Reality TV grows up in Pakistan and rap is leading the way

Once considered a risky genre, reality television in Pakistan has quietly turned into one of the country’s most reliable entertainment bets. What started with cooking shows and talent hunts has now expanded into business pitches, social experiments and, for the first time, rap battles. The shift signals a growing appetite among Pakistani audiences for unscripted content that feels local, contemporary and culturally rooted.

At the centre of this transformation is Pixel Entertainment, the production house behind major successes like Shark Tank Pakistan and MasterChef Pakistan. In an exclusive conversation with Nukta, Pixel’s co founders Tariq Qazi and Rizwan Siddiqui spoke about how these shows changed audience expectations and why the next phase of Pakistani reality TV is all about original ideas and bold formats.

The most talked about project in their upcoming slate is Rap Icon Pakistan, the country’s first original rap music reality show. Built as an elimination based competition, the show is designed to bring underground hip hop artists into the mainstream. With Talha Anjum and Bohemia confirmed as judges, the project has already created significant buzz, attracting 500 to 600 audition entries from cities across Pakistan. Production is scheduled to begin in February, with a grand finale planned later in the season.

Beyond rap culture, Pixel Entertainment is also preparing the launch of Pakistan Got Talent, which is set to begin shooting in April and air around June. Following the globally recognised franchise format, the show aims to provide a large scale platform for performers from diverse backgrounds, with the judging panel already finalised and expected to be revealed soon.

Adding a lifestyle focused dimension to the lineup is Bake Off Pakistan, the local adaptation of The Great British Bake Off. With Pakistan’s home baking scene rapidly expanding through small businesses and social media, the show intends to spotlight both skill and creativity. It will be shot after Ramadan and is expected to go on air by June or July.

During the conversation, the founders also explained Pixel Entertainment’s 360 degree content model, where the company handles everything from ideation and production to selling advertising space and taking full financial responsibility. This approach, they believe, allows for greater creative freedom and a stronger commitment to quality storytelling.

With discussions underway for a second season of Shark Tank Pakistan and plans for original web based content, Pixel Entertainment’s roadmap suggests that Pakistani reality TV is no longer just following global trends. It is beginning to define its own.