Digital TV operators are preparing to meet the Prime Minister, hoping to urge the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to quickly finalize the master plan and roadmap before the license expires in 2029, fearing negative effects on the media industry and viewers' rights to information.
At a forum gathering opinions on the impact of delays in the digital TV roadmap and OTT regulation on operators and media professionals, representatives from the Digital Television Association (Thailand), digital TV operators, associations, media professional councils, academics, and civil society representatives joined to discuss the direction and future of digital TV. This follows the expiration of operating licenses in 2029, while the NBTC has yet to present a clear plan.
Mr. Supap Klee-kajai, President of the Digital Television Association (Thailand), stated that the master plan and digital TV roadmap have been included on the NBTC meeting agendas several times but were repeatedly postponed or replaced with other topics. This has negatively affected digital TV operators, preventing them from planning their businesses for the future, while employees face the risk of job loss. Today's forum concluded that if the NBTC does not decisively approve the digital TV roadmap soon, the association and operators will submit a letter and request a meeting with the Prime Minister for consideration.
Mr. Siri Boonpitakset, a representative of digital TV operators, said the lack of clarity in the roadmap has hindered business decisions that require at least five years of planning, but now only a few years remain. He seeks clear answers from the NBTC and calls for the establishment of fair competition mechanisms between digital TV and OTT platforms.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chokchai Iamritsikrai, a representative of program producers at Tero Digital Company Limited, expressed concern that the absence of a digital TV roadmap and clear OTT regulatory mechanisms is impacting the growth of the Thai media business, which is valued at over 140 billion baht and is shrinking annually, especially due to deficits to foreign platforms.
On another note, Ms. Supinya Klangnarong, former NBTC commissioner, emphasized that Thailand still needs free TV or digital TV to ensure the public’s access to information without charge, which is a basic right. She proposed that digital TV operators prepare scenarios in advance for the license expiration if the NBTC roadmap remains unclear, avoiding a blackout situation. She suggested that the executive branch pressure the NBTC to make a definitive decision to prevent impacts on consumers.
Previously,the Digital Television Association (Thailand) submitted a letter to the NBTC,on 26 May, urging the NBTC to set a clear deadline for announcing the master plan and roadmap by 30 June.
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