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Content king for makers of smart TVs [Bangkok Post, Thailand :: ](Bangkok Post (Thailand) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) March 14--TV makers have joined forces with content providers to create more features for multifunction smart TVs. "A TVs is not only an electronic device to display motion pictures any more. It can function more to meet changing consumer behaviour and stay connected online," said Assawin Chusatapornkul, senior manager for the audiovisual business at Thai Samsung Electronics Co. The TV market is highly competitive and TV makers are trying to use content to drive sales and differentiate themselves. As technology is roughly similar for research and development at manufacturers, they are seeking content providers as strategic partners to stay ahead of competitors. Last year, Samsung created a karaoke application for its smart TV that quickly became very popular. The TV screen is still important as an entertainment centre for the family, with the second and third screens of mobile devices taking a share of the consumer's multitasking. Thai Samsung has a partnership with CTH, a leading pay-TV operator, to allow those who own a Samsung smart TV to watch exclusive content from CTH including English Premier League (EPL) football. CTH will offer three monthly subscription packages at 499, 699 and 899 baht. Samsung customers will have to pay subscription fees to access the exclusive content. Customers who buy a Samsung smart TV between March 11 and April 30 will be able to watch EPL games for free for 60 days. Samsung is also collaborating with film studio Sahamongkol Film to offer video on demand with more than 600 movies at 299 baht a month. This service will be available in April. It has also joined hands with Doonung.com to provide films for 129 baht a month. Mr Assawin said the collaboration with CTH is expected to boost sales of Samsung smart TVs by 20-30% this year. Meanwhile, LG Electronics has embedded GMM Channel, Bang Channel and M Channel in its smart TV application. The TV market was down last year as consumers delayed TV purchases while awaiting information about digital TV. Kasikorn Research Center said the TV market will recover this year due to the clearer signal transmission area of digital TV and the broadcast of the Fifa World Cup 2014 in Brazil. This will be boosted by more affordable internet TV and big spending by TV makers on marketing and distribution. The research centre predicts the TV market will grow by 9.5% to 13.9% this year to between 37.9 and 39.3 billion baht. ___ (c)2014 the Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) Visit the Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) at www.bangkokpost.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |