The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has agreed to delay regulations regarding channel numbering by handing the contentious issue back to the broadcasting panel for reconsideration.
Secretary-general Takorn Tantasith yesterday said requests for reconsideration of the amended rules by satellite and cable TV network providers and TrueVisions had persuaded the regulator to review the matter and head off a possible lawsuit by satellite and cable operators.
TrueVisions reasoned the rule changes would create confusion among its consumers.
The company holds protection rights under the Broadcasting Act on behalf of concessionaires and charges service fees directly from subscribers.
The Act stipulates operators under a concession have the right not to change any agreements of the concession.
"We have decided to reconsider the legal issues carefully," Mr Takorn said.
In the meantime, the NBTC will again review approval of the amended regulations next Jan 21.
Last month, the amendment of regulations concerning channel arrangement passed the process of public hearings and was approved by the broadcasting panel.
Platform operators are fighting against the amended rules by requesting a reconsideration from several media-related regulators.
Channel numbering is a key factor in building awareness among TV viewers.
The TV operators say channel numbers that can access a wider group of viewers are advantageous and bring in more revenue.
Separately, Mr Takorn said the NBTC had approved set-top box redemption under the digital TV voucher scheme worth 2 million baht for the first lot.
It will continue to pay for coupon redemption with an estimated value of 100 million baht by year-end.
In a related issue, the Digital TV Operators Club, chaired by Supab Kleekrajai, will submit a letter to the NBTC today requesting a 2% cut in annual fees.