the channel was renamed in 2003 after the Saptagiri hills, a cultural landmark associated with the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, DD Saptagiri relocated its operations from Hyderabad to Vijayawada to serve the newly formed Andhra Pradesh, while a separate channel, DD Yadagiri, was introduced for Telangana audiences. DD Saptagiri was formally relaunched from Vijayawada on 27 September 2014.{{Cite news |date=2014-09-26 |title=DD Saptagiri channel to be launched today |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/dd-saptagiri-channel-to-be-launched-today/article6449958.ece |access-date=2024-11-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}
The channel provides a mix of news, cultural programs, and regional entertainment, targeting the 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh. Available through terrestrial transmission, direct-to-home (DTH) satellite, and cable networks, DD Saptagiri ensures wide accessibility across India and select international locations.{{cite web |title=Doordarshan Kendra Vijayawada |url=http://www.ddfreedish.in/general-news/dd-free-dish-adds-dd-vijayawada |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140927125935/http://www.ddfreedish.in/general-news/dd-free-dish-adds-dd-vijayawada |archive-date=2014-09-27 |access-date=2014-09-27 |publisher=DD Free Dish}} It broadcasts via the INSAT-4B satellite and is also accessible on the Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited (APSFL) network.
History
The channel was originally launched on 10 October 1993 as DD-8 to cater to Telugu-speaking audiences. On 2 April 2003,{{Cite web |title=Kendra's Origin |url=http://www.ddsaptagiri.tv/kendrasOrigin.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106005016/http://www.ddsaptagiri.tv/kendrasOrigin.html |archive-date=6 November 2011 |access-date=24 November 2024 |website=Doordarshan Kendra Hyderabad}} it was renamed DD Saptagiri,{{Efn|In 1993–94, Doordarshan introduced several channels to cater to Indian regional languages, initially numbered from 1 to 18.{{Cite book |last=Thomas |first=Amos Owen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SoPT3gcepkwC&q=dd8&pg=PA102 |title=Imagi-Nations and Borderless Television: Media, Culture and Politics Across Asia |date=2005-10-03 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-0-7619-3395-3 |pages=101–102 |language=en}} These channels were renamed over the years, with most adopting the name of the language they served. However, some channels, such as DD Podhigai, DD Saptagiri, DD Sahyadri, and DD Girnar, were named after prominent hill ranges in the respective states, while DD Chandana was named after sandalwood, a notable product of Karnataka.}} drawing its name from the Saptagiri hills, a significant cultural landmark in Andhra Pradesh associated with the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words "Sapta" (seven) and "Giri" (hill), symbolizing the temple's seven surrounding hills.
Prior to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the channel operated from Hyderabad.{{Cite web |date=20 June 2014 |title=DD to launch separate transmission from Vijaywada post AP bifurcation |url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/terrestrial/dd-to-launch-separate-transmission-from-vijaywada-post-ap-bifurcation-140620 |access-date=24 November 2024 |website=Indiantelevision.com}} Following the creation of Telangana, DD Saptagiri shifted its base to Vijayawada to serve the newly formed Andhra Pradesh, while a new channel, DD Yadagiri, was launched to cater to audiences in Telangana.
Doordarshan Vijayawada, the studio facility associated with DD Saptagiri, had been producing regional content since the 1990s. These programs primarily focused on Coastal Andhra and were previously aired weekly through Doordarshan Kendra Hyderabad.
The formal relaunch of DD Saptagiri from Vijayawada on 27 September 2014 was marked by an event attended by then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister of Urban Development, M. Venkaiah Naidu. During the event, Venkaiah Naidu announced the naming of the All India Radio Bhavan in Vijayawada as Pingali Venkayya Bhavan in honor of Pingali Venkayya, the designer of the Indian national flag.
Programming and reach
DD Saptagiri's programming primarily targets the 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh. The channel broadcasts through terrestrial over-the-air transmission as well as via direct-to-home (DTH) satellite and cable networks, ensuring access across India and some international locations. The channel's content includes news, cultural programs, and regional entertainment.
Transmission and availability
The channel is accessible on various platforms:
= Satellite Frequency Details =
- INSAT-4B (C-BAND): 93.5°E, Frequency: 4060 MHz (Horizontal), Symbol Rate: 4250
- INSAT-4B (KU-BAND): 93.5°E, Frequency: 11150 MHz (Vertical), Symbol Rate: 27500
= APSFL (Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited) =
- Channel Number: 064
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.ddsaptagiri.tv/vijayawada_kendra.html }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130726051932/http://www.ddindia.gov.in/ Doordarshan Official Internet site]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130904045856/http://www.ddinews.gov.in/ Doordarshan news site]
{{Telugu Language Television}}
{{CATV}}
{{Terrestrial television channels of India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dd Saptagiri}}
Category:Telugu-language television channels
Category:Foreign television channels broadcasting in the United Kingdom
Category:Television channels and stations established in 1977
Category:Direct broadcast satellite services
Category:Indian direct broadcast satellite services