Channel 7 HD (Thailand)


Channel 7 HD, formerly known as Bangkok Broadcasting & Television Company Limited Channel 7 is Thailand and Bangkok's first commercial free-to-air television network that was launched on 27 November 1967 as Thailand and Bangkok's first commercial television station. It is the first color television channel to be broadcast in Mainland Southeast Asia. It is currently owned by Bangkok Broadcasting & Television. It is headquartered in Mo Chit, Chatuchak, Bangkok.

History

Channel 7 officially launched broadcasts in Bangkok as Thailand's first commercial television channel on 27 November 1967 at 7:00 pm Bangkok Time. The channel's broadcast area was only limited to Bangkok Metropolitan Area only. It was presided over by the then Prime Minister of Thailand Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn. The first programme to air was the 1967 Miss Thailand Pageant. The channel initially shared its facilities with the black-and-white Channel 7, which is now Channel 5. Channel 7 was known back then as "Bangkok Colour Television Network", with callsign HSB-TV, airing on Channel 7 in the 625-line standard and was the country's first colour television station using PAL colour. On 1 January 1972, it started broadcasting nationwide. In 1974, the 525-line relays were turned off, with the channel broadcasting exclusively on VHF Channel 7.
A regional station opened in Phuket on 9 October 1980. Up until then Phuket only had one television station, an MCOT/PRD station on channel 11. As of 1988, it was the only truly national commercial television network, at a time when channels 3, 5 and 9 announced that they would increase their transmitter networks in 1989.
Channel 7 launched its high-definition television feed on 25 April 2014 on its digital terrestrial television system on channel 35. Three years later, on 19 June 2017, Channel 7 was given authorisation from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to shut down its analogue frequencies in the rest of the country, in order to replace them with its digital channels on DTT. Thus, the network was expected to stop broadcasting on analogue 1 January 2018, but the process was postponed to 16 May 2018 and eventually completed on 16 June.
In 2017, it was the most-watched channel out of all 25 terrestrial television networks available, surpassing Channel 3. That year was the first time its morning news surpassed Channel 3's in ratings, coupled by administrative changes and challenges.
In July 2020, the Election Commission requested Channel 7 to cease broadcast of the television drama series 'Love Song of the Gun Crack' over one of the actors, Krungsrivilai Sutin Phueak, who decided to run as the people's representative for Samut Prakan's 5th District. The series was then suspended from 30 July to 9 August.

Programming

Notable sports

Current

  • Swiss Leelapongwattana
  • Premsuda Santiwattana
  • Kammalat Aedsrichai
  • Sornsawan Phuvichit
  • Chohfah Lhaoariya
  • Jetsada Upani
  • Panurat Saneebutr
  • Muanfun Prasarnpanit
  • Napassakorn Sereerojanasiri
  • Sajee Wongampai
  • Nicharee Padthong
  • Sukonphet Phonpradittanon
  • Nilawan Panitrungruang
  • Gainsit Kanthachan
  • Krisda Nuanmee
  • Buabucha Punnanan
  • Pinpinat Thakulweeranan
  • Jeeranan Khetpong
  • Thanaphat Kittibodeesakul
  • Thanit Kaewnak
  • Chompoonuch Piyathammachai
  • Natphatsorn Simasathien
  • Nattawut Phanpiwat
  • Thanaphat Kittibodeesakul
  • Thirat Phopanich
  • Paphada Kleunsumarn
  • Peerawat Kulananwat

    Former

  • Ekkachai Nophajinda
  • Natchaya Sanguansuk
  • Vanessa Samucsaruth
  • Pichayapa Sutabutra
  • Chada Somboonphol
  • Rossarin Prakobthan
  • Sompotch Toraksa
  • Tin Chokkamonkij
  • Nantipat Pothapan
  • Pisit Kiratikankul
  • Pattrawan Panichcha
  • Songkan Achariyasub
  • Adisorn Puengya
  • Wathit Treekruthaphan
  • Thanyalak Chatyalak
  • Piphat Witthayapanyanon
  • Todd Thongdee