Editing Channel 7 (Thailand)

{{Short description|Thai television network}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}

{{underreferenced|date=January 2021}}

{{Infobox television channel
| name = Channel 7 HD
| logo = Ch-7-HD-Logo-crop.png
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_caption = Logo used since 25 April 2014
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1967|11|27|df=yes}}
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]
| network = 
| owner = Bangkok Broadcasting & Television
| key_people = 
| country = [[Thailand]]
| language = [[Thai language|Thai]]
| area = Thailand<br />[[Malaysia]] ([[Perlis]], [[Kedah]], [[Perak]], [[Kelantan]])<br />[[Myanmar]] (areas of [[Tachileik]], [[Myawaddy]], parts of [[Mawlamyine]], and southernmost part of [[Tanintharyi Region]])<br />[[Cambodia]] (border areas of [[Oddar Meanchey province|Oddar Meanchey]], [[Banteay Meanchey province|Banteay Meanchey]], [[Pailin province|Pailin]], parts of [[Battambang province|Battambang]] and [[Koh Kong province|Koh Kong]] provinces)<br />[[Mekong]] river areas in [[Laos]] (including [[Vientiane]])
| headquarters = [[Chatuchak District|Chatuchak]], [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]]
| timeshift_service = 
| website = {{url|https://www.ch7.com}}
| terr_serv_1 = [[Digital terrestrial television|Digital]]
| terr_chan_1 = Channel 35 (HD) (TV5 MUX2)
| online_serv_1 = BBTV's Official
| online_chan_1 = {{URL|https://www.ch7.com/live.html|Watch live}}<br><small>Thailand only (It can be accessed with a [[VPN]] overseas)</small>
| online_serv_2 = TrueID
| online_chan_2 = {{URL|https://tv.trueid.net/live/ch7|Watch live}}<br><small>Thailand only (It can be accessed with a [[VPN]] overseas)</small>
}}

'''Channel 7 HD''', formerly known as '''Bangkok Broadcasting & Television Company Limited Channel 7''' ({{langx|th|สถานีโทรทัศน์สีกองทัพบกช่อง 7}}) is a [[Thailand]] and [[Bangkok]]'s first [[commercial broadcasting|commercial]] [[free-to-air]] television network that was launched on 27 November 1967 as [[Thailand]] and [[Bangkok]]'s first [[commercial broadcasting|commercial]] [[television station]]. It is the first color television channel to be broadcast in [[Mainland Southeast Asia]]. It is currently owned by Bangkok Broadcasting & Television. It is headquartered in Mo Chit, [[Chatuchak District|Chatuchak]], [[Bangkok]].

==History==
Channel 7 officially launched broadcasts in [[Bangkok]] as [[Thailand]]'s first [[commercial broadcasting|commercial]] television channel on 27 November 1967 at 7:00 pm [[Time in Thailand|Bangkok Time]]. The channel's broadcast area was only limited to [[Bangkok Metropolitan Area]] ([[Bangkok]], the capital and the surrounding areas) only. It was presided over by the then [[Prime Minister of Thailand]] [[Field Marshal]] [[Thanom Kittikachorn]]. The first programme to air was the 1967 [[Miss Thailand]] Pageant. The channel initially shared its facilities with the black-and-white Channel 7, which is now Channel 5.<ref>{{cite web |title=ขุดกรุ:จากสถานี HS1PJ ถึงโทรทัศน์สีสเตอริโอ |url=http://portal.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=11397 |language=th}}</ref> Channel 7 was known back then as "Bangkok Colour Television Network", with callsign '''HSB-TV''',<ref name=tvfactbook84>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-1984.pdf |title=Television Factbook |date=1984 |accessdate=25 February 2024 |page=1389 }}</ref> airing on Channel 7 in the 625-line standard (simulcast on Channel 9<ref>http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2512/D/010/241.PDF</ref> in the 525-line standard) and was the country's first colour television station using PAL colour. On 1 January 1972, it started broadcasting nationwide.<ref name="Positioning">{{Cite web |url=https://positioningmag.com/1152490 |title=ช่อง 7 ผลัดใบ ตั้งคนข่าวคุมบริหาร แทน "พลากร" เปิดโผ "บิ๊กทีวี" โยกช่องวัดฝีมือชิงเรตติ้งดึงผู้ชม |date=4 January 2018 |access-date=17 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512083539/https://positioningmag.com/1152490 |archive-date=12 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ch7.com/about_us |title=เกี่ยวกับเรา |access-date=17 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204015701/https://www.ch7.com/about_us |archive-date=4 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1974, the 525-line relays were turned off, with the channel broadcasting exclusively on VHF Channel 7.

A regional station opened in [[Phuket]] on 9 October 1980. Up until then Phuket only had one television station, an MCOT/PRD station on channel 11.<ref>{{cite web |title=สถานีโทรทัศน์สีกองทัพบกช่อง7 จ.ภูเก็ต |url=https://ch7phuket.page.tl/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=Channel 7 Phuket |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218150039/http://ch7phuket.page.tl/ |archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> As of 1988, it was the only truly national commercial television network, at a time when channels 3, 5 and 9 announced that they would increase their transmitter networks in 1989.<ref>Rainat, J. (1988). Thai TV Grows Nationally. Advertising Age, 59(42), 46.</ref>

Channel 7 launched its [[high-definition television]] feed on 25 April 2014 on its digital terrestrial television system (DTT) on channel 35. Three years later, on 19 June 2017, Channel 7 was given authorisation from the [[National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission]] to shut down its analogue frequencies in the rest of the country, in order to replace them with its digital channels on DTT. Thus, the network was expected to stop broadcasting on analogue 1 January 2018, but the process was postponed to 16 May 2018 and eventually completed on 16 June.

In 2017, it was the most-watched channel out of all 25 terrestrial television networks available, surpassing Channel 3. That year was the first time its morning news surpassed Channel 3's in ratings, coupled by administrative changes and challenges.<ref name="Positioning"/>

In July 2020, the Election Commission requested Channel 7 to cease broadcast of the television drama series 'Love Song of the Gun Crack' over one of the actors, Krungsrivilai Sutin Phueak, who decided to run as the people's representative for [[Samut Prakan province|Samut Prakan]]'s 5th District. The series was then suspended from 30 July to 9 August.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-31 |title=กกต. แจ้งช่อง 7 ระงับออกอากาศละคร "เพลงรักผาปืนแตก" หวั่นเอื้อประโยชน์ กรุงศรีวิไล |url=https://www.sanook.com/news/8220126/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=www.sanook.com/news |language=th}}</ref>

== Programming ==
===Notable sports===
* Channel 7 Boxing Stadium{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
* Fairtex Fight Promotion<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asianmma.com/jade-ketley-faces-apichat-fairtex-in-mma-card-at-lumpinee/|title=Jade Ketley faces Apichat Fairtex in MMA card at Lumpinee|website=Asian MMA|date=2022-01-05|access-date=2022-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://asianmma.com/jada-ketley-submits-apidet-fairtex-at-lumpinee-stadium/|title=Jada Ketley submits Apidet Fairtex at Lumpinee Stadium|website=Asian MMA|date=2022-01-17|access-date=2022-02-01}}</ref>

=== Notable television series ===

* [[Khu Kam]] (1990)
* [[Pob Pee Fah]] (1990)
* [[Poot Mae Nam Khong]] (1992)
* [[Dao Pra Sook]] (1994)
* [[Rak Nakara]] (2000)
* [[Phikun Thong]] (2003)
* [[Uttai Tawee]] (2003)
* [[Thep Sarm Rudoo|Thep Sam Rudoo]] (2005)
* [[Brave Man Standing]] (2008)
* [[Nang Tard]] (2008)
* [[Poot Mae Nam Khong]] (2008 remake)
* [[Silamanee]] (2008)
* [[Pob Pee Fah|Pob Pee Fa]] (2009 remake)
* [[Suea Sung Fah|Suea Sang Fah]] (2011)
* [[Dut Tawan Dang Phu-pha]] (2012)
* [[Look Poochai Mai Ta Pode]] (2012)
* [[Fai Huan]] (2013)
* [[Suea Sung Fah II: Payak Payong]] (2013)
* [[Phleng Rak Pha Puen Taek|Pleng Rak Pha Puen Taek]] (2014)
* [[Plerng Phra Nang]] (2017)
* [[Tulip Thong]] (2017)
* [[Sarawat Yai]] (2019)
* [[Lhong Klin Chan]] (2021)
* [[Satja Nai Chum Joan (Suea Sung Fah III)|Satja Nai Chum Joan (Suea Sang Fah III)]] (2022)

=== Notable television shows ===

* [[The Comedian Thailand]] (2013)
* [[Dancing with the Stars (Thai TV series)|Dancing with the Stars Thailand]] (2013)
* [[MasterChef Thailand]] (2017–present)
* [[MasterChef Junior Thailand]] (2013, 2017–present)

==Presenters==
===Current===
* Tin Chokkamonkij
* Swiss Leelapongwattana
* Premsuda Santiwattana
* Kamollat Aedsrichai
* Sornsawan Phuwijit
* Chohfah Lhaoariya
* Nantipat Pothapan
* Jetsada Upani
* Panurat Saneebutr
* Muanfun Prasarnpanit
* Napassakorn Sereerojanasiri
* Sarji Wongampai
* Nicharee Padthong
* Sukonphet Pholpratthanon
* Nilawan Panitrungruang
* Pisit Kiratikankul
* Kensit Kanthachan
* Kritsada Nuanmee
* Buabucha Punnanan
* Pinpinat Thakulweeranan
* Jeeranan Khetpong
* Pattrawan Panichcha
* Thanaphat Kittibodeesakul
* Songkan Achariyasub
* Adisorn Puengya
* Wathit Treekruthaphan
* Thanyalak Chatyalak
* Thanit Kaewnak
* Piphat Witthayapanyanon
* Todd Thongdee
* Chompoonuch Piyathammachai
* Natphatsorn Simasathien
* Nattawut Phanpiwat
* Thanaphat Kittibodeesakul
* Thanit Kaewnak
* Thanyalak Chatyalak
* Thanyanan Laoburin
* Thirat Phopanich
* Nantipat Pothapan
* Paphada Kleunsumarn
* Peerawat Kulananwat

===Former===
* [[Ekkachai Nophajinda]]
* Natchaya Sanguansuk
* Vanessa Samucsaruth (now at [[MCOT HD|Channel 9 MCOT HD]])
* Pichayapa Sutabutra (now at [[TNN (Thai TV channel)|TNN16]])
* Chada Somboonphol
* Rossarin Prakobthan
* Sompotch Toraksa

== See also ==
*[[Television in Thailand]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website}}

{{Smart Alliance}}
{{TV in Thailand}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Television stations in Thailand]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1967]]
[[Category:Mass media in Bangkok]]
[[Category:Privately held companies of Thailand]]
[[Category:Royal Thai Army]]