Dentsu Inc, the holder of Olympic broadcast rights in Thailand, has reaffirmed that it will not allow non-TV Pool member channels to broadcast the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Sarnchatt Chansrakao, managing director of Dentsu Media Thailand, said the parent advertising agency in Japan made clear its stance that only TV Pool would be allowed to broadcast the Rio Olympics in Thailand.
The TV Pool network includes Channel 3, Channel 5, Channel 7, Channel 9 (MCOT HD), NBT and Thai PBS.
As a conciliatory gesture, Dentsu will let the universal service obligation (USO) fund committee decide whether TV Pool will still get a 150-million-baht sponsorship to secure the Olympic broadcast rights.
Several digital TV operators have questioned why the USO fund committee approved the sponsorship for TV Pool to secure the rights from Dentsu.
The sponsorship approval for TV Pool was based on three conditions.
First, all 25 digital TV channels would have the right to broadcast the Olympics on their channels.
Second, the 25 digital channels could use Olympic footage when they reported news about the games.
Third, TV Pool would give the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission 2.3 minutes per hour to advertise its digital TV campaign to build public awareness of the six channels during Olympic broadcasts.
Dentsu did not agree with the conditions set out by TV Pool.
In related news, Dentsu Media Thailand yesterday launched a national campaign to collaborate with Thai sporting groups with an aim to promote sports among Thais.
The media agency has teamed up with the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, Siam Sports Syndicate and other partners to launch Team Thailand Millions for One.
Mr Sarnchatt said the campaign would create a better future for Thai athletes and Thai sport as a whole.
The drive will encourage Thais to create a stronger network in cheering for players at domestic and global sports arenas.