The Explorer Islamabad: Journal of Social Sciences ISSN (E): 2411-0132, ISSN (P): 2411-5487 Vol-1, Issue (7):241-245 www.theexplorerpak.org

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PTV HOME AND GEO ENTERTAINMENT CHANNELS IN RAWALPINDI AND ISLAMABAD Farhan Riaz1, Shazia Mehmood1, Zaigham Abbas2, Muhammad Alamzaib2, Saad Hameed3 1 Department of Sociology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 2Department of Sociology, Bahuddin Zakria University Multan, 3National College of Business Administration & Economics Multan

Corresponding Author: Farhan Riaz Bhutta PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi [email protected]

Abstract: In a progressive society the variation of TV channel is very important for us. We learn most of the things like, culture, tradition, norms, and way of living, lifestyles from these channels. Different channels have different impact on the minds of the people of a society. In the said research comparative analysis of Pakistan Television and Geo Entertainment has been made. From both of these channels which one takes leads to entertain the public in a more defined and demanding way. The significant focus was to judge the level of entertainment provided by both the channels and how much those are successful to raise social issues and viewer’s perception about TV programs of PTV and Geo Entertainment channels. The Nature of the study was qualitative and quantitative. It was conducted at Satellite town block “A” Rawalpindi and sector “F-7/4” Islamabad. An interview schedule was designed and the sample of one hundred and twenty people was collected through systematic random sampling technique. Then data was analyzed through spss (version 14.0). According to findings, most people like the PTV home because it is still trying to show the original picture of Pakistani society whereas the Geo entertainment is liked by people of Islamabad as it gives the information about the new fashion around the Pakistan. The findings of the study may benefit the T.V administrations to reschedule their transmission according to viewer’s aspiration.

Key Words: Television, Influence, Culture, Social Issues

INTRODUCTION resolved the big question in better understanding Media is most influential tool or rather you can say of the social issues namely, women right and child media today is one of the most important weapons. abuse etc (Naik 2005). Media is the main means of mass communication Our drama is reflecting the supernatural elite class especially television, radio and newspapers which which is making our society mentally ill and are providing entertainment as well as information frustrated. We are relying on sensation news and and latest news update collectively. This media can portraying looters and evils as our leaders. Media is convert black into white, a day into night. It can giving its so called political awareness according to transform a hero into a villan and a villan into a its own sweet will and neglecting the role of hero. The media is doing wonders. Media is taking parliament and politicians. We should control evils part to aware the people about different events of media to prevent our society from becoming evil taking place in the whole universe. Media has society, and we have to take advantage of the graciously opened new horizons giving political positively and fruits of media otherwise we will awareness to masses, played an important role in remain an ignorant and fruitless society in the enlightening the basic human rights to general League of Nations (Zia 2007). public. Media has helped to establish the writ of In today’s world, newspapers are liked by only the government by understanding the laws and chosen few who might appreciate the detail as well constitution and to prevail the better law and as the depth of analysis. Unlike these readers elites, orders in the society. Media has established its the common man needs only brief, simple news major impacts on the different fields of life of a and heavy dose of entertainment in the form of society, like health, education agriculture and films, plays, music and report of sports events. economy. Media has spoken the silent thoughts of Television is the principal source of providing this the people and gave them the pride in being open entertainment. As such, TV has fast become the publicly and presented them with the unique mass medium which is adored by the people in all opportunity of freedom of expression. Media has the countries. It is not so popular only in those

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undeveloped parts of the world where common exclusion of all others, the bulk of the viewers people cannot buy tv set because of poverty or reject the programms of such nature as being where is no electricity. Even in poor countries, untrue. This aspect has smashed PTV's credibility anyone who has access to tv signal and who can among the viewers. Since the birth of PTV in 1964, buy a set, is viewing almost regularly. Competing PTV adhered to the same lines which were drawn with radio (about 70 years old) and newspaper by the ruling parties. This has created a dilemma (about 380 years old), television is like a giant both for PTV and its viewers. The voices of different adolescent who is hail and hearty, full of life and sections of society for the independence of PTV energy, but rather weak in the field of complex were raised and documented which constitute one mental exercises (Jacobson 1969). of the major themes of this research. On the other In Pakistan, cable television network was initiated hand, it has often been argued that if PTV becomes in Karachi in early 1980s and by 1998 was a private or completely independent organization introduced in almost all the big cities of the country without any substantial degree of control from but functioned without rules and regulations. The government, it may deviate from the basic year 2000 witnessed a mushroom growth of cable objectives chalk out at the time of its television network all over the Pakistan after the establishment. Though this argument occupies a government legalized cable television network and wide place that in the drive towards complete in 2002 almost four million households were autonomy of information on television, the enjoying its services in the country (Zia 2003). principle that, "information is a commodity" plays a A study conducted by Saleem (1994) on ‘Impact of high-flying role. And the new policy-makers may Dish Antenna on Pakistani Society” concluded that tune the organization into a commercial 44 percent of the respondents felt considerable corporation who has primary interest in keeping impact upon their social behavior. Viewers of information secret to protect their commercial programmes through dish antenna felt a change in interests while their secondary interest may be to their outlook towards life and became more broad- produce a commodity for sale in the market. minded. The study further revealed that satellite Information which was once available to the public communication was introducing international as of right will, in future, be available on payment. culture and viewers were admiring the general Taking a look at entertainment fare brings some living standards of social values of western and other aspects of cultural invasion. But the most Indian societies. Majority of the women important question that arises out the context that respondents in this study were of the opinion that whether we would be able to complete dresses hairstyles and jewellery of Indian and international media enriched with alluring contents western models grabbed their attention the most. having such controlled system of communication. Therefore, new trends and fashions were making Isere, one has to have a mounting pile of arguments their way in our society (Saleem 1994). to substantiate this phenomenon of no autonomy The Media today is an army with carefully for television in Pakistan. Autonomy of PTV does organized by weapons, the journalists it’s officers, not mean the freedom of information only but the readers it’s soldiers. But, as in every army, the autonomy embraces the four different but soldiers obey blindly, and the war aims and integrated areas, which are administrative operating plans change without the knowledge. The autonomy operational autonomy financial readers neither know nor are supposed to know the autonomy and ideological autonomy (Pakistan reason for which he is used and the role he is to Television 1976). play. There is no more appalling caricature of MATERIALS AND METHODS freedom thought. For merely no one was allowed The present study was conducted in the “Sector F- to think freely; now it is permitted, but no one is 7/4” Islamabad and “Satellite town block A” capable of it any more. Now people want to believe Rawalpindi. The researcher conducted the only what they are supposed to want to believe, investigation at there without the gender and this they consider freedom (Spengler 1936). discrimination and both quantitative and qualitative Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is owned and information was collected by using an interview controlled by the government of Pakistan. Keeping schedule comprised of close ended and as well as in view the fact that the majority of the population open ended questions. A sample of one hundred of the country does watch PTV for seeking and twenty households from the locales was information and framing their opinion, the ruling selected by using systematic random sampling party does use PTV according to its wish. By technique. Keeping in view the objective of the projecting the doings of only ruling party and study, an interview schedule was developed to

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gather relevant information from the respondents. that 35 percent of the respondents were watching The interview schedule was pretested before the TV 2-4 hours in a day. There were 21.7 percent collection of data so as to remove any possible respondents who watch TV 5-6 hours and 8.3 errors or omissions before giving it a final shape. percent respondents watch TV 7-8 hours. There Finally, the interview schedule comprising a set of were only 2.5 percent respondents who like to relevant questions was prepared for the purpose of watch TV more than 9 hours. So, we can conclude collecting the required information. In the present from this table that the most of the people who study 4 key informants were identified from watch television lye in the category of 2-4 hours. community who helped the researcher to The basic reason behind this aspect is that people investigate the topic of research from various usually get 2-4 hours of spare time in a day and the perspectives. These key informants not only best way to spend that particular time is by provided a helping hand during the collection of watching television program. quantitative data but also gave the assistance while Table. 3: Distribution of Respondents regarding Specific in-depth interviews. The close ended data were time for Watching TV gathered by researcher along with key informants Responses Frequency Percentage and hence analyzed through spss version 14.0. Morning 19 15.8% RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Afternoon 20 16.7% The intention of the study to converse with the Evening 40 33.3% respondents and to dig up their responses Late night 41 34.2% Total 120 100 regarding the significant focus to know about the Table reflects that 15.8 percent respondents watch level of entertainment provided by both the TV in the morning and the percentage of those channels and how much those channels are respondents who watch TV during afternoon were successful to raise social issues and viewer’s 16.7 percent. The respondents who tend to watch perception about TV programs of PTV and Geo TV in the evening were 33.3 percent. The Entertainment channels. The outcomes which are percentage of respondents who watch TV late night drawn from the respondents in the spot light of the was 34.2 percent. Target audiences were keener to objectives are discussed and summarized to give watch TV late night because better entertainment the conclusions. Major analyses are presented can be attained at this time. They really do not have below: any task or work to improvise at late night and Table. 1: Distribution of Respondents regarding Watching TV there will be no disturbance for the viewers as well. Responses Frequency Percentage Table. 4: Distribution of Respondents regarding Often 71 59.2% Favorite TV Channel Off and On 43 35.8% Responses Frequency Percentage Never 6 5.0% PTV Home 52 43.3% Total 120 100 Geo 68 56.7% Entertainment Table illustrates that 59.2 percent of respondents Total 120 100 watch TV more often and overall percentage of Table exposes that 43.3 percent respondent like to respondents who just turn the T.V on and off were watch PTV Home channel as their favorite channel. 35.8 percent. There were only 5 percents The respondents who like to watch Geo respondents who do no watch TV at all. We can Entertainment was 56.7 percent. It means that conclude from this particular table that T.V is maximum respondents like the Geo Entertainment regularly watched all around with a higher level of channel as their favorite channel. One of the major percentage. reasons behind higher preference of Geo Table. 2: Distribution of Respondents regarding Spending Time for Watching TV. Entertainment is due to its easier availability Responses Frequency Percentage through numbers of cable operators in Rawalpindi 1 hour or less 39 32.5% and Islamabad. The second reason behind its 2-4 hours 42 35.0% preference is that viewers are interested in reality 5-6 hours 26 21.7% shows, award ceremonies and even watching 7-8 hours 10 8.3% Indian movies and programs. The third major +9 hours 3 2.5% reason is that people can attain versatility in their Total 120 100 programs through Geo Entertainment and they will Table explains that 32.5 percent of the respondents not be able to get such versatility through PTV were in habit to watch TV one hour or less than one Home because of irrelevant repetition of already hour. The maximum percentage of this table shows telecasted programs.

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Table. 5: Distribution of Respondents Resolving the not watch television. In the conducted research it Social Issues of Daily Life by Watching PTV Home can be seen clearly that people spend two to four Responses Frequency Percentage hours for watching television. And the timing of Yes 76 63.3% watching television is late night mostly. No 44 36.7% Respondents liked the PTV home the most, as Total 120 100 comparative to Geo entertainment. Accepting PTV Table indicates that 63.3 percent respondent Home, the reason is that it is still working and trying accepted that they got help to resolve their to give the original picture of Pakistani culture. And problem by watching the drams of PTV Home the Geo Entertainment is following the Indian because PTV shows the reality and most of their channel policy. In this way it is destroying our programs are much closer to the reality as culture. Respondents admired that watching PTV compared to the programs being shown on Geo home gives them idea to resolve the issues of daily Entertainment. Their response to this particular routine life, because it is nearer to the real face of question was a more positive because they said our society. Where they accepted that Geo that PTV dramas are purely home based and the Entertainment is not helpful in this regard, because problems which are shown in these dramas are it’s always shows the wrong picture of the society. much closer to the life of any individual. These Whereas our Pakistani society is not same as it programs are good for any individuals and one can depicts. certainly get something good out of all the REFERENCES programs and dramas being shown on PTV home a. Naik, Zakir The numbers of respondents who gave their 2005 Media and Islam War or Peace. answers in No were only 36.7 percent respondents. They think that this channel is way behind the Episode 37, http://www.deen-ul- actual scenario of this particular society and they islam.org/archives/15961 do believe that the social issues being shown on this channel are not considered to be very Zia, Anjum important so this is the reason why they gave their 2007 Effect of Television on Women in answers in NO. They added that they are unable to Pakistan: A Comparative Study of Heavy get any kind of help with these programs because and Light Viewers in Lahore. PhD they do believe that PTV home is not improvising Dissertation Dept. of Communication according to the requirements of their viewers. Lahore College for Women University. Table. 6: Distribution of Respondents Resolving the Social Issues of Daily Life by Watching Geo Jacobson, Harvey. K. Entertainment 1969 Mass Media Believability: A Study of Responses Frequency Percentage Receiver Judgments, Journalism Quarterly, Yes 66 55.0% Spring. No 54 45.0% Total 120 100 Zia, A. Table designate that 55 percent respondent gave 2003 Cable Television Network in the answers in Yes showing that they are able to resolve their problem by watching the various Pakistan: Introduction, Development, programs of Geo Entertainment. There were 45 Prospects and Dilemmas. Unpublished M. percent respondents who gave the answers in No Phil thesis, Department of Mass concluding that they do not get help from any of Communication. University of the the programs which are shown on Geo Punjab. Lahore, Pakistan. Entertainment. They just said that they were unable to get any help because Geo Entertainment is a pure entertainment channel and most of their Saleem, N. programs are improvised to entertain people. They 1994 Impact of Dish Antenna on Pakistani just watch this channel in order to get entertained Society: A Case Study of Lahore. rather than watching them just to solve their Unpublished Master’s thesis, complications and issues. Department of Mass Communication, CONCLUSION University of the Punjab. Pakistan. Through present research, it was found that most of the respondents watch television often. And Spengler, Oswald there were small numbers of respondent who do

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1936 Oswald Spengler Quotes http://thinkexist.com/quotation/the_press _today_is_an_army_with_carefully/294616 .html

Pakistan Television 1976 Pakistan Television Corporation Limited. Rawalpindi. Year Book .163pp

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