They began lobbying for a slot on the state broadcaster, Doordarshan, and their persistence paid off.

FORBES: News Delhi TV

Doordarshan has more than three times that figure, and claims 75% of all TV viewers.

CNN: ASIA'S NO PUSHOVER

Even India's once-dull and still state-run network Doordarshan last year took its International Channel to some 40 countries.

CNN: ASIA'S NO PUSHOVER

For many years, Doordarshan, the government-owned channel, was the only medium of entertainment.

CNN: Tuned In To Hip

Eminent dramatist and Gujarati film actor Shri Arun Rajguru, Producer, Children Programmme at Doordarshan Kendra, Ahmedabad will be the Guest of Honour.

UNESCO: World Science Day

"His death has caused a very great shock to the parliament and has left a big void in public life in this country, " he told Doordarshan television.

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | Bollywood legend Sunil Dutt dies

The cynical, hip music channels -- MTV and Channel V -- as well as Star, Zee and an improved Doordarshan have all contributed to the emancipation of viewers' imagination.

CNN: Tuned In To Hip

In the past two decades, the number of channels has grown from one - the dowdy state-owned broadcaster Doordarshan - to more than 500, of which more than 80 are news channels.

BBC: Why are India's media under fire?