Chitnarong: ‘Thueng Luk Thueng Khon’ has been with MCOT for a long time. It is a time for change starting with the new creative idea.

Based on time-sharing benefits, the new programmes are set to replace well-known news talk shows "Khui Khui Khao" and "Thueng Luk Thueng Khon", which will run until the end of this month.

Nation Broadcasting Corporation, the TV unit of the Nation Multimedia Group, in cooperation with MCOT, will introduce a new programme titled "Khao Khon Khon Khao" to replace "Khui Kuhi Khao".

To run daily every weekday from 9.30-10pm, the investigative news programme will feature Nation Channel's two well-known hosts, Kanok Ratwongsakul and Theera Thanyapaiboon, and two hosts from MCOT, Kampu Puripuwadol and Sopon Navarattanapong. In addition, MCOT together with Nation Broadcasting Corporation and three major  independent producers - TV Burabha, Asia Television and Media and JSL - will co-produce five different daily programmes, run by five different female hosts, to fill the slot between 11pm and midnight. It will replace 'Thueng Look Thueng Kon' presented by well-known host Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda.

On Monday, MCOT will produce its own variety talk show titled "Chan Chuan Kit" to be hosted by MCOT's senior reporter Orawan Krimwiratkul. The programme is set to offer hot and interesting issues in society.

On Tuesday, MCOT will also join with Nation Broadcasting Corporation in its news documentary titled "Chut Chanuan Khwam Kit". Hosted by Veenarat Laohapakakul, the new programme is set to cover interesting issues including social, economic, politics, crime and quality of life. "The Visitor", produced by MCOT and TV Burabha, will be shown on Wednesday. Hosted by Pattraporn Sangphuangthong and Kaewta Prisawong, the new talk show will reflect facts in society. MCOT will also join with Asia Television and Media in its new talk

show titled "Khon Khom Kit" to be hosted by Kritika Kongsompong. To be broadcast every Thursday, it will present all issues and problems in society.

MCOT and JSL will co-produce "Thur Thueng Thur" (Share) every Friday. Hosted by Janista Lewchalermwong, the new talk show will focus on the problems faced by women in Thai society.

Chitnarong Kunagridatikarn, vice president of MCOT, said the introduction of new programmes would reflect MCOT's intention to participate in the co-production of the programmes.

"Thueng Luk Thueng Khon" has been with MCOT for a long time. It is a time for change starting with the new creative idea," said Chitnarong. "Most news talk and analysis programmes in the market have been hosted by men and Modernine would like to make a new phenomenon

by presenting issues and news contents

via the female hosts' point of views," he added.

 Chitnarong said all independent producers would join the co-production with MCOT under short-term contracts of between three to six months. The TV station would take about one month to evaluate the programmes and to get feedback from viewers. Adisak Limprungpatanakij, president of Nation Broadcasting, said that its "Khao Khon Khon Khao" programme would focus on presenting news in more in-depth and investigative ways.

"We can prove ourselves with the

quality of our working staff. And with those quality people, we have been welcomed by TV channels," said Adisak, adding that with the new line-ups launched in the Modernine and other free-TV channels, Nation Broadcasting expected to double the size of its programme content supplied to free-TV channels next year.

Yuwadee Boonkrong, managing director of Asia Television and Media, said the new prime-time programmes would attract more upper middle-class urban people and business executives.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation