TRUE4U invests Bt2 bn on content, news studio

The True4U terrestrial digital TV channel of the True Corp group has invested Bt2 billion this year on content purchase and the establishment of a virtual news studio.

The move aims to make it one of the top-three digital TV channels this year, excluding digital TV channels belonging to analog station channels 3, 5, 7, and 9, said Naetchanok Wipatasinlapin, managing director of True4U Station Co, the operator of the True4U channel.

The channel is ranked in sixth place by Nielsen (excluding channels 3, 5, 7, and 9).

“We aim to make our channel the the best for sports and entertainment, which will differentiate us from all other digital TV channels. Our Thailand Premier League [TPL] programme has the highest ranking when compared to other programmes on our channel,” Naetchanok said.

Pay TV operator TrueVisions holds the exclusive TPL broadcasting rights for airing matches on pay TV, while True4U holds the exclusive TPL broadcasting rights for airing matches on free TV.

True4U, which is in its second year of operation, is expected to reach a break-even point within five to eight years of operation, Naetchanok added.

She said that the channel decided to make heavy investments this year instead of the first year, after getting a clearer view of the digital TV broadcasting industry.

She added that the channel would acquire more sport content and would purchase the broadcasting rights of Hollywood box office movies.

It would also obtain the broadcasting rights for the United States’ famous Price is Right programme, which would be adapted to have a Thai flavour.

Of the channel’s total local content, 60 per cent was produced in-house while the rest was produced by other production companies.

Naetchanok said that True4U had set up its own news team under the concept “Smart News” and established a virtual news studio at a cost of Bt1 billion. Earlier, it used the news content of True’s TNN digital TV channel.

She added that True4U could be accessed by many devices, including mobile phones.

According to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, sports content is a key factor driving the rating of digital TV channels, especially live events.

The topmost popular programmes are local and international football, local and international boxing, and local volleyball.