Matching Maximize to join TV licence auction

Matching Maximize Solution, a leading production house, will join the country’s first auction of commercial digital terrestrial TV licences in October.

“With our long experience in TV production and a strong relationship with Bangkok Broadcasting and Television’s Channel 7, our board yesterday gave the green light to join this bid with the aim to secure a commercial digital TV channel in the standard-definition variety category,” managing director Somboon Cheewasutthanon told The Nation yesterday.

The company expects to budget Bt1.2 billion to Bt1.5 billion for this project, partly financed by bank loans. 

“The company is well prepared for this movement, particularly from the financial aspect. Our debt-equity ratio remains at zero along with Bt800 million in cash flow,” he said. 

The Channel 7 operator’s subsidiary BBTV Production Co, a major shareholder of Matching Maximize Solution, will also support the company in this effort.

The company also plans to build studios and warehouses on the outskirts of Bangkok. The Bt735 million for the project came  from a sale of shares in the last couple months.

Of that budget, Bt250 million to Bt300 million is for the purchase of a 50-rai (8-hectare) site for the facilities, consisting of indoor, outdoor and underwater studios, an equipment warehouse and an office building. 

Construction will commence by the end of this year, with completion expected in a couple years.

The studio complex will be the biggest film-production house in Thailand, with services offered to Asean countries. The company will also use it to produce both film and TV contents.

Matching Maximize Solution produces three programmes – “Plod Nee”, “Plod Nee Special” and “Kop Dek Sang Ban” – for Channel 7.

TV production accounts for 30 per cent of the company’s total revenue, while 40 per cent comes from equipment rental and the rest from TV commercial production, event organising and magazine publication.