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Company CEO Charlotte Dhonavanik said yesterday three free-to-air satellite TV channels, which air news, lifestyle, and movie-soap operas, are expected

to be launched in July or the final quarter.

"It is a crucial turning point for Media of Medias, which will expand its portfolio from just providing content to operating its own satellite TV stations, which allows for greater freedom" said Charlotte.

"The local radio and TV broadcasting bill, which takes effect on May 22, will allow cable TV and satellite-based TV outlets to run commercials for six minutes per hour, half that allowed on free TV channels," she said.

Charlotte said the new bill had created a new business outlet for Media, which wants to be among the first to exploit its potential.

This is happening amid a slowdown in ad spending, which was projected to grow just 1-2 per cent this year.

She said the company would discuss with a local association representing hundreds of cable TV operators.

They can broadcast the satellite TV station's free-to-air content on its three channels as well as to subscribers of its programmes.

Under its movie-soap channel, Media would air licensed films and Channel 7's soap re-runs.

"There are currently about 2.5 million households viewing cable TV.

Nuti Khemayothin, managing director of Media Studio, said the company was a wholly owned subsidiary of

Media and would be in charge of production and supplying news and documentaries.

The former iTV editorial staff member had moved to Media Studio to head news and documentary production.

She said they may use the "3-D real-time computer graphic animation" presentation technique or "virtual studio" to make news reports more exciting.

"We expect our new satellite TV business to cover our costs and expenditures and be profitable in the first six months of operation," she said.