BEC World


BEC World Public Company Limited, doing business as BEC World, is a Thai media conglomerate, best known as the operator of television Channel 3. It was founded in 1990 and listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1995, though the group began doing business in 1967 as Bangkok Entertainment Co., Ltd., now a subsidiary. The business was founded by Vichai Maleenont, and continues to be majorly owned by the Maleenont family, though the company underwent major restructuring in the 2010s in response to major losses following landscape changes in the broadcast industry. Over time, the business gradually expanded, leading to the growth of content businesses, such as the Global Content Licensing division and the establishment of BEC Studio and BEC Music.

History

Starting point

Bangkok Entertainment Co., Ltd. was founded on 10 November 1967 by Vichai Maleenont, partnership with Thai Television Co., Ltd., to establish a 625-line color television station. Thai Color TV Channel 3 began construction in early 1969 on Phet Kasem Road, Nong Khaem District, Bangkok, on a 6-rai site in the beginning of 1970, the construction of the first official building of Thai TV Channel 3 was completed. The building is made up of Head Office, Transmission Equipment Building, Power Generation, and Cooling System Building. 4-storey building with a total of 4 live broadcast studios installed with large screen for realistic sky scene effects.
First broadcasting test was begun on 11 January 1970 and officially in operation on 15 March 1970. Thai TV Channel 3 officially launched TV broadcasting service in Bangkok as Thailand's first commercial television channel on 26 March 1970  at 10:00 Bangkok Time by Prime Minister Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn This marked the start of the contract between Bangkok Entertainment Co., Ltd. and Thai Television Co., Ltd., set to expire on 25 March 1980. The station also broadcast on FM 105.5 MHz radio, with its headquarters located at 2259 New Petchburi Road, Bangkok.

First Step

In the early years, the TV programs broadcast by "Thai TV Channel 3”, subsidiary of BEC World, primarily aired TV series or long films with live dubbing. The station installed two Telecine machines for broadcasting 16mm and 35mm films at 25 frames per second, with original audio broadcast simultaneously on FM 105.5 MHz.
  • 1976, used the pre-recording shows, starting with the drama "Fai Pai," which aired several days a week, unlike the live shows of that era, which aired only once a month.
  • 3 February 1977, the government dissolved Thai Television Co., Ltd. and established the Mass Communication Organization of Thailand or Channel 9, making Bangkok Entertainment Co., Ltd. its contracting partner.

    Development

From 1978 to 1988, Channel 3 introduced U-matic tape, an analogue recording videocassette format, for recording dramas, advertisements, and broadcasting news via satellite, becoming the first Thai station to air global news.
  • 1978, Channel 3 launched a viewer slogan competition
  • 1984, Mr. Vichai Maleenont along with the executive team announced the company's official motto “Khum Kha Took Na Tee, Doo TV See Chong Sam” for the first time to celebrate its 15th anniversary.
  • 1986, Channel 3 moved its studios from Nong Khaem District to Vanich Building and modernized its broadcasting equipment.
  • 1987, Bangkok Entertainment Co., Ltd. signed a contract with MCOT to expand its TV network nationwide, establishing 22 transmission stations within five years, broadcasting via satellite from Bangkok.

    Nationwide coverage

  • 1988, Channel 3 expanded its regional network, launching its first five regional TV stations. Upgraded its production technology, introducing CCD cameras.
  • 1989, total of 22 stations and followed by nine more, reaching 31 stations nationwide. This covered 89.7% of Thailand's area and 96.3% of the population.
  • 1992, Channel 3 started using Betacam tapes for news and programs
  • 1996, expanding its news teams to 64 teams from 24 in 1992
  • 1997, began using Non-Linear ZNLE via computer and Media 100XSand launched its homepage website operated by BEC World and subsidiaries.

    Moving forward

From 1998 to 2005, Channel 3 installed an 11-meter satellite dish and began using Thaicom 2 for nationwide signal transmission.
  • In 1999, Channel 3 moved to the Emporium building on Sukhumvit Road. It built three new studios, and enhanced program production with computer graphics. The station also upgraded its broadcasting system and expanded regional services.
  • In 2000, it introduced digital Betacam SX Tape and computer graphics to prepare for the digital era and upgraded its transmission system, including energy-efficient liquid cooling technology in several provinces.

    A giant leap for channel 3

From 2005 to 2012, Channel 3 moved to its current headquarters, owned by BEC World, at Maleenont Tower, located at 3199 Rama IV Road, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. Tower M1 serves as the office, while Tower M2 is the broadcasting operation center. The station upgraded its system to digital, using Digital SD equipment and video servers for advertising and promotions. Channel 3 also enhanced satellite transmission using Thaicom 2 with Digital MPEG-2 and switched some stations from VHF to UHF for better broadcast quality.
In 2007, Channel 3 signed a contract for a Digital News Studio and expanded satellite channels to improve news programs. By 2012, it introduced MAM for production control and quality enhancement, preparing for HDTV broadcasts and improving signal compression standards to AVC-Intra for international-standard programming and news.

Entering digital TV era 2012 – present

Since 2012, Channel 3 has transitioned into the digital TV era, following the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission 's digital switchover plan. In 2014, BEC-Multimedia won Channel 13 for Family Program, Channel 28 for Standard Definition Programs and Channel 33 for High Definition.Due to slower-than-expected advertising market growth, the company returned licenses for channels 13 and 28 in 2019, retaining only channels 3 and 33.
Over 50 years, Channel 3 has continuously improved its technology and broadcast quality, upgrading equipment to modern standards and consistently delivering a diverse and informative lineup to satisfy its audience.

Organizational structure

Nowadays, Thai TV Channel 3 operates its business in a form of enterprise making up of 18 departments:
  • The management
  • Production department
  • News department
  • TV programs department
  • Broadcasting department
  • Arts department
  • Engineering department
  • Television techniques department
  • Engineering work planning department
  • Electrical power department
  • Radio broadcasting station department
  • Administration department
  • Human resource department
  • Accounting department
  • Finance department
  • Advertisement department
  • Marketing department and public relations department

    Assets and subsidiaries

Broadcasting and advertising media business group

  • Television Business Group
  • * Bangkok Entertainment Company Limited - conducts management business "Thai Television Channel 3 MCOT", which the company entered into a joint contract to transmit color television with MCOT Public Company Limited until 25 March 2020, where the company Own all airtime and is responsible for organizing the program schedule to be appropriate and always up-to-date For the goal of having the highest number of viewers at all times.
  • * BEC-Multimedia Company Limited - is a company that holds a license to operate digital terrestrial television channels from the NBTC for 15 years from 25 April 2014 to 24 April 2014. in 2029 and entered into a rental contract for the use of the UHF digital network system with the Public Broadcasting Service of Thailand. The contract is effective from 1 April 2014 to 16 June 2028 and operates the business of managing 3 non-frequency television channels of 3 types as follows:
  • ** The high definition channel "Channel 3 HD Channel 33" broadcasts content from Thai radio and television station Color TV Channel 3 in parallel with the consent of CAT between 10 October 2014 and 25 March 2020. Later, from midnight on 26 March 2020, the analog TV system symbol was moved back to the upper right corner. Add shadows to 3D and add the letters HD at the end to become a new symbol under the name "Channel 3, press 33" in the digital TV system until now.
  • ** Normal definition channel "Channel 3 SD Channel 28".
  • ** Normal definition channel for children and families "Channel 3 Family Channel 13".
  • Radio Business Group
  • * Bangkok Entertainment Company Limited - manages the radio station MCOT FM 105.5 MHz according to the rental contract for advertising time and programming. In the joint contract for transmitting color television with MCOT Public Company Limited until 31 January 2020.
  • * U&I Corporation Company Limited - manages the Thailand Radio Broadcasting Station Public Relations Department FM 95.5 MHz.
  • Internet and mobile phone business group
  • * BECI Corporation Company Limited
  • * BEC-Multimedia Company Limited
  • Satellite Communications Business Group
  • * Bangkok Satellite and Telecommunication Company Limited - Business project for receiving and transmitting signals via satellite system.
  • * Satellite TV Broadcasting Company Limited - Satellite television business operation project.
  • Film Business Group
  • * Major Join Film Company Limited - is a joint venture between Bangkok Entertainment and M Studio Company Limited, with Major Cineplex being the major shareholder. is a company that produces films for distribution both in Thailand and abroad, with M Pictures Company Limited, a subsidiary of ZALEKTA, is the distributor.