DD to launch N-E channel in August

The proposal to establish DD Arunprabha was announced in Narendra Modi government’s first Budget The Narendra Modi government is expected to unveil DD Arunprabha channel, a dedicated channel for the Northeast region to showcase its richness and diversity of local culture, in August. Sources stated that the focus on the channel, based in Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), would be catering to the youth through contemporary entertainment and informative shows. The national broadcaster has received an overwhelming response from production houses to a call for content submission for the channel.

Doordarshan had received over 1,100 proposal from production houses across the country for content creation of which around 350 programmes have been cleared by the review committee, sources stated. The proposal to establish DD Arunprabha was announced in Narendra Modi government’s first Budget. It is understood that producers based in the Northeast and programmes on themes related to the region are likely to the given preference by the national broadcaster. For example, special shows have been planned on rock bands of the region, sources stated.

Since the eight states in the Northeast region follow multiple languages and dialects, and have distinct cultural identities, it is believed that the channel would be able to serve the regional aspirations better. The programmes for the new channel will draw heavily from the local language, culture and aspirations of the region. Arunprabha will be Doordarshan’s second channel for the region. The existing DD Northeast will also be strengthened by introduction of new and better content. DD Northeast telecasts entertainment and information-based programmes in Assamese, Bengali, English and other languages of the Northeast region.