ISLAMABAD: The state broadcaster incurred a net loss of Rs639 million, pushing it into the list of the country’s 20 biggest loss-making public sector entities.
According to reliable sources, the federal government has approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs13 billion for Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) to address its financial crisis.
The decision was made during a virtual meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had requested Rs20 billion to cover salaries, allowances, utility bills and other essential expenses.
However, the ECC approved Rs13 billion, to be released in quarterly instalments of about Rs3.25 billion each. According to the Ministry of Finance’s latest report, PTV’s revenue dropped by 22% to Rs14.3 billion in FY 2024-25.
Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) has reported a net loss of Rs639 million for the fiscal year 2024-25, pushing the state broadcaster into the list of the country’s 20 biggest loss-making public sector entities. According to the Ministry of Finance report, PTV’s income dropped by 22% to Rs14.3 billion during FY25.
The decline has been attributed mainly to falling advertisement revenue, as private TV channels, YouTube, Netflix, and social media platforms have taken away both advertisers and viewers.
As a large government organization, it carries heavy expenses for salaries, allowances, and pensions for thousands of employees. Additionally, running transmitters, studios, and offices across the country results in massive utility bills. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had sought Rs20 billion from the government just to cover salaries and basic running costs. To keep the broadcaster afloat, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) recently approved a Rs13 billion technical supplementary grant to be released in quarterly installments of about Rs3.25 billion each.
Officials say PTV’s financial troubles are also linked to an outdated business model. While registered under the Companies Act, PTV still functions largely like a public service broadcaster.
It remains dependent on license fees and government support instead of competing directly with private media for ratings and advertising revenue. This limits its ability to generate sustainable income in today’s competitive media market.
With losses mounting and competition intensifying, PTV’s future sustainability will likely depend on structural reforms, digital transformation, and cost-cutting measures.
