Indian Television Channels and Contents: From Globalization to Glocalization

Television industry in India has come a long way from public broadcaster Doordarshan controlled social and developmental programs to modern day entertainment shows dominated by the national and international television channels. The globalization of media has also brought about remarkable changes in the television broadcasting services in India and abroad. The television soap operas (fiction) and the reality shows (non-fiction) aired in General Entertainment Channels (GECs) have certainly affected the local culture, environment and people in India. The satellite television channels have expanded their services in various regions in India and found new opportunities for income generation through broadcasting and advertising. Practically, the article establishes the fact that, though the content seems Indian in terms of production values, the origin of some of these popular programs are undoubtedly from the transnational borders which affect local values, lifestyles and food habits.