Superjeew Co, one of the country’s leading children's TV programme producers, aims to provide its content to new digital channels and free magazines for children.
Superjeew executive director Viwat Wongphattarathiti says the emergence of digital TV will create chances for children’s programmes.
Executive director Viwat Wongphattarathiti said it is in talks with five digital-TV auction winners to provide them with children's content in the near future. The programmes will target children from pre-school to secondary school.
"The rise of digital TV will create a huge opportunity for Superjeew as there will be more chances for children's programming in the future," he said.
Superjeew produces about 7-8 programmes broadcast via Thai PBS and MCOT's Channel 9.
It expects to double its programmes to 15 and its TV revenue is expected to rise next year after providing children's content to digital broadcasters.
Among 24 digital channels, three are for children and will broadcast their first programmes on April 1 as required by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.
Over the past two decades, Superjeew has cooperated with many partners to create TV content that has enhanced children's knowledge and stimulated their imagination.
"It was very difficult to survive in the children's TV programme industry in the past. But now we can prove ourselves and stand firm in this business. We want to give back to society and become a total children's solutions company," Mr Viwat said.
The company yesterday launched Superjeew magazine, a free monthly publication for children and families, to celebrate its 24th anniversary this year.
"I have entered the magazine business to fulfil my dream to promote reading among children," Mr Viwat said.
"I found that Thai children read only two books a year compared with Vietnamese children's 50 books. This is our concern because we believe reading is an underlying foundation to learning."
He found there are no specific magazines for children and youths in the market.
After two years of preparation, the company decided to do Superjeew magazine, which will be distributed nationwide. This magazine is for both adults and young people, with a primary target of Grade 3–6 students.
About 150,000 copies of Superjeew, which features 60 full-colour pages, are being distributed through leading schools, coffee shops, tutor schools, Central Department Store, Nai-in shops and Oishi restaurants.
Readers can read the magazine at its Facebook fanpage, which has more than 400,000 followers, and through DTAC's Readever application.
Superjeew magazine has hired Thailand’s leading illustrator, Jirathorn Jiraprawat, as a consultant to focus on interactive communications that will encourage children to play games, have fun and win prizes while reading.
"We see this free magazine as another important step for Superjeew to expand into the publishing industry. It will also create a synergy to connect magazine content to TV in the near future," he said.
After the launch of Superjeew magazine, the company has three business units — events, TV and magazines.
It projects its revenue will reach 290 million baht this year, of which 180 million baht will come from event organising, 90 million from TV and 20 million from magazines.
Next year, its total revenue will exceed 390 million baht.
The TV unit will generate 180 million baht, while the event-organising business will record 190 million and magazines will have flat growth.