NBTC panel to mull changes to keep Ch 3 on cable/satellite
Play
The broadcasting regulator will attempt today to solve the impasse over the looming blackout of Channel 3 by amending some rules to pave the way for simulcasts of the channel's analog programmes on a digital channel operated by its sister company.
Early this month, the NBTC ordered cable and satellite operators to drop Channel 3 from their platforms, as its programmes are in the old analog format and therefore outside the definition of “free TV”.
Today, five members of the broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Communication will convene an urgent meeting on this matter to prevent the blackout of Channel 3 from cable and satellite TV platforms after a meeting yesterday of the NBTC board failed to reach a conclusion.
Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the broadcasting committee, said this was good news for TV audiences after the Channel 3 operator submitted a proposal to simulcast its programmes via 3HD channel, which is operated by BEC-Multimedia.
Bangkok Entertainment Company, the operator of Channel 3, had been concerned that simulcasting its analog programmes on a digital TV channel might violate broadcasting law. Under a 2008 law governing television broadcasting, the owners of TV licences must be the same entities as the digital-channel operators. A TV licence holder must operate the channel itself.
The NBTC also allows licence holders to allocate only 40 per cent of total airtime for outside content producers.
BEC runs Channel 3 under a concession contract with MCOT that will expire in March 2020. But BEC-Multimedia, a wholly owned subsidiary of BEC World, holds three licences to run terrestrial-based digital TV channels – variety channels in high and standard definition and a third one for children's and family programming.
To settle this conflict, Natee floated his idea that the broadcasting committee would amend some rules, particularly about airtime management for outside companies.
