BEC to build up its digital channels
BANGKOK Entertainment Company says next year will be the right time to build up its new Channel 3 SD and 3 Family digital stations while maintaining audience ratings at its flagship Channel 3 with prime-time soap operas and international-format shows.
“We are confident that the broadcasting industry next year will be promising and ready for investment in the digital terrestrial TV business. After almost two years, Channel 3 SD and 3 Family are seeing improvement in terms of both TV ratings and revenue,” said Surin Krittiyaphongphun, executive vice president of Bangkok Entertainment Co.
Surin added that Channel 3 SD was set to be a gap filler to respond to the mass audience’s demands, while Channel 3’s target remained urban viewers. Apart from rerun dramas and variety shows, the company is investing more on fresh TV programmes for this channel to attract viewers upcountry.
Channel 3 SD will also play a supportive role for BEC’s main channel with live sports broadcasts and related programmes. The channel will telecast Uefa Euro 2016 soccer qualifying, MotoGP motorcycle racing and 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Group 1 Finals, which will take place in Bangkok next July.
As for its flagship TV station, Surin admitted that Channel 3 had felt some impact from intense competition in the Bt80-million TV broadcasting industry. The impact was a result of the departure of key content partners like Workpoint Entertainment and Scenario. However, Channel 3’s prime-time dramas are still strong and anticipate high audience rating, he said.
“We have a large pool of talented artists, scriptwriters, directors and producers in our strong [network of] relationships. This is a core value of our TV dramas and variety shows,” he said, adding that the station’s new rivals could not match this advantage.
Variety programming is another area that Channel 3 aims to make more attractive to audiences. “KPN Awards”, “The Voice Thailand”, “The Voice Kid”, “Dance Your Fat Off”, “The Face Thailand” and “Thailand’s Got Talent” will continue to be aired on Channel 3 but “The Winner Is” will be no long produced, he said.
It appears to be a huge challenge for the country’s second-largest TV network to operate three channels amid fierce competition. So the company is seeking new content partners to build its Channel 3 family.
“Both local and international content producers are welcome,” Surin said.
Currently, Channel 3 Family is working with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific to broadcast cartoons and children’s programmes.
