World Television Day 2025: How Indian TV Evolved From Doordarshan Classics To OTT Originals

Add as a preferred source on Google

Television has always shaped conversations, influenced culture, and brought stories into homes in a way nothing else could. World Television Day, observed on 21 November, celebrates this very influence. The United Nations established it in 1996 to recognise television as a powerful medium for information, education, and connection across the globe.

Photo Credit: Freepik

In India, the story of TV is particularly fascinating from family dramas that defined generations to youth reality shows that sparked conversations, and now to web series that push boundaries in ways traditional serials rarely do.

The Doordarshan Era: Stories That Stuck

The 1980s and early 1990s were dominated by Doordarshan, which brought families together around shared stories. 'Hum Log', considered India's first soap, explored everyday struggles, relationships, and social issues. Mythological epics like 'Ramayan' and 'Mahabharat' became cultural milestones, watched with rapt attention across cities and villages. There were unforgettable stories for children, from the superhero adventures of 'Shaktimaan' to the gentle, timeless tales of 'Malgudi Days', leaving a lasting mark on generations of young viewers

Doordarshan also aired female-oriented stories such as 'Rajani;, where a determined housewife challenged corruption in her neighbourhood, and 'Shanti', which followed a strong, independent woman navigating personal and social challenges giving early examples of women taking charge on television.

These serials shaped the way society saw itself, from family dynamics to moral choices. They made storytelling feel significant, something that stayed with viewers long after the episode ended.

MTV And The Rise Of Youth Reality

By the 2000s, youth-focused reality shows changed the landscape. MTV India became a space for experimentation, energy, and conversation.

MTV Roadies challenged contestants physically, mentally, and emotionally, exploring resilience and competition.

MTV Splitsvilla mixed romance, strategy, and drama, offering a glimpse into relationships and personal dynamics in ways Indian television hadn't before.

These shows captured the energy of a generation - raw, daring, and sometimes chaotic. They created moments people talked about long after the show ended.

Why Traditional Serials Feel Different Today

Modern daily soaps often struggle to create the same impact. Stories are stretched, plots recycled, and the emotional weight is sometimes lost. Earlier shows felt rooted in social reality, while today's dramas as the name suggests are kind of dramatic.

Even viewers who grew up with classic serials often find themselves nostalgic for a style of storytelling that demanded attention and provoked thought, rather than just filling the screen with tears and unending drama.

The OTT Revolution: Bold Storytelling Returns

Streaming platforms have changed everything. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and others allow creators to explore narratives without traditional constraints.

Sacred Games offered crime, politics, and morally complex characters that challenged viewers.

The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye told stories of courage and history rarely seen on mainstream TV.

Series like Heeramandi or Jubilee bring high production value, nuanced storytelling, and real stakes into homes.

OTT has restored some of the daring, risk-taking energy that TV seemed to lose. It lets audiences engage with characters, stories, and themes in a deeper, more meaningful way.

Television may have changed form, but its essence remains: storytelling that connects, challenges, and sparks conversations. World Television Day is a chance to recognise the journey of Indian TV from Doordarshan's epic tales, through MTV's daring experiments, to OTT's boundary-pushing narratives. Today's traditional serials may not hit the same way they once did, but television's power to influence, entertain, and provoke thought has simply moved to a new stage. The medium evolves, the stories evolve, but the impact remains.