Massive layoffs at Thai TV news stations signal the end of an era: TV news as a free public service. Declining advertising revenue has forced outlets to revamp, with layoffs, salary cuts, and unit closures common in 2024. Gone are the days of dedicated news productions and regular news hours for each channel.
Before Thai PBS (formerly iTV), Thailand had only five channels, namely Channel 11 (now NBT) and four commercial stations: Channels 3, 5, 7, and 9 (now MCOT). News programs were a core public service offering. With station support and sufficient revenue, news crews produced quality national coverage. TV investigative reports rivaled those in leading newspapers, enhanced by quality video.
Those days are over. Now, breaking news spreads across social media. Anyone with a smartphone can report events.
A decade ago, veteran media figure Suthichai Yoon envisioned citizen journalists—a revolutionary idea back then, but commonplace now. While media outlets anticipated this shift, few adapted successfully to the rapidly changing news landscape.
As a consequence of this failure, 2024 saw Voice TV close after 15 years, along with 100 layoffs at Mono 29, voluntary early retirement at Thai Rath newspaper, and 300 layoffs at Channel 3.
Few TV news operations remain profitable, often relying on citizen reports and user-generated video clips. Limited funding has led to lower-quality reporting and fewer investigative pieces.
Moreover, dependence on government and corporate advertising has compromised journalistic independence and the media's watchdog role.
Despite competition from influencers, Thai media sees growth in adapting to audience preferences and platform algorithms. Success depends on innovative business models, though shifting consumer habits and economic headwinds remain challenges.
Seven industry experts recently shared their perspectives on Thailand's 2025 media landscape at a seminar hosted by the Thai Journalists Association.
While social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok dominate news dissemination, mainstream media, including TV stations, still have a chance to survive.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Sakulsri Srisaracam of Chulalongkorn University believes traditional media will persist for the next five years, albeit with declining audiences and ad revenue. She argues that Thai media's challenge is not fighting algorithms but reducing social media dependency.
The key, many agree, is reclaiming audience engagement outside social media. TV stations must overcome personalized content preferences—a difficult task against influential social media.
Many have begun by launching their own applications to retain audiences. News 1, under Sondhi Limthongkul, recently launched "Thaitimes," joining Channel 3, 7, One Channel, and Thai Rath TV in offering dedicated apps and websites, often with exclusive content and the potential for future paid offerings.
This extends beyond news; entertainment programs also face competition from streaming giants. Mono, an entertainment-focused channel, launched "MONOMAX" as its own streaming platform—a potential solution for others.
However, TV news must first demonstrate superior reporting compared to amateur social media content. Credibility and quality reporting are crucial. They must minimize reliance on user-generated videos, focusing on in-depth analysis, investigative journalism, and fact-checking—their key differentiators. So far, few TV news outlets have prioritized this quality boost.
2025 will be a defining moment for Thai TV news. Their very survival will depend on understanding technology and personalized consumer needs. News has value, evolving from a free public service to a valuable commodity that can generate revenue for producers.
