The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is about to develop a nationwide streaming platform, aiming to streamline all real-time streaming content material from present digital TV channels. The platform is anticipated to be totally operational by 2025, aligning with the NBTC’s online migration plan and catering to the rising number of online content material shoppers.
This initiative is also expected to offer a cushion towards uncertainties surrounding the digital TV sector, especially post-2029 when current digital TV licenses are set to run out. NBTC commissioner Pirongrong Ramasoota, overseeing the TV sector, revealed that the platform will act as an environment friendly device to gauge digital TV programme ratings, a function that may show helpful for future digital TV operators.
Pirongrong further defined that every one related stakeholders, including those in digital TV, TV-on-demand, and promoting sectors shall be engaged within the creation of the platform. However, she assured that the existing content streaming on platforms run by digital TV operators will remain unaffected.
As a half of this initiative, all present TV operators shall be required to link their streaming programmes with the new platform, providing a extra correct reflection of their enterprise activities and viewer engagement. The NBTC’s engineering and broadcasting expertise division aims to have a platform prototype ready by the tip of 2023, with full development expected by June 2024.
Pirongrong said that the NBTC has actively engaged with all relevant events, including the Association of Digital Television Broadcasting (Thailand), the Advertising Association of Thailand, and sensible TV producers, to make sure the brand new platform is equipped with appropriate features.
The shifting dynamics throughout the digital TV enterprise ecosystem, pushed by changes in consumer behaviour, the rise of social platforms, and the progression of over-the-top platforms, have significantly impacted TV channels. They are not solely fighting declining advert spend but also grappling with the accuracy of viewer figures.
Moreover, the digital TV sector faces technical challenges because of frequency allocation for broadcasting under worldwide apply and evolving applied sciences like 4K high-definition and the 5G wi-fi broadband system. From the 24 digital TV channels that secured licenses within the NBTC’s 2013 public sale, only 15 remain operational at present, largely because of monetary constraints.
Pirongrong disclosed that digital TV channels initially operated companies on the spectrum range between 470-694 megahertz. Currently, they utilise the 470-614MHz vary, as part of the spectrum was reallocated for telecom companies as per the International Telecommunication Union’s commonplace. The adoption of 4K expertise would possibly additional affect the present spectrum vary usage.
Predicting the future, Pirongrong envisages solely 3-5 digital TV channels in operation post-2029, potentially broadcasting programmes on high-definition and 4K platforms. However, she believes it’s untimely to foretell whether or not digital TV operators will continue content material provision by way of a TV display screen after 2029.
She additionally highlighted Thailand’s distinctive transition from an analogue TV broadcasting system to a digital ecosystem, which started with 24 digital TV channels and 5 broadcasting networks operated by three suppliers. This contrasts with the Malaysian transition to a digital TV system, which was achieved via a single broadcasting network, MYTV Broadcasting, appointed to develop and function infrastructure and community facilities for the digital TV system in the nation.
Uncomplicated concluded by stating that the NBTC should develop the streaming platform and hold tempo with the altering TV broadcasting businesses. Despite the digital shift, she noted that tv stays a primary supply of data and entertainment for a lot of, notably those residing in provinces, reviews Bangkok Post.
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