Pakistan Television programmes in US, Canada from next month
ISLAMA.BAD- The managing director of the Pakistan Television Corporation, Yousaf Baig Mirza, said that people in North America would be able to watch PTV programmes from September.
Speaking at a press conference, he said the PTV had made an arrangement with an international company to telecast its programmes in the United State and Canada the way it had been telecasting programmes in Europe through Prime Television. He added that viewers would be able to watch PTV programmes using a dish antenna all over the United States and Canada.
Mr Mirza denied reports that the project of a separate news channel had been abandoned by the Pakistan Television Corporation. He said they were working on the project though it had been delayed. He said in the last fiscal year the PTV earned a profit amounting to Rs 310 million while it collected around Rs 660 million on account of license fee during the same period. The PTV managing director said that bids have been called for the collection of license fee for 2000-2001. Answering a question, he said that in case of a cold response from the private companies, the PTV will itself collect the fee.
He said that with an investment of Rs50 million PTV was developing separate infrastructure for the launching of the news channel.
When asked as to what extent the news channel would have independence in telecasting national and international news, he said the matter was being discussed with the information ministry. He added that broad editorial guidelines would obviously be given by the ministry of information and the news channel would work within the parameters of these guidelines.
Mr Mirza said he was reviewing the programmes being made by the news channel. The manpower engaged for the news channel was being trained and the necessary equipment were being arranged and installed, he said.
Answering a question about a cable network to be launched by PTV, he said a feasibility report of the project was being prepared by the PTV. He added that some private concerns had also been invited for a joint venture.
Mr Mirza admitted that certain issues had to be settled before PTV launched the cable network. He said that if PTV was debarred from televising certain channels available on other cable networks, it would not be feasible for PTV to launch such a project.
In connection with the celebrations of Independence Day and second anniversary of PTV-2, Mirza said that the PTV will hold a marathon transmission from August 11 to 13, during which live-programme will be telecast.
Source: Dawn, Business Recorder
Date:8/11/2000
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