MCOT inks short-term contracts
Despite the absence of a board of directors, MCOT Plc yesterday extended its contracts with 10 television-programme production companies,
to keep them making shows until the end of the year for Modernine TV. The companies are Work Point Entertainment Plc, Polyplus Entertainment Co Ltd, JSL Co Ltd, X-act Co Ltd, Nation Broadcasting Corporation Co Ltd, Rai Som Co Ltd, TV Burapa Co Ltd, D Talk Co Ltd, RS Plc and Grammy Television Co Ltd.Chitnarong Kunakridatikarn, MCOT's caretaker president and executive vice president, said the contract extensions were only temporary, due to the status of its executive ranks. "The company usually renews contracts with any producers on an annual basis every October. The usual contract-renewal process could not be performed at this time, because the company at this moment has only a caretaker executive board and president, which don't have full authority to approve any new contracts that are coming up at this time," he said. Former MCOT president Mingkwan Sangsuwan and all of the company's directors resigned on September 26, to take responsibility for allowing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to broadcast his declaration of a state of emergency on the night of the September 19 coup. MCOT's shareholders will meet on October 26 to appoint directors, who in turn will appoint a committee to select a new president. "Right now, we must maintain discussions with the Finance Ministry, which is our major shareholder," he said. He said MCOT would be fine financially, despite the absence of a board. "Advertising agencies understand the situation and still continue buying advertising air time," he said. He also said the selection of Surayud Chulanont as prime minister would not hurt the company, because Surayud used to oversee its news-programme development before becoming Army commander. He understands how MCOT operates, Chitnarong said. Nitida Asawanipont, The Nation
|
