The first 10 channel numbers on the satellite TV platform are being charged more by satellite set-top box providers as channel operators believe that the channel number is important to attract viewers.
According to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)'s channel line-up for non-frequency broadcast rule, set-top box providers are allowed to freely arrange the channel line-up for the first 10 places.
The channels that follow must be 12 public-purpose digital channels, three children's channels, seven news channel, seven variety standard-definition (SD) channels and seven variety high-definition (HD) channels.
A source from the digital TV operators said PSI, the country's leading satellite dish and set-top box provider, charges around 2 million baht a month for those who want to be among its first 10 channel numbers. After that, it will charge about 500,000 baht a month.
The source said the channel operators are happy to pay extra to get a single-digit channel number as it is easy for viewers to remember them.
However, the NBTC imposed a rule that set-top box providers are not allowed to seek benefits directly and indirectly from the channel arrangement.
Nirand Tangpiroontham, managing director of Infosat, a member of satellite dish group Big 4, said satellite dish and set-top box providers last week conferred with Thaicom, the satellite transponder provider, to comply with the must-carry rule.
They will make their channel line-ups on C-band satellite dish in accordance with the must-carry rule next month.
Mr Nirand said Infosat requires HD channels to be among the first 10 channels because it wants to use HD content to motivate the industry.
The rise of digital TV stabilised the satellite TV market last year. Digital TV channels will be reserved for numbers 11-46. The three analogue free TV channels will be carried on the satellite platform until May 25 as the regulator wants to encourage them to migrate content to the digital system.