Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi and Bengali TV in the USA

Regional languages matter in the diaspora

Indian Americans speak many languages at home. Punjabi families are spread from California's Central Valley to Queens and New Jersey, Gujarati families run businesses and live in large numbers in New Jersey, Chicago, Texas and Georgia, and Marathi and Bengali communities are well established around most big tech and university cities.

For these households, Hindi channels only cover part of what they want. Parents want serials in their own language, local news from Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra or West Bengal, and festival programming at Diwali, Navratri, Ganeshotsav, Durga Puja or Vaisakhi. This guide covers the channels people in each community look for and how to get them in the US.

Punjabi channels

PTC Punjabi is the channel most Punjabi households ask for first, with serials, music and live coverage of religious programming. Zee Punjabi carries dramas, and Punjabi music channels such as 9X Tashan are popular. For news, PTC News, Zee Punjabi Haryana Himachal and Chardikla Time TV are common requests. Many Sikh families also want live Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib, which some Punjabi channels carry daily.

• Entertainment: PTC Punjabi, Zee Punjabi, PTC Chak De
• Music: 9X Tashan, PTC Music
• News: PTC News, Chardikla Time TV, News18 Punjab

Gujarati and Marathi channels

Gujarati viewers usually look for Colors Gujarati for serials and shows, and TV9 Gujarati, ABP Asmita and Zee 24 Kalak for news. During Navratri, Gujarati channels often carry garba programmes that families like to watch together.

Marathi households look for Star Pravah, Zee Marathi, Colors Marathi and Sony Marathi for serials and reality shows, Zee Talkies for Marathi movies, and ABP Majha, TV9 Marathi and Zee 24 Taas for news. Ganeshotsav coverage from Mumbai and Pune is a highlight each year.

Bengali channels from West Bengal

Bengali viewers from West Bengal usually want Star Jalsha and Zee Bangla, the two leading entertainment channels, plus Colors Bangla and Sun Bangla. For films, Jalsha Movies and Zee Bangla Cinema are popular. For news, ABP Ananda, Zee 24 Ghanta and TV9 Bangla are common requests. Durga Puja season brings special programming that many families plan around.

If your family follows Bangladeshi channels such as Channel i, NTV or Somoy TV, see our separate Bangladeshi TV guide.

Official options and TarakTV

Sling TV sells separate Desi packs for Punjabi, Marathi and Bangla viewers, along with its Hindi and South Indian packs. That works well if one language pack covers your home. Gujarati choices on official services are more limited, so check what each provider currently lists.

TarakTV is an IPTV plan that includes channels in these regional languages together with Hindi, South Indian, Pakistani and international channels, plus sports. Mixed households, such as a Punjabi and Gujarati couple, or a Marathi family that also wants Hindi serials and cricket, can get everything in one app. Plans cost $15 for one month, $130 for one year, $220 for three years and $300 for five years.

Devices, speed and timing tips

TarakTV works on Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android smart TVs, Android TV boxes, phones and the Cast4K player app. We also sell TVIP and Yoka TV boxes that arrive ready to plug in, shipped in the US and Canada, which many families buy for parents. Plan on about 15 Mbps per screen for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K.

India is 10 hours 30 minutes ahead of Eastern time in winter and 9 hours 30 minutes ahead in summer, so evening serials in India air on US mornings. Use the TV guide and catch-up, where the channel offers it, to watch later in the day. Message us on WhatsApp to start a free 24-hour trial and check your language channels before buying.

Festival viewing and common fixes

Festival days are when families most want live TV from home: Vaisakhi and Gurpurab for Punjabi viewers, Navratri and Diwali for Gujarati families, Ganeshotsav and Gudi Padwa for Marathi households, and Durga Puja and Poila Baisakh for Bengali families. Live coverage often falls on US mornings, so check the TV guide the day before and set a reminder.

If a channel freezes or buffers, start with the simple fixes: restart the Fire TV Stick or box, check that nothing else in the house is downloading, and move the router closer or use an Ethernet cable. Running a speed test on the TV itself, not your phone, gives the most accurate picture.

If only one channel has a problem while others play fine, it is usually on the channel side rather than your internet. Message TarakTV on WhatsApp with the channel name and the time, and we will check it.

Channels people look for

Line-ups change; ask for the current list or check during your free trial.

Frequently asked questions