20 digital-TV applicants on day one

In the first day of applications for the coming spectrum auction for 24 commercial digital terrestrial TV channels, 20 companies applied, while other major firms including Surang Prempree’s Chan 25 were expected to do so today. 

Despite facing the risk of disqualification, Bangkok Broadcasting and Television (BBTV), the operator of Channel 7, submitted application documents yesterday. 

The coming auction of TV broadcasting licences is the first of its kind in Thailand, and is in anticipation of the country’s transition from analog to digital technology over the next few years.

Along with its subsidiary BBTV Satelvision, BBTV’s legal team arrived at the office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) about 30 minutes before the application period began at 9am. 

The Channel 7 operator aims to bid for a variety channel in high definition (HD) while its subsidiary goes for a variety channel in standard definition (SD). 

Its decision to join the bid for variety HD was made amid a conflict of interest between BBTV and Surang Prempree’s Chan 25, as both companies have said they are targeting that category. However, both parties are risking disqualification from the auction, as Surang and her spouse combined hold about 21 per cent of BBTV’s shares.

However, Chan 25 did not show up yesterday to submit an application. 

The NBTC’s broadcasting committee will accept applications from the 33 companies that bought bid documents last month until today. The application period is from 9am to 4pm. 

The NBTC will sell 24 channel licences at the auction. Of that total, there are seven channels each for variety HD and SD and news SD, and the remaining three are for children’s SD channels. 

Apart from BBTV and BBTV Satelvision, two existing analog TV broadcasters applied yesterday. They are the operator of Channel 3 and MCOT, the operator of Modernine TV. BEC-Mulitmedia, an affiliate of Channel 3, applied for two variety channels, in HD and SD. MCOT also applied for variety channels in both formats, plus a children’s channel. 

Newcomers also flocked to the NBTC office to submit their applications. Voice TV applied for two licences for a news SD and a variety SD channel. DN Broadcast, a subsidiary of the publisher of Daily News, went for a news SD channel. Rose Media and Entertainment aims for a children’s channel. 

RS Television applied for a variety SD channel while Amarin Television is going for two licences, for variety channels in HD and SD. Meanwhile, 3A Marketing applied for a news SD channel. 

PM Group applied for a variety HD channel while 411 Entertainment went for a variety channel in SD. Both companies are owned by Prayudh Mahagitsiri and family, the country’s 16th-richest with net worth of US$1.15 billion (Bt35.7 billion) from coffee and shipping businesses.      

I-Sport Media, a 50:50 joint venture of Siam Sport Syndicate and Samart Corporation, also appeared and submitted its application documents for a news SD channel.

Triple V Broadcast, a subsidiary of the publisher of Thai Rath newspaper, applied for a variety SD channel. 

Watchara Vatcharapol, chief executive officer of Triple V Broadcast, said yesterday that his team would visit the NBTC again today to submit another application form. The company may apply either for a news SD or a variety HD channel. 

Today, more companies including Chan 25, Bangkok Media and Broadcasting, Mono Group and True Visions Group are expected to make an appearance. 

Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC’s broadcasting panel, said it expected to shortlist the names of qualified bidders within 45 days after the closure of the application period.