ISLAMABAD - Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Saleem Baig said Thursday that it was a landmark day as auction of licenses of 70 satellite television channels through an open bidding would prove a watershed in electronic media industry.
Addressing the opening ceremony of two-day bidding process for auction of satellite television licenses would be done in seven categories including news and current affairs, entertainment, regional languages, sports, health, agriculture and education.
He said that the PEMRA Authority had given permission for this auction in its 155th meeting and its advertisement was given in December last year.
The chairman PEMRA said that launch of 70 new channels including eight in news and current affairs category would open new vistas of job opportunities for the educated youth. He said that media has played an important roe in creation of awareness among the masses.
He said that presently there are 88 satellite TV channels were operational while 33 were given landing rights, whereas 227 FM radio stations were also working in the country.
He also said one DTH license has also been issued and hopefully it would become functional by year end and it would expand media market.
Director General Licensing Vakil Ahmed Khan informed the audience that eight licenses would be auctioned for News and current affairs category, 27 in entertainment, 12 in regional , 5 in sports, 12 in education, four in health and 2 in agricultural category.
Out of 35 pre-qualified bidders for News and current affairs category 21 participated in bidding process to be completed today.