Over-the-top (OTT) platforms have been warned that they face a ban on advertising if they fail to register their companies with the regulator within the 30-day deadline on July 22.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) called on the top 50 advertising agencies to acknowledge by Wednesday the regulatory framework of OTT services. On Thursday, it will call on the 50 companies that spend the most on online advertising.
The NBTC will ask them to collaborate with the commission on advertising activities on the OTT platform, said Col Natee Sukolrat, chairman of the subcommittee working on an OTT regulatory framework under the NBTC.
Col Natee did not mention any specific measures being imposed on those who do not comply with the NBTC. More details will be unveiled Wednesday.
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He said the NBTC has the right to govern advertising on OTT platforms under the Broadcasting Business Act. The video-on-demand service of OTT operators, generally known as streaming, falls into the category of broadcast business.
OTT businesses in Thailand can be divided into four categories: independent OTT operators; pay TV operators who broadcast using an OTT platform; telecom operators who provide OTT services; and digital TV channels that broadcast their programmes using OTT platforms.
Independent OTT operators include domestic operators such as Hollywood HDTV, Doonee and PrimeTime. Foreign OTT operators include YouTube, Facebook, Line TV and Netflix.
Pay TV operators that broadcast via the OTT platform include PSI and TrueVisions Anywhere. AIS Play is a telecom operator that broadcasts using an OTT platform.
Digital TV channels that broadcast their programmes using OTT platforms include Channel 3, Mono, Channel 7, Workpoint and Channel 8.
In a related matter, the NBTC on Tuesday called on the 44 most popular local YouTube channels to acknowledge the OTT regulatory framework. These include Channel 3 Thailand, Spicydisc, Dek Jew Chill Out, My Mate Nate, TOPLINE Music Official, Bie The Ska, TeamGarryMovie and Workpointofficial.
Col Natee said the 44 most popular YouTube channels are classified as OTT content providers who regularly broadcast via OTT platforms. They are required to register with the NBTC because they are influential to the Thai economy and society, he said.
The 44 channels have already agreed on the need for the NBTC's regulatory framework for the OTT platform.