Spring News Corporation, the operator of Spring News Channel, plans to spend 240 million baht this year to enhance its content and expand existing studios on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok.
The studio expansion, which is expected to be finished in the second half of this year, will help increase the channel's TV production capacity, said Watanya Wongpasi, Spring News Corporation's vice-chairwoman.
Moreover, the TV station will revise its programmes to be more modern and simple in order to draw the young generation to watch its news content.
News content will combine documentary and analysis teams to serve the demand of various viewer groups.
Spring News Channel currently has a solid viewer base among middle to upper-class people in Bangkok and major provinces.
"Our strong viewership has led our news channel to gain acceptance from advertisers who want to communicate with their target consumers," she said.
Spring News Corporation also plans to buy T-News satellite TV channel to expand its viewer base to cover lower income groups. The T-News purchase plan is in the due diligence process.
Many digital TV operators are still facing losses due to the political and economic problems last year as well as the delay in the digital TV subsidy coupon distribution scheme, Ms Watanya said.
Spring News Channel itself generated only 150 million baht revenue last year, missing the 250-million-baht target.
"We hope the digital TV market will improve significantly this year. We expect a brighter outlook for our channel as well," she said.
This year, Spring News Channel aims to generate 270 million baht, up 80% from last year.
On behalf of the director of MAI-listed Solution Corner (1998) Plc, Ms Watanya said the company also planned to improve its negative image after its major dispute with SET-listed Nation Multimedia Group (NMG) late last year.
SLC bought a 12.27% stake in NMG, which owns Nation TV and Now TV, through its subsidiary Nation Broadcasting Corporation and NBC Next Vision Co.
The dispute made headlines as NMG launched a media campaign to air its concerns over editorial interference by SLC. It also alleged that the money SLC used to buy NMG stocks was linked to politicians.
Ms Watanya said SLC wanted a new image to back up aggressive investment and growth in 2digital TV business this year.