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Published on January 19, 2008

About 50 programme-production houses are seeking compensation from the Public Relations Department for losses they say they incurred because of the abrupt closure of TITV this week.

Traiphop Limpraphat, managing director of Born and Associates, told Nation Group publication Krungthep Turakij yesterday that even though contracts with the department had ended on December 31, they continued to create content for TITV.

That is deemed automatic contract renewal and contract terms are normally for three months, Traiphop said.

Therefore, producers have been making another three months' worth of airtime.

"The sudden end of the channel to air, without notice, has cost us dearly. The department will need to be responsible for damages incurred. If we are not compensated, we will sue," Traiphop said.

Damages sought will cover costs of advance production, advertising revenue and staff. Producers yesterday sent the department bills.

Traiphop said production houses had not discussed contracts with the new Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS), the public television station that will commence broadcasts from February 1.

"I, myself, am not interested in supplying programmes to TPBS, and have no plans to contact any other channels," he said.

Narong Jaiharn, a member of the TPBS interim board, said it might consider airing programmes made by producers employed by TITV, using existing contracts.

The material must contain content that fits demands of public television, Narong said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of unemployed TITV staff yesterday applied for jobs at TPBS, which is taking over the assets, liabilities and frequency of TITV.

Former employees' first reaction to the shutdown was shock. They then unsuccessfully sought an Administrative Court injunction to allow TITV to continue broadcasting.

However, the court has agreed to hear their complaints against the closure order.

Following the failure to secure an injunction, staff started seeking work at TPBS. As many as 200 turned up at a time for applications. Led by former assistant executive editor Jom Petchpradub, they arrived in three chartered coaches.

In a related development, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation organised a meeting between children's programme producers and the new station's temporary policy board to talk content and costs.

"We hope to have morning programmes that will fill watchers with courage before they leave home. We hope to produce evening programmes that will allow watchers to go to bed happy," said Patjaree Aisiri, who produces "Hed Hansa".

Yupa Rattanachan, who makes "Tung Saengtawan", said her programme survived because Channel 3 does not collect a broadcast fee.

Patravadi Meechuthon said public studios should be formed to cut production costs for TPBS.

"Producers and scriptwriters should be given training," she added.

The Nation