Pakistan DTH Launch Date, Updates and Channel List.

The first-ever Pakistan DTH Service launch is the most anticipated occasion for all TV and Satellite fans across the country in 2022. The recent progress of PEMRA and in some cases by the Supreme Court of Pakistan ensured that DTH service in Pakistan is not just a dream anymore.

A Quick look into Pakistan DTH:

DTH Pakistan launch Date	January 2023 [Expected]
DTH Pakistan Channels List	200+ HD & SD
DTH Service Providers in Pakistan	Mag DTH, Shahzad Sky and StarTimes
Pakistan DTH Satellite	PakSAT-1R at 38 degrees East
Pakistan DTH Box Price	Minimum Rs.10,000 Initial (including DTH Box)
DTH Channel Package Prices	From Rs.500 to Rs.1,500 per Month

All of us have been anxiously waiting for DTH Service in Pakistan since 2016. But this has not happened for almost 6 years now. The Auction of the DTH Service in Pakistan was held back in November 2016.

Anyways today in this detailed review we will look into all the Pakistan DTH-related info. Including Pakistan DTH launch Date, Pakistan DTH Channel List, Price, Satellite which is selected as the service provider, and a detailed review of the Companies expected to start the DTH services in Pakistan.

What is DTH?

DTH stands for “Direct to Home”, A service mainly provided by companies who use Satellites signals to stream their selected Television channels to their subscribers.

The users need to place a dish antenna outside in the open sky to receive these specific signals, Which are then decoded via a special satellite box provided by the company. The box is then connected with a Television set (or LCD/LED) using an Audio/Video Aux cable or the new HDMI cables.

DTH vs Cable Network Services:

As we all know currently Pakistani media is highly dependent on the current Cable Network System. Which is only available in Large cities and towns currently. In a recent survey, it has been proved that almost 70-80% of small towns and villages have no access to this Cable Network.

Moreover, most Cable Operators still work to provide direct analog cable service. Which is the biggest hinder to upgrading the Channel’s quality? Somehow there are some CSPs (Cable Service Providers) who gave Digital Boxes along with a new cable connection to watch HD channels. But they aren’t more than 10-15% of all Cable Network connections issued.

While on the other hand, DTH (Direct To Home) Service does provide a High-End television viewing experience. With more and more channels upgrading to High definition content. It’s the new DTH services that can only provide such HD channels directly to their subscribers to their Homes.

So, in other words, you can say that Cable Network was passed, While DTH is the present and Future of Television broadcasting services.

Pakistan DTH Overview and History:

Now that you understand DTH, you may be asking why there is no such service in Pakistan. That’s because of the non-serious attitude of governments and the easy availability of DTH services from the neighboring country India. In the early days of President Musharaf, back in 2001-02, the talks for DTH services were already there.

Back then Private Media Channels were introduced in Pakistan for the first time. Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was also formed in March 2002. So they started their work and came up with the draft of holding the first-ever DTH service auction in 2003.

But back then Cable Operators and Media Managers of newly introduced Private Channels started protesting against DTH Auction. This keeps on going repeatedly, whenever the Government decided to bring the official DTH service providers in Pakistan.

This keeps on getting delayed and hence Indian DTH services like DishTV, VideoCon, TataSky got famous in Pakistan. More and more people started subscribing to their services. The latest surveys show that well over 5 million Pakistani subscribers pay hefty fees to Indian DTH companies to enjoy their services. Similarly, 2-3 million people watch the same Indian DTH services by cracking their network, Mainly DishTV. Using free and Paid C-Lines on cheap Chinese Satellite receivers.

Pakistan DTH Auction 2016:

The journey that started in 2003 finally made to its destination in 2016. A total of 11 private and semi-private companies attended this Auction. The companies that participated in Bidding for the DTH License include.

1. Orient Electronics Lahore
2. Mag Entertainment Lahore
3. Skyflix Islamabad
4. Smarties Communications Islamabad
5. Sardar Builders Islamabad
6. Smart Sky Islamabad
7. Parus Media and Broadcast Islamabad
8. NayaTel Islamabad
9. Shahzad Sky Islamabad
10. HB DTH Islamabad
11. IQ Communications Karachi

Among these only 3 made it to the final place and were officially awarded the license of the DTH service providers by PEMRA. The best bid was made by MAG Entertainment of Rs. 4.91 Billion, While the second and third places, were occupied by Shahzad Sky for Rs. 4.90 Billion and by Star Time for Rs. 4.89 Billion.

DTH Services Near Me

Here is the list of companies that are going to provide the latest Direct-To-Home (DTH) Services in the future all over Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and other big cities of Pakistan soon.

Pakistan DTH Service Provider Companies:

As you have read above, there were three companies that successfully won the auction of the first-ever Pakistan DTH service providers. The companies are:

• Mag Entertainment DTH
• Shahzad Sky
• StarTime TV

Recently the Supreme Court of Pakistan forces PEMRA to follow the instructions given during the DTH Pakistan Auction and let the companies start their services.

Pakistan DTH Launch Date:

It is expected that the first-ever Pakistan DTH service might launch in March 2022. Fingers Crossed but to this day, there are still no official announcements made by either of the three companies. i.e Shahzad Sky, StarTimes, and MAG DTH service provider.

Also, there are many ground factors making the first Pakistan DTH Launch Date prolonged this far.

Pakistan DTH Packages Price:

The most expected price list would be Rs 500 per month for the base package. While with mega Sports + Entertainment + Infotainment Package with all channels on would cost around Rs.1,500-2,000. While the initial installation and Box price could be a minimum of Rs.10,000. 

Pakistan DTH Channels List 2021 -2023:

Now if the first DTH Service starts in a couple of weeks, i.e in February 2022 Then the first official DTH service provider would be Shahzad Sky private limited. The expected channel list to be initially provided by this company would include the following Pakistani and international channels. The Channels List for the first Pakistan DTH service  looks like this.

1- Family Entertainment Channels to be telecast on Pakistan DTH: 

ARY Digital (HD)	ARY Zindagi
A-Plus	Aaj Entertainment
ARY Family	ATV
BOL Entertainment (HD)	Express Entertainment
Filmazia (HD)	GEO
HUM TV (HD)	H Now Entertainment
URDU 1	TV One
Play Entertainment	PTV Home
Zaiqa TV

2- News Channels for Pakistan DTH: 

3- Sports Channels on Pakistan DTH: 

4- Religious Channels On Pakistan DTH:

1. ARY QTV URDU.
2. Peace TV English.
3. Huda TV.

5- English News Channels on Pakistan DTH: 

DW English World	BBC World
SKY News	FOX News
Al Jazeera	TRT World
PTV World	Tribune 24/7
INDUS TV HD

6- Infotainment / Music/ Food/ Kids Channels on DTH Pakistan:

Filmx	HBO Pakistan
WB Channel Pakistan	8XM HD
Indus Music HD	Oxygen HD
ARY Musik HD	Jalwa HD
HTV	ARY Zouq
HUM Masala HD	Virtual University (4 Channels)
RAAH TV	Business Plus
Style 360	Nickelodeon Pakistan
Cartoon Network Pakistan	Silver Screen
AXN Pakistan	National Geographic

Upcoming TV Channels in Pakistan 2018 -2022:

There are some new Sports Channels expected to be launched soon. So the list of updated Pakistani Channels in 2018-22 is here.

1. PTV Cricket HD (Details here)
2. TEN Sports 2 HD (Details here)
3. A Sports HD
4. BOL Sports HD
5. Fight Sports 
6. Golf One 

Pakistan DTH Service Satellite:

May 2022 Update: Currently Shahzad Sky has started testing some of Pakistan’s HD Channels on a whole new frequency on PAKSAT 38E Ku-band. So we can say that it’s now confirmed, that the official satellite to provide their services for the Pakistani DTH service providers will be PakSAT 38E. Currently, some channels already started shifting to this new satellite.

Which includes AAP News and HUM News HD. These Channels can be found easily on this frequency 12605 Horizontal 29000.

However, the last agreement was signed between Pakistan and China for the launch of a new Satellite called the Pakdth MM1 in a totally different orbit 38.2° East. It is also known to be the contender of the first DTH service in Pakistan.

Pakistan DTH Frequency / TP details:

Satellite Name:	PakSAT
Direction:	38E KU Band
Dish Antenna:	2 feet or 4 Feet
Quality	MPEG 2
Strong TP	12605 H 29000
Current main Focus:	Pakistani Channels Testing

Pakistan DTH Boxes:

Since DTH service needs specific Satellite Boxes. So there are new DTH Boxes in the making. Which will be made available for subscribers once the DTH service starts. We, however, have no images or info regarding these newly manufactured boxes yet.

DTH vs Cable service providers A detailed overview:

Frequently Asked Questions about Pakistan DTH (FAQs):

1)-Will there be any Ban on current Cable network providers?

Right now, it doesn’t look like the PEMRA( Pakistan Media Regulation Authority) is going to ban Cable Network Suppliers in Pakistan.

2)- Is it possible for DTH Service Providers to run along with old Cable networks?

It would be quite tough for DTH service providers to compete with low-quality, low-priced Cable network services. So to get a boosted start for the DTH Service in Pakistan, Either Cable networks have to stop or the DTH service has to offer mega price cuts in their starting packages.

3)- What are the hurdles in starting the first-ever DTH Service in Pakistan?

There are many hurdles including DTH Boxes, Cable Network Providers, and Satellite Charges issues. Some of the issues have been answered here in detail.

4)- Will there be Indian Entertainment Channels in DTH services:

Indian DTH has been illegally available in Pakistan for decades now. Since old Indian DTH users in Pakistan are more into Indian Entertainment channels. Most of them have been asking for this. The answer is NO. There would be no Indian channels to be shown on the Pakistan DTH service.

5) Is there any Chance of  Indian Star Sports or Sony TEN channels to be shown in Pakistan?

Most of the Indian DTH users in Pakistan have been fond of the Indian Sports channels. The two mega-networks, i.e Star Sports and Sony. They telecast most of the World Sporting events live. While not missing a single Cricket Series or League no matter where it is happening. But the bad news here is that Pakistan DTH will not telecast Star Sports, Sony ESPN or Sony Ten channels.

6)- Is there any chance of Sky Sports coming to PAK DTH?

In the current scenario, there is no chance of any such development so for SKYSports the answer is still no.

7)- Which HD sports channels are to be added in PAK DTH 2022?

The most probable guess is that PTV Sports is going to be HD in the coming months. Besides this, the current Pakistan TENSports channel will start High Definition transmission with the launch of the DTH service in Pakistan. Besides this, the new expected sports channels include Geo Super Sports HD, A Sports HD, and BOL Sports HD.

8)-  Will there be any 4K channels on New DTH?

There is no chance of any 4K channels being broadcast right now. In fact, not many 4K channels are continuously broadcasting their transmission right now.

9) Which Company made the first DTH Boxes?

There are no reports yet about the manufacturing of DTH Boxes in Pakistan right now. Only PEMRA has pointed out making new Pakistan’s very own DTH Boxes.

10) What will be the minimum price of DTH Channel Packages?

Since DTH services need a DTH box, Dish Antenna, and Monthly subscription packages. So the minimum initial investment will be around Rs. 10,000, while the monthly packages would range between Rs. 500 to mega HD Packages around Rs. 1,500-2,000 per month.

Conclusion:

With all this progress in recent days, one can surely say that Pakistan’s DTH Service Launch Date is quite near. The continuous shuffle in the frequency of Pakistani Satellite tv channels shows that Pak DTH becoming a reality now.

The Pakistan DTH service is going to launch soon. So be prepared and if you have some high-end LEDs from world-renowned manufacturers. You are going to get high-quality content on your TV’s soon. We will be updating all the news and info regarding Pakistan DTH services. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook so that you don’t miss any new news or coverage.

You can contact us on different Social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter. The links are given below. 

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