Truevisions in talks over Star World, Channel M renewal

Meanwhile, Fox International Channels revealed via a statement on Tuesday that it was holding talks with the country’s largest pay-TV operator to resume the two channels on TrueVisions after a number of viewers complained widely in social media about the channels’ absence from their screens.
However, Fox Inter-national Channels is only offering TrueVisions a non-exclusive contract renewal to carry the channels on its platform, in line with the US giant’s global policy to broaden channels on to other operators’ platforms as a result of the rise of the pay-TV market.
In this regard, Fox International Channels has reportedly signed a contract to telecast a number of its channels, including Star World and Channel M, through TrueVisions’ key rival, Cable Thai Holding.
CTH has already become a key player in the Thai pay-TV industry after securing the audio-visual broadcasting rights of English Premier League soccer for three seasons starting from this year, beating current rights-holder TrueVisions to the contract.
The offer of non-exclusive rights to Star World and Channel M might be in conflict with TrueVisions’ policy of providing only exclusive content to its subscribers, an industry insider told The Nation.
In the statement, Fox International Channels reaffirmed that it would maintain its relationship with TrueVisions “as a long-standing partnership in the highest regard”. It hopes to find a resolution to the issue as soon as possible.
Star World, launched in 1994, offers a programme line-up of US dramas, comedies, reality shows and special live events.
Highlight programmes include “Glee”, “How I Met Your Mother”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and two globally acclaimed shows exclusive to the channel – “American Idol” and “MasterChef”.
Channel M, launched in 2009, is Asia’s leading channel for lovers of Korean culture, covering music, drama, reality programmes, entertainment news and lifestyle. Highlight programmes include “M Count-down”, “K-Pop Star Hunt”, “KPOP101”, “Kimchi Fan Club”, “The Romance” and “Idol”.
In response to the contract expiry, TrueVisions informed its subscribers that on April 1, it had launched the Life Inspired channel to replace Star World, providing lifestyle content related to food, home, wellness, travel and style.
Attaphon Na Bangxang, TrueVisions vice president for programming, also said that despite the loss of Star World, subscribers were still able to watch highlight programmes such as reality show “American Idol” Season 12 on True 10; “Glee” Season 4 on True Series; “How I Met Your Mother” Season 8 on True Series; and “MasterChef” on BBC Lifestyle.