Thai Sky TV explained

Thai Sky TV (Thai: ไทยสกายทีวี) was a satellite television operator that existed in Thailand between 1991 and 1997, owned by Siam Broadcasting Company Limited, a unit of MCOT.

History

Thai Sky TV launched test signals on 26 August 1991, these became regular in September 1991. TSTV used the MMDS system to deliver its signals, similar to IBC, its competitor. Under this system, TSTV carried three channels.^[1] In December 1991, a TSTV official announced that the 1992 Miss Universe pageant was to be held in Bangkok. The company secured an exclusive contract to air the pageant for the cost of 200 million baht.^[2]

On 27 December 1993, the government approved the expansion of the TSTV and UBC services outside of Bangkok. Both companies were facing competition from Star TV. A TSTV executive announced plans to relay to 31 provinces using a VSAT transponder.^[3] The companies moved to the Thaicom satellite in 1994.

As of 1995, the company was owned by Wattachak plc. TSTV and UBC on 5 April 1995 signed contracts with Shinawatra Satellite, owned by Thaksin Shinawatra.^[4]

TSTV shut down in August 1997 as an effect of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.^{[5] [6]}

Channels

At closing time:

• 1: in-house news channel
• 2: Smile TV: in-house music video channel
• 3: TNT & Cartoon Network
• 4: Star Movies
• 5: Star Sports
• 6: in-house variety channel, with programming produced by Kantana
• 7: ESPN
• 8: CNN International
• 9: BBC World
• 10: Star World
• 11: in-house Buddhist channel
• 12: in-house Christian channel

Notes and References

1. Web site: 1 April 1992 . Nuts and bolts of cable TV . 8 August 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
2. Web site: 18 December 1991 . Thailand to host Miss Universe next year . 25 July 2024 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
3. Web site: 30 December 1993 . Nod for wider TV broadcasts in Thailand . 25 July 2024 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
4. Web site: 5 April 1995 . Shinawatra Satellite to sell 26.5% of service unit to six groups . 25 July 2024 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
5. "วิบากกรรมไทยสกายทีวี จากนิตยสารผู้จัดการ ฉบับเดือนตุลาคม 2540" https://web.archive.org/web/20220701104820/http://info.gotomanager.com/news/details.aspx?id=4607
6. Book: Thomas, Amos. Imagi-Nations and Borderless Television: Media, Culture and Politics Across Asia. Sage Publications. 2005. New Delhi. 33–34. 9788132103592. en.