Mono Broadcasting Co, the operator of Mono29 Channel, plans to invest 900 million baht to enhance its content to include more international TV series, films and basketball matches, to expand its audience base this year.
Mono plans to invest 900 million baht to draw in viewers. JIRAPORN KUHAKAN
Mono chief executive Navamin Prasopnet said Mono 29 will expand its fan base among film lovers by increasing business partnerships with Hollywood and international film studios such as Warner Bros, Walt Disney, Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, Sony, CBS and Miramax.
The company has already clinched a deal with Fox Thai and expects to start airing Fox programmes within 2018.
He believes the partnerships with the film studios will attract more movie lovers to watch its digital TV channel as Mono29 has had a very strong and clear target and positioning during nearly three years of operation.
Movies and TV series will represent 70% of the channel's total content and the rest will be news, sports and variety programmes.
Mr Navamin said the company has joined hands with Thai Basketball League and the Sports Authority of Thailand to set up a three-year programme to enhance amateur Thai basketball players to become professional.
Mono29 will also broadcast four Thai basketball leagues this year to expand its fan base from movies to sports.
"We hope when we have new content such as outstanding international series, local dramas and series, news and sports, we can draw more audiences nationwide to watch our digital channel," Mr Navamin said.
The channel expects its content enhancement will drive its TV viewership rating to stay in the top three among 27 free TV channels in 2017.
Mono29 posted a total revenue of 1.2 billion baht last year an increase of 600 million baht from 2015, thanks to its strong channel's positioning.
Mr Navamin projects Mono29's revenue this year will hit 1.2 billion baht or more.
Next year Mono Broadcasting will secure rights to 1,000 more movies to add to the 1,500 movie titles it has already secured.
It has five Thai dramas in production with some shows expected to start airing this month.
Mr Navamin is happy with Mono29's satisfactory viewership rating, and says the channel will keep developing to attract more fans in the future. It hopes to be among the top digital TV operators amid the fierce competition in the TV industry.