NBTC panel sticks to 12 TV licences

The watchdog has, however, postponed a decision on revising the breakdown of the 12 channels into four high-definition (HD) and eight standard-definition (SD) channels. The original plan was for all 12 channels to be in the SD format.

The moves are key parts of the NBTC’s allocation of spectra for public service under the National Broadcasting Master Plan 2012-2016. 

Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the broadcasting panel, yesterday said the watchdog would now work on further details of the guidelines and specifications for a “beauty contest” among potential bidders, which is expected to kick off in May or June. 

Natee added that his panel had agreed to divide the 12 public channels into two groups. The first comprises the Army’s TV5, the Public Relations Department’s Channel 11, and Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS). The three public-TV broadcasters will be able to transmit their programmes via both analog and digital channels during the simulcast period. 

While undertaking such digital broadcasting, the stations must each pay 2 per cent of their total income to the NBTC for the licence fee, and another 2 per cent for a research and development fund. The licences will be valid until their analog terrestrial-TV stations are ready to be switched off.

The NBTC has categorised the other public TV channels into a second group for new players. 

One of these will be the Thai PBS Learning Channel, with the others covering eight fields: educational, science and cultural purposes; sports and public health promotion; national security; religious purposes; public safety and security; government and public relations; promotion of democracy; and public service for children and disabled people.

Broadcasters in both groups will be granted four-year licences.

Natee reaffirmed that after a technical test-run by the Army, MCOT and Thai PBS in conjunction with the NBTC early this year, the watchdog had found that there were available spectrum slots for three to five HD channels and eight public SD channels for public broadcasting. 

“We will finalise the right number of HD and SD channels once the guidelines for the beauty contest are complete,” he added.

In a beauty contest, applicants set out their cases for being awarded licences on the basis of the criteria set out in the invitation to bid.