Key cable, satellite firms to meet NBTC next week

Wichit Aurareevorakul, president of  Charoen Cable TV, said yesterday that his company and others including IPM, PSI Holdings, Infosat, Leotech, Ideasat and Thaisat had discussed the issue with Pravit Maleenont, executive director of BEC World, the parent company of the Channel 3 operator. 

Under the “must carry” rule implemented by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Channel 3 has been technically barred from cable and satellite TV since Tuesday. 

Wichit confirmed that Channel 3’s management had no plan to simulcast its analog programmes over digital channels operated by BEC-Multimedia, a separate sister company. But Channel 3 aims to be accessible by most Thais. 

After this decision, cable/sat operators are seeking firm guidelines from the NBTC on whether they can carry Channel 3 or not. 

“Channel 3 is among the top TV stations in the Thai audience’s mind. If we do not broadcast Channel 3, cable/sat operators might run into trouble, as well as the audience. So we need an official notice from the watchdog on whether we can or cannot carry Channel 3 for our customers,” Wichit said.

He acknowledged that the clash between Bangkok Entertainment Company, the operator of Channel 3, and the NBTC might have a big impact on cable/sat operators’ business, and on their viewers nationwide. 

“I hope the discussion between the two parties can come up with a happy solution for everyone affected,” he said.

Even though the NBTC has not made a binding decision on this dispute, one of its members, Supinya Klangnarong, suggested on Wednesday that the regulator’s board advise satellite and cable operators in writing to stop airing Channel 3.

Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC’s broadcasting committee, said his panel had taken steps to ensure that all viewers would get access to Channel 3 programmes amid the transition to the digital terrestrial TV era. The committee would be a mediator for MCOT and BEC to adjust some details in their concession contract to pave the way for BEC to simulcast its analog programmes via the digital platform.

Some analysts from KKTrade Securities, Bualuang Securities and Thanachart Securities believe that in the end Channel 3 will decide to simulcast its analog programmes through one of three digital channels acquired by its sister company BEC-Multimedia. 

An analyst at KKTrade Securities said that if the company decided to do so, it might face extra costs of about Bt150 million on annual licence fees for its digital operations, and this extra cost would increase to between Bt400 million and Bt600 million next year.