ARY Digital Network
ARY Digital Network is a Dubai-headquartered media conglomerate owned by the ARY Group, a holding company established in 1970 by Pakistani businessman Haji Abdul Razzak Yaqoob, which launched television operations in December 2000 by acquiring a private channel to deliver Urdu-language content in entertainment, news, sports, Islamic programming, and music primarily to Pakistani and South Asian diaspora audiences.[1][2][3]
The network's flagship ARY Digital channel specializes in Pakistani dramas, sitcoms, talk shows, and reality programs, complemented by ARY News for 24-hour reporting, ARY Zindagi for lifestyle and family-oriented shows, ARY QTV as a leading Islamic channel, ARY Musik for music, ARY Sports for live events, and ARY Films for distribution.[1][4][5]
ARY Digital Network has expanded its reach through digital platforms, boasting over 38 million YouTube subscribers on its main channel alone, positioning it as Pakistan's largest media entity by online engagement and the premier Urdu-language broadcaster globally.[6][7]
Key achievements include producing blockbuster dramas that dominate viewership ratings and hosting events like the ARY Film Awards to recognize Pakistani cinema, alongside marking 25 years of operations in 2025 under CEO Salman Iqbal's leadership.[8][3]
However, the network, particularly ARY News, has encountered controversies involving regulatory actions by Pakistan's Pemra, including temporary shutdowns and show-cause notices for airing content critical of governments, labeled as seditious or inflammatory, as well as physical threats to staff amid its oppositional stance.[9][10][11]