TrueVisions expands HD

Jul 14, 2011 (Bangkok Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The pay-television operator TrueVisions expects its 11 high-definition (HD) channels to be a key driver in adding new subscribers next year, with some existing clients upgrading their packages to premium ones.

The company yesterday introduced eight new HD channels, bringing its total HD selection to 11. Its HD channels offer a wide range of information, knowledge and entertainment programmes from various producers, including TrueSport HD2, National Geographic HD, Discovery HD World, Star Movies HD, Fox Family Movies HD, AXN HD, KMTV HD, and iConcerts HD.

With its investment of 250 million baht to become a leader in subscription-based cable TV, TrueVisions hopes its premium subscribers (silver, gold, and platinum packages), which total almost 500,000 currently, will increase to 600,000 next year.

In addition, TrueVisions hopes to see growth from clients upgrading their knowledge packages to premium ones."In the past, the figures for premium clients grew very slowly," said chief commercial officer Ong-Ard Prapakamol. "However, our 11 HD channels will help us woo both new and existing customers to pay for the quality picture and sound from these channels." Thiti Nantapatsiri, the managing director of TrueVisions, said the increase of HD channels to 11 would coincide with expansion of the company's ultra-high-speed network.

"We expect to see service coverage of almost 2 million households within the next two years," Mr Thiti said. "And we will continue to focus on expanding our HD coverage for the rest of this year and throughout 2012." The service area for TrueVisions' HD channels covers most of Greater Bangkok and nine provinces, including Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Rayong, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Songkhla, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan and Ubon Ratchathani. Services are expected to be available in 19 provinces by year-end.

The 11 HD channels are currently limited to subscribers with fibre-optic cable services but will soon be available to satellite customers.

Mr Thiti said advertising revenue would increase by 20% to 840 million baht this year and total revenue would outperform last year's figure of 10 billion.