Music history dims at possible demise of TV's "7 See Concert"

The station has yet to confirm or deny the fast-spreading gossip, and the show’s host and producer say they’ve heard nothing either way.

Twenty-nine years on the air, “7 See Concert” obviously looms large in a lot of personal Saturday memories. Viewers have been swapping recollections on the social media, particularly about its glory days when you could always expect to see the country’s top talent perform. Its 10 hosts over the years have included such big names as Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre, Mayura Thanabutr (Svetsila), Yuranan “Sam” Bamornmontri, Maria “Nat” Benedetti and Saharat “Kong” Sankapreecha. 

Considering how long it’s been on the air, it wouldn’t be a big surprise if it were to undergo a revamp now while heavyweight Channel 7 is facing tougher competition in the form of rival digital TV channels. Nothing official has been said about even that, though. 

Current co-host Thikamporn “Cheer” Ritta-apina can only say that she’s heard the rumour too, and she’s as shocked as anyone else since she also is emotionally attached to the show – not just contractually for the past nine years. “It’s withstood all sorts of ups and down for almost three decades, which is quite an achievement,” she pointed out to Kom Chad Luek, our sister newspaper.

Sheer’s fans voiced concern for her online, noting that her live show “Kun Paak” was also recently yanked off the air. “If ‘7 See Concert’ really goes, she wouldn’t have anything left!” said one.

The show’s producer, Boripat Chaiphum, says he’s heard nothing from the station either. “I’m only producing the show – the airtime belongs to the channel. There’s been talk about a programming revamp, but we don’t know for sure whether they will improve our show or pull it off the air.”

The lamenting over the possible demise of “7 See Concert” came with many admissions that its best days are behind it. It was once the prime spot to see superstars unveil their latest recordings. At one point, no artist could claim to be a success without having appeared on “7 See”. 

“Things have changed a lot,” someone explained at Pantip.com. “All the music companies have their own channels now, so they no longer need this show to promote their artists.” That’s resulted in a diminishing roster of top talent for “7 See”.

Well, a lot of folks decided, maybe it’s better to let the ancient show die now while so many viewers have fond memories of it, rather than letting it slide further downhill. “They’d better stop it now before the quality drops anymore,” Bao Yakult observed on Pantip. “It’s best to find new content to fill the slot.” 

If that’s what it’s coming down to, then, Channel 7 should mount a grand farewell concert for the old dear, says the social-network consensus. All the great musicians who shared its stage would surely come back one last time to fill its final hour.