Thai TV station will roll out three not 12 channels

BANGKOK: A new free-to-air TV station will begin broadcasting on

three channels to viewers in Greater Bangkok next month.

World Star TV had intended to launch digital broadcasts of 12 channels

nationwide, until the Government's Post and Telegraph Department (PTD)

reminded it that the concession specified analogue broadcasts only.

Former subscribers to now- defunct pay-per-view broadcasters IBC and

Thai Sky TV will be able to use their old antennae to receive World

Star's signals.

Meanwhile, the Government has confirmed that World Star has been granted

the right to carry commercials, unlike United Broadcasting Corporation,

the country's largest pay-TV operator, which has had no success in

persuading the Government to lift the ad prohibition.

However, the new player is no stranger to controversy -critics have

highlighted irregularities surrounding World Star's television

concession.

The company was originally granted a pay-TV, not a free-to-air

licence.

In addition, the only two bidders for the licence shared the same

investors, putting the legality of the bids into question.

Adding to the controversy, Thai Star TV's free-to-air concession was

simply transferred to World Star after its demise, without the

Government calling for new bids.