Total of 1.2m of 4.6m digital television coupons redeemed already, NBTC says

Takorn Tantasit, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), yesterday posted on Twitter that so far, more than 1.2 million of the 4.6 million vouchers had been used, just 30 days after it distributed them to households in 21 provinces. 

Most of redemptions were expected to take place in Bangkok. 

Leading operators of the new digital channels are happy with this result, as it means more people are able to tune into their TV stations.

Adisak Limprungpatanakij, president of Nation Broadcasting Corporation, the operator of Nation TV, said it was good news for all digital-TV players that about 26 per cent of the vouchers sent out so far had been used. 

He said he believed that the remaining households that have already obtained a coupon from the NBTC would soon use it either for a digital set-top box or a TV set with built-in digital tuner.

Some of them might wait and see if there are better offers or discount from the set-top-box dealers, as the coupon will remain valid for six months after they were issued, he added.

After the NBTC authorised the coupons’ redemption in October 20, many dealers of digital-TV receivers began focusing more on pricing strategies to boost sales, while new rivals have been coming into the market to cash in on this opportunity.

Next week, the NBTC will begin its second phase of coupon distribution. Throughout this phase, 4 million vouchers will be sent to an additional 21 provinces, but the first group of 1.77 coupons will be delivered on November 28. After that, the watchdog will kick off the third phase in March with 5.4 million vouchers for the remaining provinces. 

Panuchai Srinualnad, general director of DN Broadcast, the operator of New TV, said it believed that the numbers of digital-TV viewers was continuing to grow, mainly thanks to the vouchers. 

As a result, New TV has earmarked about Bt1.2 billion mainly for content to expand its audience base. The company has also decided to raise next year’s revenue target to Bt1 billion from its previous projection of Bt800 million.

Chokchai Punjarungroj, chief executive officer of Amarin Television, said in a previous interview with The Nation that next year his company would spend about Bt20 million to promote its Amarin TV digital channel. 

To make sure that the coupon distribution and set-up of the digital transmission network are on schedule, NBTC commissioner Supinya Klangnarong said her committee would form an inspection team this month. It would consist of four representatives from network providers, three from digital TV broadcasters, three technical experts and academics, and five from the NBTC.