Hundreds of satellite and cable channels bite the dust

[webfact]

Hundreds of satellite and cable channels bite the dust
USANEE MONGKONPORN
WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN 400 cable and satellite TV channels have been scrapped this year mainly due to the fast-changing media landscape with the addition of dozens of new digital TV channels and the poor economic conditions.

The latest data from the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) reveals that 40 per cent of the 1,092 broadcasting licences that were registered last year are no longer in operation. This accounts for 258 satellite TV channels, 158 cable TV channels and 15 Internet Protocol TV (iPTV) channels.

Among those out-of-service channels, GMM Broadcasting has stopped its Z Pay TV34, Z1 and GTH On Air channel; CTH Cable TV has ended its Wisdom, Asian Food Channel, Australian Network, Max Sports and Kon Dontree; and True Visions Group has discontinued its RAMA Channel, Star World, Channel V Thailand, HD Showcase, Activ TV, BBC Earth, MTV HD, WE TV and True Information Channel.

However, 661 cable/satellite TV and iPTV channels are still operational. Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC's Broadcasting Committee, explained that this was the result of the launch of 24 digital terrestrial TV channels.

"I witnessed some of those digital TV operators continue to gain market share because of their quality content. Following this change, not only are analog TV channels like Channel 7, Channel 3 and MCOT losing their audience share, but also cable and satellite TV channels," Natee said.

Nielsen Thailand showed that the audience share of 21 digital terrestrial TV channels continues to rise.

As of last month, digital TV's audience share increased to 39.2 per cent of 22.3 million households, up from 15.96 per cent in the same period last year, while the share of six analog TV channels fell to 60.8 per cent from last year's 84.6 per cent. Despite the downward trend of the cable and satellite TV business, consumer complaints about services from those TV operators were on the rise.

Supinya Klangnarong, chair of the NBTC's subcommittee on consumer rights protection, said last week that 189 complaint cases related to radio and television broadcasting services last year. The majority of those (92.59 per cent) involved TV broadcasting service, particularly cable and satellite TV channels such as GMM Z, CTH, IPM TV and True Visions.

Of the complaints, 35.65 per cent were for violations, 18.52 per cent involved unfair terms and conditions from subscription contracts, and 12.96 per cent related to poor quality of service.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Hundreds-of-satellite-and-cable-channels-bite-the--30273510.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-23

[noitom]

Removing information content for Thais.

[MaiChai]

Zillions of channels and nothing but garbage to watch? More to the point, tv channels need revenue to operate.

[Seastallion]

Over 1000 channels?

It's the same in other areas of various markets: One entrepreneur makes some profit, and soon he has competition growing out of his ears.

Like, the other evening I went to a market that was being held in a large wat grounds. There was about a dozen stalls all trying to sell the surplus "Bike for Dad" T-shirts (and that's all they were selling), Smaller scale, I realise, but same mind-set behind it.

[Wilsonandson]

Over 1000 channels?

It's the same in other areas of various markets: One entrepreneur makes some profit, and soon he has competition growing out of his ears.

Like, the other evening I went to a market that was being held in a large wat grounds. There was about a dozen stalls all trying to sell the surplus "Bike for Dad" T-shirts (and that's all they were selling), Smaller scale, I realise, but same mind-set behind it.

Selling those t-shirts with no copyright laws, no money given to charity, a real Del boy and Rodney outfit. At least the tv channels have rules to obide by.

[Laughing Gravy]

Until Thailand allows a free market in this area and others then we will continue to get a poor quality service at expensive prices. The fact that there is no real independent regulatory body will just ensure the same crap service continues. as for the channels being scrapped, may I make a suggestion. Channels 3 and 7!

[pinkpanther99]

Removing information content for Thais.

Indeed.

Add to this the plans to reduce the number of foreign English teachers, the plans for the Single Gateway, increased visa restrictions for foreign visitors, is Thailand moving closer to becoming a closed state?

[Nowisee]

This applies to all (ok not all, but a lot of) commerce here. They are shortchanging themselves out of various markets for the obvious reasons. Meanwhile... the rest of SEA is moving past thailand.

Until Thailand allows a free market in this area and others then we will continue to get a poor quality service at expensive prices. The fact that there is no real independent regulatory body will just ensure the same crap service continues. as for the channels being scrapped, may I make a suggestion. Channels 3 and 7!

[Artisi]

Rest assure there wasn't any real loss in TV quality.

[hgma]

I WANT THE BBC BACK ON MY HOMECABLE!!

[Suradit69]

There's a big shakeup, aka cord cutting, in media happening everywhere. It's hitting cable and satellite providers in the US as well.

In broadcast television, cord cutting, cutting the cord, and cord shaving refer to patterns of viewers cancelling subscriptions to subscription television services, dropping expensive pay television channels or reducing the number of hours of subscription TV viewed in response to competition from rival media.

As a market trend, a growing number of cord cutters or cord nevers tune out from subscription television in favour of some combination of broadband Internet andIPTV, digital video recorders, digital terrestrial television broadcasts (such as "Freeview" in the UK, Australia and New Zealand) or free-to-air satellite television.

[Nowisee]

Around 1999 I pulled the plug on my tv, disconnected cable and have never subscribed to cable or bought another tv since.
I use my computer and pull down for consumption news that I want. I do not watch tv shows...although I admit to dl certain HBO/NetFlix cable series .

The Cable Companies rein of terror is starting to collapse on them.

There's a big shakeup, aka cord cutting, in media happening everywhere. It's hitting cable and satellite providers in the US as well.

[Wombat6]

Why anyone continues to pay for TV amazes me. The solution...you can download any TV Series or movies. Transfer them to an external Hard Drive and replay by plugging in to your TV. without any advertisements interrupting.. Nearly all sporting events are available to stream to your computer free...transfer to your bigger TV screen by cable. Purchase an antenna and Decoder and get free to air programmes (Most news channels etc.). This way, you only watch what you want, when you want.

[shirtless]

No great loss i get 82 channels yet not one decent movie ,

[Torrens54]

Why anyone continues to pay for TV amazes me. The solution...you can download any TV Series or movies. Transfer them to an external Hard Drive and replay by plugging in to your TV. without any advertisements interrupting.. Nearly all sporting events are available to stream to your computer free...transfer to your bigger TV screen by cable. Purchase an antenna and Decoder and get free to air programmes (Most news channels etc.). This way, you only watch what you want, when you want.

What's your problem with Adverts?

Many of them are entertaining and informative..... well the first couple of times anyway !