NBTC refuses TrueVisions request for leniency

TrueVisions is claiming that not being able to broadcast the games was not its fault because GMM Grammy, the holder of the broadcast rights, would not allow free-TV operators to transmit the signal through satellite receivers.
Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC’s broadcast committee, said yesterday that the reasons offered by TrueVisions were insufficient, and since it had refused to broadcast the soccer tournament, it had to pay a daily fine of Bt20,000 for the entire period of the games.
Natee added that some 200 TrueVisions subscribers had also filed complaints over the blank screen shown by the operator instead of the soccer games, adding that it was up to the operator to negotiate with the subscribers and come up with proper solutions and remedial measures.
Once this issue is solved, Natee said, the NBTC would implement the “must-carry” rule, which aims to protect and guarantee people’s basic right to access all free-to-air television content in the Kingdom.
“The must-carry rule was agreed upon by the NBTC’s broadcasting committee four months after it announced the broadcasting master plan,” Natee said.
He added that there were 12 outstanding regulatory drafts that required public hearings before they are revised and submitted for NBTC approval.
The drafts address issues such as permits to import, produce and distribute set-top boxes to pay-TV operators; regulations and guidelines for radio and TV broadcasters during emergencies or disasters; guidelines and a code of ethics for broadcasters; three regulations for changing the analog system to digital; controlling set-top boxes; and setting standards for providing terrestrial digital TV.
Natee said that in the next eight months, the NBTC expects to complete all key broadcast regulations such as rules on governing licences for digital terrestrial broadcasting as well as licences for providers of infrastructure, networks and services for digital terrestrial, cable and satellite TV operators.