| 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 |
| Former names | Eye TV (2005–2011) |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| 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[1][2], 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.[3]
- ↑ "Hum Network Limited Stock (HUMNL)". Market Screener. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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