Pakistani public-service broadcaster PTV will launch a dedicated sports channel this month in a move it says is designed to encourage the country’s youngsters to take up sport, and which is also expected to drive revenues for the broadcaster.
PTV managing director Yousef Baig Mirza said the channel would cover international, national and regional sports events, and would launch in the middle of January. Mirza said the channel – which has not yet been named – would provide employment opportunities and “most importantly” motivate young people to get involved in sport, according to news website Rapid TV News. “The channel is not aimed at taking away other channels’ market share but will be healthy competition,” said Mirza.
However, senior government figures also expect the channel to increase PTV’s revenues. In November, Pakistan’s minister for information and broadcasting, Firdous Ashiq Awan, said that broadcasting more cricket, hockey and football on PTV services would help to increase the broadcaster’s revenues.