MCOT plans international TV channel
MCOT Plc plans to launch an international television channel to export Thai culture and create a global brand image for the country.
“This channel will be also the national communication outlet as well as a window for Thailand to the world,” Sorajak Kasemsuvan, the new chairman, said yesterday.
The strategic plan would be proposed to the board next month, he said.
Vice chairman Chakraphan Yomchinda would be in charge of the team expected to study this new strategic direction with executives of Thai News Agency, which is under MCOT.
The new station would follow the model of public broadcasters abroad like China’s CCTV, Qatar’s Al Jazeera and England’s British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC World). Its programming would span news, information, culture, music and entertainment. It might be developed from Asean TV, which is now aired via satellite, or use a new platform.
Though parts of MCOT’s strategy had changed, edutainment would remain the first priority for the company this year.
The TV programming revamp would be revised in the next board meeting.
For the domestic market, MCOT would strengthen news programmes on Modernine TV to increase its viewer base as well as revenue.
This plan is also under consideration by the strategy team, he added.
MCOT appointed four directors – Boontham Pigulsri, Pol General Panupong Singhara Na Ayudhya, Yajai Pattanasukwasan and Surachai Kositsareewong – to replace those who had resigned before their term ended.
