TV THOUGHTS: Do cable operators know what viewers want? - Pakistan-India peace process: Rabi-ul-Awwal programmes
Due to my on-going inability (read frustration into this as well) to understand the beauty and the magnitude of the keyboard of the computer I use, I lost about ninety percent of this column last week, just before it was to be sent to Business Recorder. Better than having a road accident, I consoled myself. Then did the column all over again. Was that tough, tiring? In writing it again, I dropped the idea of focusing on the cable operator theme.
But here it is, back The cable operator is integral and essential to the television that we see now, it seems. And the Pemra keeps reminding us that if subscribers have complaints against these operators they should register them with the local offices of Pemra. All sorts of complaints are welcome, relating to the channels, their content, and the quality of the transmission. However, one remains sceptical and cynical about the results. Pemra needs to do much more.
One does not know how satisfied subscribers generally are about the services of cable operators, and how these operators feel about the economics of the business they are in.
Perhaps there is room for communication on this theme, because with the increase in channels, and resultant competition it is likely that a scenario gets created that demands a review of policy, practice, priority and prices. I am unsure whether cable operators are getting the tariff they want.
And I am not sure whether the cable operator is providing me with the best possible service. The cable operator in my office gives me poor audio visual quality, and the choice of channels is not upto the standards required. I do not understand why the channels are stereotyped, and do not take into account the new channels that are surfacing. Is there something being manipulated backstage that the average subscribers do not know and cannot know? Even the cable operator who provides about 40 channels at home hands out a package of channels that are not only entertainment oriented, but also heavily western and Indian in origin.
I would have imagined that in a context when the number of Pakistani channels is destined to increase, and which is happening in point of fact, it would be possible to see Pakistani channels.
I find this strange and unacceptable that a priority should be given to foreign TV channels over Pakistani channels. The answer that cable operators may come up with is that they are compelled to supply what subscribers demand. A supply and demand syndrome. But unless Pakistani channels are made available, for a fair length of time how can subscribers know what they are being denied.
Moving slightly away from this aspect of the cable operator, I want to focus on a day without television channels that I experienced at home on a Sunday this month (10th April).
REASON: the cable operator was shifting his premises. It was by chance, in my channel surfing that I saw the announcement which said that from 10am on Sunday to 10am the next day the cable would be off. I thought of people who may have missed this announcement on their TV sets, and may have kept wondering what had happened.
It was an interesting experience to be without TV that Sunday, and the silence that came. One was able to find more time for the newspapers, and conversations. But at the same time, one also wondered about the news of the day.
Sometimes one gets so seized by a furious desire to know what is happening around us that in retrospect it makes one feel trapped because of this. Sometimes one also wonders whether it really matters what happens. Strange things, this media, in our lives. Living in hurry, living in frenzy. An insanity to know the news. How limited the perspective.
Perhaps this is the right place to bring in the media focus (hype?) on the Pakistan-India peace process, which is also being described as "irreversible" now. Even the cricket that was played between the two countries, and telecast live, engaging millions in the subcontinent as well, was one of the confidence building measures that are being pursued so doggedly, zealously. The optimism is high, but not infectious. The optimism being advocated so assiduously, is cautious, guarded. Perhaps given the real state of relations between the two countries, that is the best way to go about it.
Not just Pakistani channels, but even CNN and BBC have been focusing on the cricket diplomacy that was revived once again (General Zia began it) and then the visit of President Pervez Musharraf to India. There was not only live coverage by some channels underlining some of the programmes in the itinerary, but also discussions with panelists of experts, who were also trying to examine in depth the long term implications of the current peace process. One factor that was repeatedly underlined was the Kashmir issue.
One notices the emphasis there is on avoiding calling it as the Kashmir problem. There are also other changes in perspective that have certainly taken place, both as a result of time, as well as the confidence building measures that are being implemented, but gradually.
Not just those who advocate the given peace process, but even those who may have their cynicism about it, must surely have watched with more than keen interest the live telecasts, and the minor details that are always a big plus for TV audiences. A thought that crossed the mind at times was whether for such occasions, and as part of more confidence building measures it would be possible for TV audiences to have more access to each other's TV channels. I noticed that PTV and other Pakistani channels were using the services of Indian channels.
While citizens in both countries must surely be wondering about what happens next, Kashmiris must also be in that frame of mind. A joint statement issued at the end of President Musharraf's visit, which was read out by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, indicated that leaders of both countries "resolved to grab what they said was a historic opportunity offered by the prevailing atmosphere of peace, and to work sincerely and purposefully for a final settlement of the Kashmir issue".
"The leaders have also agreed to re-establish the Khokhrapar-Munabao route by January 1, 2006, also agreed that the consulates of the countries at Mumbai and Karachi would be opened before the end of the current year", said a news report. The change in tone and content is significant.
Such occasions between the countries make one reflect an the kind of relations that have existed all these years, since 1947. The wars that we have fought, and the hate campaigns that have been carried on, and the bitter, tragic divide. And when there is mention of divide, I think about the divided families. And such families in Kashmir. Images of how emotional the divided families were shown on Indus TV (Mujahid Barelvi seemed aware of the poignance of the reunions) provided fleeting glimpses into the human dimensions that are primary considerations in the pursuit of durable, meaningful, dignified peace between the two countries, in which the Kashmiri people are ensured a just and democratic society.
More than one thought goes out to the role that the media is going to assume in the days ahead, as the goals of peace are pursued. There was a time when there was no television, and print media between the two countries was banned. A changed context now, and it would be interesting to see the enlarged role that television is going to play. Does state managed. PTV, for example, have what it would take to face the challenge, when it comes? And come it will. The past is not good enough.
April 15th, 16th and 17th were interesting, even dramatic days from a TV viewer's perspective. The 15th was the day when Pakistan was playing the Kanpur one-day international. That was a day long passion that reigned supreme. The next day, Saturday brought in focus the arrival of Asif Ali Zardari in Lahore, from overseas.
In fact attention on this political theme emerged from Friday evening amidst reports on what the Punjab government was reportedly doing to "foil the efforts of the People's Party to bring out a rally in the provincial capital." In fact channels, including Aryone were highlighting aspects like the measures being taken to ensure that people did not reach Lahore by train. It made viewers wonder about the politics that is on, and the changes that are being planned, plotted, visualised.
And on the 17th came the last of the one-day international matches between Pakistan and India in New Delhi. A highlight of this game was that President Musharraf also went to it, and this was also shown live. And by the time this cricket match was half way, interest in the Asif Zardari story had begun to decline. That is the way it went. And as Pakistan beat India in the last ODI, interest in the match also faded earlier than visualised.
Islamic programmes, not just on QTV, but also on other channels, are always watched with extraordinary interest, and in fact one has noticed that viewers are now demonstrating an unusual degree of faith and confidence in seeking solutions, guidance and explanations on problems, conflicts, and misunderstandings in their lives. I am, at times, surprised at the candour with which men and women reveal their personal problems, and family issues, to the Ulema, and the Islamic scholars, in live phone-in programmes, for which they also pay by the minute. I have made this observation before as well.
With the auspicious month of Rabi ul Awwal having begun, and with this column scheduled to appear on the 12th of the month, that is Eid e Milad un Nabi, it needs to be underlined that all Pakistani channels will be focusing on it with special programmes, in fact QTV has announced that all its sister channels will be having live all night programmes on this occasion, (beginning Thursday evening) to continue throughout Friday.
Among the extra special programmes that went on air from the first of the month, are lectures by the respected scholar Dr Israr Ahmed. Which reminds me that he also has a regular hour long talk on the beauty, majesty and the relevance of the Holy Quran to our lives, at 10pm daily.
With Rabi ul Awwal every year comes this fascinating opportunity to see the passion with children, (boys ands girls) participate in a variety of related programmes. A good feeling, undoubtedly.
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