MCOT seeks public-service clients for digital broadcast network
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MCOT is seeking new public-broadcasting clients for its digital TV transmission network so its business can reach break-even point within six years as projected.
“We welcome discussions with digital TV stations if they are unable to find the right provider for their service,” MCOT director-general Sivaporn Chomsuwan said yesterday.
The MCOT network currently serves the standard-definition Springnews TV and Voice TV and its own MCOT Family channel. Sivaporn said the network had enough capacity to take on three more SD broadcasters. However, its high-definition service is already at full capacity with MCOT HD and Thairath TV.
Each of its clients that broadcast their TV programmes in SD are charged about Bt4.7 million a month, while an HD client pays about Bt14 million a month. New public-broadcasting clients would be charged the same as private digital-TV operators.
However, Sivaporn added that any new agreement would have to be approved by the broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
When the NBTC mapped out the country’s transition from analog to terrestrial-based digital TV, it reserved 12 channels for public service.
The Army’s TV5 is transforming into a public channel for national-security purposes, while NBT (formerly known as Channel 11), run by the Public Relations Department, has become a public broadcaster for government communication.
Thai Public Broadcasting Service now runs the Thai PBS channel.
The NBTC is set to grant nine more licences for public-service broadcasters, including the Thai Parliament TV channel.
Sivaporn said MCOT had projected that its Bt1.8-billion investment in digital TV transmission infrastructure could hit break-even point within six years. This projection, however, was based on both its HD and SD services running at full capacity.
“To turn this plan into reality, we need three more clients after the completion of transmission network’s roll-out,” he said.
MCOT has selected Loxley to provide equipment for its digital TV transmission network. By June, Loxley is to install digital transmitters at 14 main broadcasting stations and seven relay sites. After that, the company will add transmitters at the 25 remaining main broadcasting towers nationwide by September. The roll-out plan will be complete with the remaining 38 relay sites up and running by June next year, Sivaporn said.
