he launch of PTV Flix, Pakistan’s first-ever state-run OTT platform, has been well-received, with nearly two hundred thousand subscribers hopping on the platform within less than three weeks of its release.

Unlike most popular international OTT platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, the subscription is free. As for the content, it is strictly local.

The streaming service waslaunched to support the archiving of some of the best drama productions from the golden age of television and to revive interest in those. It does so by making all the PTV plays from yesteryears available to users with one click on the app.

Before the advent of OTT platforms, streaming sites and cable TV, the state-run channel, PTV, was the only source of entertainment for everyone. From tragedies to sitcoms to children’s programmes, it catered to all age groups and varied interests.

When several privately-owned entertainment channels were launched during the ‘media boom’ of the early 2000s, PTV’s popularity diminished. Entertainment and news presentation diversified, and the good old days of PTV became a nostalgia-inducing memory.

For those who have never watched a HaseenaMoin play from the ’80s, it is time to sit back and let the stories of Zara, Sanya, ZubiKhala, DrZoya andDrAhmar bewitch them with their poignancy.

During a tumultuous time in Pakistan’s history, HaseenaMoin managed to pen some of the most forward-thinking and refreshing female characters of all time. They were not only popular with the PTV audiences of 1985, but also remain inspirational today, highlighting the quality of content produced back in the day.

Zara and Sanya of Tanhayianremain favourites for a simple reason: they represented the modern Pakistani women of their time. Importantly, these characters were survivors, not distressed damsels; they faced life’s challenges with resolve.

As with any post-colonial society, an assertion of indigenous culture through art has become a natural resource for Pakistan. TV dramas have a pivotal role in creating and promoting indigenous narratives. The power of this medium can be harnessed to present space and its inhabitants to the outside world.

Television dramas can also serve a higher purpose. They have done so in part by establishing a local identity through stories that are rooted in the society and challenging the stagnancy of narratives that have failed to advance with time.

With this new, easy-to-access platform, one can watch dramas such as Ankahi, Andhera Ujala, and understand the impact of good writing, exceptional direction and simple entertainment. At the same time, it offers a chance for those born after the ’90s to experience the pure joy of watching well-written, well-executed and moving plays that continue to tug at the millennials’ heartstrings.

Moin and her colleagues understood the impact their writing and direction would have on local audiences. In ’60s and ’70s, writers of KhudakiBasti, Warisetc explored themes ranging from family struggles to corruption and the feudal system. It is clear that as TV creators these playwrights not only produced entertaining stories but also realised their social responsibility.

With a platform like PTV Flix, perhaps families will huddle together once more to watch meaningful portrayals of life that have been fading away from the screens.

Today, there is more to watch and to expect every character and plotline to be impactful may be unrealistic – but to expect to see a few well-rounded characters is certainly not unreasonable.

These days, entertainment appears to have changed meaning. Hate-spewing, lying, vindictive, and flat characters have diminished the local stories. Loud colours, extravagant sets and brilliant costumes cannot compensate for the lack of substance.

Perhaps the current generation of content creators should watch theolder works to understand what value-added entertainment is all about.

Quality sitcoms produced in recent years have been few and far between. Other than a fun premise and a captivating plotline, what truly makes a sitcom memorable are endearing characters that live on in the viewers’ memory.

In the past, series like AanganTehra, Ta’leem-i-Balighan and Fifty Fifty set the standard for comedy. It is possible that 20-somethings are not even familiar with the names of these classics, but now they can access them anytime they wish with a click on the new platform.

Programmes created for children - Kaliyaan and AinakWala Jin- are also available on the platform. In the bygone years, the PTV would regularly dedicate slots to children’s programmes.

Today, the lack of indigenous content is truly troubling when it comes to children’s media. The current generation of Pakistani children is deprived of local narratives and contextualised media content tailor-made for their viewership.

The golden age of PTV, a period of thirty-some years from the late ‘60s onwards, is often remembered with fondness. There was an incredible boom in locally produced content during this period. It was a time of high creativity, and some of the most famous shows of all time were produced during these decades.

PTV Flixis allowing viewers to relive the memories of PTV’s golden age. With the introduction of this new, easy-to-access platform, one can watch dramas like AnkahiandAndheraUjalaand understand the impact of good writing, exceptional direction and simple entertainment. It is a chance for those born after the ’90s to experience the joy of watching well-written, well-executed and moving plays that continue to tug at the millennials’ heartstrings.

The writer is a staff member