Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has decided to go ahead with the auctioning of Satellite TV Broadcast Stations, ignoring the representation filed Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA).
The auction is scheduled to take place on May 2 and 3. PBA had filed the representation following Sindh Court’s orders, as they are of the view that new companies will put a number of channels on air which can lead to the destruction of the local broadcasting industry.
The current analog cable system in Pakistan can air 80 channels at one time, however, there are already 121 licenses. Addition of more channels will further take a number of channels off air, resulting in huge losses to the local media industry.
PBA believes that the economic slowdown is already a major hurdle for local channels and that PEMRA should not issue more licenses. The body has also requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice of the matter.
PBA has requested that the new TV licenses should not be issued until there’s a digital system in place instead of the current analog cable system.
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