TV5 ready for digital service

Last year, the company started construction of a Bt1.6-billion, 22-storey building on the same grounds as the TV5 and Thai Global Network (TGN) stations. The project is expected to be completed and begin operating by late next year.
This new tower will house 12 new studios equipped with digital technology, up from the four studios operating now. “So we will be ready to produce our own TV programmes, particularly live shows, and transmit them in digital format through various digital channels in two years,” Chatchai said.
Under the policy of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC), six broadcasters - BEC’s TV3, TV5, Bangkok Broadcasting Television’s Channel 7, MCOT’s Modernine TV, the Public Relations Department’s National Broadcasting Services of Thailand and Thai Public Broadcasting Service – will begin digital broadcasting for a trial period by December.
Next year, TV5 aims to apply to the NBTC for a licence to operate a public broadcasting service for national-security purposes.
Chatchai said TV5 would also focus on expanding airtime for its own content, particularly news and edutainment programmes, as these have become more popular, according to AGB Nielsen’s TV rating survey. Last month, TV5’s news shows saw a 29-per-cent surge in ratings compared with September 2011.
Besides news, the most popular programmes include “Hardcore Khao” and “Jup Praden Khao Ron”.
Though TV5 has no plan to raise its advertising fees next year, it projects similar healthy growth in revenue as it enjoyed this year.