NBTC may compensate operators over new digital-channel rules
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THE BROADCASTING regulator is considering providing financial support for the operators of cable and satellite TV platforms that might be adversely affected when its newly revised channel-numbering rule takes effect within two months, but some operators w
Supinya Klangnarong, a member of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), said some members of its broadcasting committee had floated the idea of compensating cable and satellite TV providers for the costs incurred from carrying the 36 terrestrial-based digital channels.
“There are two possible options. The first option is that those cable and satellite TV operators are exempt from fees for the NBTC’s research and development fund. That fee amounts to 2 per cent of the gross annual income of each operator,” she said.
The other possibility is a direct subsidy for those affected.
However, before either option is considered further, affected operators should express their interest in these initiatives and explain why they should receive such support.
Through its “must carry” rule and the rule on channel-number rearrangement, the NBTC aims to set a single standard in the television industry that provides convenience for both audiences and TV channel operators.
Manop Tokarnka, president of the Satellite TV Network Providers Club, said the members of the club would meet on this issue tomorrow. The club will also invite cable and satellite TV channel owners and operators of Internet protocol TV (IPTV) to the meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the cable and satellite TV industry, Manop said the NBTC’s “must carry” and channel-numbering rules were unfair. He claimed it cost them at least Bt15 million a month to carry all of the new digital channels.
“We have to wait until the newly revised rule on the rearrangement of channel number comes into effect within the next 60 days. After that, we will bring this matter to the Central Administrative Court,” he said.
The revised channel-numbering rule was approved last week by the NBTC.
Manop called for it and the “must carry” rule to be revoked so that each cable or satellite TV operator could select which popular digital TV channels it wanted to show.
The club members include major satellite TV operators IPM TV, PSI Holdings Infosat Intertrade, IdeaSat, Thai Sat and Leo Sat.
