India now has 792 TV channels on-air

The number of television news and current affairs channels broadcasting under licence in India is now 392, with a further 400 general entertainment channels, according to the latest figures from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Rapid TV News reports that of these, 669 television channels – 372 of which cover the news – are uplinked and downlinked from within India. 91 channels are uplinked from overseas that are allowed to downlink into India, while 32 channels aimed at other countries are permitted to uplink but not downlink in the country.

The most recent private channels permitted by the government include NSN News (owned by Bhole Baba Real Estate Developers) to broadcast in Hindi, English and all other Indian languages; Daati Ahsas (owned by Bhole Baba Real Estate Developers) to broadcast in Hindi, English and all Indian languages; Satkar (owned by Cobol Communications) to broadcast in English and all Indian languages; the news channel Prabhatam LIFELINE (owned by Naman Broadcastings and Telecommunications) to broadcast in Hindi, English and regional languages; and the Bengali channel Fatafati (owned by Squoosh Entertainment).