GTC Punjabi arrives in UK; set for face-off with PTC Punjabi, ZEE Punjabi & Panjab TV
The arrival of GTC Punjabi has intensified competition in the UK’s Punjabi television market.
The channel, led by Rabindra Narayan, formerly at the helm of PTC Punjabi, launched swiftly after his departure from his previous network. With its AI‑driven programming strategy, GTC Punjabi is positioning itself as a modern, technology‑forward alternative, but its success will depend on how effectively it distinguishes itself from long‑established rivals.
PTC Punjabi continues to dominate the market, largely due to its deep cultural roots and loyal audience base. Its most defining feature is the live broadcast of Shabad Gurbani from Shri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar, a spiritual offering that remains unmatched in scale. The channel, however, carries a political tint, as it is largely owned by Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Its schedule includes news from PTC News, Punjabi films, dramas and music shows, alongside its flagship reality franchise ‘Voice of Punjab’, which remains one of the diaspora’s most popular programmes.
ZEE Punjabi, backed by the media giant ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited, made a strong impact when it launched in India in 2020 and later expanded to the UK in 2024. Despite its strong brand presence, recent reports indicate that the channel has discontinued its original programming, reverting to reruns. Its current output leans heavily on twice‑daily Punjabi films and Gurbani broadcasts in the mornings and evenings, offering a more traditional and less varied schedule.
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Panjab TV, launched in 2025, is the television extension of the UK’s leading Punjabi radio station, Panjab Radio. It differentiates itself through locally produced content filmed in London, tailored specifically for British Punjabi viewers. Its programmes focus on immigration issues, profiles of entrepreneurs and business leaders, and coverage of community events across the UK. The channel also carries licensed content from international broadcasters and airs Punjabi films nightly at 21:30, though the titles tend to be modest rather than blockbuster offerings.
GTC Punjabi, still in its early phase, is positioning itself as a strong challenger with a blend of Shabad Gurbani, news from GTC News, film slots and music‑led entertainment. The channel broadcasts major Punjabi film titles every day at 12:00 midday, giving it a consistent appointment‑viewing slot. Its Shabad Gurbani comes from Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib, airing daily from 02:00 to 07:30, mirroring Panjab TV, which also broadcasts Gurbani from the same gurdwara. These offerings give GTC Punjabi a culturally rooted foundation, but for the channel to truly stand out in a crowded market and challenge PTC Punjabi’s long‑held dominance, it will need to establish a distinct editorial identity, sharpen its programming strategy and build sustained viewer loyalty.
GTC Punjabi is available free‑to‑air on Sky channel 770.
