Thai broadcaster axes panda reality TV

BANGKOK, Oct 2, 2012 (AFP) - After three years of following her every move, a Thai broadcaster has pulled the plug on one of the kingdom's most-loved but lethargic reality TV celebrities -- a giant panda.

Linping, Thailand's first giant panda cub, has won millions of fans since her birth in 2009, becoming the star of a live feed from a zoo in northern Chiang Mai dubbed the "Panda Channel".

But the show ended on Sunday after satellite-cable television broadcaster TrueVisions axed the programme as part of its plans to introduce new channels, to the dismay of her legion of fans.

"I'm really sad about this decision," said Supornthip Bunlased, 54, who was a regular viewer. "The programme is relaxing, particularly for people who are stressed about their work."

While no official viewing figures are available, national "panda-mania" is believed to have waned somewhat since the initial excitement over Linping's birth.

Fans can still watch Linping on the Internet for another month, said the director of the zoo's panda programme, Prasertsak Buntragulpoontawee.

Giant pandas, notorious for their low sex drive in captivity, are among the planet's most endangered animals.

Linping was conceived by artificial insemination after years of unsuccessful efforts to encourage her parents -- loaned by China -- to mate. Linping also officially belongs to Beijing.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-10-02

I'm really sad about this decision," said Supornthip Bunlased, 54, who was a regular viewer. "The programme is relaxing, particularly for people who are stressed about their work.

I think, the only regular viewer

The only channel on True Visions not to show repeats.... and they cancel it.

Surprised they just didn't run it through Blogtv, Justintv or any other internet live broadcasting medium.

Oh no, it was the best ever made Thai TV show. Do I have to watch those horrible Thai soap operas from now on?

I'm really sad about this decision," said Supornthip Bunlased, 54, who was a regular viewer. "The programme is relaxing, particularly for people who are stressed about their work.

I think, the only regular viewer

Shame! I used to turn this programme on just to annoy the Mrs! Far better than the endless Thai soaps with women screaming blue murder at each other!

The Panda torture channel.

The Chinese rent out these rare creatures for $250,000 per year I hear.

It should be allowed. They have a lot of spare channels but the Panda was not attracting advertising revenues so it was a financial decision not a philanthropic one (for want of a better word). But they lost viewer ratings so that will affect their advertisers. But money is the only thing motivating Thai's. This country really needs a Free To Air (FTA) Community Channel.

Thank god its gone. hope they use the channel for something far more interesting now.

A Thai attention span of three years is an amazing once in lifetime occurrence. So the panda at least defeated the odds of sustaining them for three years!! A remarkable feat.

dam_n........back to watching rice grow.

Let's hope they don't bow to pressure from Linping's fans and bring the channel back.

I'd hate for True to pander to them.

Can just see them getting all angry and picketing True. It's going to be pandemonium.

You're opening up pandaora's box here True.

It should be allowed. They have a lot of spare channels but the Panda was not attracting advertising revenues so it was a financial decision not a philanthropic one (for want of a better word). But they lost viewer ratings so that will affect their advertisers. But money is the only thing motivating Thai's. This country really needs a Free To Air (FTA) Community Channel.

Sheesh, what a ridiculous leap of logic! So a cable broadcaster drops one of the most boring, pointless and unwatched channels after a boring, pointless and unwatched three years and you conclude that money is the only thing that motivates Thai people. Honestly, that's quite pathetic.

One of Thailand's better produced programs, far out shines those nasty soaps with screeching females and fat young males strutting around ,with a worldly out look on life,the panda never kicked any one on the ground or fought nasty tactics, Panda , never had those luxury houses and the black Merc or BMW, the Panda lived just how millions of Thai's live , in a shack, good luck Panda

Finally!

Thank god its gone. hope they use the channel for something far more interesting now.

Coming Soon...........

The "Buffalo" Channel..??

The Panda torture channel.

The Chinese rent out these rare creatures for $250,000 per year I hear.

Torture ? I don't think so. These animals live like kings in captivity where they are safe from harm and are given everthing a bear can bear.

Ok if the Program was so relaxing and would help him after a stressed out work day then he can record the show from the internet for couple of hours and then watch it when he is "Stressed out" as the panda is not going to do any new trick every day. The panda sleeps, the panda eats, the panda wanders... etc etc... but that is just a couple of hours and it repeats over and over....

I dont know what makes him feel so relaxing.... somebody needs to get a life....

On lighter note...that opens an opportunity to make a Movie of the panda... take the panda's best 2 hours from his 1 year activity... compile it to a movie and I am sure there will be people to watch it in theatre...... Million bucks idea.....ha ha

A Thai attention span of three years is an amazing once in lifetime occurrence. So the panda at least defeated the odds of sustaining them for three years!! A remarkable feat.

Would have lasted much longer with boiiiiiiing noises added.

Watching Panda Channel is like watching paint dry.

Chai-yo! Chai-yo! Chai-yo!!!

A Thai attention span of three years is an amazing once in lifetime occurrence. So the panda at least defeated the odds of sustaining them for three years!! A remarkable feat.

Would have lasted much longer with boiiiiiiing noises added.

But, K. Thaddeus, the "boiiiiiiiing" affect usually accentuates some sort of action or activity and we ain't talkin' Roadrunner here.

we used to bet on whether or not it would take a dump.

bu then we bet on the activities of fish in the fish tank as well

_{"Pandas are notorious for having low sex drive in captivity..?." In the LOS, known for its libidinous proclivities? No wonder it didn't rate...}

I'm really sad about this decision," said Supornthip Bunlased, 54, who was a regular viewer. "The programme is relaxing, particularly for people who are stressed about their work.

I think, the only regular viewer

Agreed, its about as relaxing as watching a brick wall; imho

So, it seems that there's an intial interest in watching a cute but lethargic creature do nothing, but it wanes after three years. Watch out Yingluck.

Panda's Star Crashes to Earth

CHIANGMAI, Oct 2, 2012 (PFP) - Upon hearing Linping the Panda was jobless, fans began sending in letters of support to try to cheer the now sadden panda.

"When it rains it pours", Linping was heard to mumble recently upon hearing the decision of it's former employers, TrueVision. "First they put me on a bamboo diet, now I have to fend for myself" he added. Both supporters (2) of the black and white furball's Panda Reality show said they would help raise funds to try to make sure the daily diet of Bamboo is not interrupted.

Linping, on the other hand, is not taking this news well. Recently sighted on Loi Kroh Road, Limping was going from bar to bar drinking heavily and someone said he was seen going home with Long-Tailed Macaque Monkey. At least it looked like a Macaque. One does have to be careful when boozing it up in that part of Chiang Mai. What looks like one thing, totally could be something else on Loi Kroh Road.

For the Panda, this could be more then he can bear.

Will there be reruns?

_{"Pandas are notorious for having low sex drive in captivity..?." In the LOS, known for its libidinous proclivities? No wonder it didn't rate...}

Why post in such small text!!!!

Hallelujah!!!!!