Australia vs Pakistan: PTV takes Test off air after betting advertisements in broadcast

Pakistan state broadcaster PTV had not broadcast the first day of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan after a gambling sponsor’s graphic was superimposed into the coverage. However, Ten Sports, which also has rights to the series, continued to broadcast the game. As a result, Pakistan will be provided an advertisement-free feed going forward. Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a notification prohibiting “broadcast/distribution of advertisement of surrogate companies which are promoting gambling/betting in different sporting events being telecast/broadcast in the country”. It raised concerns over the Test series not being broadcast in Pakistan, though Ten Sports continued to showcase the fixture at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

If Pakistan do get a feed which adheres to the local laws, the game will theoretically return to the TV screens on PTV as well.

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PTV had issued a statement on Wednesday saying they decided to remove coverage to abide by the government’s “zero tolerance policy” for advertising and “had taken up the issue with the relevant broadcaster”, saying the “series will be telecast live once the matter is resolved”. The first Test, in Perth, had no such concerns and was broadcast on PTV and private broadcasters without interruption.