Pakistan Television’s Sports channel, PTV Sports, has made the decision to discontinue the live broadcast of the ongoing second Test match between Pakistan and Australia. This move comes in the wake of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s commitment to a policy of zero tolerance for surrogate companies associated with betting houses, urging all stakeholders to prevent their promotion through any form of advertising during live sports events.
In a notification shared on social media, specifically on X (formerly Twitter), PTV Sports explained its decision by stating, “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 emphasized that it has taken up the matter with the parent broadcaster and reported it to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and other relevant stakeholders. PTV Sports has requested the removal of “brand placements of on-ground surrogate companies’ advertisements (virtual advertising).” The notification assured viewers that the series would be telecast live once the matter is resolved, and PTV, as a state broadcaster, is actively working to resolve the issue to prevent future disruptions of such transmissions in Pakistan.
This decision follows the Information Ministry’s advisory issued the previous week, citing 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.
Pakistan Tour to Australia, Test Series airing on PTV Sports pic.twitter.com/kQJfZhynMK
— PTV Sports (@PTVSp0rts) December 26, 2023
The Information Ministry, in its earlier advisory, urged all ministries, departments, and organizations not to engage in any contracts or cooperation with surrogate companies illegally operating in Pakistan. This warning extended to print, electronic, and social media. The ministry reiterated its advisory, strictly warning media outlets against promoting surrogate companies of betting houses through any advertisements and urged the immediate termination of existing agreements.
The advisory specifically listed known surrogate companies, seeking awareness and strict compliance. The ministry noted that logos of at least two mentioned companies were displayed uninterrupted during the live broadcast, spanning multiple hours across multiple days. Stakeholders were urged to ensure immediate compliance, investigate non-compliance with the earlier advisory, and submit a report within a week.