Static outlook for digital TV channels

Regulator mulling options to help 15 operators survive after licences expire in 2029

- KOMSAN TORTERMVASANA

The NBTC is considering options to help 15 digital TV broadcasting channels survive after their licences expire in 2029.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is exploring options to help 15 digital TV channels survive after their licences expire in 2029.

The channels are perceived as venues people can watch for reliable content, according to the regulator.

There were 24 digital TV channels following the licence auction in 2013, but only 15 remain after many decided to cease operations as a result of heavy financial burdens and intensifying competition.

One option is to set up a national streaming platform as a formal, centralised medium that connects all real-time streaming programmes on digital TV channels.

All existing TV operators would connect their streaming programmes to the new platform, which would reflect real business activities and audiences, noted the NBTC.

The platform is intended to accurately evaluate TV advertising revenue models, benefiting TV channels in the future.

Another option is upgrading the capacity of an existing streaming platform, such as AIS Play, True ID or ThaiPBS, to be a national streaming platform, said NBTC commissioner Pirongrong Ramasoota.

She said this can be achieved through collaboration between the platform owners and digital TV operators.

The NBTC’s engineering and broadcasting technology division has finalised terms of reference for hiring advisors to create a prototype of a platform.