Effect of Private TV channels on

Pakistan Television
(Semester project)

Submitted to: Mr. Naveed Ehsan

Submitted by: Arslan Arshad Kiani(090340)
Shahzeb Imran Ansari (090310)
Rizwan Yaqoob (090253)
Muhammad Ali (090301)
BEE-2-C
Dated: May 16, 2010

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all we would be thankful to Allah Almighty without whose

blessing and mercies we would never have been able to complete this
project. Projects are the teamwork. This project is refined from
splendid efforts of group members.

We can’t forget the guidance’s and knowledge which our kind

teacher provided us. We were lucky to have such a kind teacher who
taught us with such devotion and zest, which we cannot forget. We
thank him from the core of our hearts.

In the end we would like to thank to all those people who provided us
with useful suggestions, useful data and facility of composing.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Executive summary…………………………………………………3
 Introduction.……………………………………………………....... 4
Problem……………………… 4
Primary objective...................... 4
Purpose.......................................4
Scope/Layout.................. ...........4
Significance................................5
Limitations................................ 5
Methodology............................. 5
 Background Research……….…………………………………….....6
History of PTV………….......... ......6
Evolution of Private channels…….. 7
 Research Area………………………………..……………………..... 8
 News/Current Affairs………...................................................……... 8
Credibility of News...........................9
Public Survey....................................9
Government Affiliation....................9
Public Survey..................................11
 Coverage............................................................................................... 11
 Political Talk shows.............................................................................11
Public Survey...........................…...12
 Promotion of Culture...........................................................................13
Private channel’s negative role.........13
Public Survey………………….......14
Role of PTV………………….……14
Public Survey…................................15
Censorship Board…....................15
 Entertainment/Recreation...................................................................16
Family Channel.....…......... 16
Sports.......................... 17
Public Survey………..........17
Dramas……………………18
Public Survey……….……18
 Conclusion.............................................................................................20
 Bibliography……………………………………………….......... ......21

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In this report, we have in fact talked on the effects of “Private channels” on

“PTV” in certain areas of concern. Our main focus is to highlight the present
position of “PTV” in electronic media in the swarm of privatizations. We
proceeded by discussing three main departments of evaluation that are News,
Culture and Entertainment. Our national channel earned a lot of fame when it
started its telecast initially, but after the evolution of private channels it got
affected a great deal. Viewership decreased to an alarming level. Yet the thing
to be valued, the positives of PTV has been elaborated among which the
“cultural promotion” is the most important. Our hypothesis supporting this
project is that “PTV has lagged behind a great deal among other private
channels, although it was the first to be launched country wide”. The main
reasons, controversies, and wrong policies leading to its downfall have been
elaborated in this report. Above all certain recommendations regarding the
improvement of the standard of PTV have been discussed with the help of a
“Public Survey”.

There was a balance of leading and lagging perspective of PTV in comparison

with private channels thus we concluded that PTV still holds a valid position in
electronic media.

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INTRODUCTION

PROBLEM
The topic in focus is “The effect of private channels on PTV”. We will be researching on its
different aspects by highlighting the fact, how private channels have grown by leaps and
bounds, challenging and often displacing traditional PTV turf. PTV was the first channel to
be released nationwide and got immense popularity among the public. But gradually it lost its
glamour and trust within the public, and the new era of private channels originated, taking
electronic media to a higher level. But how come PTV got affected by this privatization?

Our hypothesis supporting this project is that “PTV has lagged behind a great deal among
other private channels, although it was the first to be launched country wide”. Research
and analysis will prove whether this hypothesis holds true or not, or whether it’s just partly
true.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
Factual analysis while comparing private channels with PTV in different
aspects.
To come up with suggestions to improve PTV.
Defining controversies and problems related to PTV.

PURPOSE
Our project will be revolving around the objective of displaying the clear cut image of ptv in
electronic media and to come up with some possible steps for the elevation of its standard.
This project of ours won’t be intending to invent something new or to bring forward some
revolutionary ideas. But it focuses to present the reality in its true sense and to reveal some
hidden facts.

SCOPE/LAYOUT
Comparison of PTV with other private channels on the basis of:-

News/Current affairs

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 Promotion of culture
Recreation/Entertainment

SIGNIFICANCE
In a democratic society the public must have accrued information, and free access to all the
points of view. Electronic media has become such a powerful element in our society that it
leaves no fact hidden. It can easily mould the thoughts of people by a simple truth or a simple
lie. Thus authenticity is the main issue. Thus importance of our report would be to highlight
the current scenario of PTV and its existence among dominating private channels.

LIMITATIONS
Many hurdles blocked our research portion. We were not able to conduct any interview with
electronic media officials due to security reasons, but we had some oral exchange of opinions
with them which helped us with our proceedings. As this project is specific to PTV, thus
internet couldn’t be a great deal helpful. Public opinion was gathered through a questionnaire
which gave us an overview of the majority.

METHODOLOGY
We proceeded with our research in the following ways:

Internet/Forums
Articles/editorials
Questionnaire

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BACKGROUNG RESEARCH

History of PTV
Pakistan entered into Television Broadcasting age with a small pilot TV Station established at
Lahore from where transmission was first beamed in Black & White with effect from 26
November 1964. Television centres were established at Karachi, Rawalpindi and Islamabad
in 1967; and in Peshawar and Quetta in 1974. While introducing the sophisticated branch of
the electronic media in the country, the broad perspective kept in mind was to inform and
educate the people through wholesome entertainment and to inculcate in them a greater
awareness of their own history, heritage, current problems and development as well as
knowledge of the world at large.
In October 1963, the government signed a joint venture agreement with the Nippon
Electronic Company (NEC) of Japan to have NEC collaborate with Pakistani engineers for
the launch of PTV. On 26 November 1964, the first television station commenced
transmission broadcasts in the cities of Lahore, followed by Dhaka in 1965 (then the capital
of East Pakistan) now Bangladesh, a third centre was established in Rawalpindi and
Islamabad in 1965 and the fourth in Karachi in 1966. Later centres in Peshawar and Quetta
were established in 1974.Originally broadcasting in black and white, PTV began colour
transmission in 1976. With this new upgrade in techniques and equipment, the Pakistan
Television Academy was founded and opened in 1987 to teach students who wished to work
in the medium. As with the other agreement, the government financed most of the funds
while the private venture capitalists offered to fund the remainder. PTV launched a full-scale
satellite broadcasting service in 1991-92 whereas Digital TV satellite broadcasting was
launched in 1999.

During the decades of 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, PTV dramas and teleplays were considered as
the best in Indian Subcontinent. Unlike other state-run corporations, the television company
was allowed by the Government of Pakistan to raise a sizable amount of private capital to
finance the stations. This includes Rs.25 per month TV fee charge to all the consumers of
electricity.

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Today, PTV is split up into the original channel feed:

PTV Home : 24-hour entertainment channel, the transmission is broadcast across Pakistan on
terrestrial network and worldwide through satellite. It's Programming also include live
telecast of Pakistan's cricket matches.

PTV News : 24-hour news channel which can be viewed in many parts of the globe.

PTV National : An emphasis on broadcasting programmes in different languages to represent

the whole of Pakistan.

AJK TV : For the residents of Azad Kashmir.

PTV Bolan : Balochi language channel.

PTV Global : Offered exclusively for the United States on Dish Network, and recently
launched in Europe.

EVOLUTION OF PRIVATE CHANNELS

For many years PTV was the only channel that operated nationwide in Pakistan. It further got
divided into a family of channels all under one network. It was year 2000, after which many
private channels came into view when Pervez Musharaf issued license to them. From then
began a new era of electronic media. Following are some leading channels, which filled an
air of competition in electronic media:

1. Ary Digital : Founded in December, 2000. Within a short span of three years, the unique
proposition and the content of the channel resulted in massive popularity. ARY news, ARY
music, ARY Qtv and ARY zauq are its sister channels. It was the first private channel after the
issuance of licenses.

2. Geo Tv: Geo TV is a general entertainment channel of Geo Television Network. Geo TV
was established in 2002. In 2005; two separate channels were carved out of it: Geo TV and
Geo News. It has an affiliation with JANG group of news paper.

3. Express News: Express News is a Pakistani television news channel. It is owned and run
by the country’s third largest Urdu daily, Daily Express & Founded in 2008. They also
owned an English news channel, Express news 24/7.

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4. Hum TV: Hum TV is geared towards providing quality entertainment TV programs for the
entire family established in January 2005

5. Dunya News: A renowned news channel Founded in 2009.

RESEARCH AREA

The prime objective of media must be national stability in all its dimensions. A social and
political climate needs to be created in which people could engage themselves in positive and
healthy activities and could contribute to the overall national development. We will brief our
research in this section keeping in view our scope. A comparative analysis will give us a clear
picture of our research.

News/Current affairs

When we want to get any information about something, what is the foremost thing that is
kept in mind?
 Authenticity
 Reliability of source
 Required information
They all have a same meaning but together they show a stress on the true and straight forward
information. In the present age of electronic media, no one can hide the reality in its true
sense no matter how hard he/she tries. Thus in the case of news casting, there is an air of
competition between news channels. Each of them strives to reveal the truth before the other
one. So keeping this in mind, let’s analyze PTV in comparison with other private channels.

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Let’s analyze the impact of private channels on PTV in the following news casting
departments:
CREDIBILITY OF NEWS
COVERAGE
POLITICAL TALK SHOWS

Credibility of news
This is the most important component of news casting. Each and every channel strives to gain
the trust of its viewers. Thus freedom of media is very important in this respect.
As PTV is under government control, it is bound to have certain limitations. Thus the
question of government affiliation comes into play:

Public survey
 Do you think PTV favours the ruling government and its policies ?

GOVERNMENT AFFILIATION:
In most of the countries of the world, broadcasting services have never been given sufficient
freedom. Governments have made rules and regulations to curtain the freedom. It has been
widely assumed that in most of the countries, governments are always afraid of the power of
press.
Since its birth, PTV has been used by the successive governments for the projection and
protection of their images and to defame the opposition. Irrespective of dictatorial or
democratic governments, PTV has always been used for government propaganda.
In May 1999 Pervez Government of Pakistan launched an incursion in Kargil, a mountainous
region of Indian-administered Kashmir. Here the Pakistani and Indian armies faced each

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other at 18,000 feet. In the spring of 1999; Pakistani troops infiltrated early, taking the empty
Indian positions without a fight. The subsequent war however saw Pakistan’s defeat as it
withdrew under US pressure.

At the time Pakistan Television (PTV) was the only source for television news.
Paradoxically, PTV’s credibility among the Pakistani public was so low that the Pakistani
people turned to Indian news channels for latest information regarding the Kargil military
crisis. In those days the prices of illegal satellite dishes soared, as it was the only way to
watch Indian news channels.

Even after forty-six years of service, PTV has not been able to establish and maintain its
credibility as an independent medium to present news events in factual, accurate and
impartial manner.
In an editorial, The Nation:
“.......There is no denying the fact that despite tall claims of democratizating the media, PTV
is being used as an instrument of crude propaganda for the ruling party.[1]
Someone said;
“Credibility has always remained an issue with our television. When did it first lose it is quite
untraceable (or did it even achieve it). But credibility, rather a lack of it, has been a bone of
contention between the viewers and the government owned PTV”[2]
Many Private channels have been targeted by the Government by showing the truth to the
public while going against the government actions.
For example, “Geo News” has been criticized by the government for exaggerations and
misrepresentations of facts.

Numerous times the station has been subjected to bans and shut downs. When President
Musharraf imposed emergency in the fall of 2007, Geo TV Network received an order from
local authorities of Dubai on November 16 to cut off all their Live broadcast of programmes.

In contrast to other private news channels, they are liberal without any restriction. They don’t
need a “thumbs up” to cover any news, but they compete to be the first to bring reality to
public. Thus, these private channels have affected the viewership of PTV. Very few people
watch PTV which has been proved through the question we posed in our questionnaire.

[1] Editorial, Daily Nation, 9-1-1990

[2] Shahab Zafar’s PTV’s credibility, letter in daily Nation, of 4-12-1989

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PUBLIC SURVEY

 Which news channel do you think is most reliable?

a) Geo news
b) PTV news
c) Dunya news
d) Express news

COVERAGE

All private channels in Pakistan are telecasted through satellite, while PTV is the only
channel that is on terrestrial network as well as being telecasted through satellite.
Government has not allowed the private channels to work terrestrially so that they can easily
shut down any channel when they want to. That shows that the Government want full control
over the press media not caring of any kind of democracy. Thus PTV remains dominant in
coverage aspect. Most of the Pakistan population is ruralised where they can only watch
PTV. But the fact still remains that PTV is losing its trust by showing favours to the
government and its policies.

POLITICAL TALK SHOWS

PTV shows very few talk shows in which they interview their own government members, and
everything goes pre-planned, while other private channels bring reality into their talk shows

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by bringing several government functionaries to speak out the truth in front of the public.
There are many famous anchors like Dr. Shahid Masood and Hamid Mir, Kamran Khan,
Najam Sethi, Javed chaudry, Mubashir Lucman who have brought revolution to electronic
media. But Ptv has no one like them. Private channels have a clear edge in telecasting talk
shows that is proved by the analysis:

PUBLIC SURVEY

 In your opinion, which channel shows the best “Talk-shows” regarding current
affairs?
a) Geo news
b) Dunya news
c) PTV news
d) Aaj news
e) Express news

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PROMOTION OF CULTURE
Culture is the sum total of our mental refinement and vision of social life. It takes diverse
forms across time and space. Media of any country is reflection of that country. It shows that
how person behave and live in their country. The way of expressing news, way of talking of
politicians in political debates and discussion programs shows the behaviour of people of that
country. We People are greatly influenced by Indian and western culture because of the
presence of them in our private channels.

Private channel’s negative role

Pakistani media (including PTV up to some extent) tries to give what they want by somehow
giving it an Indian touch by casting Indian celebrities, wearing of saris and long episode of
the dramas. They are actually trying to divert us from our own culture which we can see that
the children in Pakistan are now speaking some of the Hindu words and also adopting their
culture and the parents don’t even give a minute to consider this matter.
Westernization has been spread throughout our country because of the private channels. The
TV channels show various newscasters and different characters in the dramas wearing
westernized clothes. In addition to this, intimate scenes are becoming more common in TV
programs. Our Private channels are promoting Indian culture playing INDIAN SONGS,
Vulgar English Music Videos; Fashion Shows on our Pakistani Private channels will destroy
our cultural values. The catalogues, magazines, billboards etc clearly show the impact of
westernization all over Pakistan. You can see the catalogues of Stone Age for example;
Magazines and certain TV shows discuss extremely open issues that are out of the scene if
people take into account our culture, tradition and religious values.
This is what, following, western liberal concepts has done to us. We don't even remember our
own values and beliefs and therefore we are getting entrapped deeper into the web of
westernization (so called advancement that is considered essential for development).

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PUBLIC SURVEY

 Do you agree “the private entertainment channels are responsible for westernizing our
society.”?
a) Completely
b) Partially
c) Disagree

Role of PTV
PTV is trying its best to promote Pakistani Culture but all in vain. Now People demand for
Glamour and Style instead of simplicity. PTV has become far away from People's demands
because now our People are attracted towards glamorization. In PTV shows, there is some
respect and distances maintained as well as in keeping one self covered but these private
channels are responsible for spreading of western culture. But now it’s common for them to
hug hold hands and jump into each other laps. That is the only reason why PTV has begun to
put bits of westernization in order to compete with the private channels which have been
proved by our survey. A lot of PTV plays and documentaries have been provided to foreign
countries on gratis basis for the projection of Pakistan and its people which have been liked
by them and later on they have purchased several selected programmes.

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PUBLIC SURVEY

 Do you think PTV is going for glamorization like other private channels by
sacrificing its cultural traditions?
a) Yes
b) No
c) To some extent

Censorship Board
Censorship board of PTV was established in 1968, making sure that PTV remains to be a
family channel, and continues to depict Pakistan’s culture. A common observation is when
live matches are telecasted. Some scenes not suitable for young ones are immediately
censored. In short, it’s a channel where you won’t have to keep a remote control in hand to
change it when required with family. But on the other hand, this board has given free hand to
many advertisements, which shows ads of family planning which is not suitable for under-age
viewership and some glamorous advertisements, which proves that PTV has a mind set of
proceeding towards modernization.
We can not only say that Media has affected our Culture but is The People of our
country who are changing the values of our Culture by allowing Private Channels to do
so. It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are
ready to change and others are not.

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ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATION

People mostly watch television as a source of entertainment or to kill boredom, and majority
of them includes the youth. In the past, Pakistani people just had the choice of watching PTV,
but PTV didn’t leave this situation as a compulsion for the public. It produced legendary
Dramas and shows and gained the interest of people. When the private channels came into
scenario with their modernization in the department of entertainment, it was natural for the
public to get attracted towards them.
Let’s analyze the following areas regarding the entertainment:

FAMILY CHANNEL
SPORTS
DRAMAS

FAMILY CHANNEL

It must be very common when you see children watching television and elders being alert in
their stance holding a remote control in their hand. Most of the private channels in Pakistan
do not care for the censorship, except for PTV. A very good thing about PTV is that it is a
family channel and it telecasts such kind of programs which everyone can watch with family.
In twenty four hours of transmission, PTV telecasts its programs in Urdu, English and four
local area’s language. Every province has its time for its local area programmes. No cable
channel has this Diversification. Another good thing is that PTV takes care of the people of
all age group. It starts the day with recitation of Holy Quran for one hour along with
translation, then telecasts cartoon for the children because they are very fond of it. Then the
talk shows start. Programs are there for female, especially for house wives. Also there is time
for youth shows. No cable channel has so much diversification as PTV. But the fact remains
that cable is present in every house nowadays where children can watch any kind of channel,
and parents can or does least about it.

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SPORTS

PTV Sports Division was created in 1983 to provide healthy entertainment to our viewers. It
has emerged as an extremely productive and earning division for the PTV.

The chief objectives of this division are to arrange healthy sports entertainment through the
coverage of exciting moments and happening in the field of sports and to keep the viewers
abreast with the National and International sports event. Presently Sports Division is
producing 200 minutes regular weekly transmission on PTV apart from occasional
International / National sports coverage. PTV also televises live national and international
sports around the world, keeping in view the interest of Pakistani viewers. And the censorship
policy even during the telecast of live matches is a good step.

The PTV officials have been thinking recently of opening a separate sports channel under the
umbrella of PTV, but the matter is still in files. It would be a revolutionary step if it comes
into reality. Many people refer to PTV for live cricket telecast, but the availability of certain
separate sports channels gives viewers a wide choice even if these channels are the paid ones.
GEO super is the only Pakistani channel working successfully in the country and worldwide.
Thus these private sports channels have a clear edge to the only reason that they show 24
hours sports whereas PTV just shows live matches. So there’s a great need of a separate PTV
sports channel.

PUBLIC SURVEY

 Which channel do you prefer to watch Live sports broadcasts on?

a) Star sports c) PTV

b) Geo Super d) Ten Sports

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DRAMAS
Drama projects reality and is based on various aspects of life. It enhances the insight into
various problems and relationships.

The drama which were once the sole strength of PTV have deteriorated to a level that they
are not watchable to say the least. In good old days a drama used to put a break in daily life or
citizen’s people would not keep weddings and parties on days on which a popular drama was
to be aired. These drama serials still have quality content and plots generally relate to the
issues of common man. These Dramas were so popular that they were even watched in India.
Even the private channels are buying some of the PTV dramas and look up to them for their
own production. PTV still charges the highest amount of money for airing commercials but
their revenue is fast receding. Many Ads these days are quite obscene according to PTV
standards. PTV is still getting substantial advertising revenues only because of its huge
coverage.

PUBLIC SURVEY

 Do you think ptv still maintaining the standard of its drama serials now a days.
a) Yes
b) No
c) May be

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The main question is that, why PTV is not maintaining its standard of DRAMA
production?

Even here private channels are affecting PTV. To increase its viewership, PTV is going on
the footsteps of private channels towards glamorization. Competition in this sector is very
intense.

“In past there were only one channel but now viewers have the choice so naturally
PTV is affected. But as far as standard of production is concerned, no one could beat
PTV. The respect of Dupatta on PTV can easily be judged whereas the kind of talk
shows, dramas and programs being telecasted on private channels, I don’t think, can
be watched together with the entire family. Alhamdulillah PTV has been able to
maintain those values and InshAllah will continue this practice.” [1]

The quality of PTV entertainment has plummeted in recent years. This is because the medium
has become more profit oriented. At the altar of generating more funds, it has sacrificed the
quality and objectivity of a number of programmes, which in the past gave Pakistan
Television great deal of fame. Besides the negative impacts of private channels; there are
some positive impacts also. In order to compete with private channels they are upgrading
their infrastructure and machinery.

Although PTV has deviated from its past glory but still it is superior than the private
entertainment channels working in Pakistan regarding DRAMA production

[1] Syed Aftab Azeem, Senior Producer PTV

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CONCLUSION

After our research work, we have come to certain conclusions:-

 PTV has not been completely eliminated out of the picture by the private channels.
 Private channels holds a clear lead in the news casting department and PTV can do
nothing to even get close to it until it gets freedom of coverage.
 PTV is the only channel upholding the culture of Pakistan and its people, while
Private channels are busy modifying it by the name of modernization.
 PTV is still in the running, providing entertainment to its viewers but has deviated
from the past glory by introducing glamorization.
 With the liberation of media, the viewership of PTV has been decreased. But still it
holds a valid position in electronic media.

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and-information-media-opinion
Top brands advertised PTV.
http://www.travel-culture.com/pakistan/media/ptv_advertisers.shtml
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http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view
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