NBTC may relax content rules for digital TV news channels
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In response to industry input, the national broadcasting regulator may ease its content rules to allow commercial digital terrestrial TV operators in the news category to devote just 50 per cent of total airtime slots to news and documentary programming,
Natee Sukonrat, the chairman of the broadcasting committee at the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), said yesterday that the adjustment in the rules governing TV programming in the news category followed a public hearing on the proposed auction rules last month.
It was also in line with further advice offered by the NBTC office.
Because seven news channels will be in commercial service after the commercial digital TV licence spectrum auction in October, TV broadcasters in this segment should have greater flexibility in terms of TV programming than digital TV channels in the public-service category, Natee said. Those public digital terrestrial TV broadcasters must commit to producing news and documentary programming for more than 75 per cent of total airtime slots, the chairman said.
Moreover, the broadcasting committee may also revise the minimum price increase for each bidding round for a children’s-programming licence to Bt2 million from the Bt1 million called for in the first draft. The starting price is set at Bt140 million for each of the children’s channels.
Bt1 millon per round was considered too small a gap, Natee said.
The committee will also propose a plan to set up a joint panel comprised of members from its telecom and broadcasting committees to address the future of the 700-megahertz band and the re-farming of the 470-510 MHz spectrum for broadcasting.
The telecommunications committee wishes to utilise the 700MHz spectrum for broadband wireless service in the future, but the broadcasting committee plans to reserve the 510-790MHz range for digital TV.
Reclaim of range
To handle this problem, the NBTC will reclaim the range of 470MHz-510MHz for digital TV broadcasting. Currently, TOT owns the 470MHz spectrum band, which it uses to provide cellular service in remote areas.
Meanwhile, spectrum in the range of 700MHz is also being used for analog terrestrial TV broadcasting of Channels 3 and 7.
Natee added that the Frequency Allocation Act protects their concessions until they end – in 2020 for Channel 3 and 2022 for Channel 7.
Thus, the joint panel would study this issue further before making a decision.
