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Published on November 16, 2007

In addition to SMS and websites, MCOT, a local media conglomerate and operator of the Modernine television station, will also offer news and other content through other new media channels in the near future, such as Internet Protocol Television, Mobile Television and Content on Demand.

Under the alliance, local online service provider Sanook Online will be responsible for the redesign of MCOT's website, as well as for its marketing activities. Samart will broadcast MCOT's news content to target consumers via SMS on their mobile phones.

Both new media channels are expected to generate new revenue of about Bt30 million to MCOT in the next 12 months.

"MCOT has news content that is now broadcast to local audiences through conventional media, particularly television and radio. From this valuable and credible content, we are able to become a media-content provider and profit from it by sending that content to target audiences through new media channels like the Internet and SMS," said MCOT president Wasan Paileeklee.

Wasan said that under the alliance with of Sanook Online, MCOT would redesign its www.mcot.net website to make it "more modern and trendy". It will be interactive and user-friendly and feature quicker updates of all news and other content.

"We've converted our website from a subscription-based online news service to an open website where anyone can access information, and the major income will be from advertising," said Wasan.

"We want to be an alternative channel for Web users," said Wasan, adding that there were about 10 million Internet users in Thailand.

He said Samart would also help MCOT offer its news content to local mobile-users through its new MCOT X-press service. Subscribers will be able to access MCOT news, divided into four areas updated regularly: general, economic, entertainment and English.

"There are more than 40 million people in Thailand with mobile phones, and many of them access SMS," said Wasan. "As a leading media company, we should not miss this great chance to communicate with a massive number of people who have mobiles," said Wasan.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

 The Nation