NBTC panel orders MCOT to stop broadcasting analog Channel 3 shows on digital network

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NBTC panel orders MCOT to stop broadcasting analog Channel 3 shows on digital network
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) yesterday ordered MCOT to remove Channel 3 analog programmes from its digital TV network, saying that carrying the channel was against regulations.

This means that people with digital set-top boxes known as DVB-T2 will soon not be able use them to view Channel 3 analog programmes. Currently people can view Channel 3 analog programmes via three ways: a conventional terrestrial antenna, a satellite set-top box, and DVB-T2 boxes.

Natee Sukolrat, chairman of the broadcasting committee, said the NBTC would soon ask MCOT for its cooperation in withdrawing this analog channel from its digital TV network. It is against NBTC regulations for digital TV network operators such as MCOT to uplink content of any non-digital channels to their digital networks.

MCOT president Anake Permvongseri yesterday acknowledged that MCOT had carried Channel 3 analog programmes on its digital network, under an agreement with the channel's operator Bangkok Entertainment Co.

Bangkok Entertainment has operated analog TV programmes under an MCOT concession contract, which will expire in 2020.

Anake said MCOT would continue to carry the analog Channel 3 as usual until it receives formal written notice from the NBTC. This means the channel will still be on the MCOT network for a few days.

Natee said that if MCOT declined to stop broadcasting the Channel 3 analog channel, the NBTC would send a warning letter to MCOT.

Since the 24 commercial digital TV licences officially came into effect on Friday, the NBTC found that Channel 3 analog programmes were also being aired via the MCOT network. This enabled all the users of DVB-T2 boxes to watch Channel 3 analog.

Channel 3 has hired Thai PBS to broadcast its three digital TV channels on the TPBS network.

The NBTC is consulting its legal department on which date should mark the official launch of all 24 digital commercial channels. That will be the date the satellite TV operators have to stop carrying analog programmes on their networks, except when such programmes are run on a simulcast basis.

Channel 3 is the only TV operator declining to simulcast its analog TV programmes. It recently announced its decision to run analog programmes together with the three digital programmes.

Yesterday the NBTC broadcasting committee also approved a proposal of MCOT to simulcast its analog channel on its high-definition channel.

However, Anake said MCOT had considered asking the NBTC to withdraw this approved simulcast plan, as it wants to air both analog and digital channels at the same time to test the response from targeted viewers.

-- The Nation 2014-04-29

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I'm trying....but failing...to understand what the heck this article is talking about.

I thought, Channel 3 has its own digital channels among those already approved. I see both a Channel 3 family, Channel 3 SD and Channel 3 HD among the digital channels list. Likewise, MCOT has MCOT Family and MCOT HD among the digital channels, as best as I can see.

So why would MCOT be needing, or Channel 3 wanting, to air Channel 3 programs over MCOT's channel(s)???

Then the OP article says this:

Channel 3 is the only TV operator declining to simulcast its analog TV programmes. It recently announced its decision to run analog programmes together with the three digital programmes.

I can't tell if that means they are or are not simulcasting their analog content (I assume that means the regular shows people traditionally have watched on Channel 3) on their various new digital channels. If they're not showing that content on their various digital channels, what content are they showing???

[WhizBang]

It would be nice if The Nation hired some decent englishing speaking writers... and proof readers!!!

[Rorri]

TallGuyJohninBKK, on 29 Apr 2014 - 10:36, said:

I'm trying....but failing...to understand what the heck this article is talking about.

I thought, Channel 3 has its own digital channels among those already approved. I see both a Channel 3 family, Channel 3 SD and Channel 3 HD among the digital channels list. Likewise, MCOT has MCOT Family and MCOT HD among the digital channels, as best as I can see.

So why would MCOT be needing, or Channel 3 wanting, to air Channel 3 programs over MCOT's channel(s)???

Then the OP article says this:

Quote

Channel 3 is the only TV operator declining to simulcast its analog TV programmes. It recently announced its decision to run analog programmes together with the three digital programmes.

I can't tell if that means they are or are not simulcasting their analog content (I assume that means the regular shows people traditionally have watched on Channel 3) on their various new digital channels. If they're not showing that content on their various digital channels, what content are they showing???

I'm totally confused as well... the only way the broadcast ch3 is to simulcast at the same time, the way the article is presented is ridiculous, they've got themselves totally confused. What is the difference between what MCOT is doing and the "free to air" ch's that air being re-broadcast on True via satellite, a digital signal.

[Greer]

I am having a lot of trouble understanding what the hell they are talking about too.

If MCOT and Channel 3 enter an agreement where Ch3 sells or rents programmes to MCOT, it has totally <deleted> all to do with the NBTC, as it is simply the sale of content - which is how TV stations get most of their material, by buying it from production companies.

The only thing I can see is that maybe for some reason Ch3 is selling its live to air analogue feed to MCOT, so that effectively MCOT is simulcasting Ch3 analogue on their behalf, while Ch3 digital bouquet is carrying totally different content - although I still cant see why MCOT would do that, or why Ch3 would either.

So thats what I think they must mean...MCOT must be carrying the same content as that offered on an analogue channel, but the actual content itself is irrelevant, just that MCOT is carrying the SAME as an analogue channel, and the only way that the NBTC could know that, is if MCOT is simulcasting Ch3 analogue - as I said above...

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I don't have digital yet, so I can't view the new channels they're talking about.

But the main point I didn't follow above was -- AFAIK, Channel 3 and MCOT both have multiple digital channels in the new digital channel spectrum. In Channel 3's case, the above article indicates they have THREE digital channels.

So, if Channel 3 isn't broadcasting/simulcasting their current (and popular) analog programming content (lakorns, lakorns, lakorns) to one of its new digital channels, then what exactly are they airing on their own digital channels? And why would they want to sell/license (???) that content to MCOT instead of using it themselves?