SATELLITE & CABLE: Star awarded first pay TV licence in Pakistan

<p>Star TV has been awarded the first pay TV licence by the Pakistan </p><p>Telecommunication Authority with the right to distribute the channel to </p><p>local viewers. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The licence enables local cable operators to carry Star TV's services </p><p>legally in Pakistan, which has about 8,000 cable operators across 49 </p><p>cities. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>With more than 1.5 million cable TV households, piracy is an issue in </p><p>Pakistan. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We applaud a licencing regime in which the pay TV industry can flourish </p><p>and viewers ' interest can be safeguarded," said Star chief executive </p><p>officer and chairman James Murdoch. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"The selection of Star as the first pay TV licensee in Pakistan is a </p><p>recognition justifiably reaffirming Star's leading position in the pay </p><p>TV arena in the region." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Meanwhile, Star TV has won 10 awards at Hong Kong Designers </p><p>Association's Design 2000 Show in recognition of the channel's on air </p><p>and off-air creative works. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In other news, Star World has won exclusive broadcast rights of the </p><p>World Wrestling Championship. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In addition, Star Movies also snatched the exclusive telecast rights of </p><p>two boxing bouts featuring Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>