| Network Name: | MCOT Public Limited Company บริษัท อสมท จำกัด (มหาชน) |
| Network Logo: | MCOT-Modernnine_TV_EN_2002.svg |
| Country: | Thailand |
| Headquarters: | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Network Type: | State-owned/public broadcast radio, television, news agency and online (Public, state-owned) |
| Owner: | Ministry of Finance |
| Key People: | Teerapong Wongsiwawilas, President |
| Launch Date: | (MCOT: 9 April 1977) |
| Motto: | Digitally Beyond |
| Past Names: | Mass Communication Organization of Thailand (1977–2003) |
| Parent: | Office of the Prime Minister |
MCOT Public Company Limited (MCOT; Thai: บริษัท อสมท จำกัด (มหาชน)|translit=bris̄ʹạth xs̄mth cảkạd (mh̄āchn)), formerly known as the Mass Communication Organization of Thailand, is a Thai state-owned public broadcaster. It owns and operates a number of radio and television stations in Thailand. It is based in Bangkok.
At present, MCOT runs seven national, one international, 52 provincial, one district radio station, two television channels (terrestrial free-to-air; until 2020), and 2 satellite television channels. (until 2017) Their motto is "Always Serving the Public". On their website MCOT uses the slogan "Digitally beyond" (Nov 2014).[1]
On 10 November 1952, MCOT was established as Thai Television Company Limited. "Thorathat" is the Thai word for television, despite Thailand having no television services at the time. Television services under the name Thai Thorathat (Channel 4) started on 24 June 1955 in time for national day celebrations.
In 1977 TTV Radio and Thailand Color Television Channel 9 moved to the present Huai Khwang headquarters in Bangkok and merged to form the Mass Communication Organization of Thailand (MCOT). In 1970, with the launch of Chong Sam (Channel 3), its newest station, while the original Thai Thorathat (Channel Four) network was renamed Chong Kao (Channel 9).
Witthayu Tor Tor Tor ("TTV Radio") later became Radio MCOT on 25 March 1977 and became the nation's first 24-hour radio station.
Color television began in 1970 on Channel 3 and 1974 on Channel 9. Channel 9 was renamed Modernine TV in 2002.
In 2005, the Ministry of Finance announced their plan to digitize free-to-air television broadcasts nationwide. Trial broadcasts were undertaken, involving 1,000 households in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.
MCOT has prepared at least three new channels exclusively for digital television, besides the two initial channels, Modernine TV and Channel 3. Though the trials had been long over, the digital channels are (said to be) still active in test form.
In addition, MCOT would introduce regional television channels for each province in Thailand. Each of these regions will have its own dedicated television channel with localised content compared to national television making it about 80 television channels for a digitised MCOT as part of the state broadcaster's three-year restructuring plan. MCOT was expected to launch its digital terrestrial television services nationally in 2012. MCOT launched digital terrestrial television in 2013, with full service in 2014.
In March 2011, MCOT announced that it is also possible that MCOT may be planning to switch to DVB-T2 in some occasion.
All Analogue television Stations was switched off in 2020
Broadcasting on MCOT's 3rd MUX of 5 (UHF Channel 40 for Bangkok)
| Number | Logo | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Thai Thorathat logo used until 1977 | |
| 2 | M.C.O.T. organization logo used 1977–2004 | |
| 3 | MCOT PLC logo used 2004–present | |
The logo is shown on commercial breaks and test transmissions.
The clock in Thailand was not in colour until 1974. Originally the clock was based on the clock tower in Bangkok in black and white. In 1974 the clock was yellow on blue.
Until the introduction of 24-hour broadcasting in 2002, MCOT used the PM5544 test pattern during the off-air hours of TV9 and EBU Colorbars on Channel 3. Until 2002, MCOT used the Philips PM5534 (PM5544 with clock) during off-air hours.
Currently both stations broadcast 24 hours a day.