DD channels’ viewership drops by 67 million from 2022 to 2024

Doordarshan (DD) channels have witnessed a fluctuating viewership trend over the past few years, dropping to 656.4 million viewers in 2024 (till September) from 724 million in 2022, a Parliamentary Standing Committee report has revealed.

Despite numerous initiatives to enhance viewer experience and solidify its position in the broadcasting industry, India's public broadcaster faces an uphill battle to regain its lost audience.

In 2021, the viewership stood at over 680 million viewers, which had increased to 724 million in 2022.

The data, disclosed in the Parliamentary Standing Committee report on 'Communications and Information Technology' released on December 18, 2024, highlights not only the decline in Doordarshan's viewership but also a sharp rise in vacant positions within the broadcaster.

The number of unfilled posts surged from 12,420 in FY23 to 13,708 in FY24, underscoring staffing challenges amid efforts to revitalize the network.

According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, there are 35 satellite TV channels (7 all India channels and 28 regional/State channels), under the network.

The Ministry said, “DD has made continuous planning and effort to invigorate the programming landscape. These efforts include a spectrum of initiatives aimed at enriching the viewer experience and elevating the channel's standing in the broadcasting arena”.

In 2022, Prasar Bharati informed (as per the Broadcast Audience Research Council) the viewership data of subscribed Doordarshan (DD) channels for 2022 was 724.3 million. In 2021, the viewership stood at over 680 million viewers.

The parliamentary standing committee report also observed that the number of vacant posts in AIR (All India Radio) had increased from 13,966 (in FY23) to 15,864 (in FY24). In DD, the number of vacant posts had increased from 12,420 (in FY23) to 13,708 (in FY24).

DD's current sanctioned strength stands at 19,662 and in-position stands at 5,954.