SOURAV BASAK ; LEARNING PLUS

Major TV networks in India and Kolkata

Major TV Networks in India and Kolkata

India, with its vast and diverse population, has a thriving television industry that plays a
pivotal role in shaping public opinion, entertainment, and culture. The television
landscape in India is marked by numerous regional networks, national networks, and
cable television channels, catering to different languages, genres, and demographics.
Among these, some of the major TV networks are present in Kolkata, which is one of the
prominent media hubs in eastern India.

This essay will discuss the major TV networks operating in India and specifically highlight
those in Kolkata. The focus will be on national networks, regional networks, and how the
TV industry has evolved over the years, especially in the context of Kolkata.

Major TV Networks in India

India's television industry began with state-run Doordarshan in 1959, which was the only
channel available to the Indian public until the early 1990s. Since then, the liberalization
of the Indian economy and the advent of satellite television has led to the emergence of
several private TV networks. These networks cater to different genres, such as
entertainment, news, sports, and lifestyle.

1. Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE Network)

Zee Entertainment is one of the leading media companies in India. Founded in 1992, Zee
Network launched its first channel, Zee TV, which revolutionized the Indian television
industry by providing a mix of Indian soaps, drama, and entertainment. Zee Network
now owns a variety of channels in different languages, including Zee Cinema, Zee News,
Zee Anmol, and regional channels like Zee Bangla and Zee Telugu. The company also
has a global presence through its international arm, Zee International, catering to the
Indian diaspora.

Zee Network has a significant influence on both national and regional television markets.
Zee Bangla, for example, is one of the most-watched Bengali channels in Kolkata and
West Bengal, offering a wide range of content, from serials to reality shows.

2. Star India (Disney Star)

Another major player in the Indian TV industry is Star India, which was initially
established as a joint venture between News Corporation and the Modi Enterprises in
1991. Star India became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Disney in 2019. It operates
several popular channels, including Star Plus, Star Bharat, Star Sports, and Star World.
Star Plus is one of the leading Hindi entertainment channels in India, known for its iconic
shows like Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and Kaun Banega
Crorepati.

1
SOURAV BASAK ; LEARNING PLUS
 SOURAV BASAK ; LEARNING PLUS
Star India also operates regional channels like Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, and Star Maa,
catering to specific regional audiences. Star Jalsha, a Bengali channel, is widely popular
in Kolkata and West Bengal. It offers a mix of Bengali dramas, reality shows, and
entertainment content, making it a major competitor to Zee Bangla in the region.

3. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN)

Sony Pictures Networks India is another leading television network in India. Established
in 1995, SPN owns a variety of channels catering to different demographics and
languages. Popular channels under Sony Pictures Networks include Sony Entertainment
Television (SET), Sony Sab, Sony MAX, and Sony Six. SET is known for its family dramas
and reality shows, while Sony Sab focuses on light-hearted comedy and entertainment.

SPN also operates regional channels like Sony Marathi and Sony Aath (Bengali), which
cater to regional audiences in specific states. Sony Aath is popular in Kolkata for its mix
of Bengali entertainment content.

4. Viacom18

Viacom18 is a joint venture between ViacomCBS and the Network18 Group. Established
in 2007, Viacom18 has a diverse portfolio of channels catering to various genres and
languages. The network owns popular channels like Colors, MTV India, Nickelodeon, and
news channels such as News18 India.

The Colors network, which operates in Hindi and regional languages, is a dominant force
in the entertainment industry. Colors Bangla, a regional Bengali channel, is one of the
leading channels in Kolkata, providing a mix of Bengali serials, reality shows, and
entertainment content. Viacom18's channels are known for their high production value
and engaging programming.

5. India Today Group (Aaj Tak and India Today)

The India Today Group is one of the largest media conglomerates in India, with a
significant presence in television broadcasting. It owns the news channel Aaj Tak, one of
the most-watched Hindi news channels in India, and India Today TV, which focuses on
English-language news and analysis.

Aaj Tak is particularly influential in shaping political discourse and public opinion in India.
It has a significant viewership across the country, including in Kolkata. Apart from news,
India Today Group also operates channels in other genres, such as lifestyle (e.g., Good
Times) and regional programming.

6. DD National and DD Regional Channels

Doordarshan (DD) is India’s national public broadcaster, and DD National is the flagship
channel. Despite the competition from private networks, Doordarshan remains a key
player in India’s television industry, particularly for its educational and cultural content.
2
SOURAV BASAK ; LEARNING PLUS
 SOURAV BASAK ; LEARNING PLUS
DD channels continue to have a significant reach in rural and semi-urban areas, making
them essential for inclusive television programming.

Apart from DD National, Doordarshan operates regional channels catering to various

states and languages, including DD Bangla, which serves the Bengali-speaking
population in Kolkata and West Bengal. DD Bangla broadcasts a range of content,
including regional news, entertainment, and educational programs.

Major TV Networks in Kolkata

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is an important center for the media and
entertainment industry in India. The city has a rich cultural heritage and is home to
several major television networks and regional broadcasters that cater to the Bengali-
speaking population. The major TV networks in Kolkata include both national networks
and regional broadcasters.

1. Zee Bangla

Zee Bangla is one of the most popular Bengali-language television channels. It was
launched in 1999 by Zee Entertainment Enterprises, and it quickly gained a loyal
following in Kolkata and West Bengal. Zee Bangla is known for its high-quality
programming, which includes popular Bengali serials like Potol Kumar
Gaanwala, Radharani, and Bojhena Se Bojhena. The channel also airs reality shows, talk
shows, and telefilms.

In addition to its entertainment programming, Zee Bangla also covers cultural and social
issues important to the Bengali community. The channel has a massive influence on
shaping Bengali pop culture and continues to be one of the top-rated channels in the
region.

2. Star Jalsha

Star Jalsha, part of the Star India network, is another leading Bengali channel. It was
launched in 2008 and quickly became one of the most-watched regional channels in
Kolkata. Star Jalsha offers a mix of content, including popular Bengali soap operas,
reality shows, and dramas. Shows like Sreemoyee, Mahanayak, and Krishnakoli have a
massive following among Bengali viewers.

Star Jalsha also airs cultural and social programs, reflecting the values and interests of
its audience. The channel has consistently been a major competitor to Zee Bangla in
terms of viewership in Kolkata.

3. Sony Aath

Sony Aath, a Bengali-language channel from Sony Pictures Networks India, has made its
mark in Kolkata. Known for its family-friendly entertainment and quality programming,

3
SOURAV BASAK ; LEARNING PLUS
 SOURAV BASAK ; LEARNING PLUS
Sony Aath has gained popularity in recent years. It broadcasts a range of Bengali drama
series, reality shows, and film-based content.

Sony Aath has carved a niche in the market by focusing on high-production-value

programs and engaging storylines. It has contributed to the diversity of Bengali
television content and is a strong contender in the competitive Kolkata market.

4. Colors Bangla

Colors Bangla is a part of the Viacom18 network and is a major player in Bengali-
language television. Launched in 2013, Colors Bangla quickly became a popular channel
by offering a diverse range of content, including serials, reality shows, and movies. The
channel is known for its strong programming lineup, which appeals to both traditional
and younger audiences in Kolkata.

Some of the popular shows on Colors Bangla include Bodhu Kon Alo Laglo Chhaya, Rakhi
Bandhan, and Shubho Drishti. Colors Bangla also features Bollywood films and
entertainment content, making it a channel with broad appeal.

5. DD Bangla

DD Bangla is the regional channel of Doordarshan catering to the Bengali-speaking

audience in Kolkata and West Bengal. As a public service broadcaster, DD Bangla offers
a variety of programming, including news, educational content, and cultural programs.
The channel is widely accessible in rural and urban areas and plays a significant role in
promoting Bengali culture and heritage.

Although DD Bangla does not compete directly with the private broadcasters in terms of
entertainment, its cultural, educational, and informational programming is highly
regarded by audiences who prefer traditional, value-based content.

Conclusion

The television industry in India is vast and diverse, with a mix of national and regional
networks catering to various languages, genres, and demographics. Major players like
Zee Network, Star India, Sony Pictures Networks, and Viacom18 have established a
strong presence in the Indian market, providing entertainment and news across different
channels. In Kolkata, the media landscape is dominated by Bengali-language channels
like Zee Bangla, Star Jalsha, Sony Aath, Colors Bangla, and DD Bangla, which cater
specifically to the local audience's tastes and preferences.

Kolkata's television market is highly competitive, with each network vying for viewership
through a mix of serials, reality shows, films, and cultural programs. The city’s media
industry continues to evolve, with both national and regional networks adapting to the
changing tastes of the audience, technological advancements, and the growing demand
for digital content. As India's media landscape grows, television remains a critical
medium for entertainment, information, and cultural expression.

4
SOURAV BASAK ; LEARNING PLUS
 SOURAV BASAK ; LEARNING PLUS

5
SOURAV BASAK ; LEARNING PLUS