Abdul Ghani

Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) has demanded an annual grant of Rs15 billion, a 10% annual increase to ensure the state broadcaster’s uninterrupted operations, according to a document available with Wealth Pakistan. PTVC, which is currently undergoing several technological upgrades and infrastructure development initiatives, aims to leverage this financial boost to further enhance its operations and broadcasting capabilities.

The document states that the federal government has allocated a grant of Rs11 billion for the ongoing financial year (FY26) to ensure the uninterrupted service of PTV, with funds to be released on a quarterly basis. Up to the third quarter, Rs8.605 billion has already been disbursed, and the remaining amount of Rs2.395 billion is expected to be released in the fourth quarter.

The corporation has already made notable investments in upgrading its infrastructure, including the shift to HD transmission for PTV World and significant upgrades to its Lahore and PTV Home studios. Additionally, the PTV headquarters' solarization initiative has contributed to a 36% reduction in electricity costs, further aligning with the corporation’s goal of enhancing efficiency while reducing operational expenses.

To address long-term financial sustainability, the document also suggests exploring new methods for TV license fee collection. As the collection of TV license fees through electricity bills has been terminated, the government should find new ways of collecting these fees. The suggestion comes after the previous challenges in collecting fees directly from consumers.

The document further suggests either outsourcing PTV Sports or exploring public-private partnerships to generate additional revenue streams for the corporation. The document also mentions that the government has recently approved tariff adjustments for PTV services to maintain smooth operations. Furthermore, PTV is in the process of digitalizing its content and expanding across social media platforms to tap into new revenue streams.

These actions align with the goal of making PTV a more self-sustainable and commercially viable entity in the future. It is noteworthy that PTV faces deep-rooted financial challenges that stem from decades of mismanagement and inefficient business models. Without bold structural reforms and modernization, PTV may struggle to reclaim its position as the leading broadcaster in the country.

The proposed financial injection and strategic recommendations aim to address these issues and ensure a stronger, more sustainable future for Pakistan's national television network.

Credit: INP-WealthPk