Hum TV

Hum TV
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File:Hum TV 2013.png Hum TV logo since January 2013
Country	Pakistan
Broadcast area	Asia Middle East Americas Europe
Network	Hum Network
Headquarters	Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Programming
Language(s)	Urdu
Picture format	(1080i 16:9, MPEG-4, HDTV) (2018–present)
Ownership
Owner	Sultana Siddiqui Duraid Qureshi
Sister channels	Hum Masala Hum Sitaray Hum News Hum Europe Hum Pashto 1
History
Launched	17 January 2005 (2005-01-17)
Former names	Eye TV (2005–2011)
Links
Website	www.hum.tv
Availability
Streaming media
HUM TV Live	Watch Live
Sling TV	Internet Protocol television

Hum TV is a 24-hour Urdu-language general entertainment television channel based in Karachi, Pakistan, specialising in dramas, telefilms, reality shows, and award ceremonies targeted at Pakistani audiences. It serves as the flagship brand of Hum Network Limited, a publicly traded media company listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange under the ticker HUMNL, which operates multiple channels including Hum News, Hum Sitaray, and Hum Masala. Launched on 17 January 2005, Hum TV was founded by media executive Sultana Siddiqui, who also established the parent Hum Network in 2004 (initially as Eye Television Network), alongside Duraid Qureshi as a key collaborator in its development. The channel has grown into one of Pakistan's premier entertainment platforms, emphasising high-quality content that entertains and enriches viewers through culturally relevant storytelling, with a mission to deliver outstanding programming using professional best practices for long-term audience engagement. By 2025, marking its 20th anniversary, Hum TV introduced a refreshed visual identity to reflect its evolution and continued innovation in the industry.

Hum TV's programming portfolio features popular drama serials such as Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi and Masoom, alongside events like the annual Hum Awards, which debuted in 2013 to honor excellence in Pakistani television. The channel reaches a global diaspora through live streaming on its official website and maintains a strong digital presence via platforms like YouTube and social media, solidifying its status as a cultural powerhouse in Pakistani media.

History

Founding and Launch

Hum TV was established by veteran television producer Sultana Siddiqui and her son Duraid Qureshi, who served as co-founders and driving forces behind its creation. The channel operated under the umbrella of Hum Network Limited, which had been incorporated earlier as Eye Television Network Limited in February 2004 to lay the groundwork for a new media venture in Pakistan. Drawing from Siddiqui's extensive experience at Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), where she began her career in 1974, the founders envisioned a platform that would promote positive cultural representation and high-quality programming to counter prevailing trends in local media. This initiative stemmed from three years of meticulous planning, including the establishment of Moomal Productions in 2004 as a production arm to develop original content. The channel officially launched on 17 January 2005, from its base in Karachi, Pakistan, marking the debut of Hum Network's flagship offering. As a 24-hour Urdu general entertainment channel, Hum TV was designed to cater to diverse family audiences, with a particular focus on women across socioeconomic segments, as determined through targeted focus group research. Early operations emphasized professional production standards and original Urdu-language content to revive demand for meaningful entertainment in the local market, prioritizing fresh narratives over imported or repeated material. From inception, ownership remained with Hum Network Limited, a publicly listed entity on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, enabling stable funding for content development without immediate structural changes. The channel's programming lineup initially featured a mix of dramas, sitcoms, and light-hearted shows, aiming to engage viewers with relatable stories that reflected Pakistani culture and values. This foundational approach positioned Hum TV as a key player in Urdu entertainment, setting the stage for broader network expansions in subsequent years.

Key Milestones and Growth

In 2011, the network underwent a significant rebranding, changing its corporate name from Eye Television Network Limited to Hum Network Limited on 21 January, which aligned with the channel's evolving identity as a premier Urdu entertainment platform. This period marked a turning point, catalyzed by the immense success of the drama series Humsafar (2011–2012), which achieved widespread acclaim and viewership, propelling Hum TV into what is often regarded as a "Golden Age" of Pakistani television dramas through its compelling storytelling and cultural resonance. Building on this momentum, Hum TV introduced the Hum Awards in 2013 as an annual ceremony to honor excellence in Pakistani television, fashion, and music, with the inaugural event held on 12 March in Karachi, fostering industry recognition and talent development. A major technical advancement followed in 2018, when Hum TV launched high-definition (HD) broadcasting on 1 May, discontinuing its standard-definition feed in Pakistan to enhance production quality, visual clarity, and overall viewer experience amid growing demand for premium content. By the mid-2020s, Hum TV had expanded its global footprint, broadcasting across Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe through dedicated feeds like Hum World HD for North America and Australia/New Zealand, and Hum Europe for European audiences, reflecting sustained viewership growth among the Pakistani diaspora and international viewers. In 2025, the channel commemorated its 20th anniversary with a star-studded celebration on 18 January at the Governor's House in Karachi, featuring live performances, special programming slots, and tributes to its legacy of entertainment innovation. Recent developments from 2024 to 2025 have further diversified Hum TV's revenue mix through strategic partnerships and rights acquisitions, including securing non-exclusive International Cricket Council (ICC) broadcasting rights (shared with PTV and Tower Sports) for major events like the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, alongside increased emphasis on international co-productions to bolster content export and global collaboration. These initiatives have contributed to a 21% year-over-year net profit increase to 2.61 arab Template:PKR in FY24, underscoring the network's adaptive growth in a competitive media landscape.

Ownership and Operations

Ownership Structure

Hum TV has been primarily owned by Hum Network Limited since its inception and launch in 2005. Hum Network Limited, a public limited company incorporated on 25 February 2004, under the Companies Ordinance, 1984, was initially named Eye Television Network Limited before adopting its current name in 2011; it is listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol HUMNL.

The ownership structure remains family-controlled within the Siddiqui-Qureshi network, with no major transfers or changes reported since the company's founding. Duraid Qureshi, son of founder Sultana Siddiqui, holds approximately 47.4% of the shares as chief executive officer and executive director, while Sultana Siddiqui serves as president and executive director; other family members, including Shunaid Qureshi with 5.38% stake, further consolidate control.

Under Hum Network Limited's umbrella, Hum TV integrates with sister channels such as Hum Sitaray, focused on general entertainment, and Hum Europe, targeting overseas Pakistani audiences, all managed through the parent company's unified operations.

Financially, by fiscal year 2025 (ended June 30), Hum Network Limited generated consolidated revenue of approximately 11.5 arab PKR, derived mainly from advertising (the largest stream at around 62% in recent breakdowns), international syndication of content, and digital platforms. YouTube has emerged as a significant contributor, with digital and subscription revenues growing to 2.2 arab PKR at a 30% compound annual rate over the past decade, bolstering the network's diversification amid traditional TV challenges.

Management and Executives

Sultana Siddiqui is the founder and president of Hum Network Limited, the entity owning Hum TV, where she has guided the channel's creative vision and content strategy since its inception in 2005. Under her leadership, Hum TV has become a prominent force in Pakistani entertainment, emphasizing innovative storytelling and family-centric programming that resonates with diverse audiences. Siddiqui's pioneering role as the first woman in the Indian subcontinent to establish a major television network has earned her numerous national and international accolades for advancing media standards.

Duraid Qureshi, Sultana Siddiqui's son and co-founder, serves as the CEO of Hum Network Limited, spearheading business development, operational expansions, and strategic partnerships for Hum TV. His efforts have focused on enhancing the network's commercial viability, including diversification into digital platforms and international distribution to broaden Hum TV's global footprint. In January 2025, Hum Network refuted reports of Qureshi stepping down, affirming his continued leadership amid the channel's 20th anniversary celebrations.

Momina Duraid, married to Duraid Qureshi, acts as the senior producer and creative head at Hum TV, while also leading her independent production company, Momina Duraid Productions. She plays a pivotal role in curating the channel's drama slate, selecting projects that align with Hum TV's commitment to quality narratives and cultural relevance. Her contributions have been key in producing acclaimed series that highlight social themes and empower emerging talent in Pakistani television.