Public TV

Public TV includes media outlets that receives some or most of its funding from the public. The main function of public TV is to inform the people. This may include cultural issues. Public TV may be funded through voluntary donations, a television license fee and/or direct funding from the state. They are considered to be non-commercial and are locally operated. Public broadcasting used to be the most dominant form before the arrival of commercial television. The major difference between public and commercial TV is the profit motive. Commercial TV is driven by the motive to maximize revenue while public TV aims to provide a useful information to the people alongside popular programs.


Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV)

PTV is the first television channel of Pakistan. It started in 1964 with the aim of programming national issues and informing viewers about various national and civic responsibilities.
PTV started of in Lahore with 30 employees and gradually established in other cities and currently employees around 7000 people. The original transmission was in black and white and colored transmission started in 1976.
PTV is a public limited company , with an authorized capital of Rs.3 billion. Unlike other state-owned television companies PTV was allowed to raise private capital to run the organization, including a Rs.35 monthly charge to all consumers of electricity. Alongside this PTV also takes advertising and sponsorship for shows. The maximum time allowed for advertising is 60mins per day.
PTV comes under the ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The manager is appointed with the consent of board of directors by the government.
Many famous artist like Noor Jehan, Wahid Murad, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan owe their success to PTV. Some dramas like Khuda Ki Basti and Unkanhi were also very famous.
PTV has a very large audience despite the competition from private channels. It is working to improve the quality of programs and acquiring new technology to provide even better service.


Public broadcasting includes: 

• Public affairs programs
• Entertainment
• Educational programs
• Radio and television documentaries
• Environmental issues
• Sports

Organizational hierarchy at PTV

• Secretary Ministry Of Information and Broadcasting is the chairman of Pakistan Television Board of Directors.
• The Managing Director of the Corporation is appointed by the Government of Pakistan and approved by the Board of Directors.
• Managing Director is the Administrative and Executive Head of the Corporation.