<p>DD Sports was launched on 18 March 1998. In the beginning, it broadcast sports programmes for six hours a day, which was increased to 12 hours in 1999. From 1 June 2000, DD Sports became a \"round-the-clock\" satellite channel. It was an encrypted pay channel between 2000 and 2003, and on 15 July 2003, it became the only free-to-air sports channel in the country.[1][2]</p>
<p>Besides showing live sporting events like cricket, football, and tennis, DD Sports showcases Indian sports including kabaddi and kho-kho. In addition to international sporting events, important national tournaments of hockey, football, athletics, cricket, swimming, tennis, badminton, archery, and wrestling are also telecast. The DD Sports channel also telecasts news-based programmes, sports quizzes, and personality-oriented shows.</p>