Nation TV goes downtown to 'feel the pulse of Bangkok'
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Nation TV, operator of the 24-hour digital TV news station Channel 22, yesterday officially launched its Downtown Studio, which is part of its bid to strengthen bonds with viewers in Bangkok's central business district.

Located on the first floor of Siam Discovery Centre shopping mall, this is Thailand's first downtown studio.

At the launch, Nation Multimedia Group chairman Suthichai Yoon said this studio in downtown Bangkok was a historic phenomenon for Thailand.

"The aim is to understand the pulse, feeling, demand and new trends of society so we need to locate the studio in the heart of town in terms of logistics, location and capability to touch and connect with people," he said.

The Downtown Studio was inspired by the NBC studio in New York City, he said.

"It was my dream that one day Thailand will have this sort of studio and one that is even better [than NBC's]," he said. "We need to be part of people's daily lives. This is the latest innovation in TV."

Suthichai said Nation TV would be a leader in 24-hour news coverage from the very start thanks to its news team, which has worked with Nation Channel for 15 years.

Adisak Limprungpatanakij, the president of Nation Broadcasting Corporation, said he was confident Nation TV would make a profit from the first year of operation.

He said Nation TV was working with Thailand Cable TV Association (TCTA) and local cable TV operators to cover news from the provinces.

Nation TV signed a pact with 11 cable TV operators yesterday to set up the Nation Local Newsroom.

About 10 "Local Newsroom" sites will be set up in all regions of the country so that interesting local news can be transmitted to Nation TV's central studio - "Nation Broadcasting House" on Sathorn Road - which officially opens mid-July. The company plans to invest about Bt200 million in the Sathorn studio over the next three years.

Adisak said Nation TV would also join forces with Asia News Network (ANN) in bringing news from Asean countries.

"With the opening of Nation Downtown Studio, we want to promote a close connection with viewers, who will be able to take part in our news presentation via a 'multichannel, multiscreen' format," Adisak explained. "The downtown studio will provide many kinds of programme content, including talk shows, economic and entertainment programmes."

Nation TV is one of the most ready among the 24-hour news stations to present live programmes all day. This is made possible thanks to a strong team of reporters acting as "news sentries" nationwide and in many parts of the world.

-- The Nation 2014-04-26

Expect incisive reports from Soi Nana Tai , Little Africa and Soi Cowboy as well as the Thong Lor ghetto.

It would be good if they stick to good reporting and dont become an extension of blue sky tv like their printed newspaper.

Why would they feel the need to photo shop some faces in the picture?

Creepy masks and horrible photo shop.

Not The Nation TV, then you'd be talking.