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SEPO Confirms MCOT-Thai PBS Merger Impossible, Prepares to Ask Cabinet to Review Eight State Enterprises
Thibodi Wattanakul, Director of the State Enterprise Policy Office, or SEPO, disclosed that reports of a merger between MCOT Public Company Limited, or MCOT, and the Thai Public Broadcasting Service, or Thai PBS television station, are impossible, because the two organizations operate under different legal provisions. However, the Ministry of Finance is preparing to propose that the Cabinet consider guidelines for resolving MCOT's problems, as well as review the operational plans and roles of eight other state enterprises, in order to assess their future direction, covering approaches such as dissolution, merger, or organizational restructuring, so that these agencies can operate efficiently and keep pace with changing economic conditions. Thibodi said he will wait to submit the matter to the Cabinet, which includes the MCOT issue and is likely to include the eight state enterprises as well, and will then hold another press conference. Earlier, the State Enterprise Policy Committee, or SEPO Board, approved a study to review the roles of eight state enterprises: the Marketing Organization for Farmers, the Public Warehouse Organization, the Market Organization, the Police Printing Office under the Royal Thai Police, the Playing Card Factory, the Liquor Organization, Bangkok Dock Company Limited, and MCOT Public Company Limited.
FCC Approves Foreign Ownership in Paramount's $110 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery Deal
The Federal Communications Commission approved foreign ownership in Paramount Skydance's planned $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery. The FCC granted Paramount's request to allow financing of more than 25% for the transaction, waiving its 25% cap on foreign equity ownership and permitting individual investors to own up to 20% of the equity. The regulator said foreign investors can have no voting stock and will not have any influence, direction, or control over Paramount's content decisions or company management. Paramount said it appreciated the FCC's careful review and was pleased the petition was granted consistent with its established process. The approval comes as the deal has been halted after 12 state attorneys general, led by California, sued to block the mega media deal in July, with a trial scheduled for March; on Tuesday a court ordered Paramount and California Attorney General Rob Bonta to meet on October 14 to try to work on a potential settlement.
FCC Approves Foreign Investment in Paramount's Warner Acquisition
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on the 17th approved foreign investment in U.S. media giant Paramount Skydance's $110 billion acquisition of rival Warner Bros. Discovery. The FCC regulates foreign investment in U.S. television broadcasting, and said it would waive the 25% cap on foreign equity ownership in this case, allowing individual investors to hold up to 20% of the shares. However, foreign investors may not hold voting shares, and may not exert any influence, direction, or control over Paramount's content decisions or corporate management, nor provide comments or guidance, nor be granted access to non-public data concerning U.S. citizens. Paramount welcomed the approval, stating that the merger will give it the scale and resources needed to compete, invest, innovate, and deliver premium content to audiences around the world. According to Paramount, at the close of the transaction, the family led by billionaire and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and RedBird Capital Partners will jointly hold the largest equity stake and 100% of the voting shares in the combined company, while other shareholders will have no management rights whatsoever. According to the FCC, after the transaction closes, Middle Eastern investors will hold approximately 85% of Paramount's shares, of which 15.1% is expected to be held by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund.
Generac Surges 18% on $8 Billion Amazon Data Center Generator Deal
Generac agreed to supply up to $8 billion worth of backup generators for Amazon's data centers, sending its shares up 18% and making it the top performer on the S&P 500. The company also issued a warrant for a stake in itself, according to a securities filing, and analysts said the stock could double in price over the next 12 to 18 months. The broader market closed higher, with the Dow Jones industrial average adding about 300 points, or roughly 0.6%, the S&P 500 gaining about 86 points, or 1.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rising about 1.7%. Intel shares climbed more than 7.5% after South Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynix said it might team up with the company, following a Reuters report that it could lease part of Intel's long-planned Ohio chip facility or form a venture, though SK Hynix said no decision has been made. Among decliners, Paramount Skydance fell more than 4.6% as a Barclays analyst argued its proposed merger with Warner Brothers could introduce massive financial and operational risks and predicted the company would eventually split up, while Fluence Energy tumbled 15% after cutting its revenue forecast, which analysts attributed to production issues at its Houston facility.
KGEN welcomes RWI as 7.68% shareholder, pushes ahead with EV supply chain, targets 40,000 vehicles produced by year-end
King Gen Public Company Limited, or KGEN, disclosed that Rayong Wire Industries Public Company Limited, or RWI, has taken a stake in KGEN through a private placement subscription of newly issued ordinary shares worth no more than 250 million baht, at a price of no more than 1.35 baht per share, representing approximately 7.68% of the shares after the capital increase, with total investment of no more than 252 million baht. RWI will also receive the right to subscribe to KGEN-W3 warrants in proportion to its existing shareholding, worth no more than 2 million baht. The maximum transaction size of 24.67% qualifies as a Type 3 transaction, which requires approval from a shareholders' meeting by a vote of no less than three-quarters. An extraordinary shareholders' meeting, the first of 2026, has been scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026. Khanit Sivachiraprapha, Chairman of the Advisory Board of KGEN, said the partnership will strengthen the domestic supply chain for automotive parts production, in line with the policy of increasing the use of locally made parts in electric vehicle production under cooperation with the CHERY brand. RWI specialises in the production of cold-drawn steel, which is used to make automotive parts. KGEN has so far produced 20,000 vehicles, with EV production capacity of approximately 5,000 vehicles per month, and expects capacity to rise by another 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles in the final three months of the year, bringing total production for the year to around 40,000 vehicles. Year-end bookings are expected to accelerate on the back of the Motor Expo in December, where two to three new electric vehicle models will be unveiled. The company has also signed an agreement to support a transport fleet for J&T Express, including the use of electric pickup trucks for deliveries of no more than 400 kilometres.
Paramount's Warner Bros. Bid Faces California Exit Rumor and Settlement Talks
Paramount Skydance Corp. may be preparing to leave California as it pursues a $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a TMZ report that Los Angeles officials and the California Attorney General's office had been told an announcement was coming, though it never materialized. California and 11 other states sued in July to block the deal, arguing it could reduce competition and raise prices in film and television. Paramount has said delays beyond Sept. 30 trigger a $7 million daily payment to Warner Bros. shareholders, and it has sought a $1.88 billion bond from the states challenging the transaction. Paramount, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the Writers Guild of America are scheduled to hold settlement discussions Oct. 14-15, a meeting that now carries added weight for investors watching whether the company can resolve the California fight before costs and uncertainty around its biggest deal climb further.
Finance Ministry to propose Cabinet review of roles of 8 state enterprises, rules out MCOT-Thai PBS merger
The Ministry of Finance is preparing to submit to the Cabinet meeting a plan to address the problems of MCOT Public Company Limited, as part of a broader review of the roles of all eight state enterprises, according to Thibodi Wattanakul, Director of the State Enterprise Policy Office. The plan covers options including dissolution, merger, or organizational restructuring so that these agencies can operate efficiently and keep pace with changing economic conditions. Thibodi confirmed that reports of a merger between MCOT and Thai PBS television station are definitely impossible, because the two organizations are bound by different laws. Earlier, the State Enterprise Policy Committee approved a study reviewing the roles of eight state enterprises: the Marketing Organization for Farmers, the Public Warehouse Organization, the Market Organization, the Police Printing Office of the Royal Thai Police, the Playing Card Factory, the Liquor Organization, Bangkok Dock Company Limited, and MCOT Public Company Limited. The Ministry of Finance will propose that the Cabinet review the operational plans and roles of the remaining seven state enterprises to assess their future direction.
Supamas Denies Merger Rumors Between MCOT and Thai PBS, Stresses Urgent Organizational Revival
Miss Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office, in her capacity overseeing MCOT Public Company Limited, or MCOT, denied rumors of a merger between MCOT and the Thailand Public Broadcasting Service, or Thai PBS, stating that she was not aware of any details and that MCOT executives had not been notified of any merger. She also confirmed that MCOT is currently working with the State Enterprise Policy Office, or SEPO, to find ways to revive the organization and prevent losses, a process that has been ongoing, and stressed that MCOT personnel should not panic, as the rumors are merely information citing sources from the Ministry of Finance, with no official conclusion or plan yet. Meanwhile, Mr. Thibordee Wattanakul, Director of the State Enterprise Policy Office, denied rumors that the Ministry of Finance was preparing to reduce its shareholding in MCOT and that this could lead to a merger with Thai PBS if no new private partner could be found within six months, confirming that he had never given an interview or held any idea about such a merger. Previously, SEPO had planned to propose that the State Enterprise Policy Committee, or SEPC, review the roles of eight state enterprises to find ways to improve operational efficiency, reduce redundancy, and manage public resources appropriately, with options ranging from restructuring and mergers to reducing the government's shareholding below 50 percent. MCOT is one of the state enterprises under consideration for restructuring after facing intense competition in the media and digital television industry, with preliminary approaches focusing on reforming its management through a new board, as well as bringing in business partners with expertise to support it, in order to enhance competitiveness and revive long-term performance.
State Enterprise Policy Committee Approves MCOT Rehabilitation Plan, Prepares to Submit Review of Eight Other State Enterprises to Cabinet
The State Enterprise Policy Committee has resolved to approve a restructuring plan for MCOT Public Company Limited, or MCOT, aimed at rehabilitating its business operations and enhancing its capacity to generate revenue and profit. One of the key approaches proposed in the plan is a merger between MCOT and the Thai Public Broadcasting Service, or Thai PBS, which has not yet been settled. The Ministry of Finance is preparing to bring the matter before the Cabinet for consideration within next week, or at the latest the following week. If the Cabinet approves, a clear direction for implementation will then be determined. The merger between MCOT and Thai PBS is considered a challenging task, since the two organizations were established and operate under entirely different laws. If the government proceeds in earnest, it will need to amend several laws and go through complex legal procedures. In addition to MCOT's rehabilitation plan, the Ministry of Finance is also preparing to propose that the Cabinet consider reviewing the operational plans and roles of eight other state enterprises, covering approaches such as dissolution, merger, or organizational restructuring. Meanwhile, Thibordee Wattanakul, Director of the State Enterprise Policy Office, or SEPO, confirmed that reports claiming the Ministry of Finance is preparing to reduce its shareholding in MCOT and may allow it to merge with Thai PBS if no new private co-shareholder can be found within six months are not true, and said he views such an idea as still difficult to achieve both in principle and under current law.
Fox Faces Second DOJ Request Over Roku Acquisition
Fox Corporation disclosed on September 9 that the U.S. Department of Justice issued a second request for information concerning its proposed acquisition of Roku, Inc., a move that extends the premerger waiting period while regulators seek additional documents and data. Fox said it continues to cooperate with the review and that the expected closing remains in the first half of 2027, according to The Wall Street Journal. Roku reaches more than 100 million households globally and would give Fox an established connected-television platform, advertising technology and direct consumer relationships. The September 9 report did not disclose any proposed DOJ remedies, and the first-half 2027 target remains an expectation rather than a regulatory deadline. Insider Monkey's database showed 60 hedge funds holding Fox Corporation at the end of 2Q2026, up from 43 funds three months earlier, though those filings reflect positions held before the second request was reported.
Paramount Skydance Expected to Leave California Amid $110 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery Fight
Paramount Skydance is expected to leave California amid its battle with the California Attorney General over its planned $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a TMZ report. Internal talks in the Los Angeles mayor's office and the California Attorney General indicate the mayor and the AG's office were told the announcement would come on Tuesday, but it did not happen. Last month Paramount CEO David Ellison threatened to relocate the movie studio out of California if he could not reach a settlement with California's AG Rob Bonta, saying the studio would move to Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, or another identified state if no deal is reached by Oct. 1. Late Tuesday a court filing indicated that Paramount Skydance and Bonta agreed to meet Oct. 14 to try to work on a potential settlement, with Bonta seeking concessions that include selling parts of the merged companies, while Paramount has so far offered only behavioral concessions such as a commitment to release at least 30 films. Paramount Skydance declined to comment to TMZ, and shares of Warner Bros. edged lower by 0.2% while Paramount rose 1.3%.
Paramount, California AG Set October 14-15 for Merger Settlement Talks
Paramount Skydance, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and The Writer's Guild of America have agreed to hold two days of settlement negotiations beginning October 14 over lawsuits seeking to block Paramount's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The agreement, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, follows a judge's instruction last week that Paramount and the 12 state attorneys general suing to block the deal find dates in October for talks. Before negotiations begin, both sides will file statements supporting their positions on the merger, including an evaluation of the likelihood of prevailing and the major issues in dispute, and the court order grants representatives for all parties full authority to negotiate and settle the case. Bonta is seeking concessions that include selling parts of the merged companies, while Paramount has so far offered only behavioral concessions such as a commitment to release at least 30 films. Bonta and Paramount representatives were initially scheduled to meet August 24 before Bonta cancelled the talks amid claims that Paramount leaked confidential details from prior discussions, and Paramount has threatened to pull all operations out of California if a deal could not be reached by October 1.
Paramount Skydance Weighs California Exit If Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Blocked
Paramount Skydance is weighing a relocation of its core operations out of California if its proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery is blocked, according to an internal report leaked ahead of an October decision deadline. The document warns that California could lose tens of thousands of jobs and several billions of dollars in economic output if the move occurs. The relocation threat lands while Paramount Skydance is already reshaping Warner Bros. Discovery's debt stack through tender and exchange offers that now run to September 25, 2026, with the extended deadlines meant to keep bond settlements aligned with any eventual deal closing. The company, which carries a market cap of about $11.9b, has built its core narrative on scaling content output, consolidating tech platforms and pursuing at least US$3b of efficiency gains rather than on where its headquarters sits. Investors are watching the October 1 antitrust deadline and any related court rulings or settlements, along with updated guidance on future production hubs, revisions to the Warner Bros. Discovery deal terms, or fresh disclosures on expected restructuring and relocation costs if the merger does not proceed.
SES Launches Final Three O3b mPOWER Satellites, Completing MEO Constellation
SES announced the successful launch of its eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth O3b mPOWER satellites, completing its second-generation medium Earth orbit constellation. The three satellites lifted off at 2:49 pm local time aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. They join the 10 O3b mPOWER spacecraft already in operation, bringing the full constellation to 13 satellites offering services ranging from tens of Mbps to multiple gigabits per second of capacity to any site. CEO Adel Al-Saleh called the launch a defining milestone that reinforces SES's ability to deliver resilient, secure and scalable connectivity for governments, enterprises, cloud providers and mobility customers. The newly launched satellites are expected to become operational by mid-2027, expanding high-performance connectivity capacity in underserved and remote environments and advancing SES's next-generation MEO network strategy.
Hatairat Chulangkul Receives 39.96 Million Baht in Dividends from 6 Stocks, Raises Stakes in BEC and TKN
Major investor Hatairat Chulangkul is set to receive interim dividends for the first half of 2026 from six companies in her portfolio, totaling 39,966,492 baht, with payments scheduled during the first half of September 2026. The breakdown is as follows: BEC at 10,684,664 baht, payable on September 10; GRAMMY at 10,119,185 baht, payable on September 11; NNCL at 10,123,393 baht, payable on September 10; ONEE at 4,742,832 baht, payable on September 4; SAMART at 2,461,326 baht, payable on September 11; and TKN at 1,835,092 baht, payable on September 11. A portfolio review in August 2026 showed that Hatairat adjusted her holdings in two companies, increasing her stake in BEC to 267,116,600 shares, or 13.36%, from 266,452,000 shares, or 13.32%, and raising her stake in TKN to 13,107,800 shares, or 0.95%, from 11,481,700 shares, or 0.83%. Meanwhile, in September 2026, BEC's share price fell 0.51% and TKN's dropped 0.96%. Krungsri Securities recommends Reduce on BEC with a target price of 1.38 baht, noting that shrinking television media spending continues to pressure earnings. Although the company's financial position remains strong with net cash of about 1.92 baht per share, revenue from new businesses has not been able to offset the decline in advertising revenue significantly. The brokerage expects second-half 2026 results to recover as pressure from the war eases and revenue from events and artist management increases, though the effective tax rate remains high and the future of digital TV concessions is still unclear.
Judge Orders Paramount, State AGs to Hold Settlement Talks in Late October
A judge has directed Paramount Skydance and a group of 12 state attorneys general who sued to block the company's planned $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery to schedule settlement talks for late next month. No specific dates have been set, but the magistrate judge suggested the parties find two consecutive days in late October for in-person settlement talks, according to a court filing on Friday. The talks will be overseen by Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson. The development follows California Attorney General Rob Bonta's cancellation late last month of a meeting with Paramount representatives to begin discussing a settlement of the state's lawsuit seeking to block the mega media deal. Last month, Paramount CEO David Ellison threatened to relocate the movie studio out of California if he could not reach a settlement with Bonta, saying the studio would move to Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, or another identified state if no deal is reached by Oct. 1.
SES Launches SES CORE Content Orchestration and Hybrid Delivery Platform
SES announced the launch of SES CORE, a first-of-its-kind content orchestration and hybrid delivery platform that lets broadcasters and media customers manage, monitor and enable transmission of content via satellite, fiber and IP through a single interface. Built on an infrastructure-neutral architecture, the platform brings multiple distribution technologies into a unified orchestration layer so customers can select the most effective delivery path while guaranteeing service reliability and consistent delivery of high-quality content to global partners. SES CORE gives customers real-time visibility into service status by monitoring active content feeds, provides network performance insights, automates operational tasks and offers redundancy options, helping broadcasters manage distribution more independently and efficiently. Deepak Mathur, President of Media at SES, said broadcasters are navigating increasingly complex distribution environments and that SES CORE provides a unified platform designed for the future of content orchestration and hybrid delivery. SES, headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on the Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges under the ticker SESG, said the launch follows its Intelsat acquisition and more than 100 years of combined global industry leadership.
EV Board Approves Three-Tier Excise Tax on Cars; KGEN Says EV Orders Up 50%
The new National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, or EV Board, at its first meeting approved in principle a restructuring of the car excise tax into three tiers, covering battery electric vehicles, REEV electric vehicles, hybrid cars and plug-in hybrids. Tier 1 carries the lowest rate for cars produced domestically and using domestic parts, Tier 2 a middle rate for imported cars with clear plans to invest in building factories in Thailand, and Tier 3 the highest rate for commercially sold imported cars with no investment plans. The Excise Department will speed up finalising the tax rate for each tier and submit it to the Cabinet for consideration as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Khanisorn Srivachiraprapha, chairman of the advisory board of King Gen Public Company Limited, or KGEN, said EV car orders grew 50% from the same period last year, with cumulative sales of about 10,000 units since the Big Motor Sale event, and deliveries to customers are being gradually made. The new excise tax rate may rise to about 30% and is expected to take effect around the end of this year, prompting consumers to speed up their purchasing decisions to avoid possibly higher costs. KGEN also plans to announce the price of its V27 model within this month, along with plans to launch additional new models at the Motor Expo at the end of the year, and is in the process of bidding to supply vehicles to one of the country's leading large logistics businesses, which it is highly confident of winning.
Paramount Skydance Seeks Bond Enforcement as WBD Merger Nears Close
Paramount Skydance Corporation has filed reply briefs urging a district court to enforce a bond requirement against state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America, whose lawsuits are the only remaining barrier to its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The company says it has satisfied all closing conditions and received regulatory clearances from 69 jurisdictions, and it warns that the delay is causing substantial ticking and financing costs that could reach $1.88 billion. Paramount agreed to delay closing to facilitate a prompt trial but did not waive its right to bond protection under the Clayton Act and Rule 65. The company argues the lawsuits are meritless and that plaintiffs must accept financial responsibility if their challenge fails, as the WGA itself previously argued that a bond is mandatory in such cases.
Paramount Skydance Extends Debt Exchange and Tender Offers to September 18
Paramount Skydance Corporation has extended the expiration dates for its previously announced exchange offers and tender offers to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on September 18, 2026, unless further extended. The offers involve the purchase or exchange of notes issued by Discovery Global Holdings, Inc. and Discovery Communications, LLC, which are part of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc., for new notes to be issued by Paramount. Paramount anticipates further extensions to align settlement with the closing of its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. As of September 4, 2026, approximately 66.28% of the aggregate principal amount of notes eligible for the tender offers and 75.31% for the exchange offers had been validly tendered, though Paramount notes these figures may not reflect final results. The offers are being made only to qualified institutional buyers and non-U.S. persons, with BofA Securities and Citigroup serving as dealer managers.
King Gen Public Company Limited (KGEN) announced that in August 2026, registrations of Chery-branded BEVs, which are jointly developed with KGEN, totaled 4,236 units across three models: JAECOO 5 EV, CHERY V23, and JAECOO 6 EV. This represents a market share of 19.18% of the total BEV market, which saw 22,088 registrations. The JAECOO 5 EV was the top model with 2,656 registrations, accounting for 12.02% of the BEV market. Mr. Kanis Sriwachiraprapa, Chairman of KGEN's Advisory Board, stated that the company has increased production capacity to 8,000 units per month by adding a second shift of 3,000 units to accommodate rising orders. The company targets sales of 20,000 units in the second half of the year, with key brands including JAECOO, OMODA, LEPAS, and CHERY, priced between 500,000 and 700,000 baht per unit to penetrate the mass market.
Paramount CEO Clears 68 Countries for Warner Bros Deal, California Still Blocks
Paramount Skydance Corporation CEO David Ellison has secured regulatory approval in 68 jurisdictions for his $110 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, but a lawsuit from 12 state attorneys general remains the final obstacle. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who leads the states' case, canceled a planned settlement meeting with Ellison, citing a "lack of good faith." Paramount said it remains "hopeful" and denied being the source of leaks about the talks. Media veteran Tom Rogers said California's home constituency is "overwhelmingly against the transaction," reducing the state's incentive to settle. Paramount faces a ticking fee that could reach roughly $650 million per quarter starting September 30 and has asked a court to force the states to post a $1.88 billion bond.
KGEN tops Big Motor Sale 2026 with over 10,000 bookings
OMODA & JAECOO (Thailand) secured 5,028 bookings at the Big Motor Sale 2026 within 10 days, making King Gen Public Company Limited (KGEN) the top seller with over 10,000 total car bookings. The event, held from August 21–30, 2026, saw total bookings of 11,165 cars. The JAECOO 5 EV, a 100% electric vehicle, was the most popular model, accounting for 53% of all bookings, followed by the JAECOO 6T REEV at 28%. Customers have also started pre-booking the iCar despite its price not yet being announced. Combined with approximately 22,000 bookings from the Motor Show earlier this year, cumulative bookings remain strong. The factory has a production capacity of over 5,000 cars per month and is preparing to deliver around 20,000 cars in the final four months of the year, with production increased to two shifts to support a maximum annual capacity of 80,000–100,000 cars.
KGEN JAECOO 5 orders surge past 10,000 units; delivery to complete by Q4 2026
King Gen Public Company Limited (KGEN) announced that cumulative reservations for the JAECOO 5 electric vehicle have exceeded 10,000 units as of the end of Q2 2026, with delivery expected to be completed within Q4 2026. The company plans to launch three new electric vehicle models in the remainder of this year to target the freight, passenger, and taxi markets. It also aims to expand production capacity to 8,000 units per month in 2027, up from the current 5,000 units per month, and plans to expand its parts warehouse to address past parts shortages.
KGEN bookings exceed 10,000 units, preparing to deliver another 20,000 units
KGEN reported that car bookings from the Big Motor Sale event exceeded 10,000 units, reflecting sustained high demand despite the low season. The majority of bookings came from the OMODA & JAECOO brands, with approximately 5,000 units, followed by CHERY with 2,200 units, and other brands with over 600 units, securing the top spot at the event. Combined with the 22,000 bookings from the Motor Show earlier this year, this year's total bookings are satisfactory. The company is preparing to deliver approximately 20,000 more vehicles in the final four months of the year. The factory has a production capacity of over 5,000 units per month, with plans to increase to two shifts. Additionally, a new luxury brand is set to launch at the end of the year to complete the portfolio from Eco Cars to luxury vehicles. The company also plans to invest billions of baht in the automotive parts business to build a comprehensive supply chain.
Newsom Prefers Paramount-Warner Bros Settlement If It's a Good Deal
California Governor Gavin Newsom said he would prefer a settlement of the state attorney general's lawsuit opposing Paramount Skydance Corporation's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. "if it's a good deal," according to a Bloomberg report on August 22, 2026. Newsom expressed concern about the state's reputation and noted the process is unfolding in real time. The deal has cleared roughly 68 jurisdictions globally, and Paramount's board has approved a potential relocation out of California as early as October 1 amid the litigation. Bloomberg also reported that Paramount has acknowledged considering a range of options, including structural changes to the deal, to settle the lawsuits brought by a coalition of states led by California.
Paramount Skydance Seeks Settlement with 12 States, Demands $1.9 Billion Bond
Paramount Skydance Corporation has offered to settle with 12 states that are still trying to block its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, and separately demanded those states post a $1.88 billion bond to cover potential losses from further delay. The merger has already won approval in 68 countries and from the US Justice Department, leaving the state lawsuit, led by California's attorney general Rob Bonta, as the last major hurdle. Paramount argues the states are inflicting harm without benefit to their constituents, while CEO David Ellison expressed confidence in the legal merits. The delay carries significant costs, including a ticking fee of about $650 million per quarter to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders if the deal isn't closed by September 30, which could exceed $1.9 billion if the fight drags into June 2027. A federal judge previously blocked the merger temporarily in June and declined to require the states to post a bond, citing their role in enforcing important public interests.
Iowa and Montana Take California to Supreme Court Over Paramount-Warner Deal
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced she is taking California to the Supreme Court after the state and 11 others sued to block Paramount Skydance's planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Montana's Austin Knudsen joined Bird in filing a motion with the Supreme Court on Tuesday, arguing that the twelve states have effectively vetoed a transaction that the other thirty-eight states and the United States declined to challenge. The filing contends that a handful of states are abusing antitrust law to score political points, not to protect competition, and that the untimely lawsuit is already harming competition. The legal action comes as California Attorney General Rob Bonta faces pressure to settle, having reportedly canceled a meeting with Paramount representatives scheduled for Monday. Investment bankers are also examining potential divestitures of Warner Bros. assets if a settlement requires them.
California Attorney General Says No Settlement Talks Scheduled with Paramount
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said on the 25th that no settlement talks are currently scheduled regarding the antitrust lawsuit seeking to block media giant Paramount Skydance's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. A settlement meeting scheduled for the 24th was called off, and Bonta accused Paramount of lacking good faith by leaking details of a previous meeting and misrepresenting the discussions. At a press conference on public safety, Bonta said he would be willing to meet if the other side approached talks sincerely and in good faith, while reiterating concerns that the merger of two major Hollywood studios would raise consumer prices, reduce choices, and lower the quality of films and TV shows. He also cited a Los Angeles County report predicting that 4,500 film and television-related jobs would be lost within three years of the merger, dealing a blow to the local economy.
Yuanta Securities cuts BEC target to 1.70 baht, recommends sell
Yuanta Securities has lowered its fundamental value for BEC World Public Company Limited, or BEC, from 2.34 baht to 1.70 baht and changed its recommendation to sell, citing a continued slowdown in television advertising revenue. Although the second half of 2026 will be supported by artist events, concerts, foreign licensing, and films, these are expected to offset the decline in advertising revenue only partially. Yuanta Securities has cut its normalized profit estimates for 2026 and 2027 by 30% and 32% to 147 million baht, down 20% year on year, and 170 million baht, up 16% year on year, respectively, after reducing revenue estimates by 20% and 18% to 3.428 billion baht and 3.638 billion baht to reflect weaker-than-expected television advertising revenue and lower gross margin assumptions. BEC is accelerating revenue generation from content and its fan base through a Single Content, Multiple Platforms model, including a partnership with M Studio to release the films Thee Yod: Sing Khao Bok in September and Suk Sutthai in November 2026 as new revenue sources late in the year. However, these new revenue streams remain small relative to television advertising revenue, so the company's ability to generate profit and expand its non-TV revenue share will need to be monitored.
Hubei Radio and Television reports first-half 2026 revenue of 730 million yuan and a loss of 250 million yuan
Hubei Radio and Television disclosed its 2026 semi-annual report. In the first half of the year, total operating revenue reached 730 million yuan, down 11.26 percent year on year. Net profit attributable to the parent company was a loss of 250 million yuan, compared with a loss of 246 million yuan in the same period last year. Net profit after deducting non-recurring items was a loss of 254 million yuan, compared with a loss of 258 million yuan a year earlier. Net cash flow from operating activities was 94.26 million yuan, up 45.37 percent year on year. Basic earnings per share were negative 0.22 yuan, and the weighted average return on equity was negative 7.87 percent. As of August 21, 2026, 13.32 percent of the company's shares were pledged. The largest shareholder, Hubei Chutian Digital Television Company Limited, pledged 110 million shares, accounting for 100 percent of its total holdings.
Broker cuts BEC target to 1.70 baht, recommends sell
Yuanta Securities Thailand has downgraded its recommendation on BEC to sell and cut its fair value from 2.34 baht to 1.70 baht, as television advertising revenue remains under pressure from the weak economy and purchasing power, as well as the shift of advertising budgets to digital media. Although the second half of 2026 will see revenue from major events such as the LINGORM Thailand Fan Meeting Tour 2026 and the LINGORM The World Between Us concert, along with income from fan meetings, fan signs and live streaming, these are expected to only partially offset the decline in advertising revenue. The analyst has lowered normalised profit forecasts for 2026 and 2027 by 30 percent and 32 percent to 147 million baht and 170 million baht respectively, while cutting revenue estimates by 20 percent and 18 percent to 3.428 billion baht and 3.638 billion baht.
Jiangsu Broadcasting Cable Network released its 2026 interim report, with net profit attributable to the parent company at 104 million yuan, down 48.69% from the same period last year. Total operating revenue was 3.652 billion yuan, down 11.87% year-on-year. Net cash flow from operating activities was negative 48.2941 million yuan, down 112.57% year-on-year. The company's latest asset-liability ratio is 34.64%, gross margin is 17.97%, ROE is 0.46%, and diluted earnings per share is 0.02 yuan.
Hubei Radio and Television Reports Net Loss of 250 Million Yuan in 2026 Interim Report
Hubei Radio and Television released its 2026 interim report, with net profit attributable to the parent company at negative 250 million yuan, a loss expansion of 4.273 million yuan compared with the same period last year. The company's total operating revenue was 730 million yuan, down 11.26 percent year on year. Net cash inflow from operating activities was 94.2646 million yuan, up 45.37 percent year on year, marking three consecutive years of growth. The company's latest asset-liability ratio was 66.77 percent, gross margin was 2.83 percent, and return on equity was negative 8.19 percent.
Paramount faces pushback in Warner Bros. Discovery takeover bid
Paramount Skydance is facing pushback from a collection of US attorneys general in its proposed acquisition of rival Warner Bros. Discovery. Media analyst Evan Shapiro says the deal will remain in limbo unless Paramount backs out, and that Larry Ellison is personally backing $40 billion dollars of this $111 billion dollar deal. Shapiro notes Oracle stock has dropped 60% since bidding began, and if Oracle's debt is rated junk, Ellison's personal stock gets locked up, putting the Ellisons in financial hot water. He adds that Netflix, Apple, or a spun-out NBC could swoop in if Paramount walks away, which he thinks is increasingly likely given a $7 billion breakup fee.
California AG cancels Paramount merger settlement talks
California Attorney General Rob Bonta canceled a settlement meeting with Paramount scheduled for Monday, accusing the company of leaking and misrepresenting details of an earlier negotiating session. Bonta said Paramount's actions demonstrated a lack of good faith, but added his office would meet again if Paramount engages sincerely. Bonta leads a coalition of 12 state attorneys general that filed suit last month to block the Paramount-WBD deal, arguing the combined entity would hold roughly a third of wide-release film distribution and a comparable share of basic cable TV programming. Paramount faces a penalty of roughly $7 million owed to WBD shareholders for each day the transaction remains unclosed past September 30, and has asked the court to require the plaintiff states to post a $1.88 billion bond. An antitrust trial is scheduled for March 2, 2027.
MONO announces Streaming-First strategy to drive MONOMAX
Mono Next Public Company Limited, or MONO, has announced its streaming business direction under the concept The Next Chapter, aiming to become a Streaming-First organization after the MONOMAX platform expanded its user base to more than 3.5 million accounts. The company will adjust operations across the entire organization covering content, technology, user experience, growth, and business partnerships, while assigning its management team to take responsibility for five key areas: Sports Content, Original Content, Growth and Experience, Revenue and Partnership, and Platform. A key strategy is developing Sports Content through the rights to four major sports properties: the Premier League, EURO 2028, Volleyball World, and the 2026 and 2030 World Cups. This includes connecting the sports audience base to Original Content under the concept Stories You Won't Find Anywhere Else, and elevating the experience with the 72 Hours Content concept, Watch Party activities, and the Cheer To The Max Trip. On the revenue and partnership side, the company will operate under the concept More Value in Every Subscription to increase access channels and new benefits. For platform development, MONO will improve speed and stability and launch MONOMAX System Status so users can track system status in real time.
MONO announces full transformation to Streaming-First, championing MONOMAX
Mono Next Public Company Limited, or MONO, has announced a major step in its official corporate transformation under a 100% Streaming-First direction, following the completion of internal management restructuring aimed at building a full streaming ecosystem, with the MONOMAX platform as the main spearhead driving the business. Chief Executive Officer Navamin Prasopnet revealed that the company has shifted the mindset of its people to start from user needs as the center, while dividing its working structure into five main pillars: Sports Content, Original Content, Growth and Experience, Revenue and Partnership, and Platform. In sports, MONO holds the rights to the English Premier League and FA Cup for six consecutive seasons together with JAS, as well as Euro 2028, Volleyball World, and the World Cup 2026 and 2030, with volleyball package subscriptions growing past 150,000 by the end of the recent season. On the revenue side, the company has added an AVOD model, or free viewing with advertising, to attract advertising money from television to the online platform, and is preparing to launch full services in Vietnam this August. For pricing strategy, MONO is focusing on encouraging members to switch to annual packages, with a premium package priced at 399 baht per month, or annual promotions averaging about 250 to 500 baht per month, along with a feature allowing payment in four monthly installments. In terms of performance, in the past second quarter the company returned to profitability thanks to serious organizational restructuring, including cutting redundant expenses, removing unprofitable units, and downsizing the organization, while the CFO team is accelerating management of legacy outstanding debts and continuously negotiating debt restructuring with financial institutions to keep shareholders' equity from turning negative.
MONO advances Streaming-First business to serve 3.5 million customers
MONO has announced a drive to become a Streaming-First business after restructuring its operations to support a customer base of more than 3.5 million, expecting third-quarter 2026 results to remain positive and help full-year performance turn around, while accelerating efforts to resolve the CB designation placed on its shares. Navamin Prasopnet, Chief Executive Officer of Mono Next Public Company Limited, said the company is preparing to move MONOMAX into streaming under the concept of The Next Chapter, advancing toward becoming a Streaming-First organization after MONOMAX reset its direction across the entire company, from content, technology and user experience to growth and business partnerships, with users at the center of every development. A management team has been put in place with clear responsibility for five areas: Sports Content, Original Content, Growth and Experience, Revenue and Partnership, and Platform, to jointly raise the streaming experience and better meet user needs. The company expects the business to become fully Streaming-First in the second half of the year after completing its management restructuring. It is now focusing mainly on streaming and no longer placing much importance on advertising revenue, treating any advertising income as a bonus. As a result, streaming currently accounts for about 70 percent of revenue and advertising about 30 percent. Strategy has not changed much, with the company still focused on increasing subscriber numbers, and its main direction will shift toward Streaming-First after the management restructuring is complete. The importance of the digital TV business will decline as the company enters the streaming era. MONOMAX currently has a total of 3.5 million members, divided into four main groups: the Entertainment package with about 200,000 subscribers, the Sports Standard package with about 1.6 million, the Sports Basic package with 200,000, and the Sports Premium package with 100,000. There is also a group in the system called Free Gear, which receives rights to watch some free content and now has a customer base of more than 1 million. This group will be extended into a system with advertising on the feed, transforming clearly from free TV to a streaming platform. For the future of MONO 29, the company sees it being repositioned as MONOMAX Sports TV, shifting toward sports and placing less importance on TV, with MONOMAX Sports TV serving as a marketing channel to pass members through to MONOMAX. In the TV business, a new auction will be held in the next two years. The company's direction is not yet clear, but an auction will definitely take place. Whether MONO will invest depends on the starting price and whether it is worthwhile. For third-quarter 2026 performance, the company will try to keep results positive after the second quarter of 2026 returned to profit, helped by the start of the English Premier League season. However, it still needs to watch marketing costs, which may rise in the early period, and must manage the marketing budget carefully. For full-year performance, management intends to bring the company back to profit after extensive restructuring, cost reductions and a leaner operation, cutting or reducing staff in businesses that do not generate revenue. The business picture is now clearer through the restructuring into five main pillars serving streaming. Growth is expected to become evident in the second half of the year as the English Premier League season begins next week and subscription numbers start to come in. On plans to resolve the Stock Exchange of Thailand's CB designation on the shares, the company views the shareholder equity position as improving if it returns to profit, and the finance team is working to keep shareholder equity from turning negative, so it is not a major concern. Debt obligations with banks have already been discussed.
MONO Announces Streaming-First Strategy, Positioning MONOMAX as the Hub of Game Streaming
MONO has announced a business restructuring toward a Streaming-First strategy, placing MONOMAX at the center of its operations after the platform surpassed 3.5 million users. Chief Executive Officer Navamin Prasopnet revealed that the key challenge from now on is increasing member value through Sports Content, Original Content, Growth & Experience, Revenue & Partnership, and Platform, while continuing to focus on premium sports content such as the Premier League, EURO 2028, Volleyball World, and the 2026 and 2030 World Cups. The company will also use the 72 HOURS CONTENT model to expand engagement after matches end and increase the role of new Original Content rotating throughout 2026 to reduce churn, boost subscriber retention, and lift lifetime value. On the revenue side, MONOMAX will be connected with telco, payment, advertising, and sponsorship partners, and the company will expand into the Southeast Asian market through partners in Vietnam and Laos. It will also upgrade its Streaming Core technology to support 4K and peak live audiences, with AWS serving as its cloud partner.