Home > Headlines > Court rules in favor of PM's Office over iTV saga
Court rules in favor of PM's Office over iTV saga
The Supreme Administrative Court Wednesday upheld an Administrative Court decision forcing independent broadcaster iTV to pay higher concession fees to the government.
The court agreed iTV should be subject to the full concession fees stipulated by a contract between the station and the Office of the Prime Minister.
The ruling means iTV will have to start paying the higher of 44 per cent of annual revenue or Bt1 billion.
The station must ensure news programmes take up 65 per cent to 70 per cent of transmission time.
The court agreed with the lower court that paying lower concession fees and broadcasting more entertainment was a breach of concession contract.
The broadcaster was permitted by a 2004 arbitration panel to reduce concession fees to Bt230 million a year and programme more entertainment.
The ruling means the government can pursue a case for the payment of fines and unpaid concession fees totalling Bt94 billion.
Prime Minister Office permanent secretary Chulayuth Hiranyavasit said yesterday prosecutors were considering their next move. He insisted the government's demand for Bt94 billion was accurate.
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