Surachai Chetchotisak, CEO of RS PLC, said that after RS has followed its vision carefully, patiently and strictly over the past three years, Channel 8 has become one of the country's leading channels, which is expected to generate 500,000 person per minute by the end of this year and become No.4 in the country. Meanwhile, RS has also used its media strength to push its health and beauty business to be a core business, and LifeStar is expected to generate some 1.2 billion baht revenue or a 600% growth compared to last year. This makes media and health & beauty the core businesses of the company, and the fundamental elements of the company will change significantly, while the performance will be stronger and more stable. This proves the company's excellence.
The growth of its health and beauty business will make it nearly as big as the media business in 2018, making it a core business for RS. Currently, the company is expanding its health and beauty business to cater to the fast growth, focusing on product development to ensure that the products meet the needs of the consumers. Meanwhile, it will use its media outlets to reach its customers efficiently, as well as improve its telesales channels in terms of quality and quantity. It will also branch out to modern trade channels, especially online, which is a significant channel. At the same time, it is looking for partners to expand its business to CLMV countries. Currently, it is in talks with partners in Myanmar to expand the market, and the business is expected to take off in 2018.
For its TV business, new contents are planned for Channel 8 to cater to the time when advertising bounces back in the second half of this year. There's a new Bollywood series "Hanuman the Wars of the Gods" to be aired during primetime period from Monday to Friday at 7pm, as well as six new dramas, comedies, and thrillers for Monday to Thursday primetime, such as Sai Yom See, Phloeng Rak Fai Marn, Ngao Athan, Saneh Nang Kruan, Jai Luang, Dong Phu Dee, and Bussaba Puen Foon. New variety shows are being produced in-house, such as Tid Nueb and Sabai Day Hey Yok Ban, to bring happiness to its viewers, according to its slogan "full flavors for Thai audience".
In the first half of the year, the ratings have improved significantly, thanks to Khui Khao Chao Chong 8, which is the longest morning news show in the country, offering bite-sized content, Siya Ke Ram Bollywood series, and Chinese series Lucky Tian Pao. During primetime period on Friday to Sunday, it attracts its viewers with 8 Max Muay Thai, THE CHAMPION Muay Thai Tad Chuek, Muay Thai Battle, Muay Mun Super Max, Sang Wiang Nak Su, Channel 8 HBO Boxing, and UFC. This makes Channel 8 a TV channel with the most boxing contents and highest rating in the country.
Recently, RS was invited to join RS Exclusive Meeting by Bualuang Securities organized by Bualuang Securities anddbTISCO Thailand Media & Electronics Corporate Day by TISCO to meet investors. It attracted a lot of investors and funds who are interested in the success of RS's two core businesses – media and health & beauty. The company is planning roadshows overseas in Singapore, Hong Kong and the US in the third quarter of this year.