MUMBAI: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has identified 53 Foreign Satellite Channels for relay distribution through cable TV network operations in Pakistan. These channels have been identified in consultation with public and various associations of CTV operators in Pakistan, the APP news agency has reported.
Despite the enormous demand Indian satellite channels have in Pakistan, Star Plus, Sony Entertainment Television, Zee TV and the like continue to be off the list though. This is principally due to the hostile political climate that exists between the two neighbours.
PEMRA also announced that the public has till 20 November to make any presentations regarding the list it has issued.
The foreign satellite channels in the list are:
Quranic Channel from video, Iqra Channel, CNN, Saudi Channel 1and 2, BBC World, Sky News, Euro News, DW News, Al-Jazeera, Bloomberg, World Net, National Geographic Channel, Discovery, Animal Planet, Adventure One, Tech TV, Kuwait Space Channel, History, Travel, CNBC, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Fox Kids, Splash, KTV, Kermit, Super Sports-1, Super Sports-2, Super Sports-3, Super Sports-4, Super Sports-5, Star Sports, ESPN, Dubai Sports, Fox Sports, Sky Sports, Ten Sports, CCTV-3 (Chinese), CCTV-4 (Chinese), Bangladesh TV, Turkish TV, HBO, Star Movies, Star World, Hallmark, BBC Prime, LBC, Jam-e-Jam-1/IRAM- 1, Jam-e-Jam 2/IRIM 2, Dream TV, MATV, MBC and Disney Channel.
According to PEMRA, the CTV operators will be required to apply mosaicing to eliminate undesirable segments/ parts of the program or the parts of the program that are not in conformity with PEMRA program and advertisement codes from these eligible channels.
Meanwhile, a difficult edict to carry through is PEMRA's clarification that it will be a punishable crime to cut the cable, interrupt the transmission or to damage the headend of any licensed cable operator. If such a ruling could be enforced, the system instituted would be of great benefit in India as the instances of rivals cutting cables are reportedly on the rise again.
