 | |
| Type | Broadcasttelevision network |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | India and parts of Asia, China and Gulf Countries. |
| Headquarters | Vijayawada,Andhra Pradesh,India |
| Owner | Prasar Bharati |
Launch date | 10 October 1993[1] (as Doordarshan Kendra Hyderabad) 27 September 2004 (as Doordarshan Kendra Vijayawada) |
Official website | [1] |
DD Saptagiri, previously known asDD-8, is state-owned Indian television channel operated byDoordarshan, catering toTelugu-speaking audiences inAndhra Pradesh. Originally launched in 1993 as DD-8,[1] the channel was renamed in 2003 after theSaptagiri hills, a cultural landmark associated with theTirumala Venkateswara Temple inTirupati. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, DD Saptagiri relocated its operations fromHyderabad toVijayawada to serve the newly formed Andhra Pradesh, while a separate channel,DD Yadagiri, was introduced forTelangana audiences. DD Saptagiri was formally relaunched from Vijayawada on 27 September 2014.[2]
The channel provides a mix of news, cultural programs, and regional entertainment, targeting the 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh. Available throughterrestrial transmission,direct-to-home (DTH) satellite, andcable networks, DD Saptagiri ensures wide accessibility across India and select international locations.[3] It broadcasts via theINSAT-4B satellite and is also accessible on theAndhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited (APSFL) network.
The channel was originally launched on 10 October 1993 as DD-8 to cater toTelugu-speaking audiences.[1] On 2 April 2003,[4] it was renamed DD Saptagiri,[a] drawing its name from theSaptagiri hills, a significant cultural landmark inAndhra Pradesh associated with theTirumala Venkateswara Temple inTirupati. The name is derived from theSanskrit words "Sapta" (seven) and "Giri" (hill), symbolizing the temple's seven surrounding hills.
Prior to thebifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the channel operated fromHyderabad.[6] Following the creation ofTelangana, DD Saptagiri shifted its base toVijayawada 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 onCoastal 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 thenChief Minister of Andhra Pradesh,N. Chandrababu Naidu andUnion Minister of Urban Development,M. Venkaiah Naidu.[2] During the event, Venkaiah Naidu announced the naming of the All India Radio Bhavan in Vijayawada as Pingali Venkayya Bhavan in honor ofPingali Venkayya, the designer of theIndian national flag.[2]
DD Saptagiri's programming primarily targets the 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh. The channel broadcasts throughterrestrial over-the-air transmission as well as viadirect-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.
The channel is accessible on various platforms:
