Panel to weigh simulcast plan
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The national broadcasting committee will consider BEC-Multimedia's new TV programming today, which will feature a plan to use its digital platform to simulcast the analog programmes of its affiliate Bangkok Entertainment Co's Channel 3.
But it remains to be seen whether the committee’s decision on the programming will end its deadlock with BEC or prompt a new legal problem for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). If the programming is approved, BEC will simulcast it from midnight tomorrow.
A broadcasting-industry source said Bangkok Broadcasting and Television Co, the operator of Channel 7, was concerned the committee’s ruling will favour BEC-Multimedia, which operates the digital Channel 33.
BBTV petitioned the committee for fair treatment for all in connection with the efforts to make it possible for BEC to simulcast Channel 3’s analog programmes on one of its digital channels.
BEC-Multimedia told the committee yesterday that it would submit the new programming for its consideration before noon today. The committee will consider whether to approve the programming at 4pm.
An NBTC source said that if approval for simulcast were given, it was doubtful it would result in a lawsuit.
The NBTC obligates the holder of a digital TV licence to produce 60 per cent of its own content. This is based on the 2008 Broadcasting Act, which obliges licence-holders to operate the licensed entities themselves.
Broadcasting commissioner Supinya Klangnarong said that in considering BEC-Multimedia’s submission, the committee would not make a resolution but would just approve the programming.
BEC and the broadcasting committee reached an agreement on Wednesday for BEC to simulcast the analog programmes on Channel 33. The agreement was announced by both parties after a hearing at the Central Administrative Court that day, which followed a BEC petition seeking an injunction against the committee’s order requiring all cable and satellite TV networks to drop Channel 3 because it uses the old analog format.
BEC World executive vice president Surin Krittayapongphan said that if any related legal problem arose later, the company would cite the agreement to defend itself. BEC World is BEC’s parent company.
Originally cable and satellite networks were ordered to drop Channel 3 by September 28. BEC sought the injunction on September 26 and on the same day the court suspended the order until tomorrow and told the parties to seek a way out of the problem.
