TVBG's Response to the Soft Power Strategy for Thai Content in the Global Market
TVBG, also known as TV Burabha Group, is making significant strides in transforming itself from a renowned documentary storyteller in Thailand into a comprehensive content industry.
MIPCOM 2023, held from October 16 to 19, marked the first appearance of "TV Burabha" at the world's largest content festival in Cannes, France. TVBG, a respected content production company with a legacy of over 20 years, showcased its top-notch documentaries and world-class content, spanning films, series, and reality shows, including original content.
This marks a new dimension for TVBG, as it continues to weave its storytelling DNA, blending docudrama with the entertainment industry.
Kritsanaphol Pontanavaranont, Managing Director, revealed the reason behind TVBG's global content market entry. He stated that Thailand boasts significant assets, including resources, personnel, and comprehensive industry preparedness. This is further bolstered by the government's endorsement of a soft power strategy, making it a national priority.
The establishment of a National Soft Power Committee, dedicated to propelling Thai content onto the global stage, adds full support to the industry's endeavours.
According to Mr. Kritsanaphon, TVBG excels in creating docudrama content rooted in true stories. This proficiency is the result of two decades of meticulous work processes, research, and ongoing collaboration with numerous academic institutions.
TVBG is confident in its ability to continue narrating remarkable and distinctive stories that can be adapted across various media, such as dramas, television shows, films, and even the art space. TVBG's showcase at MIPCOM encompasses television shows, documentaries, series, and films, with a strong focus on topics like Muay Thai, Thai cuisine, culture, and the history of international relations depicted through the lens of fashion.
At MIPCOM 2023, two Thai content creation companies, TVBG and Workpoint, took the stage. TVBG garnered positive feedback from global distributors, including The Bridge (UK), BlinkFilms (UK), Ampersand (France), and MJ Communications (USA).
There's a growing interest in co-producing with TVBG, such as the documentary film on Muay Thai with Scorpion TV from the USA and TVF and Ampersand's collaboration on the history of Thai-French relations, led by Ok-Phra Visut Sunthornv (Kosa Pan). BlinkFilms has also expressed interest in a reality show focusing on Thai cuisine with a British chef.
TVBG considers this an opportunity and a challenge to introduce local content to global audiences while contributing to the Thai content industry's financial growth. Amanda Groom, a content expert from the UK, noted that this is an ideal moment for Thailand's content sector, as the country is a leader in Asia, well-prepared and full of potential. The Thai government's establishment of the Soft Power Committee further underscores the commitment to promote the Thai content industry on the international stage, creating a new S-Curve from its existing assets.
