Two giant pay-TV operators, Cable Thai Holding (CTH) and TrueVisions, are waging a marketing battle to lure customers.
CTH will introduce major sponsors for English Premier League (EPL) games from 2013-15 next Tuesday. EPL packages will be launched on June 4 in Hua Hin.
Chief executive Krissanan Ngampatipong said it set aside 200 million baht for the marketing campaign including EPL this year. It wants to position itself as a family entertainment provider.
Adding turquoise to its logo and "We share" as a slogan is a part of this outlay.
Initially it is focusing on converting the set-top boxes from analogue to digital for its 2.5 million subscribers on 170 partner operators, followed by an effort to attract new subscribers in this year's third quarter. CTH projects it will have 6.9 million subscribers by 2016.
Meanwhile, a trial for CTH's broadband internet service will be made in Greater Bangkok around October, with commercial service planned for the middle of next year.
Mr Krissanan confirmed the package price for all 380 EPL matches will be less than 1,000 baht per month for subscribers.
A basic package with 120 channels can watch one EPL match a month.
TrueVisions launched two of their own packages yesterday: Super Knowledge with 116 channels at 590 baht per month and Super Sport with 95 channels at 495 baht per month.
Highlights in the Super Sport package include the UEFA Champions league, Calcio Serie A, the Thai Premier League, Thai fighting, the PGA Tour and the Ryder Cup. The Super Knowledge package has Discovery Home and Health, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science, TLC, H2 and BBC Lifestyle.
TrueVisions chose to add more family channels instead of cutting package prices after losing EPL broadcasts. The company will spend 200 million baht on discounts or upgrades to subscribers.