Two TV giants RS and PSI have partnered up and introduced PSI O2 Digital to expand viewership and boost advertising revenue. The highlight is HD broadcasting and exclusive sports content such as 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and La Liga in Spain.
Surachai Chetchotisak, Chief Executive Officer of RS Public Company Limited, said that in the past few years, satellite TV has been growing tremendously, sparking fierce competition. RS was the first operator to inject big budget into improving its content and producing new content such as TV drama, as well as changing its program schedule and launching new channels. All of its channels have so far been very successful. The improvement was aimed at attracting more viewers in both satellite TV and cable TV. At present, Thai people watch TV through satellite and cable TV, accounting for more than 70%. From now on, image quality will be another strength that takes TV viewing experience up a notch, especially by digital HD broadcasting of free-viewing channels.
RS is the leader of TV content and has some of the most popular channels such as Channel 8, Sabaidee TV, You Channel, StarMax and Sun Channel - the first three are number one in their own categories. Recently, RS has partnered up with PSI, the biggest producer and distributor of satellite set-top-box and dish. RS is bringing world class content such as 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil and La Liga Spain 2013, as well as its major hit channels such as Channel 8 to air on PSI O2 Digital in HD to expand the viewership of RS's content. Coupled with PSI's capacity, with over 12 million signal boxes in use, this partnership will certainly push PSI O2 Digital to success.
Before the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil kicks off next year, RS is introducing a special channel, World Cup Channel, to excite the fans with premium world class content that is different and unique. Fans can see the players from the moment they walk into the field for the match until after the match has ended, for all the 64 matches. World Cup Channel HD is exclusively accessible through PSI O2 Digital. It is believed that the upcoming World Cup will generate over 700 million baht.
Somporn Teerarochanapong, chairman of PSI Holdings, said that since the satellite TV industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the past 5 years, PSI is ready to take another step ahead by joining forces with a crucial business partner such as RS. He is confident that this partnership will drive the industry forward by improving the quality of TV experience for everyone in Thailand without having to pay monthly membership fees. The content will be offered in HD through its new innovation PSI O2 Digital.
To offer privileges to existing PSI set-top-box users, covering about 12 million boxes in Thailand, they are entitled to upgrading the standard SD box to PSI O2 Digital to watch programs in digital HD without any monthly charges. Content includes this year's La Liga Spain throughout the tournament, all in HD, free of charge for the whole season, and World Cup Channel HD. Additionally, existing programs will also be available in Digital HD such as PSI channel, Channel 8, Channel 6, Work Point TV and Shop at Home Channel. Other programs will constantly be added to the Digital HD list. The price of PSI O2 Digital HD is 2,490 baht. Those who already have a PSI box can exchange it for a new one at only 1,690 baht. PSI O2 Digital HD also features over 200 free-viewing channels in standard definition.
"We are confident that we can build new viewer base with this box and sell more than a million boxes in the first year after the launch. The combined strength of PSI and RS makes this partnership one with the best of both worlds - RS is the leader of satellite TV industry and the licensee of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil and La Liga broadcast in Thailand, while PSI is the largest satellite and set-top-box producer with the most extensive distribution network. Together, we make an interesting choice for consumers, especially since the existing PSI boxes can be upgraded at a special price. We also aim to attract new viewers who are looking to get a Digital HD box for their home.