Thai TV station will roll out three not 12 channels

<p>BANGKOK: A new free-to-air TV station will begin broadcasting on </p><p>three channels to viewers in Greater Bangkok next month. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>World Star TV had intended to launch digital broadcasts of 12 channels </p><p>nationwide, until the Government's Post and Telegraph Department (PTD) </p><p>reminded it that the concession specified analogue broadcasts only. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Former subscribers to now- defunct pay-per-view broadcasters IBC and </p><p>Thai Sky TV will be able to use their old antennae to receive World </p><p>Star's signals. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Meanwhile, the Government has confirmed that World Star has been granted </p><p>the right to carry commercials, unlike United Broadcasting Corporation, </p><p>the country's largest pay-TV operator, which has had no success in </p><p>persuading the Government to lift the ad prohibition. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, the new player is no stranger to controversy -critics have </p><p>highlighted irregularities surrounding World Star's television </p><p>concession. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The company was originally granted a pay-TV, not a free-to-air </p><p>licence. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In addition, the only two bidders for the licence shared the same </p><p>investors, putting the legality of the bids into question. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Adding to the controversy, Thai Star TV's free-to-air concession was </p><p>simply transferred to World Star after its demise, without the </p><p>Government calling for new bids. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>

by | 08/31/2001