ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Electronic media is projected to get investment of around Rs 41 billion by 2015 while generating employment for 60000 persons.
According to official figures, projected investment in satellite television will be Rs 20 billion, Rs 13 billion will be invested in cable television and FM Radio will draw investment of Rs one billion.
Multichannel Multipoint Distribution System (MMDS)/ Wireless Broadband (WIBRO) will get investment of Rs 1.5 billion, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Rs 1.5 billion and Interactive Internet TV Rs one billion.
Satellite Radio and Direct To Home (DTH) are expected to get Rs 0.5 billion each of investment and Mobile TV (content provision) and Mobile Audio (content provision) will generate investment of one billion each.
Media in Pakistan has displayed massive expansion and growth during the last two decades owing to better liberalization policies and effective regulatory procedures.
The print media which is overwhelmingly a private sector monopoly is progressing both in terms of content and technology.
The electronic media, a part of which is owned and operated by the state, has also expanded in terms of technology and outreach.
In Pakistan, electronic media, both television and radio, is predominantly in the private sector while global media contents are available to Pakistani viewers through cable and satellite networks under the regulatory landing rights.
The electronic media will be employing about 60000 skilled people by 2015.
21000 persons will get jobs in satellite television, 5000 in FM radio stations and 30000 in cable television by year 2015.
4000 persons will get jobs in sectors of Multichannel Multipoint Distribution System (MMDS)/Wireless Broadband (WIBRO), Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), Interactive Internet TV, Satellite Radio, Direct To Home (DTH), Mobile TV and Mobile Audio.
The government has in place a policy in line with its Framework for Economic Growth to promote electronic media.
It plans to provide 100% TV coverage including cable especially in remote and less developed areas of the country and create a network of community based FM radio stations through private sector in all the districts.
Other steps include strengthening and enhancing the partnership between public and private sector in radio and TV and strengthening the technological base of public sector electronic media through replacement of the existing electronic equipment by state-of-the-art equipment.
Switching over to digital broadcasting, installation of powerful medium and short-wave transmitters for regional and international coverage and enhancing the role of new media – mobile TV, mobile audio and internet Protocol TV are also part of the policy.
In Pakistan, television viewership has reached 150 million people and radio receivers cover 100% population.
According to official figures, there are 10 million cable subscribers, 2700 licensed cable operators, 150-200 satellite channels providing global content and 89 local satellite channels.
Two companies are providing Internet Protocol Television, four Mobile TV (Content Provision) and two are providing Mobile Audio (Content Provision).
Source: APP
