Surachai Chetchotisak, CEO of RS Public Company Limited, said that as Thailand's digital TV embarks on its fourth year, all players are getting adjusted with an aim to win. Media spending is on the rise, and in 2018, the industry is expected to grow. Channel 8 is able to grow according to plan and is among the country's top 5. Although it's already a winner, there's still room for growth, and more viewership means higher advertising rate. Therefore, the goal for 2018 is to exceed 700,000 viewers per minute, and to increase its advertising rate by 40%, resulting in its revenue exceeding 2 billion baht.
Channel 8's strategy is Prime Time Focus, as it invests in premium contents from Thailand and overseas to be aired during prime time slots at 6am-9am and 6pm-11.30pm. The goal is to increase viewership throughout the year. Initially, it has secured famous Bollywood series while still continuing with the popular Hanumaan, Wallop Maharaja and Legend of Ganesha from India. Its news contents are still going strong, offering news in all categories - politics, economy, sports, entertainment, and social issues, with a goal to stay at the top among new players under the concept "easy words, easy to watch, easy to understand" with highlight programs such as Khui Khao Chao, Pak Thong Tong Ru, Khao Den, Khui Khao Yen, Khui Khao Kham and hourly news.
To reaffirm its status as the King of Fight Sport, it presents three special programs for sport lovers, such as 8 Max Muay Thai, Muay Thai Battle, and The Champion Muay Thai Tad Chuek. Meanwhile, it has also secured the rights to broadcast Channel 8 World Boxing, HBO Boxing and UFC. Famous actors from other channels are also joining its dramas to add flavor. In the first phase, 10 new dramas are being launched, namely Bussaba Puen Foon, Saneh Nang Khruan, Phayakkha, Pom Rak Salak Hua Jai, Sin Lai Hong, Dong Phudee, Phor Pla Lai, Rak Sawan Chan Jad Hai, Sad Krasue, and Matjurad Holiday.
Recently, it has released a new program Game Riang Ber, a daily family-friendly variety show offering over a million baht prizes, aired from Mondays to Fridays at 18.20-18.50, with "Gift Wattana Kumthorntip" and COOL J Nan Kanyada Sithammupatham as show hosts. There are also other variety shows such as Super Talad Taek, Ung Thung Seaw, Khrua Lan Thing, and The Guest.
To entertain Channel 8 fans, the channel has prepared marketing activities throughout the year, such as Channel 8 Add Friend Year 2, which invites famous actors to join fun games throughout Bangkok and neighboring provinces to offer special prizes, Super Talad Taek On Tour which visits markets in every province, Hanumaan Run, and Ashish Sharma Fun Meeting for Bollywood fans.
Channel 8 has expanded its online viewership significantly, seamlessly connecting TV screen and online platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, LINE TV, and website. The move has been positively received by its viewers. News programs, Bollywood series and dramas are broadcast live on Facebook alongside its TV broadcast, resulting in higher viewership. Additionally, it has plans to buy media space at airports such as Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Khon Kaen Airport, Sakolnakhon Airport, Nan Airport and Lampang Airport to emphasise its slogan "In Depth and Intense" among a wider audience. In terms of foreign markets, it has sold licenses to neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, since these markets have a lot of potential for growth. This is another step of success in its Asean expansion.