Half Of Household TVs In Thailand Use Antennas: Survey

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SURVEY

Half of household TVs use antennas

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Of 22 million households with a television set in Thailand, 49 per cent are watching terrestrial programmes (via traditional TV antennas), whilst 6.8 million (31 per cent) are equipped with satellite dishes.

Around 2.3 million households (11 per cent) subscribe to local cable television networks, whilst 1.8 million households (9 per cent) subscribe to TrueVisions, according to a Nielsen survey.

"The penetration of satellite and cable television in Thailand has grown from less than 10 percent five years ago to a staggering 50 percent," commented Suresh Ramalingam, managing director of Nielsen Thailand. "With more than 11 million households subscribed to either satellite or cable television, reaching the eyes of 44 percent of Thai consumers, this media segment is no doubt a force to be reckoned with. And the ability to understand consumers' television viewing habits in this climate where there are more and more key players is increasingly critical for advertisers to plan their media buying."

The survey found that advertising spend on cable/satellite television media has been growing in line with rising household penetration.

Advertising expenditure on cable/satellite television, one of the most lucrative media platforms, reached Bt715 million in May 2012 (excluding spending on TrueVisions). That was an increase of Bt21 million from the previous month, earning the media the fourth biggest share (4 per cent) of Thailand's advertising dollars behind Radio (6 per cent). The biggest chunk still belongs to free-to-air television at 11.4 billion baht (70 per cent), followed by Prints at 3.2 billion baht (19 per cent).

Social media analysis undertaken by Nielsen also highlighted an increase in online discussion forums related to UEFA Euro 2012 in the lead up to the event. In particular, the massive volume of social media posts related to UEFA Euro 2012 (26,675 posts) in a span of a month unquestionably dominates many other topical issues, including the French Open, the final episode of Thailand's ghost soap opera, Lady Gaga's concert in Bangkok, and the government's reconciliation plans.

The Nielsen analysis revealed that many Thais were turning to social media platforms to share their thoughts on the teams competing in this year's UEFA event - from June 1 - 12, 2012 the English football team generated the most online discussion of the UEFA 2012 teams (726 posts), followed by Spain (515 posts) and Germany (421 posts).

-- The Nation 2012-06-13

[ferguston]

Therefore adding on GMM subscribers and Thai Cable Holding subscribers well over 50% of Thais can watch Euro 2012.

All thanks to GMM

I'm sure if Truevision had got their finger out and had bought the rights this figure would have been less. They would have limited the coverage on channels 3,5 and 7.

[SantiSuk]

Im thinking of going back in time for our teenage daughter's TV set and as back up for storm-outs for the family. I pay loads for two True sets but they mostly only watch the soaps and old Thai films that probably come on the terrestrial channles anyway. Actually, I just fancy a tall wavy bamboo pole. It should nicely set off the concrete westernised falang bungalow .

But seriously, are there any geeks on here who would know if a terrestrial aerial would work on top of a water tower or would the distance from the house (30 metres) degrade the signal too much?

[Hellhound66]

Therefore adding on GMM subscribers and Thai Cable Holding subscribers well over 50% of Thais can watch Euro 2012.

All thanks to GMM

I'm sure if Truevision had got their finger out and had bought the rights this figure would have been less. They would have limited the coverage on channels 3,5 and 7.

You are right it is good to have those figures from a reputable source. It's also interesting to speculate what the coverage would have been if True had bought the rights. It is a tough one since there are only two matches per day. I agree with you perhaps the deal with GMM has increased the viewership percentage with one caveat = If you broke those figures down to Bangkok alone it would be about 15-25% with antiquated antennas. Under the current regime however, the power of the country is in the North and North East and they will all be really happy with the current Euro TV availability. Perhaps GMM with their Pheu Thai partners are not so stupid after all for paying a ridiculous amount of money for the rights. Perhaps their losses will be subsidised.

Edited June 14, 2012 by Hellhound66

[Greer]

Therefore adding on GMM subscribers and Thai Cable Holding subscribers well over 50% of Thais can watch Euro 2012.

All thanks to GMM

I'm sure if Truevision had got their finger out and had bought the rights this figure would have been less. They would have limited the coverage on channels 3,5 and 7.

No the total connected to cable and satellite is the 50% figure he mentioned - but they mean 50% of all homes that have TV's NOT 50% of all Thai people, or even 50% of all homes.

[Pimay1]

Im thinking of going back in time for our teenage daughter's TV set and as back up for storm-outs for the family. I pay loads for two True sets but they mostly only watch the soaps and old Thai films that probably come on the terrestrial channles anyway. Actually, I just fancy a tall wavy bamboo pole. It should nicely set off the concrete westernised falang bungalow .

But seriously, are there any geeks on here who would know if a terrestrial aerial would work on top of a water tower or would the distance from the house (30 metres) degrade the signal too much?

If you were using a high gain yagi tv antenna and low loss coax cable plus an antenna amplifier you might get away with it. Low loss coax cable has a loss of 4db per 100 feet. Each 3db loss cuts the signal in half. Thus the need for an amplifier.