NBTC slaps fine on TrueVisions
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TrueVisions is ordered to comply with NBTC rule within 4.30pm tomorrow.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's broadcasting committee agreed to impose penalties on TrueVisions and called for the immediate end to pending actions that take consumers as "hostages".
The penalties followed TrueVision's failure to get the Euro 2012 re-broadcasting signal from free TV operators and its failure to fulfill promises to subscribers, the committee said in a statement.
The committee today promptly sent a warning to TrueVisions, demanding it to comply with the order with 4.30pm tomorrow. Failing to do so, it will be subjected to a daily fine of Bt20,000.
Natee Sukonrat, an NBTC commissioner and chairman of the broadcasting committee, said that for failure to get the re-broadcasting signal, TrueVisions violated the NBTC instruction on June 7 that it must fulfill its promises to subscribers.
At today's meeting, the committee also came up with two other resolutions, aimed at preventing another broadcasting mishap.
First, TV operators' past behaviours which influence market competition and consumers would be a factor in future licensing rules.
Second, the sub-committee on consumer protection must launch an investigation into the fact why some consumers do not have access to the Euro 2012 broadcasting.
"The mishap shows the exploitation of legal loopholes, by taking consumers hostages for business interests. Though this concerns a private-to-private negotiation, they should be concerned about the impacts on the general public and consumers. The broadcasting committee is calling for an end of any action, which are affecting or depriving the rights of consumers. These issues would be used to consider future licensing," Natee said.
Though the tournament started on June 8, TrueVisions has not yet been successful in getting the re-broadcasting signal. Those watching free TV channels through its network are offered replacement programmes, when the channels broadcast the matches.
To ease subscribers' woes, TrueVisions today announced service upgrade to all subscribers, during June 10-July 11. Those with Platinum package will be entitled to the 9-channel A La Carte package, the Gold Package will have access to the Platinum Access, and those with other packages can access True Sports channels.
GMM Grammy, the authorised broadcaster of the tournament, issued a statement today urging TrueVisions to take full responsibility for the 'blank" screens and explain facts to its subscribers. Showing displeasure over the conflict which turns into a social issue, GMM Grammy said that TrueVisions will have to endure the blank screen until UEFA, the broadcasting right owner, would say otherwise.
