Channel 3 controversy: BEC query on simulcasts

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CHANNEL 3 CONTROVERSY
BEC query on simulcasts
Usanee Mongkolporn
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Channel 3 operator Bangkok Entertainment Co (BEC) has asked the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)'s broadcasting committee to discuss again about how to make it possible for it to simulcast analog programmes on a digital channel.

The committee will also convene again today on the Channel 3 request for more talks.

The company and the committee have few days left before October 11 deadline when they have to get a solution on the matter.

BEC on September 26 filed a case with the Central Administrative Court to seek an injunction against an order from the broadcasting committee that all cable and satellite TV network operators drop its programmes from their networks on September 28. The court granted a reprieve to BEC by extending the September 28 deadline to October 11 and asked both parties to seek a solution on the case.

But it remains to be seen if there will be a progress in their attempt to find a solution. Broadcasting committee member Peerapong Manakit, who is abroad now, has informed the committee that its meeting today on Channel 3's request must not pass any new resolution that would have an impact on the committee's resolution made on September 29.

The five-member committee voted 3:2 to issue a resolution on Sept 29 that digital TV channel operator BEC-Multimedia will be able to air full analog programmes of Channel 3 on its digital channel, and that BEC-Multimedia will still be regarded as operating a digital channel on its own in these circumstances. The committee also asked BEC-Multimedia to submit new programming for its to review when BEC simulcasts content on the channel.

However, broadcasting committee chairman Natee Sukonrat, who voted against the move, raised concern that if BEC-Multimedia's entire content were 100 per cent produced by BEC, it could risk violating Article 43 of the 2010 Frequency Allocation Act, which states that a spectrum licence holder cannot transfer its spectrum ownership to other parties.

In a related matter, the Administrative Court today will ask a group of cable and satellite TV operators about their filing legal action with the court against the broadcasting committee's order to have them drop Channel 3 programmes from their networks. The court will summon the committee to testify for the case on Thursday.

In a separate matter, Natee said that the broadcasting committee was expected to approve a letter to be sent the Finance Ministry seeking a consultation if the NBTC could allow all digital TV licensees to postpone their second round of payments on the upfront licence fee till February 2017 - instead of early next year, as originally scheduled. This postponement aims to help digital terrestrial TV operators to survive in business in the beginning stage of operations.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/BEC-query-on-simulcasts-30244794.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-06

[jayjayjayjay]

I have no idea what is going on here. Can someone explain. Why aren't other big channels like 7 or 5 having such issues. Why only 3?

[seajae]

seems that in Thailand if you have lots of money and know the right people you do not have to adhere to the laws that apply to everyone else. This has been on the table for a long time but channel 3 chose to ignore it due entirely to financial considerations/profits for themselves, strange that they are getting officials to agree with them, maybe they are handing out boxes of donuts