NBTC panel gives four state-run digital-TV network operators more room to manoeuvre
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The four state-run digital-TV network operators will have more flexibility to design their network services under three new options, which were approved by the broadcasting panel of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) yester
The first choice, which had already been approved, determines that network operators the Royal Thai Army, MCOT, the Public Relation Department (PRD) and Thai Public Broadcasting Service (ThaiPBS) must manage six standard-definition channels and two high-definition channels.
Under the broadcasting committee’s three new options, each network operator will utilise its authorised bandwidth – a so-called “multiplexer” – to manage three different formats.
The first new option is that they will be able to manage all 12 SD channels for one single multiplexer.
The second is that they can manage one HD channel and nine SD channels, while the third is that they will be able to offer three HD channels and three SD channels to channel operators.
“We hope our newly designed options for the four digital-TV network operators will help them to offer a suitable option to meet demand from the coming 36 digital terrestrial-TV broadcasters [12 public channels and 24 commercial channels],” Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC broadcasting committee, said after his weekly board meeting.
Of the 24 commercial channels, seven will in HD service and the remainder in SD. However, in the public-service segment, the panel has not yet set the exact numbers for SD and HD.
Chalit Lailikit, executive vice president and acting senior vice president for network operations at MCOT, said he believed that such flexibility would allow each digital-TV network provider to have a “plan B” in case it received too many requests from channel operators.
He added that the broadcasting panel might want to make sure there were enough HD channels for public digital-TV broadcasters, particularly existing players like the Army’s Channel 5, the PRD’s Channel 11, and ThaiPBS channel.
Natee also stressed that five multiplexers managed by four state-run TV network operators were sufficient for 12 public and 24 commercial digital terrestrial-TV channels.
The NBTC has reserved another multiplexer for 12 digital terrestrial-TV channels for community-based service in the near future.
“The digital-TV network that is responsible for those community-based TV channels will be allowed to offer channel operators only 12 SD channels,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NBTC’s broadcasting committee yesterday also approved in principle a two-year extension for those cable- and satellite-TV operators that had obtained a one-year temporary licence early this year.
