“It’s good to have two digital terrestrial TV stations – One entertainment channel for the mass audience and GMM 25 for younger generation viewers.

“We are also on the right track in doing business. But we want more partners to create a number of shows to support our society,” chairman Paiboon Damrongchaitham said yesterday.

It is the social responsibility of the two TV outlets to produce quality TV programmes, he said.

The key areas are involved with the promotion of startup businesses, travel, healthcare, education and Thai cuisine.

In light of the emergence of the startup business in the country, the music and entertainment giant has joined with the country’s leading green tea producer Ichitan Group to launch “Suea Tid Peak-Flying Tiger”, a 13-part series that will start airing next month on One.

This reality show will offer opportunities for local startups to pitch their business plan to judges. If their presentation is screened, they can negotiate with the show’s venture capitalists to win a prize of Bt13 million, which comes from a private fund of Paiboon and Tan Co.

Paiboon and Tan was set up by Paiboon and Tan Passakornnatee, president and chief executive officer of Ichitan Group, as a non-profit organisation. It will also cooperate with Jud Tang Ton Company to support the winner.

Established by Paiboon on behalf of the Damrungchaitham Foundation, Jud Tang Tong is also seeking opportunities to co-invest with social enterprises including the winner of this game show.

The company has also earmarked Bt13 billion for TV production and related operations for this show while welcoming main sponsors Ichitan, Bank of Ayudhya, Advanced Info Service and Singha Corp.

“Having all those key components, ‘Suea Tid Peak’ differs from existing business TV shows. We also hope that it can be continued into the second season,” Tan said.

Paiboon said he was quite happy with the financial results of both One and GMM 25 after almost two years of operation.

“We are witnessing strong growth doubling annually. We still believe in the potential in digital TV for long-term growth,” he said.