Economic Survey 2025-26 shows cable TV accounted for most new licences as Pakistan’s electronic media sector continued to expand.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued 81 new licences and permissions across various broadcasting categories during the first nine months (July–March) of FY2025-26, reflecting continued growth in Pakistan’s electronic media industry, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26.
The survey shows that, as of March 31, 2026, PEMRA had issued 142 satellite television licences, 240 FM radio licences and 2,951 cable television licences, highlighting the expansion of regulated broadcasting services across the country.
Satellite TV licences reach 142
According to the Economic Survey, PEMRA issued one new satellite television licence during July–March FY2025-26, bringing the total number of satellite TV licences to 142.
The licence was granted in the health category.
The overall distribution of satellite television licences is as follows:
| Category | Licences |
| News and Current Affairs | 49 |
| Entertainment | 47 |
| Regional Language Channels | 21 |
| Education | 9 |
| Sports | 6 |
| Specialised Subject (Non-Commercial/Education) | 6 |
| Health | 3 |
| Agriculture | 1 |
| Total | 142 |
FM radio network expands
PEMRA also continued to expand Pakistan’s FM radio sector during the review period.
The authority issued two new FM radio licences, comprising:
• One commercial FM radio licence.
• One non-commercial FM radio licence.
By the end of March 2026, the total number of FM radio licences had reached 240, including:
• 172 commercial FM radio licences.
• 68 non-commercial FM radio licences.
Cable TV remains largest media segment
Cable television continued to represent the largest category regulated by PEMRA.
According to the Economic Survey, 77 new cable TV licences were issued during July–March FY2025-26, raising the total number of cable television licences to 2,951 by March 31, 2026.
The continued expansion of cable operators reflects sustained demand for television distribution services across Pakistan.
Other broadcasting licences
The survey also reported the following licensing position as of March 31, 2026:
• 28 Landing Rights Permissions, including one new permission issued during the review period.
• Three Mobile TV (Video and Audio Content Provision) Service licences.
• 33 Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) licences.
• One Direct-to-Home (DTH) licence.
• One Teleport (Broadcast) licence.
• Two provisionally registered Television Audience Measurement (TAM) / Television Rating Point (TRP) companies operating in Pakistan.
Licensing status
| Category | Total as of March 31, 2026 | Issued during July–March FY2025-26 |
| Satellite TV Licences | 142 | 1 |
| FM Radio Licences | 240 | 2 |
| Cable TV Licences | 2,951 | 77 |
| Landing Rights Permissions | 28 | 1 |
| Mobile TV Licences | 3 | 0 |
| IPTV Licences | 33 | 0 |
| Direct-to-Home (DTH) Licence | 1 | 0 |
| Teleport (Broadcast) Licence | 1 | 0 |
| TAM/TRP Companies | 2 | 0 |
The Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26 indicates that PEMRA continued to play a central role in regulating and expanding Pakistan’s electronic media landscape. Licensing activity during July–March FY2025-26 was driven primarily by the issuance of new cable television licences, alongside the addition of FM radio stations, a health-focused satellite television channel and a new landing rights permission.