‘TV audience measurement’ service suspended by PEMRA for 30 days

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued orders to stop the provision of television audience measurement (TAM) services to the media houses, along with imposition of fine for violation of PEMRA rules.

The notification issued by PEMRA said that Section 29 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 (Amendment Act 2023) requires all licensees to give access of their systems to PEMRA officers for an inspection purpose at reasonable times to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of license.

However, one particular company without any intimation shifted its technical set up from the previously approved address to a new location, “which prima facie, means that company intentionally concealed the new location with the intention to avoid any inspection”.

The notice said that this transference “has been done without prior approval of Authority in violation of the provisions of PEMRA Ordinance as well as PEMRA Registration/Accreditation of Television Audience Measurement (TAM) Rating Service Regulations-2018 amended in 2024”.

Therefore, the PEMRA chairman has imposed a fine Rs1 million on the company, which is to be deposited with PEMRA. Furthermore, PEMRA has also suspended the registration of the said company for provision of television audience measurement (TAM) service with immediate effect for a period of 30 days.

‘NO MORE DRAMA TRPs’

PEMRA is specifically addressing the “No More Drama TRPs” situation with the fine.

The authorities concerned have also been instructed to submit a comprehensive report to PEMRA, detailing the irregularities and outlining steps to rectify the situation.

A statement by PEMRA said that this directive was not followed and since the TRP system was reinstated, it raised “concerns about compliance and accountability”.

In light of these challenges, PEMRA has mandated that TRPs cannot be disclosed without prior approval, the statement said.