SET-listed BEC World, the operator of Channel 3, is upbeat about its operating results next year, helped by content development that serves various platforms, as well as online and social media expansion.
Surin Krittayaphongphun, president for TV business, said Channel 3's business bottomed out in the second quarter and positive operating results emerged in the third quarter.
The company expects Channel 3's revenue will return to double-digit growth next year with better profit, said Mr Surin.
"To achieve its goal, we are focusing our expansion on three areas next year," said Mr Surin.
"We are going to ramp up our content development to serve various platforms and expand our online and new media channel. In addition, we will also expand our business via Channel 3 Plus applications and sell content abroad."
He said TV will contribute 75% of revenue for the group, with new media and foreign business making up a combined 25%.
"Channel 3 has 10,000 hours of content in hand, so our primary focus will be using it as a new source of income. We set our new vision to be a big content producer, producing single content to sell via multi-platforms. Technology is not a disrupter for us but creates an opportunity for us to expand business via multi-platforms," Mr Surin said.
Channel 3 sells its content to video-streaming platform WeTV, Line TV and over-the-top platforms in Malaysia and Singapore.
He said Thailand's overall advertising billing via TV media is unlikely to come back to its peak period enjoyed in the past several years.
He said competition is very high and audiences have moved to multiple channels and multiple viewing platforms, while major buyers of TV advertisement are multinational companies which are hard hit by the sluggish economy and have cut their advertising budget.
"With our business plans that will focus on building stronger content of drama, news and variety programmes, we expect to be able to draw more advertising billing to Channel 3," Mr Surin said.
In 2021, the company will produce four TV programmes including Idol Paradise, Hollywood Game Night Thailand, Super Champ, and Thailand I Miss You!. At least 14 dramas will be launched to the market.