In Thailand, will introduce "European" TV - Magazine Mediasat

Thailand is preparing for the transition to digital broadcasting in standard DVB-T2.

Thai National Commission on Broadcasting and Telecommunications (NBTC) has selected DVB-T2 as the standard for digital terrestrial broadcasting in Thailand, and the proposal was approved in 2012 by the government as part of the “digitize Thailand.” Standard DVB-T2 was chosen due to the fact that it offers “the most efficient signal transfer».

At the moment, according to information from various sources, NBTC is preparing for the auction, which will be distributed licenses to digital broadcasting. This auction will take place at the end of this year or early next year. According to the General Secretary NBTC Takorna Tantasita, now governor meets with representatives of the 33 TV network operators, who have already prepared the documents for participation in the auction. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the details of a future auction. The deadline for applications was completed on October 28-29.

Experts expect a tough fight for a place in the air, as each of the potential bidders licenses aims to have a share of the advertising pie at the cost of 100 billion THB – such sum advertisers give annually Thai television.

currently in Thailand with six free TV channels: 3.5, 7, 9, 22, and Thai PBS. However, after the successful launch of digital broadcasting in the DVB-T2 standard Thai viewers will be able to get access to watch up to 48 channels. Among the 48 TV programs will include 12 channels of local communities, 12 public channels and 20 commercial TV channels. The remaining 4 are designed for TV broadcasting in high-definition resolution. Increasing the number of channels will open the gates for the emergence of niche channels in Thailand in general digital package, in particular, we can expect TV channels devoted to sports, cooking, travel and technology. It is expected that the increased choice of channels available will open opportunities for the entry of new production studios that can produce content that meets the needs of different audience groups.

According to the NBTC, the ability to watch programs on television today has 84% ??of the population Thailand. Among them, the proportion of the audience free of terrestrial channels is 50%, while 29% and 26% respectively of Thai households are subscribers of cable and satellite television.

the first stage receiving digital terrestrial television in Thailand will be using the set-top-boxes, and NBTC promises to assist the transition to digital standards – particularly when it will touch digitization channels of local communities. Also in the NBTC say that the government should provide the public subsidy for the purchase of set-top-boxes (through state credit or coupons), as well as to support local producers consoles.

start broadcasting in the DVB-T2 standard in Thailand scheduled for 2014.