Channels to revamp for second half
The TV industry appears to be heading for an intense second half as top broadcasters Channel 7, 3, Workpoint TV and Channel 8 focus more on news and entertainment to draw viewers' attention.
The market leader, Channel 7, has decided to air its prime-time shows for both news and dramas earlier in the evening.
Palakorn Somsuwan, managing director of Bangkok Broadcasting and Television, the operator of Channel 7, said yesterday that on weekdays, evening news would begin at 4.30pm instead of 5.30pm, followed by prime-time dramas and seasonal game shows such as "Sing Your Face Off" and "The Money Drop Thailand".
This is the first major scheduling adjustment by Channel 7 since it commenced operation of its digital broadcasting service a year ago.
Bangkok Entertainment Company, the operator of Channel 3, is preparing a line-up of dramas and new variety shows and will welcome new content partners in the second half.
Surin Krittiyaphonphun, executive vice president, said that after Workpoint Entertainment’s "Ching Roi Ching Lan" was dropped, Born and Association, led by media veteran and famous TV host Tripob Limpapat, would launch his new variety show, "3 Variety", from 2.45-4.30pm on Sundays.
Exact Scenario is also removing its TV shows from Channel 3. "The Red Carpet" on Thursday night is an example for this month. Surin said "Gossip Girl Thailand" would fill that vacated slot. This Bt40-million drama was co-produced by a joint venture between Kantana and Intouch.
Channel 8, ranked No 4 in the TV industry, is planning to add 10 dramas and sitcoms as well as five variety shows.
Ong-art Singlumpong, executive vice president of Channel 8, run by RS, said that in the first half, the competition in digital TV did not exceed the company’s expectation. However, some operators have already pulled out from the industry, which was quite a surprise after just one year. After this, the competition will get tougher.
Channel 8 adjusts its strategy on a monthly basis. The second quarter of the year was significantly better than the first. Recently, it revamped its dramas to expand its viewership. The station will also extend its drama airtime by 30 minutes, to a total of 90 minutes. Dramas will rise from 15 per cent to 20 per cent of airtime, while variety, news and sports will account for 50 per cent, 25 per cent and 5 per cent.
About Bt300 million to Bt400 million will be spent on new content in the second half.
Channel 8 will also partner with JSL Global Media, Kantana Group and Happy Together, experienced production houses, to provide new dramas and variety shows, some of which will premiere this August.
In the second half, in-house content will be 90 per cent and outsourced content 10 per cent of airtime.
