Malakpet TV Tower nears 50 years, continues to stand as Hyderabad’s broadcasting icon

The iconic Malakpet TV Tower, commissioned in 1977, has witnessed the evolution of television broadcasting from analogue to digital mobile technology. As it nears its 50th anniversary, the landmark continues to evoke nostalgia among Hyderabadis who grew up watching Doordarshan.

Hyderabad: It brought news bulletins, cricket, serials and favourite movies on Sunday evenings via Doordarshan (DD) channels into homes across Hyderabad and suburbs. Nearly five decades after it started beaming the entertainment directly to homes, the iconic Malakpet TV Tower continues to evoke memories of an era where TV brought families together every evening.

Commissioned in 1977, the colossal structure, which turns 50 years in four months, saw television broadcasting evolve from analogue, digital terrestrial to digital mobile transmission.

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Even as the technology rapidly changed over the years, the gigantic iron structure continues to play its role in broadcasting. It is also serving as a major landmark in Moosarambagh that a generation of Hyderabadis instantly recognise and connect with.

Every time people move across this 150-metre-high structure, they recall their past days and the entertainment this tower has facilitated for them.

“Whenever there was a cricket match, I used to climb onto the terrace and position the antenna towards the tower to get a clear picture and sound. But it used to be a painful task on rainy and windy days as the antenna used to move often and the picture used to turn noisy,” said Vishwa, recalling his childhood days at government quarters in Malakpet.

While the tower construction works commenced in 1975, it was commissioned in 1977. More than 20 tonnes of iron were used to construct the tower in the stacking method, with one floor at a time.

One of the unique features of the tower is its self-supporting design. Unlike conventional transmission towers, particularly those in Hayathnagar that rely on guy wires for support, the TV tower stands on four legs, with a strong foundation. “Whenever there was maintenance work, we used to spot workers suspended from the tower,” said Sandeep, who resided in Malakpet.

Begun operations with analogue terrestrial transmission for transmitting DD National and DD News, the TV tower has a range of 60 kms from its surroundings. The signal from the tower was received via Yagi antennas, which were fixed on the building rooftops, connected to TVs.

As people shifted to DTH and cable television network services, analogue transmission was completely discontinued in 2021. Prior to this, the digital terrestrial transmission was introduced from the same tower in 2017. However, the service did not gain popularity as compatible devices were expensive.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Doordarshan Kendra Hyderabad Deputy Director General, NV Ramana, said that except for Jammu and Kashmir, Northeastern States, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, analogue transmission was stopped across the country in 2021.

“Now, we are migrating from digital terrestrial transmission to digital mobile transmission, where smartphone users can receive DD channels via an app without internet,” he added.