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Prime TV - news archive

This is an archive of news about Prime TV. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

Two factual shows on Prime TV go on the air
From Biz Asia. Posted May 7 2008, 9.01pm
Two new factual shows have begun on Prime TV. The first is 'Access Law', which the channel describes as a "complete interactive legal programme covering all aspects of UK immigration law". The show has been launched to educate the viewers by providing an in depth and user-friendly guide to the ever changing law and policy implemented by the Government in relation to immigration law. 'Access Law' is presented by Kashif Majeed, who himself is a member of the Immigration Lawyers Practioners Association (ILPA) and a registered member of the Law Society's Immigration Law Panel. 'Access Law' is shown Wednesdays at 22:00. The other programme 'TalkBack' is an import from Dawn News, a part of Prime TV's syndication deal with the Pakistani news broadcaster. 'TalkBack' is a definitive one-on-one show. Portfolio of guests include national and international political leaders, entertainers, corporate gurus and individuals who have a hand in creating extraordinary news. 'TalkBack' is shown Mondays at 22:00. Related link: Prime TV in syndication deal with Dawn News (more)

Three new entertainment shows to Prime TV
From Biz Asia. Posted April 22 2008, 7.30pm
After it successfully incorporated news bulletins from Pakistan broadcaster Dawn, Prime TV has now announced the addition of three new entertainment properties. 'Xtra Light' - a new gossip show taking viewers behind the glitz and glamour of the showbiz Lollywood world. It takes the 18:30 slot on Sundays. A new drama serial - 'Doosra Sach' is based on real life incidents and social evils. 'Doosra Sach' explores what really goes on behind the newsmakers and news writers. The serial will be shown Wednesdays at 21:00. Another short drama 'Kaantoun Se Agay' takes the weekday slot (Thursdays at 20:00). It's a story of a young and determined woman, Dr. Nazish who is trying hard to maintain a balance between her career and her personal life. With her relationship with her husband at stake, will Dr. Nazish give up her career and protect her relationship or will she be able to save both her career and relationship? The answers are in 'Kaantoun Se Agay'. Related link: EXCLUSIVE: Prime TV talks Dawn News deal (more)

Sunrise TV signs up to official body BARB
From Biz Asia. Posted April 11 2008, 11.56am
Sunrise TV has signed up with the Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB) to officially measure its viewership. The channel, which is still yet to officially launch, is available on Sky Digital and becomes the third Asian channel in recent months to have its viewership measured. Mainstream terrestrial and digital multi-channel services subscribe to BARB, however Asian TV channels have until recently stayed away from such mechanics of audience measuring. Last October saw Prime TV become the first Asian channel sign up with BARB. Related links: Doordarshan India signs to audience measuring body Prime TV signs audience measuring body BARB Sunrise TV begins testing ahead of Sky launch? Sunrise TV to launch in early-February? (more)

EXCLUSIVE: Prime TV talks Dawn News deal
From Biz Asia. Posted March 18 2008, 10.15am
BizAsia.co.uk this week reported on Prime TV's exclusive UK deal to telecast certain programme bands from Pakistan's Dawn News channel. To follow up that news piece, we spoke to Prime TV's Programme Controller Erum Masood to get an insight into what this development means for viewers... Firstly, what kind of shows can viewers expect from Dawn News and secondly, why did you opt for an English news broadcaster? Prime TV's- strength has been its content delivery and the relationship it has built with the viewers over the last nine years. As the first ever Pakistani Channel, Prime has always focused on bridging the gap between the British Pakistani and Asians by showcasing the improvised and modern image of the country and for the people in the UK. Dawn needs no introduction in the media world, internationally. It is the largest publication house in the country and is providing services to the people of Pakistan since last 60 years. I guess the primary reason is the message through its content that will reflect on our viewers as a better source of communication through its medium, which is 100% English. As far as the kind of shows and the views of the viewers are concerned they will not be disappointed, 'The Breakfast Show' - which will be on air Mon - Fri will be a new Dawn on Prime and will add flavour for our morning viewers mainly housewives. 'News Eye' the primetime show which is basically a news / current affairs show will definitely make the viewers hooked on to screen besides these there are other shows which are designed in a fashion that cater to the young / British Asians and the professional individuals. With this perfect blend of entertainment, news and social and current affairs programme, what else can the viewer ask for? What kind of reaction are you expecting from viewers after they have experienced Dawn? It is too early to say what would be the reaction of my viewers but as a programming person the viewers will always watch, what you would like to show as long as it's properly timed and beautifully packaged! I am confident that it will be good and the results will speak for themselves. What's the one show from Dawn are you hoping will become the channel driver? Our main driving force will always be our entertainment programmes; even today Prime drama serials and shows like 'Salaam Namaste' and 'Khowja Navid Ki Adalat' take majority of the audience share. But, I personally would say 'News Eye' and the 'Breakfast Show' will be a good blend. Prime TV will phase out the Urdu news broadcast on its channel to make way for shows it is synidcating from Dawn News. Prime TV is also the UK's first Asian TV channel to subscribe to the audience measuring body - BARB. Related links: Prime TV in syndication deal with Dawn News Prime TV signs audience measuring body BARB (more)

The BBC's sports coverage can be a real test of stamina
From Media Guardian. Posted February 26 2008, 12.50am
Last weekend the BBC devoted 12 straight hours of prime TV real estate almost entirely to sport. Even for a veteran armchair sports omnivore like Barney Ronay, it was too much of a good thing (more)

Prime TV announces launch of new drama
From Biz Asia. Posted December 24 2007, 2.03pm
Prime TV has announced the launch of its new drama starting in January. 'Lagan' is a tale of deceit & betrayal set in the picturesque mountains of Malam Jabba. The cast consists of Uzma Gillani, Noman Ejaz, Imran Khan, Faisal Qureshi, Fiza Ali and Ayesha Sana. According to a press note released by the channel, "'Lagan' is a story about a controlling mother (Uzma Gillani) who is passionate about her son (Faisal Qureshi) and her daughter (Fiza Ali) to the extent that she would do anything to keep them away from the world. She influences her son, who idealises and worships her and does everything to keep his demanding mother pleased. Little did the daughter know what destiny had in store for her...she falls in love. The drama then revolves around how the mother plots a conspiracy against her daughter’s lover and tries to get rid of him." 'Lagan' launches on Prime TV on Thursday 3rd January and will occupy the 20:00 slot. (more)

New celebrity talk show debuts on Prime TV
From Biz Asia. Posted December 18 2007, 9.53pm
Free-to-air Pakistani channel Prime TV has announced the launch of its new celebrity chat show called 'Salam Namaste'. According to a release, 'Salam Namaste' is a groundbreaking talk show that is the first ever joint venture between the television industries of Pakistan and India. The programme will be fronted by Mishi Khan who will interview the likes of renowned lyricist Javed Akhter to music guru Himesh Reshammiya to actors like Diya Mirza, Boman Irani and fashion designers like Neetu Lula. 'Salam Namaste' airs Tuesdays at 21:30. (more)

Prime TV announces line-up of new shows
From Biz Asia. Posted November 13 2007, 9.37pm
Popular Pakistani broadcaster Prime TV has announced three new additions to its already exciting line-up of shows. Firstly a new drama serial called 'Yunhi Kabhi Kabhi' launches on Saturday 1st December at 20:00. Its a true portrayal of eternal turmoil of the human condition with characters brought to reality by Uzma Gillani, Zhallay Sarhadi, Sonia Rehman and Khayam Sarhadi. Another new serial titled 'Jeevan' occupies the Monday evening schedule at 20:00. This is a story about two brothers who share a love-hate bond. One wants to be rich over night, taking the wrong path while the other wants to work hard to accomplish his goals. A new show fronted by Sahir Lodhi launches soon on the channel. "He is a wizard of words; he can champion a cause or charm an audience; be it poetry or prose he is equally eloquent with both; from social satire to tributes and ovations! From song and dance to serious reflections! Everything on The Sahir Lodhi Show!" (more)

Prime TV gears up for three new shows
From Biz Asia. Posted October 19 2007, 12.32am
Prime TV has announced the addition of three new shows in the coming days. A top ten music chart show called 'Prime Asian Music' will occupy the Monday to Friday 17:30 slot to target young British Asians. There's also the launch of a new drama called 'Meher', which follows on from the success of Prime TV's current Pak-Indo series 'Pyar Ho Janay Do'. 'Meher' is the story of a Muslim girl who enters a world of deceit and conspiracy after she gets married. The show will air daily at 19:00. Viewers who are looking for an escape from hard-hitting news and drama can watch a new sitcom called 'Kunwarey Becharay', which is about four bachelors who are unlucky in finding love. Their failed attempts to impress the opposite sex lead to exceptionally comical situations. 'Kunwarey Becharay' will air Wednesday evenings at 18:30. (more)

Prime TV signs audience measuring body BARB
From Biz Asia. Posted October 8 2007, 9.09pm
In a first for an Asian TV channel in the UK, Prime TV has signed up with the Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB) to officially measure its viewership. (more)

Biz Exec: Haroon Khan - Prime TV
From Biz Asia. Posted August 19 2007, 1.11pm
Biz Exec: Edition 8 This feature on BizAsia.co.uk brings you a special series of interviews with UK media executives and personnel. Our Biz Exec this week is: Name: Haroon Khan Organisation: Prime TV Title: Chief Executive Officer To read the full interview click here. Previous Biz Exec with: •Bob Shennan from BBC Asian Network •Surjit Ghuman from Panjab Radio •Gurjeet Bains from Eastern Media Group •Jasbir Singh Derewal from Channel Punjab •Fayaz Ghafoor from ARY Digital UK •Nick Thind from STAR Network UK •Rajan Singh from Sony Entertainment Television Asia UK Don't miss out on yet another special rendezvous with a top media executive in the UK Asian media field soon on BizAsia.co.uk, the UK's only Asian media news website. Watch out for interviews with executives from ZEE Network, Doordarshan UK, B4U Network, Sunrise Radio, and Geo UK over the coming days! If you have anu questions for our Biz Execs...please contact us by clicking here. (more)

Biz Exec: Fayaz Ghafoor - ARY Digital UK
From Biz Asia. Posted June 24 2007, 4.56pm
Biz Exec: Edition 3 This feature on BizAsia.co.uk brings you a special series of interviews with UK media executives and personnel. Our Biz Exec this week is: Name: Fayaz Ghafoor Organisation: ARY Digital Title: Vice President for Europe To read the full interview click here. Previous Biz Exec with: Nick Thind from STAR Network UK Rajan Singh from Sony Entertainment Television Asia UK Don't miss out on yet another special rendezvous with a top media executive in the UK Asian media field next week on BizAsia.co.uk, the UK's only Asian media news website. Watch out for interviews with executives from ZEE Network, Channel Punjab, Prime TV and Geo UK over the coming days! (more)

Three new shows to jazz up Prime TV
From Biz Asia. Posted June 18 2007, 11.36pm
Prime TV is launching three new shows to jazz up its existing programming line-up. Two of the three shows are drama serials - 'Pyar Ho Janay Do' and 'Aurat Kahaani'. The third is a celeb chat show called 'Gup Shup with Sania Saeed'. 'Pyar Ho Janay Do' will be the first Pak–Indo play to be aired on the channel. This multi-star serial features some of the most famous names from both countries including Tina Parakh of 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii' and Pakistani model Vaneeza Ahmad. Legendry actor Shakeel plays the role of their father and the versatile Saba Peraviz is the perfect mother. 'Aurat Kahaani' as the name suggests is based on the true incidents involving women. Each episode depicts the torture, sexual discrimination and harassment which most of the women still suffer from. Its directed by Haroon Rashid and produced by Rubina Haroon. (more)

ARY Digital to re-bundle channels from April
From Biz Asia. Posted March 20 2007, 8.30pm
ARY Digital is restructuring its channel package to attract new subscribers. Come April, the popular Pakistani broadcaster will encrypt its channels One World and QTV. The two latter channels will then only be available free to viewers who subscribe to the flagship service ARY Digital. Since One World and QTV launched in January 2006, both have been free-to-air on Sky Digital. The latest move is seen to offer existing subscribers better value for money. Also with the two channels being free for a year, the broadcaster hopes the "sampling period" will be enough to generate new subscribers. The network's fourth channel The Muzik will continue broadcasting free-to-air. The change takes place week commencing Monday 16th April. Currently, ARY Digital is the only premium Pakistani service. Last year, rival Prime TV announced it was going free-to-air on Sky Digital. Geo UK remains to broadcast free too. New rivals PTV Global and Indus TV are sure to rustle a few more feathers when they launch later in the year. Related links: PTV Global readies March launch Prime TV revamps and goes free-to-air ARY channels launch on Sky Digital (more)

Foreign cartoons barred from prime TV slot
From Media Guardian. Posted August 14 2006, 1.00am
Regulators in China have barred foreign cartoons from television in the 'golden hours' of 5pm to 8pm to try to protect its animation studios. (more)