FIC inks channels deal with fledgling Thai operator

Fox International Channels has inked a deal with CTH and will provide the recently launched Thai pay TV platform with a range of its channels.

CTH will carry FIC services including Star World and National Geographic as well as bringing Fox Action Movies and Fox Sports News to the Thai market for the first time.

An initial bouquet of 15 FIC channels will launch on CTH with a second wave taking the total to 24. Local reports said that CTH is paying Baht2 billion (US$68 million) for the FIC channels over the length of a 3-5 year deal.

CTH currently has about 2.5 million subs and the company said that the addition of the Fox channels will help it drive customers to the 3.5 million mark by end-2013.

CTH CEO Kittsanan Ngamphathipong said: “We are proud to have struck this partnership with Fox International Channels. It is a fantastic opportunity and a relationship that will benefit not just the two parties here but most definitely the people of Thailand will be the greatest beneficiaries.”