MCOT to end joint talk shows with NBC
MCOT will not renew a contract with Nation Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) under which it jointly produces two news talk shows for its upcoming TV schedule, which begins in July.
Premkamon Tinnakorn Na Ayutthaya, MCOT’s acting president, said yesterday that a Thai News Agency (TNA) team would take over responsibility for news-programme production for Modernine TV, replacing NBC-produced programmes currently broadcast in two time slots.
The current contract between NBC and MCOT expires in June. NBC co-produces two weekday news programmes – “Chao Khao Khon Kon Khao Chao” (morning news talk) and “Khao Khon Kon Khao” (evening news talk).
The move will allow Modernine TV to devote 56 per cent of total available time slots to self-produced news programming, up from 42 per cent now. It projects a 5-to-8-per-cent increase in revenue after taking the airtime back.
The company expects to see improvements in its bottom line and TV ratings, Premkamon said, adding that the TNA had a highly experienced and professional news crew numbering more than 400.
He denied that political pressure was a factor in the decision.
Though NBC’s two news shows generated annual income of about Bt200 million, ratings were low, at level 1, he said.
Apart from these two shows, NBC jointly produces about six hours of news content a day for the ASEAN TV satellite channel. MCOT will also revise this contract, as it is planning to rebrand this channel as MCOT International soon.
A media-agency source has questioned the readiness of Modernine TV’s team to produce programmes that would be capable of boosting advertisers’ confidence and improving ratings.
“Is it a good idea to make a big change in TV scheduling during the selection process for the new [MCOT] president?” the source asked.
