NOW26 set to strengthen factual and lifestyle programming as channel rises
HAVING IMPROVED its position in the country’s television broadcasting rankings, Nation Multimedia Group’s digital-TV channel NOW26 will continue to strengthen its factual and lifestyle programming by creating its own shows, including documentaries, local
“Our turning point was late last year, when we conducted a brand repositioning of NOW26 to focus more on factual and lifestyle programmes with world-class entertainment. The revamp came at the right time, as the broadcasting regulator had announced a rearrangement of digital-TV channels that made it easy for viewers to recognise the channel numbers,” NMG chief executive officer Duangkamol Chotana said recently.
NOW26 has made significant gains among a broad segment of viewers after passing this key turning point, she said.
Last month, a rating survey by AC Nielsen found that NOW26 had moved up to 14th place, from 15th position in January and 18th in December.
This was a result of the station having gained more understanding about mass-audience needs, she said, adding that it had decided to dedicate more time for documentaries and sport programmes that suit a wider audience.
To offer world-class documentaries, NOW26 has secured a range of quality content from leading international TV production houses – namely, BBC Worldwide, Deutsche Welle, National Geographic and China Central Television.
Under NOW Studios’ production, the channel is also scheduling two reality shows showcasing Thai boxing – “The Champ” and “FAT Fighter” – which have been well received by viewers, the CEO said.
“Creating our own documentaries is a key strategy in offering unique quality content for viewers. The company is also seeking further opportunity to export the broadcasting rights of those documentaries overseas in the near future,” she added.
To support new documentary producers, NOW26 will soon organise a documentary scriptwriting contest, with the winner receiving a grant from NOW26 to produce a factual programme that they propose.
NOW26 is also planning to work with local sport associations in taekwondo, volleyball, basketball and futsal to develop new leagues as additional TV content catering to sports fans, Duangkamol said.
NOW26 will also continue to broadcast international sporting events such as the Paris-Dakar off-road car rally and the Tour de France bicycle race, as well as Kom Chud Luek Thai boxing matches this year.
In addition, the station has established alliances with producers of variety, reality and game shows, which will come on air soon, she said.
With a strong position in business news, NOW26 also offers quality news content produced by Krungthep Turakij and the Nation Group, the chief executive added.
