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Published on November 14, 2007

The TV business revenue dropped from Bt764 million to Bt668 million, according to a filing with the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

Compared to the second quarter of this year, net profit was up 24 per cent to Bt299 million on 17 per cent revenue growth to Bt1.08 billion.

President Wasan Paileeklee said the quarter-on-quarter growth was driven mainly by television revenues, which surged 29 per cent.

Revenue from TV commercials climbed 19 per cent on quarter, better than the 9-per-cent growth of overall TV advertising spending, he said.

The jump in TV commercial revenues reflected the rising popularity of many programmes after the timetable was adjusted in July.

Quarterly radio revenues surged 6 per cent year-on-year and 5 per cent quarter-on-quarter against the fall of 5 per cent in overall radio advertising.

Wasan said he planned to focus more on news-related and entertainment shows to serve most viewers during the holidays.

The company is also discussing with all its partners about a possible hike in airtime rates by around 10 per cent after it raised ad rates last October. The highest charge now is Bt330,000 per minute.

Both TV programming and ad rates would be adjusted by January, he said.

This quarter MCOT's revenue should increase 10 per cent during prime time, boosted by commercials for political campaigns and the election, Carabao music band's 25th anniversary, and programmes to celebrate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday.

The political campaigns and election alone would contribute Bt20 million in revenues from last Friday until December 23, he added.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation