Digital TV operators oppose to NBTC’s proposed licence ownership change

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Digital TV operators oppose to NBTC’s proposed licence ownership change



BANGKOK: -- A major digital TV operator today voiced opposition to the National Broadcast and Telecommunication Commission's (NBTC) proposal for amendments of laws to allow ownership change of digital TV licences saying the regulator must observe the auction rules and conditions strictly.

Reaction from one major digital TV operator, Bangkok Entertainment Co Ltd, operator of Channel 3, came after NBTC secretary general Takorn Tantasith came out with proposal to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the prime minister to make the ownership change after foreseeing some operators of digital TV channels might not be able to operate due to the remaining 30 billion baht licence fees they have to pay in installments until 2017.

But some contended that the move by the regulator was aimed at helping a digital TV operator who failed to pay the second installment of licence fees for two channels it won in recent auction.

However Mr Takorn asserted his proposal was aimed at helping the whole digital TV industry and not any particular operator after foreseeing digital TV operators might face difficulties in paying the enormous licence fees.

He proposed that licence holders facing financial loss can transfer licence ownership to new investors but with conditions.

BEC deputy managing director Surin Krisrptayapongphan said he disagreed with the proposal to amend the laws to allow ownership transfer, insisting that the NBTC must observe the rules and regulations it stated before holding the licence auction.

He said it was impossible to enable all digital TV operators to achieve business success as it would contradict to facts.

He said it was the NBTC to find out how it could help to enable operators to survive the business or make profits.

He said what he was worried most was the number of digital channels which have so many, and the channel numbers which do not match.

Other concern included HD digital TV signals which could not yet access to every household, and plentiful options for advertisements.

A major content provider Kantana Group president Sasikorn Chanseth said the company remained hesitant to enter digital TV business as at present there are too many channels and audience could not remember channel numbers and broadcast time of their favourite programmes.

He said Kantana would only continue to produce contents for Channel 7, 9, 3 and Thai Rath TV.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/digital-tv-operators-oppose-to-nbtcs-proposed-licence-ownership-change


-- Thai PBS 2015-06-10

[Srikcir]

NAAC might want to watch NBTC secretary general Takorn Tantasith's assets for any unexplained increase in wealth.

The Junta government has encouraged double standards in issuing broadcast licenses. The NBTC has effectively rendered license regulations moot.

Those channels that diligently paid their license fees in full and on time may want to consider withdrawing. The military has its own station and probably from Prayut's viewpoint, that's enough for the Thai people.