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

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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 farhanriaz8@gmail.com 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 viewers 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 viewers aspiration.

Key Words: Television, Influence, Culture, Social Issues INTRODUCTION Media is most influential tool or rather you can say media today is one of the most important weapons. Media is the main means of mass communication especially television, radio and newspapers which are providing entertainment as well as information and latest news update collectively. This media can convert black into white, a day into night. It can transform a hero into a villan and a villan into a hero. The media is doing wonders. Media is taking part to aware the people about different events taking place in the whole universe. Media has graciously opened new horizons giving political awareness to masses, played an important role in enlightening the basic human rights to general public. Media has helped to establish the writ of government by understanding the laws and constitution and to prevail the better law and orders in the society. Media has established its major impacts on the different fields of life of a society, like health, education agriculture and economy. Media has spoken the silent thoughts of the people and gave them the pride in being open publicly and presented them with the unique opportunity of freedom of expression. Media has

resolved the big question in better understanding of the social issues namely, women right and child abuse etc (Naik 2005). Our drama is reflecting the supernatural elite class which is making our society mentally ill and frustrated. We are relying on sensation news and portraying looters and evils as our leaders. Media is giving its so called political awareness according to its own sweet will and neglecting the role of parliament and politicians. We should control evils of media to prevent our society from becoming evil society, and we have to take advantage of the positively and fruits of media otherwise we will remain an ignorant and fruitless society in the League of Nations (Zia 2007). In todays world, newspapers are liked by only the chosen few who might appreciate the detail as well as the depth of analysis. Unlike these readers elites, the common man needs only brief, simple news and heavy dose of entertainment in the form of films, plays, music and report of sports events. Television is the principal source of providing this entertainment. As such, TV has fast become the mass medium which is adored by the people in all the countries. It is not so popular only in those

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undeveloped parts of the world where common people cannot buy tv set because of poverty or where is no electricity. Even in poor countries, anyone who has access to tv signal and who can buy a set, is viewing almost regularly. Competing with radio (about 70 years old) and newspaper (about 380 years old), television is like a giant adolescent who is hail and hearty, full of life and energy, but rather weak in the field of complex mental exercises (Jacobson 1969). In Pakistan, cable television network was initiated in Karachi in early 1980s and by 1998 was introduced in almost all the big cities of the country but functioned without rules and regulations. The year 2000 witnessed a mushroom growth of cable television network all over the Pakistan after the government legalized cable television network and in 2002 almost four million households were enjoying its services in the country (Zia 2003). A study conducted by Saleem (1994) on Impact of Dish Antenna on Pakistani Society concluded that 44 percent of the respondents felt considerable impact upon their social behavior. Viewers of programmes through dish antenna felt a change in their outlook towards life and became more broad-minded. The study further revealed that satellite communication was introducing international culture and viewers were admiring the general living standards of social values of western and Indian societies. Majority of the women respondents in this study were of the opinion that dresses hairstyles and jewellery of Indian and western models grabbed their attention the most. Therefore, new trends and fashions were making their way in our society (Saleem 1994). The Media today is an army with carefully organized by weapons, the journalists its officers, the readers its soldiers. But, as in every army, the soldiers obey blindly, and the war aims and operating plans change without the knowledge. The readers neither know nor are supposed to know the reason for which he is used and the role he is to play. There is no more appalling caricature of freedom thought. For merely no one was allowed to think freely; now it is permitted, but no one is capable of it any more. Now people want to believe only what they are supposed to want to believe, and this they consider freedom (Spengler 1936). Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is owned and controlled by the government of Pakistan. Keeping in view the fact that the majority of the population of the country does watch PTV for seeking information and framing their opinion, the ruling party does use PTV according to its wish. By projecting the doings of only ruling party and

exclusion of all others, the bulk of the viewers reject the programms of such nature as being untrue. This aspect has smashed PTV's credibility among the viewers. Since the birth of PTV in 1964, PTV adhered to the same lines which were drawn by the ruling parties. This has created a dilemma both for PTV and its viewers. The voices of different sections of society for the independence of PTV were raised and documented which constitute one of the major themes of this research. On the other hand, it has often been argued that if PTV becomes a private or completely independent organization without any substantial degree of control from government, it may deviate from the basic objectives chalk out at the time of its establishment. Though this argument occupies a wide place that in the drive towards complete autonomy of information on television, the principle that, "information is a commodity" plays a high-flying role. And the new policy-makers may tune the organization into a commercial corporation who has primary interest in keeping information secret to protect their commercial interests while their secondary interest may be to produce a commodity for sale in the market. Information which was once available to the public as of right will, in future, be available on payment. Taking a look at entertainment fare brings some other aspects of cultural invasion. But the most important question that arises out the context that whether we would be able to complete international media enriched with alluring contents having such controlled system of communication. Isere, one has to have a mounting pile of arguments to substantiate this phenomenon of no autonomy for television in Pakistan. Autonomy of PTV does not mean the freedom of information only but autonomy embraces the four different but integrated areas, which are administrative autonomy operational autonomy financial autonomy and ideological autonomy (Pakistan Television 1976). MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was conducted in the Sector F-7/4 Islamabad and Satellite town block A Rawalpindi. The researcher conducted the investigation at there without the gender discrimination and both quantitative and qualitative information was collected by using an interview schedule comprised of close ended and as well as open ended questions. A sample of one hundred and twenty households from the locales was selected by using systematic random sampling technique. Keeping in view the objective of the study, an interview schedule was developed to

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gather relevant information from the respondents. The interview schedule was pretested before the collection of data so as to remove any possible errors or omissions before giving it a final shape. Finally, the interview schedule comprising a set of relevant questions was prepared for the purpose of collecting the required information. In the present study 4 key informants were identified from community who helped the researcher to investigate the topic of research from various perspectives. These key informants not only provided a helping hand during the collection of quantitative data but also gave the assistance while in-depth interviews. The close ended data were gathered by researcher along with key informants and hence analyzed through spss version 14.0. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The intention of the study to converse with the respondents and to dig up their responses regarding the significant focus to know about the level of entertainment provided by both the channels and how much those channels are successful to raise social issues and viewers perception about TV programs of PTV and Geo Entertainment channels. The outcomes which are drawn from the respondents in the spot light of the objectives are discussed and summarized to give the conclusions. Major analyses are presented below: Table. 1: Distribution of Respondents regarding Watching TV

Responses Frequency Percentage

Often 71 59.2%

Off and On 43 35.8%

Never 6 5.0%

Total 120 100

Table illustrates that 59.2 percent of respondents watch TV more often and overall percentage of respondents who just turn the T.V on and off were 35.8 percent. There were only 5 percents respondents who do no watch TV at all. We can conclude from this particular table that T.V is regularly watched all around with a higher level of percentage. Table. 2: Distribution of Respondents regarding Spending Time for Watching TV.

Responses Frequency Percentage

1 hour or less 39 32.5%

2-4 hours 42 35.0%

5-6 hours 26 21.7%

7-8 hours 10 8.3%

+9 hours 3 2.5%

Total 120 100

Table explains that 32.5 percent of the respondents were in habit to watch TV one hour or less than one hour. The maximum percentage of this table shows

that 35 percent of the respondents were watching TV 2-4 hours in a day. There were 21.7 percent respondents who watch TV 5-6 hours and 8.3 percent respondents watch TV 7-8 hours. There were only 2.5 percent respondents who like to watch TV more than 9 hours. So, we can conclude from this table that the most of the people who watch television lye in the category of 2-4 hours. The basic reason behind this aspect is that people usually get 2-4 hours of spare time in a day and the best way to spend that particular time is by watching television program. Table. 3: Distribution of Respondents regarding Specific time for Watching TV

Responses Frequency Percentage

Morning 19 15.8%

Afternoon 20 16.7%

Evening 40 33.3%

Late night 41 34.2%

Total 120 100

Table reflects that 15.8 percent respondents watch TV in the morning and the percentage of those respondents who watch TV during afternoon were 16.7 percent. The respondents who tend to watch TV in the evening were 33.3 percent. The percentage of respondents who watch TV late night was 34.2 percent. Target audiences were keener to watch TV late night because better entertainment can be attained at this time. They really do not have any task or work to improvise at late night and there will be no disturbance for the viewers as well. Table. 4: Distribution of Respondents regarding Favorite TV Channel

Responses Frequency Percentage

PTV Home 52 43.3%

Geo Entertainment

68 56.7%

Total 120 100

Table exposes that 43.3 percent respondent like to watch PTV Home channel as their favorite channel. The respondents who like to watch Geo Entertainment was 56.7 percent. It means that maximum respondents like the Geo Entertainment channel as their favorite channel. One of the major reasons behind higher preference of Geo Entertainment is due to its easier availability through numbers of cable operators in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The second reason behind its preference is that viewers are interested in reality shows, award ceremonies and even watching Indian movies and programs. The third major reason is that people can attain versatility in their programs through Geo Entertainment and they will not be able to get such versatility through PTV Home because of irrelevant repetition of already telecasted programs.

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Table. 5: Distribution of Respondents Resolving the Social Issues of Daily Life by Watching PTV Home

Responses Frequency Percentage

Yes 76 63.3%

No 44 36.7%

Total 120 100

Table indicates that 63.3 percent respondent accepted that they got help to resolve their problem by watching the drams of PTV Home because PTV shows the reality and most of their programs are much closer to the reality as compared to the programs being shown on Geo Entertainment. Their response to this particular question was a more positive because they said that PTV dramas are purely home based and the problems which are shown in these dramas are much closer to the life of any individual. These programs are good for any individuals and one can certainly get something good out of all the programs and dramas being shown on PTV home a. The numbers of respondents who gave their answers in No were only 36.7 percent respondents. They think that this channel is way behind the actual scenario of this particular society and they do believe that the social issues being shown on this channel are not considered to be very important so this is the reason why they gave their answers in NO. They added that they are unable to get any kind of help with these programs because they do believe that PTV home is not improvising according to the requirements of their viewers. Table. 6: Distribution of Respondents Resolving the Social Issues of Daily Life by Watching Geo Entertainment

Responses Frequency Percentage

Yes 66 55.0%

No 54 45.0%

Total 120 100

Table designate that 55 percent respondent gave the answers in Yes showing that they are able to resolve their problem by watching the various programs of Geo Entertainment. There were 45 percent respondents who gave the answers in No concluding that they do not get help from any of the programs which are shown on Geo Entertainment. They just said that they were unable to get any help because Geo Entertainment is a pure entertainment channel and most of their programs are improvised to entertain people. They just watch this channel in order to get entertained rather than watching them just to solve their complications and issues. CONCLUSION Through present research, it was found that most of the respondents watch television often. And there were small numbers of respondent who do

not watch television. In the conducted research it can be seen clearly that people spend two to four hours for watching television. And the timing of watching television is late night mostly. Respondents liked the PTV home the most, as comparative to Geo entertainment. Accepting PTV Home, the reason is that it is still working and trying to give the original picture of Pakistani culture. And the Geo Entertainment is following the Indian channel policy. In this way it is destroying our culture. Respondents admired that watching PTV home gives them idea to resolve the issues of daily routine life, because it is nearer to the real face of our society. Where they accepted that Geo Entertainment is not helpful in this regard, because its always shows the wrong picture of the society. Whereas our Pakistani society is not same as it depicts. REFERENCES Naik, Zakir

2005 Media and Islam War or Peace.

Episode 37, http://www.deen-ul-

islam.org/archives/15961

Zia, Anjum 2007 Effect of Television on Women in

Pakistan: A Comparative Study of Heavy and Light Viewers in Lahore. PhD Dissertation Dept. of Communication Lahore College for Women University.

Jacobson, Harvey. K.

1969 Mass Media Believability: A Study of Receiver Judgments, Journalism Quarterly, Spring.

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2003 Cable Television Network in

Pakistan: Introduction, Development,

Prospects and Dilemmas. Unpublished M.

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Communication. University of the

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Society: A Case Study of Lahore. Unpublished Masters thesis, Department of Mass Communication, University of the Punjab. Pakistan.

Spengler, Oswald

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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

2015The Explorer Islamabad Journal of Social Sciences-Pakistan