‘Money Channel’ will be administered using the theme “All about your money”. The programs have actually already been on the air since April 18 as a test run, using the Thai TV Global Network (TGN) on a KU-Band frequency of the Thaicom Satellite. The Network’s coverage is over seven countries, including Thailand and the Indochina region.
“These days, economic issues are important to all of us. This has become obvious since the number of TV programs transmitting news or programs on issues relating to economics has been increasing. Nevertheless, there is currently no channel really devoted to economics and investment. That’s why we believe it’s the appropriate time to launch this new alternative for viewers,” Mr. Ratchapol said.
Initially, the 350,000 cable TV subscribers of the United Broadcasting Corporation Pcl. (UBC), as well as an additional 100,000 viewers having a Smart Corporation Pcl. satellite dish installed, will be readily able to view the ‘Money Channel’.
The ‘Money Channel’ project was approved by the SET Board of Governors in August 2004. The Board delegated the responsibility of producing a TV channel, devoted to economic and investment issues important to Thailand, to the FKH. The aim of this channel is to run programs which will disseminate essential information, economy and stock price movements, and other useful programming to help investors make more informed investment decisions as well as help make personal financial management more effective. This will benefit Thailand overall in the long-run.
Besides presenting useful, up-to-date, and reliable information about movements in the economy and the stock market, the ‘Money Channel’ will also become the people’s financial advisor. The programs will be informative, entertaining and easy to understand, and presented in a style with broad appeal for the masses.
The program mix on Money Channel will be 50% related to economics and investment, 30% to lifestyle, and 20% to news. Partners with the FKH in producing Thai and English programs include Thaiday Dot Com of the Manager Group, Traffic Corner, Siam Inter-Multimedia, Money & Banking Magazine, and various medium and small-sized production houses that can produce programs in line with the Money Channel’s theme.
“The SET has a clear policy to deliver information relating to economic and financial issues in an entertaining manner to help educate Thai people, and not for profit. Therefore, we’re open to establishing alliances, whether with production houses or sponsors from both the private and public sectors to take part. They will ultimately make the ‘Money Channel’ both informative and entertaining,” Mr. Ratchapol concluded.
The Family Know-How Co. Ltd., a SET subsidiary, is responsible for disseminating personal financial management information and investment alternatives through various media, e.g., TV, radio, or newspapers. FKH also utilizes musical plays, its Money & Wealth Magazine, and numerous other activities which promote savings and investing.
