NEW DELHI: The recently launched religion-based channel Dharm claims to be the only channel in the genre to have original programming including serials and films.

Channel founder and head Prajanan Bhattacharya told indiantelevision.com that the channel has a 470-episode series on Ramakrishna Paramhans, and other shows like Bharat ke Mandir, Shaktipeeth, Teerthsthal, Mera Dharm Mera Karam, A day with a Saint, Satsang, Siddha, Utsav ke Rang and Ahaar (on vegetarianism).

Bhattacharya said that the channel will also telecast selected devotional feature films in Hindi to begin with and later go on to other languages as well. Weekend specials also include programmes like Dharmyatra, Reeti Rivaj and Vidhi Vidhan. Apart from this Pravachan, Panchang, Yoga and Astrology will also be part of the channel‘s daily shows.

He said the channel is the only one among religious/spiritual channels to have a talent hunt show, Bhajan Sangram, on religious music in India.

Launched by Dharm Media Ventures, the channel will delve into the ancient Sanatan Dharma, Vedic period and Gurus and Godmen of modern India, apart from covering sacred temples and festivals throughout the country.

He claimed that though the channel is generally seen only in parts of north India, it is on INSAT 4A and can be downloaded on the D/L 3725(H) S/R 26.666FEC3/4 frequency.

Dedicated to religious awakening, the channel is presently beamed by cable operators in Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Gujarat, and parts of Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

Refusing to divulge the sources of funding, he said it was being run by “a few friends as promoters” and denied any risk of closing down or not breaking even. In fact, Bhattacharya claimed that the number of channels being run by the group would grow to six in the next two years.

He said that slot selling and advertising had already commenced to increase the popularity of the channel. The entire programming was being done on a 24X7 sold slots system.