Crisis at Channel 3 drags on

Three of the five commissioners on the broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission appeared yesterday but failed to issue an official notice informing cable and satellite TV operators to quit running Channel 3. As an analog broadcaster, it does not comply with the NBTC’s definition of free TV, as the regulator pushes the country into the digital era.

The special meeting was expected to hammer out a conclusion on whether the NBTC would allow cable/sat operators to continue carrying Channel 3’s analog signal. But it was cancelled after the commission’s administrative office announced that Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the broadcasting panel, and Thaweesak Ngamsanga, one of the panel members, were not able to join the meeting. 

No explanation for their absence was given.

NBTC commissioner Supinya Klangnarong said she and the two other commissioners who attended the meeting, Thawatchai Jittrapanun and Peerapong Manakit, would on Monday propose the issuing of an official notice instructing operators to discontinue airing Channel 3, with the notice to be endorsed by the broadcasting panel.

“However, Channel 3 still has two more days to negotiate with the NBTC on this issue before it issues the notice to cable and satellite TV operators to discontinue carrying it,” Supinya said.

 

‘Chance to call for a remedy’

Thawatchai said Bangkok Entertainment Company, the operator of Channel 3, also had a chance to call for a remedy to the situation if the company had trouble simulcasting its analog programmes on digital TV.

“We appreciate hearing the voice of BEC, and the NBTC will offer a proper solution for the company in order to prevent the blackout of Channel 3 from the national broadcasting system. But the solution must be made under our existing law,” Thawatchai said.

He said the NBTC wished to support BEC fully, whether it wanted to simulcast its analog programmes on a digital channel operated by its sister company or whether it opted to apply for a pay-TV licence so the programmes could be screened on cable and satellite TV.

Before yesterday’s meeting, major cab/sat operators lodged an open letter with the NBTC calling for a clear guideline on the situation.

They wanted to know whether or not Channel 3 could be broadcast on their platforms after the station’s management declined to get around the digital-only definition of “free TV” by simulcasting on the digital platform.

Manop Tokanka, president of a telephone and satellite TV association, said that if Channel 3 were not available, it would create a crisis in the broadcasting industry, because more than 15 million households watched its programmes on cable and satellite TV.

“Channel 3 is one of the most popular TV stations in the Kingdom,” Manop said. “If we do not broadcast Channel 3, cable/sat operators might run into trouble, as well as the audience. 

“This might have a big impact on cable/sat operators’ business, and on their viewers nationwide.”

Charoen Cable TV president Wichit Aurareevorakul, who appeared alongside Manop, said: “I hope the discussion between |the two parties can come up with |a happy solution for everyone affected.”