PTV is going thru a fundamental reprogramming of its content presentation. STN has switched off NTM at a moment’s notice. The domestic viewers are now turning to the STAR TV network for their entertainment. Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is getting millions of new viewers.

Murdoch played his cards right and bought the STAR TV and the ZEE TV networks. In a short time, the Pakistani TV audience has become addicted to the Masala Mix churned out by his combine. There is a heavy dose of Indian film, religious, and political stuff on satellite TV, and the Hindi words are now a better part of the average Pakistani family’s lexicon. The Indian juggernaut has entered the Pakistani living room, not from the borders but thru the dish.

The local viewers are no more dependent on PTV/STN for news and amusement. Madhuri Dixit, Anoo Kapoor, Kapil Bhatia, et al, provide the dance, song, and news. The only people who prefer watching the Khabarnama are diehard PML workers, the VVIPs’ families, and maybe the Indian RAW agents. ZEE News, BBC, CNN, and ABN give the desired news in detail, depth, and honesty to the rest of the viewers.

The "purdaization" of PTV, the "untimely demise" of NTM, and the "wannabe" preference of satellite TV viewers, necessitates the advent of a new TV Channel in Murdoch’s media circus. Mr. Rupert Murdoch should set up an exclusive channel aimed at the Pakistani audience. This channel will be a boon for the untapped talent that is abundantly available in Pakistan. It’s mandate should be to present the real Pakistan, with emphasis on culture, entertainment, and news. It should be called Yahoo TV or YTV for short. Hopefully, Mr. Murdoch would not ape ZEE TV and call it PEE TV.

Sincerely: