Another problem for Channel 3
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The Broadcasting Committee will meet today to consider whether Channel 3 analogue can televise the 17th Asian Games in South Korea - with a favourable ruling expected to exacerbate the broadcaster's issues with the National Broadcasting Telecommunication
Channel 3 analogue is no longer considered a free-to-air station and the games is one of seven sporting events that has to be shown free on digital TV under the “must have” rule.
The Television Pool of Thailand Pool asked the Broadcasting Committee for permission to broadcast the live programme of the Asian Games via free TV and also via Channel 3 analogue. It also wants True Visions subscribers to have access the event, which starts in Incheon on September 19 and run until October 4.
Channel 33 digital (standard), which belongs to BEC-Multimedia under BEC World, wants to simulcast the Asian Games with Channel 3 analogue, said NBTC commissioner Supinya Klangnarong.
“If the broadcasting committee allows Channel 3 analogue to broadcast the Asian Games under the ‘must have’, this will create more problems in the dispute between the NBTC and the Channel 3 analogue,” said Supinya.
She said that if Channel 3 analogue simulcast the event with a digital channel, the problem would be resolved.
Channel 3 analogue stopped being considered free TV on September 1, meaning all cable and satellite networks can no longer carry its programmes.
This followed the implementation of the “must carry” rule, which stipulates cable and satellite TV operators have to include the free digital TV channels on their menus.
