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