Public TV channels to get 10 minutes of ads per hour

The two operators of public digital television will be allowed to sell up to 10 minutes of advertising per hour to sustain their business but not for making profit, said the head of the broadcasting regulator. 

Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), said that to make things clear before the auction of 24 commercial digital-TV licences in the fourth quarter, his panel yesterday approved in principle an additional rule governing the upcoming beauty contest for two public-TV licences, one for broadcasting content regarding public security and the other for promoting public safety.      

Natee explained that the committee wanted to make sure this was fair for commercial TV licence holders because they feared that these public TV operators could end up competing with them for advertising revenue.

For the licence for a public-safety channel, potential applicants are ministries or their departments, public organisations and independent bodies that have responsibility in this area. Foundations and associations that wish to apply for this type of licence must be certified by the relevant authority and have been operating for more than five years.

Public-TV broadcasters for public safety must produce programmes mainly related to law enforcement, safe transport, traffic reports, cyber-crime and laws, employment, health issues, food and drugs, epidemics, and disaster and travel warnings. Of total airtime, 70 per cent must be dedicated to such content.   

Natee said both public-TV broadcasters would be able to sell up to 10 minutes per hour for advertising but not more than 192 minutes per day. 

The draft rule will go for public hearing by next month and will be implemented by the first quarter of next year. 

The beauty contest for this type of licence will be held by mid-2014. These public TV channels will take to the airwaves in standard definition.

In a separate matter, to prepare for the licence auction for commercial digital TV, yesterday the NBTC appointed four committees to oversee the application process, for the sale of application forms, their submission, screening of applicants and preparations for the auction itself.  

These four panels will operate under six-month terms. 

The application forms for those who wish to take part in the auction will be available at the NBTC office from today until Wednesday. The submission period will be from October 28-29.