The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting disclosed that annually an estimated Rs. 8-9 billion is collected through the Rs. 35 TV fee imposed on electricity bills, while an additional Rs. 4-6 billion is generated from programming revenues.
In a recent development, the Ministry proposed an increase of Rs. 15 to be appended to the electricity bill alongside the existing Rs. 35 fee. Furthermore, the Director General of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) revealed that the federal government has been petitioned to levy a Rs. 5 fee on vehicles equipped with radios at motorway entry and exit points.
A session of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting was held at the Parliament House, presided over by Senator Fawzia Arshad.
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During the session, the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting highlighted the financial hurdles faced by the organization, stressing efforts made to mitigate them. Notably, it was mentioned that the Pakistan Television (PTV) workforce comprises 4,100 employees with over 3,000 pensioners, whose pensions are sustained through contributory funds.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, underscored the importance of promoting PTV products, particularly music and entertainment, through digital and social media platforms. The absence of social media expertise within PTV was acknowledged and Senator Waqar Mehdi proposed publishing PTV program schedules in newspapers to boost viewership.
Furthermore, the committee deliberated on PTV Sports’ inability to secure broadcasting rights for the Pakistan Super League season 9. The committee was informed that the Pakistan Cricket Board follows an open bidding process, with bidding rates escalating annually.
It was disclosed that PTV Sports bid up to Rs. 5.17 billion, but the rights were clinched by A Sports with a higher bid of Rs. 6.3 billion for a two-year term. Despite PTV Sports’ request for carrier/syndication through ARY, the request was declined.
Efforts were made by the ministry to engage with the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) through a summary, but these attempts were unsuccessful. Nonetheless, the committee commended the ministry’s diligent endeavors.
