Voice TV closes despite surviving two coups but fails to withstand family's return to power

[snoop1130]

 

Voice TV, a broadcaster well-known for being the primary media outlet of the influential Shinawatra family, has decided to cease operations after 15 years. The closure has been planned for sometime in May, although a specific date hasn't been given. The decision was made following careful evaluation of the channel's performance and the challenges faced by the media industry. Voice TV has accumulated a financial deficit of 909.8 million baht from 2018-2022 against total assets of 214.7 million baht, according to figures from the Department of Business Development.

 

Voice TV is owned by the family of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is considered the founder of the reigning Pheu Thai Party. In February of last year, Thaksin's children transferred all their shares in Voice TV to Bhanapot Damapong, their uncle.

 

Some experts suggest that the channel's closure is not solely due to financial reasons, considering its survival despite years of losing money. They believe that the closure is probable now that the Shinawatra family's Pheu Thai Party has reclaimed political power and consequently does not require its own media outlet. There is speculation that Thaksin and his family have decided to close down Voice TV because its public influence is decreasing.

 

Thaksin's son, Panthongtae, established Voice TV in 2003 while Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai government was in power. Voice TV's services were discontinued several times during the rule of the post-coup military government because it aired contentious content. In 2019, the broadcaster stopped digital TV broadcasts due to financial problems but resumed operations via satellite and live streaming on online platforms like Facebook and YouTube.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Microsoft Bing

 

-- 2024-04-30

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[Pouatchee]

50 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Voice TV is owned by the family of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is considered the founder of the reigning Pheu Thai Party.

 

and pita was grilled for shares in itv? WTH? i wonder why no one is saying anything

 

Edited April 30 by Pouatchee

[redwood1]

23 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

and pita was grilled for shares in itv? WTH? i wonder why no one is saying anything

 

Animal farm says Itv bad and Voice TV good....Any questions...

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Voice TV has accumulated a financial deficit of 909.8 million baht from 2018-2022 against total assets of 214.7 million baht, according to figures from the Department of Business Development.

Down the sink hole.

[jippytum]

Pita was banned for having media shares in a defunct company and the Thaksin family owned a radio station to broadcast Phe Thai Propaganda. 

[john donson]

well, PM cannot have shares in media company and they are closing

 

hint hint , next election

[0ffshore360]

I just recalled the quip "clearing the deck chairs on the Titanic " .