TV operators sue for numbering system

TV operators sue for numbering system

Both sides claim customer confusion

NBTC officials take media representatives to inspect the digital TV signal transmission facilities atop Baiyoke Tower II. WEERAWONG WONGPREEDEE
NBTC officials take media representatives to inspect the digital TV signal transmission facilities atop Baiyoke Tower II. WEERAWONG WONGPREEDEE

Major satellite and cable TV network operators will file a lawsuit against the broadcasting regulator, as they oppose the enforcement of the same channel numbering for the first 36 channels starting on Dec 2 for all TV platforms.

The plaintiffs are TrueVisions, the country's largest pay-TV operator, and the Satellite TV Network Providers Club led by PSI Holdings.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will enforce the new regulation that all TV network operators including digital, satellite and cable must rearrange the first 36 channels to have the same numbering system starting on Dec 2 to reduce public confusion.

Satellite and cable TV network operators can now freely arrange their first 10 channels.

A high-ranking NBTC official said TrueVisions planned to sue the regulator over the channel numbering rule, saying it would create customer confusion.

TrueVision executives could not be reached for comment.

PSI Holdings filed its opposition to this rule since last year.

It is frustrated with the channel numbering system, and the same NBTC source said PSI was ready to sue the regulator on behalf of the Satellite TV Network Providers Club.

PSI reaches 17.5 million households nationwide, controlling a 70% market share in the satellite TV business.

Wichit Aurareevorakul, president of Charoen Cable TV (8888) Co, a big local cable TV operator, said many local cable TV operators would struggle to inform their clients of the change, while some did not have the technological support to rearrange the channel numbers.

Takorn Tantasith, NBTC's secretary-general, said the same channel numbering would make every TV platform similar.

"This rule will reduce audience confusion about channels," he said.

It should also make it easier for digital channels and platform operators to promote their channels, Mr Takorn said.

Under the new rule, the first 12 channels are for public TV, 13-15 are for children's channels, 16-22 for news channels, 23-29 for variety on standard definition, and 30-36 for variety with high definition.

This channel line-up has been in use for digital TV set-top boxes, which can only watch free TV, since April 2014.

Only four public channels are available: Channel 5HD, NBT (National Broadcasting Services of Thailand), Thai PBS and Parliament TV. 

Although major satellite and cable TV platform operators disagree with the new rule, Mr Takorn insisted the policy would come into force. 

Fahmai Damrongchaitham, GMM Grammy Plc's chief operating officer for GMM Z, agreed with the channel numbering adjustment, saying GMM Z was ready to follow the rule.

He believes it will benefit audiences in each platform by making it easier remember their favourite channels, thereby reducing confusion and creating fairness for digital TV operators.

RS Plc, which operates the Sunbox satellite TV system, also said it would rearrange the channel line-up for the first 36 channels in line with the NBTC requirement. 

The company, which also operates digital Channel 8, expects the change will reduce public confusion and benefit consumers.

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