A group of high-definition (HD) digital TV channels will take legal action against the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) for failing to help them broadcast clear signals in every platform.
The Radio and Television Broadcasting Professional Federation (RTBPF) will represent the channels and file the case at the Central Administrative Court. The NBTC is accused of not complying with the HD channel contracts.
Most of the current seven HD digital channels have complained about the issue.
Kematat Paladesh, president of Bangkok Media and Broadcasting Co, operator of PPTV Channel, said all seven HD channels should air their signals with real HD quality in every TV platform, according to the 15-year licensing deal between the channel operators and the NBTC.
Seven HD channels currently broadcast HD signals solely through the digital terrestrial system, while the regulator cannot force other platforms such as satellite TV, which represents 70% of TV viewing in Thailand, to carry HD signals.
Meanwhile, some standard-definition channels are broadcasting digitally with HD signals through the satellite TV system.
"It's useless for us to pay huge sums of money for HD channels," he said.
HD TV channels pay licence fees two times higher than SD channels and their network rents are three times higher.
Mr Kematat said digital TV network providers were facing a shortage of KU-band satellite TV transponders provided by Thaicom satellite and this had affected HD TV channels.
The NBTC's recent move to allow consumers to use digital TV subsidy vouchers to buy hybrid set-top boxes will not help channel operators, while TV viewers might not be getting quality signals, he added.
At the same time, the satellite TV network providers' club called on the regulator to revoke the must-carry rule as it was costly to carry all 27 digital TV channels, covering 24 digital TV channels and three analogue ones that have a simulcast broadcast on the digital platform.
TV viewership ratings for the 27 digital TV channels were conducted when most viewers watch them via the satellite TV system, according to the Media Agency Association of Thailand.
Mr Kematat said if the NBTC allowed consumers to use digital TV vouchers to buy satellite TV set-top boxes that could receive HD channels, this would help solve unclear HD signals.
"It's the best practice for balancing the satellite TV and digital terrestrial systems and this will benefit all broadcasting sectors," he said.
To continue the must-carry rule, the NBTC should subsidise the extra cost for satellite TV network providers to carry all digital TV channels, he added.