The broadcast of the ongoing second Test match between Pakistan and Australia faced disruption in Pakistan due to betting advertisements. State broadcaster PTV suspended the coverage of the Boxing Day Test on December 26th at the MCG in Pakistan.
However, Ten Sports, having the broadcast rights, continued to telecast the Boxing Day Test in PTV's absence.
During the live broadcast of the Australia-Pakistan Test on PTV Sports, the logos of two surrogate companies were repeatedly displayed for several hours across multiple days.
To address the issue, Pakistan's Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a notice barring the broadcast or distribution of advertisements from proxy companies promoting gambling and betting during any sporting events in the country.
As per PEMRA's instruction, the broadcast feed for Pakistan will not have any betting advertisements or content promoting gambling. PTV can resume coverage in Pakistan without featuring such ads.
Now, PTV released a statement, saying: “Pakistan Television (PTV Sports) adhering to the Government of Pakistan’s policy, ‘Zero tolerance for the surrogate Companies’ has discontinued airing the second Test match from Melbourne being played from December 26th, 2023 in lieu of the Pakistan vs Australia Cricket Series 2023-24.”
The statement further reads, “PTV has taken up the issue with the parent broadcaster, reported to PEMRA & the other relevant stakeholders to remove the brand placements of on-ground surrogate companies' advertisements (virtual advertising).
The series will be telecast live once the matter is resolved. PTV as a state broadcaster is endeavoring to get the issue resolved to avoid future blackouts of such transmissions in the territory of Pakistan.”
