Channel 3 (Thailand)
| Thailand Television Channel 3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Launched | 26 March 1970 |
| Owned by | BEC-TERO and MCOT |
| Picture format |
576i (PAL, SDTV) 1080i/720p (HDTV) |
| Audience share | 29.0% (2011, MCOT) |
| Slogan | คุ้มค่าทุกนาทีดูทีวีสีช่อง 3 |
| Country | Thailand |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide, receivable in Laos and Malaysia |
| Headquarters | Maleenond Towers, Khlong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Website | www.thaitv3.com/ |
Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Analogue | Normally tuned to 1 on VHF and UHF, VHF Channel 3, UHF Channel 32 (Bangkok and surrounding area) |
| Digital | DMB-T, Band L (Bangkok metro area only) |
| DVB-T, Frequency unknown (launching nationwide in 2013) | |
| DVB-T2 Trial phase since 25 January 2013 (594 MHz) on TV5 Network. | |
| Satellite | |
| TrueVisions | Channel 1 |
| Cable | |
| TrueVisions | Channel 1 |
| Streaming media | |
| ThaiTV3.com | Watch Live |
| STAT | Watch Live |
Thailand Colour Television Channel 3 (Thai: ช่องสาม) was incorporated in 1969 and was officially launched it started began broadcasting on 26 March 1970 as Thailand first commercial television station. It is part of BEC-TERO and MCOT. It transmits 24-hours a day, 7 days a week since 1 January 2005. Its broadcasting centre is located on Maleenond Towers, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. Channel 3 is the original broadcast channel to many animated series such as Dogga Doop, Shelldon, Four Angies, etc.
History
TV3 officially began broadcasting on 26 March 1970 at 10:00 local time, launched by then Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn and broadcasts from Bangkok. This broadcast area was only limited to Bangkok Metropolitan Area area during its early years.
On 26 August 1975, TV3 became the first commercial channel in collaboration with MCOT bringing Thais the live coverage of the Bangkok Southeast Asian Peninsular Games. The same thing was also done in 1997 (failed, now Modernine TV) and 2011 (passed, all matches now Modernine TV).
On 26 August 1972, TV3 became the first commercial channel in collaboration with MCOT bringing Thais the live coverage of the Munich Olympics. The same thing was also done in 1976 and 1980.
On 1 January 1985, TV3 launched its first teletext service known as ข่าวเขียน. In 1996 the service's name was changed to Infonet. It was shut down on 1 January 2008.
Between 1981 to 31 March 1986, TV3 had joint news program with TV9 (present-day Modernine TV). TV3 had its own news service again on 1 April 1986.
On 1 January 1987, TV3 television audio stereo transmissions began in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. It was the first channel in Thailand to adopt stereo broadcasting. It transmits using the Zweikanalton stereo transmission system over TV3's UHF broadcast in Bangkok. Later in the 1990s, the stereo transmission was introduced into their VHF broadcast. TV3 was also experimenting with bilingual transmission over Zweikanalton for a short period of time in the 1990s.
TV3 transmits for 6 hours, from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, between 26 March 1970 to 31 December 1989. 17-hour broadcasting, from 8:00 am to 1:00 am, was introduced in 1990. TV3 once had 24-hour broadcasting shortly in 1997, but due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, it was lifted. 24-hour transmission is back since 1 January 2005.
Until late-2004, TV3 broadcasts for 19 hours a day, then 21 hours, and finally adopting 24-hour broadcasting on 31 December 2004.
On 1 January 2001, TV3 was the first channel in Thailand to broadcast a 3D-movie. The movie, Jaws 3, required the viewers to have a pair of anaglyph glasses that can either be bought from certain stores partnered with TV3 for the event or attained from elsewhere (i.e. a 3D comic book the viewer already has).
In 2013, TV3 is going to change DTT signal from DMB-T to DVB-T and broadcast in two channels, one in SD and one in HD. Currently, TV3 broadcast SD only.
Features
Ever since its launch, TV3 has been the second leading television station in Thailand, the second highest audience share ever achieved by a Thai television station. In terms of advertising revenue, the company retains its leadership position and continues to produce strong revenue growth from advertisements. TV3 continues to upgrade its equipment for production and transmission, and its employees receive continuous exposure and training in television production. This has enabled TV3 to remain as the premier private commercial broadcaster.
TV3 form the largest media group in Thailand, collectively known as BEC-TERO. It is currently headed by Prasan Maleenond.
With Thailand on the track to economic recovery, there has been a correspondingly steady demand for local programmes, whether it be news, current affairs, magazines, talk shows, sports, documentaries, dramas or films. With a strong base of television producers have revolutionized local content production to admiral levels in the broadcast industry. The station has been a trendsetter by producing quality local production and has caught the attention and loyalty of Thais. Believing in the precept that local content is the way to go, TV3 continues to invest in people and equipment to produce quality local content. However, the station also broadcast a balance of quality foreign content movies, dramas, situation comedy, documentaries and sports. The station has a strong market position and reinforces its brand awareness amongst its viewers through various on air and ground events.
TV3 currently broadcasts under UHF (Ultra High) Frequency. In the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, the UHF channel is 32. It is widely seen as favouring the government and not giving enough coverage for the opposition.[citation needed]. TV3 is also currently testing digital broadcasting, using the Chinese DMB-T/H system. The coverage is limited to Bangkok City area only, as opposed to both NBT's DVB and DMB signals which are available throughout the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.
TV3 is also available over TrueVisions on Channel 1.
Criticism and controversy
TV3 has brought some controversies to the Thai entertainment sphere, especially with the excessive advertisement space which lead to the anger of the audience.
Trivia
- On 1 January 2008, TV3 began testing digital transmission. However they chose a different system, DMB-T/H, instead of the DVB-T system other Thai channels uses. As such, viewers already owning a DVB-T receiver cannot pick up TV3's digital signal. The government has since moved to support both systems. TV3 is moving to DVB-T system in late 2013 as one of 48 channels available. However, DMB-T receivers remain scarce in Thailand.
See also
- List of programs broadcast by TV3
- Media in Thailand
References
External links
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