Nation channel to exit ubc on may 1

[george]

Nation Channel to exit UBC on May 1

Nation Channel will cease its programming on United Broadcasting Corporation on May 1, according to a joint statement issued by Nation Multimedia Plc and UBC yesterday.

An industry source said Nation Channel programming would move to Thai TV, a direct-to-home pay service available in limited areas of Bangkok.

``The continuing ban on advertising on UBC prevents local programme producers from generating sufficient revenues to maintain their services,'' said UBC chief executive officer Sompan Charumilinda.

He said the exit of Nation Channel followed the closure of the Panorama Channel, a struggling Thai documentary producer, last year.

Nation Group had a 10-year contract to supply programming on UBC Channel 8, starting in March 2000.

--Bangkok Post, April 2, 2003