MCOT

MCOT Public Company Limited is a Thai state-owned media enterprise and public broadcaster headquartered in Bangkok. Its roots date to the establishment of Thai Television Company Limited on 10 November 1952. The company began television broadcasting in 1955 under the Thai Thorathat name, initially operating Channel 4. The service later became associated with Channel 9 and ultimately developed into the 9MCOT television brand. MCOT's role expanded substantially in 1977, when Thai Television Radio and Thailand Color Television Channel 9 were reorganized into the Mass Communication Organization of Thailand. The same period also saw the creation of Radio MCOT, which became Thailand's first 24-hour radio service. MCOT has since operated across several media formats, including terrestrial television, digital television, satellite television, national and provincial radio, news production and electronic media. The company's principal broadcast identity has historically been Channel 9, later branded Modernine TV and subsequently 9MCOT. MCOT also operated Channel 3 for many years through a joint operating arrangement with Bangkok Entertainment Corporation, now associated with BEC World. That arrangement ended when the relevant concession expired in 2020. The same year marked the completion of Thailand's analogue television shutdown, ending MCOT's analogue television transmissions. MCOT participated in Thailand's transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting. Preparatory work included trials in the Bangkok metropolitan area, plans for additional digital channels and proposals for localized regional services. Digital terrestrial services were launched in 2013 and moved into full service in 2014. MCOT operated MCOT Family on digital channel 14 until 2019 and has also maintained a digital multiplex network carrying terrestrial services. Radio remains a major part of MCOT's portfolio. Its national and regional network has included stations such as Thinking Radio, MCOT News, Smooth, MET 107, Mellow Pop, Active Radio and LTM Lukthung Mahanakhon, as well as numerous provincial and regional outlets. Some former AM, FM, satellite and digital services have been closed, renamed or moved to online distribution as the company adjusted its portfolio. MCOT also owns the Thai News Agency, established in 1977. The agency produces, gathers, stores, analyzes and distributes news for MCOT's television, radio and online platforms, while cooperating with news organizations in Thailand and abroad. Through this combination of broadcasting infrastructure and news production, MCOT occupies a significant place in Thailand's public-media system. The company presents itself as a public-service-oriented broadcaster. Its organizational motto has been translated as "Always Serving the Public," while its website has used the digital-oriented slogan "Digitally beyond." MCOT's current business identity is therefore broader than a single television channel: it combines public broadcasting, radio networks, news services, digital distribution and transmission infrastructure within a state-owned, publicly listed corporate structure.

MCOT's institutional history began on 10 November 1952, when Thai Television Company Limited was established in Thailand. Its first television service launched on 24 June 1955 under the Thai Thorathat name as Channel 4. In its early years, the service operated with limited daily hours and used the broadcast identity associated with Thai television's first national network. The television structure changed as Thailand's broadcasting system developed. In 1970, the launch of Channel 3 led the original Channel 4 service to be renamed Channel 9. Color television was introduced on Channel 3 in 1970 and on Channel 9 in 1974. In 1977, Thai Television Radio and Thailand Color Television Channel 9 moved to MCOT's present Huai Khwang headquarters in Bangkok and were combined to form the Mass Communication Organization of Thailand. The radio operation, known as TTV Radio and later Radio MCOT, became a 24-hour service and formed an important part of the organization's national reach. MCOT's news capability was strengthened through the Thai News Agency, established on 16 June 1977. The agency became a central production and distribution operation for news used by MCOT's television, radio and electronic media services. It also developed cooperation and news-exchange relationships with media organizations in Thailand and other countries. The organization entered a new corporate phase in the early twenty-first century. The television service known as Channel 9 was rebranded Modernine TV in 2002, and MCOT's corporate identity changed when the organization became a public company in 2003. The new visual identity used a circular, globe-like design and was applied alongside the Modernine TV, MCOT Modern Radio and Thai News Agency brands. During the 2000s, MCOT diversified its distribution platforms. It launched MCOT1 and MCOT2 satellite channels on 9 April 2007. MCOT2 later evolved into ASEAN TV and then MCOT World, an English-language news, entertainment and documentary service. MCOT also participated in a temporary News 24 service carried through TrueVisions in connection with Thailand's 2007 constitutional drafting and referendum period. MCOT World eventually ended on 15 October 2016, while MCOT1 ended on 1 January 2017. Digital television became a central strategic issue during the following decade. Thailand's Ministry of Finance announced plans to digitize free-to-air television in 2005, and trials were conducted with households in the Bangkok metropolitan area. MCOT planned additional digital channels and explored regionalized television services intended to provide more localized programming. Digital terrestrial television was launched in 2013 and entered full service in 2014. MCOT Family, originally called MCOT Kids and Family, operated on digital channel 14 before closing in 2019. MCOT's long-standing analogue television operations ended in 2020 as Thailand completed the national analogue switch-off. The company's historic Channel 3 operating arrangement also concluded that year when its concession expired. The main terrestrial television identity continued in digital form as 9MCOT, while MCOT maintained a digital terrestrial multiplex and continued to operate radio, news and online services. The radio portfolio has changed over time in response to audience and distribution trends. National services have included LTM Lukthung Mahanakhon, Thinking Radio, Active Radio, MCOT News, Smooth, MET 107 and Mellow Pop. Several former AM and satellite services were discontinued, while some radio brands continued through online distribution. MCOT therefore moved from its origins as a conventional television company toward a multi-platform media enterprise combining broadcasting, news, transmission infrastructure and digital content.

• 2020

  Analogue television switch-off

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  MCOT ended analogue television transmissions during Thailand's transition to digital terrestrial television.

• 2019

  MCOT Family closes

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  The company's digital channel 14 service ceased broadcasting.

• 2014

  Digital television moves into full service

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  MCOT's digital terrestrial services entered full operation.

• 2013

  Digital terrestrial television launched

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  MCOT introduced digital terrestrial television after preparatory trials.

• 2007

  Satellite channels launched

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  MCOT1 and MCOT2 began satellite broadcasting on 9 April.

• 2003

  MCOT becomes a public company

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  The organization adopted its public-company corporate identity and refreshed its logo system.

• 2002

  Channel 9 rebranded as Modernine TV

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  The main television service adopted the Modernine TV brand.

• 1977

  Mass Communication Organization of Thailand formed

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  Major radio and television operations were reorganized under the MCOT organization.

• 1977

  Thai News Agency established

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  The Thai News Agency was created to produce and distribute news through MCOT media outlets.

• 1970

  Channel 3 launches and Channel 4 becomes Channel 9

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  The launch of Channel 3 accompanied the renaming of the original Thai Thorathat network as Channel 9.

• 1955

  Channel 4 television service launches

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  Television broadcasting began on 24 June under the Thai Thorathat name.

• 1952

  Thai Television Company established

  [1]MCOTen.wikipedia.org

  Thai Television Company Limited, the institutional predecessor of MCOT, was established on 10 November.

A Thai public-service-oriented, state-owned broadcasting and media organization with national television, radio, news and digital distribution capabilities.

• Digital terrestrial television

  9MCOT

  9MCOT is MCOT's principal national television service and the digital successor to the historic Channel 9 and Modernine TV identities. It carries general-interest programming, news and other television content through Thailand's digital terrestrial system. The service replaced the former analogue Channel 9 presentation after the nationwide analogue switch-off.

• Radio broadcasting · 1977

  MCOT Radio Network

  MCOT's radio operations include national, provincial, regional and district services. Named stations have included Thinking Radio, MCOT News, Smooth, MET 107, Active Radio, LTM Lukthung Mahanakhon and Mellow Pop. The portfolio has included Thai-language, English-language, music, news and public-interest programming, with some services moving from conventional broadcast distribution to online formats.

• News agency · 1977

  Thai News Agency

  The Thai News Agency is MCOT's central news-production and distribution operation. It gathers, produces, stores, analyzes and disseminates news for MCOT television, radio and electronic media. The agency also participates in cooperation and news-exchange arrangements with other media organizations.

• Broadcast transmission · 2013

  MCOT digital terrestrial multiplex

  MCOT operates a digital terrestrial television multiplex network associated with the company's third multiplex position in Thailand's digital terrestrial architecture. The network supports distribution of digital television services across Bangkok and provincial transmission sites.

• Satellite television · 2012

  MCOT World

  MCOT World was an English-language satellite channel carrying news, entertainment and documentary programming. It developed from the earlier MCOT2 service, which was later renamed ASEAN TV before adopting the MCOT World identity. The channel ended broadcasting in 2016.

• Digital television · 2014

  MCOT Family

  MCOT Family was a digital television channel initially known as MCOT Kids and Family. It operated on service channel 14 with family-oriented programming before closing in 2019.

• 2020

  Complete transition away from analogue televisionGeneration change

  Background

  Thailand's national broadcasting system was moving from analogue television to digital terrestrial transmission.

  Action taken

  MCOT switched off all of its analogue television stations.

  Aftermath

  MCOT's terrestrial television activities continued through digital services, including 9MCOT and its multiplex infrastructure.

  Source

• 2019

  Close MCOT FamilyStrategy

  Background

  MCOT's digital television portfolio included the family-oriented channel MCOT Family on service channel 14.

  Action taken

  MCOT discontinued MCOT Family in 2019.

  Aftermath

  The closure reduced MCOT's dedicated digital channel portfolio as the company continued to adjust its television operations.

  Source

• 2013

  Launch digital terrestrial televisionProduct launch

  Background

  MCOT's terrestrial television business needed to adapt to Thailand's planned transition from analogue broadcasting.

  Action taken

  MCOT began digital terrestrial television broadcasting and developed additional digital services, including MCOT Family.

  Aftermath

  Digital services became the principal terrestrial distribution format, while analogue television transmissions ended in 2020.

  Source

• 2007

  Launch satellite television servicesProduct launch

  Background

  MCOT sought to extend its content distribution beyond conventional terrestrial television.

  Action taken

  MCOT launched MCOT1 and MCOT2 satellite channels on 9 April.

  Aftermath

  MCOT2 later evolved into ASEAN TV and then MCOT World, while MCOT1 ended in 2017.

  Source

• 2005

  Prepare for nationwide digital broadcastingStrategy

  Background

  Thailand began planning the digitization of free-to-air television, creating a need for MCOT to develop new channels, transmission capacity and regional programming concepts.

  Action taken

  MCOT participated in digital television trials, planned additional digital services and considered localized regional channels.

  Aftermath

  The planning process led to digital terrestrial television launches in 2013 and full service in 2014.

  Source

1. 1MCOTen.wikipedia.org