Zense sets aside Bt400m for new studios, TV content production
In preparation for what it foresees as increasing demand for television programming from terrestrial-based digital broadcasters, Zense Entertainment has earmarked Bt200 million for new studios and another Bt200 million for content development, for both di
Chairman and chief executive officer Varavuth Jentanakul said yesterday that currently the company produced eight programmes, for both analog and the new digital platform, and the company was running at full capacity. Therefore, it needs more studios.
Located on a 9-rai (1.44 hectare) site near Meng Jai Intersection in Bangkok, Zense’s new building will house three studios and offices. Construction is expected to begin this year and be complete by the first quarter of 2015.
The company also plans to invest at least Bt200 million for five new TV programmes. These will include a situation comedy for Channel 7, a reality show related to business start-ups for Bangkok Entertainment Company, the operator of Channel 3, and a game show. For the game show, the company is in talks with two digital TV operators, including GMM Grammy, which runs One HD and GMM Channel.
Because of the political and economic troubles in the first half, the company lowered this year’s revenue target to Bt200 million from the original projection of Bt250 million.
With its new studios and new assignments from TV stations and for event organising, Zense has set next year’s revenue target at Bt300 million. Of that total, 90 per cent will come from TV production and the rest from event projects.
Varavuth acknowledged that the revenue from programme production for digital TV stations such as 3SD and Thairath would still be small next year, between Bt50 million and Bt80 million, while income from the main analog TV stations Channel 7 and Channel 3 would be more than Bt200 million.
“This is a result of the low penetration and awareness of digital TV in the Kingdom,” the CEO said.
