RAWALPINDI: The Government signed an agreement here with Messrs Nippon Electric Company Ltd., of Japan, to set up two experimental television stations — one at Lahore and the other at Dacca. These pilot stations would be run by the N.E.C. and called N.E.C. television stations. The agreement was signed by Mr Altaf Gauhar, Secretary of information, and Mr Masujima of N.E.C.
The Lahore pilot station is expected to be commissioned on Sept 1, and the Dacca station on Oct 1. Beginning with three hours, the stations will work finally towards a four-hour programme each day of the week, and will be allowed a maximum of 10 minutes of revenue-earning commercial advertising in each hour.
The Nippon Electric Co. will provide all equipment, maintenance, servicing and all other facilities, including programming, at its own cost for a 90-day trial period.
The Company will install 200 community television receivers each at Lahore and Dacca. Some of these receivers will be installed at important public places for community viewing.