Pak vs Aus: PTV Sports 'discontinues' Test series broadcast

PTV Sports, the sports channel of Pakistan Television, has decided to discontinue the broadcast of the ongoing second Test match between Pakistan and Australia on Tuesday.

The decision comes a week after the government issued an order vowing zero tolerance against the surrogate companies of betting houses. In its order, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry also urged stakeholders to prevent their promotion through any kind of advertisements during live coverage of sports events.

In a notification shared on X, formerly Twitter, PTV Sports wrote: "Pakistan Television (PTV Sports) adhering to the Government of Pakistan's policy, 'Zero tolerance for the surrogate Companies' has discontinued airing the second Test match from Melbourne being played from December 26th, 2023 in lieu of the Pakistan vs Australia Cricket Series 2023-24."

The channel further added that it took up the issue with the parent broadcaster and reported it to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and other relevant stakeholders, seeking the removal of the "brand placements of on ground surrogate companies’ advertisements (virtual advertising)."

"The series will be telecast live once the matter is resolved. PTV as a state broadcaster is endeavouring to get the issue resolved to avoid future blackouts of such transmissions in the territory of Pakistan," it added in the post.

Referring to its earlier advisory on the issue last week, the ministry noted an “unambiguous violation” during the live broadcast of the Pakistan cricket team’s tour to Australia on multiple media outlets and channels, including Pakistan Television.

The Information Ministry, in its earlier advisory, had urged all the ministries, departments, and organisations not to engage in any kind of contract or cooperation with the surrogate companies illegally operating in Pakistan, especially on print, electronic and social media.

The ministry reiterated its advisory strictly warning the media outlets “not to promote the surrogate companies of betting houses through any kind of advertisements”, besides immediately terminating all existing agreements with them.

The advisory, which had already been sent to the stakeholders, specifically mentioned a list of known surrogate companies “to address any unawareness, and to ensure strict and immediate compliance”.

The ministry also observed that the logos of at least two of the companies mentioned in the earlier advisory were displayed uninterrupted throughout the live broadcast of the stated event that spanned multiple hours across multiple days.

The ministry urged the stakeholders to ensure immediate compliance with its instant advisory without fail, investigate reasons and responsibility for the non-compliance of the earlier advisory, and submit a copy of the same within a week.