DD Tamil (formerly DD Podhigai) is an Indian Tamil-language state-owned public television broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned by Doordarshan.[1] It is broadcast both terrestrially and via satellite. It was established on 15 August 1975. DD Tamil launched its HD version on 19 January 2024.

DD Tamil
CountryIndia
Broadcast areaIndia and Global
HeadquartersChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Programming
Picture format576i (4:3/16:9) SDTV
Ownership
OwnerDoordarshan
Sister channelsDD Pondicherry
DD North-East
DD Odia
DD Punjabi
DD Sahyadri
DD Malayalam
History
Launched15 August 1975
ReplacedDD Podhigai
Former names
  • Madras Television Centre (1975–1994)
  • DD 5 (1994–2000)
  • DD Podhigai (2000–2024)
Links
Websitehttp://ddpodhigai.org.in/
Availability
Terrestrial
AnalogueVHF band
DVB-T2Frequency DVB-T2
DD Free DishLCN 21
Airtel digital TVLCN 820
D2MAvailability soon in India

History

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The channel was first launched as Madras Television Centre (Doordarshan Kendra Chennai) on 15 August 1975 as a South Indian First Television Channel and Indian 5th Television Channel. The second channel was launched as DD 2 on 1 June 1988 as an entertainment channel. It started off with a two-hour programming per day.

Doordarshan Kendra Chennai's regional satellite network, DD 5, was launched on 15 April 1993. This service is viewed in India and some parts of the world. DD-5 took a new identity in Tamil and was renamed DD Podhigai on 15 January 2000.[2]

DD Podhigai was rebranded as DD Tamil HD on 19 January 2024.[3][4]

History of channel name

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The name Podhigai was suggested by the viewers themselves. It is named after the Podhigai Hills situated in Tirunelveli district. This hill range is part of the Western Ghats of Southern India. This hill range is famous for its association with Sage Agastya. Legend has it that Agastya created Tamil in this hill. The Thamirabarani River originates here.

The channel offers a variety of programmes with films, infotainment programmes, news, dramas and current affairs being most prominent. The first Tamil Weekdays serial was telecast on 7 November 1995 as Viluthugal. It is the only regional language satellite channel with terrestrial transmission. Terrestrial transmission is limited to major cities in Tamil Nadu.

Programming

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Fiction series

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Premiere date Series Timing
Week Day Series
19 January 2024 Shakthi IPS 09:00
06:30
Budget Kudumbam 08:00
Thayamma Kudumbathaar 08:30
Week End Series
21 January 2024 Mahakavi Bharathi 09:00

Non-fiction

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Premiere date Series Episodes
4 June 2023 Dhinam Oru Kadhai 270
17 September 2023 Aram Namam Ayiram 200
19 January 2024 Thirumanthiram 120
Valikku Vazhi 120
28 January 2024 Amudham Aharam 16

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Regional Language Satellite Service". Doordarshan. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  2. ^ "About the Kendra". Archived from the original on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  3. ^ "'டிடி தமிழ்' ஆனது 'பொதிகை' தொலைக்காட்சி - நிகழ்ச்சிகளில் என்னென்ன மாற்றங்கள்?". www.hindutamil.in (in Tamil).
  4. ^ "'கேலோ' மட்டுமல்ல- டிடி பொதிகை சேனல் பெயரை டிடி தமிழ் என மாற்றி தொடங்கி வைக்கும் பிரதமர் மோடி!". tamil.oneindia.com (in Tamil).
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