A new channel, the Cambodian Television Network, will launch in Phnom Penh on March 8, a CTN official said Wednesday.
CTN is a joint venture between Sweden’s Modern Time Group and the Royal Group, the parent company of MobiTel and Telesurf. Claiming more than $7.5 million in investment, CTN will begin broadcasting within a 60-km radius of the capital before going nationwide toward the end of the year.
“It’s now time to modernize Cambodian TV…. The intention is to bring international standards to Cambodian TV,” Royal Group Chairman Kith Meng said.
According to a news release, more than $1 million will be spent on programming this year.
“Eventually self-production will form the backbone of our channel. To achieve this we will a require a high-tech facility [to] produce music programs, game shows and dramas,” Kith Meng said.
At its facility in Takhmau district, Kandal province, production is under way for local documentaries as well as educational shows on the English language and computers. CTN also plans to produce Cambodia’s first situation comedy, the news release said.
The release that CTN also has bought broadcast rights to the English Premier League’s Sunday matches, European comedies, and Asian and South American dramas. News will be relayed from London via satellite as well.
TV3 Station Manager Fay Sam Ang said Wednesday he is not worried about losing viewers to a new station.
“If there are lots of television stations, this will be an advantage to the Cambodian people,” he said.
Apsara TV General Director Sok Ey Sam agreed, saying his station’s unique cultural and educational programming had secured Apsara TV a loyal viewership.
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