Published: June 19, 2025 by Rungreung Huanraluek
What is a CATV centralized TV system?
Centralized TV system MATV, SMATV, CATV, IPTV : Part 5
A Centralized CATV (Community Antenna Television) system is a centralized TV system that receives TV signals from multiple sources, such as terrestrial antennas, satellite dishes, and even self-produced content. All these signals are then converted into a uniform format. A CATV system distributes its network over a wide area, ranging from village-level to national-level coverage.
All received TV channels from various sources, including terrestrial antennas, are re-arranged using modulators and then re-broadcast (Re-Broadcasting) to maintain the best possible signal quality. This allows for flexible channel arrangement as desired and enables signal transmission over long distances.
Evolution of CATV Systems
CATV systems have continuously evolved, divided into three main eras:
Era 1: Analog Double Side Band Modulators
CATV systems began with analog modulators, where one frequency could transmit only one TV program. Furthermore, adjacent frequencies could not be transmitted simultaneously.
Era 2: Analog Single Side Band Modulators
Building on the first era, CATV systems evolved to allow the transmission of adjacent frequencies, supporting a greater number of channels.
Era 3: Digital TV Systems (Digital CATV)
In this era, CATV systems transitioned into the digital TV age. Digital modulators can now transmit 2-12 TV programs on a single frequency. There are two types of digital modulators used: DVB-T Modulators for unencrypted transmission and DVB-C Modulators for encrypted signal transmission, which require a set-top box connected to the TV to decode and view programs from the centralized TV system.
The Origin of CATV Systems to the Current Situation
In its early days, the primary purpose of a CATV system was to solve the problem of poor TV reception in certain communities due to being in signal dead zones. To address this, community leaders would set up a high-gain Master Antenna on a tall pole to receive and distribute signals within their community. Over time, this evolved into a subscription-based cable TV business (Cable TV Operator) that charged monthly fees. At its peak in Thailand in 2011, there were over 700 subscription-based cable TV operators. According to NBTC data, by 2025, only 148 subscription-based cable TV operators remain (divided into 28 national, 19 regional, and 101 local stations).
The author predicts that the trend for subscription-based CATV systems still holds opportunities in the Business-to-Business (B2B) customer segment, such as dormitories, hotels, hospitals, apartments, government agencies, and various organizations that still require centralized TV systems. This is because they offer low costs, easy expense control, and can be maintained without requiring dedicated staff. Meanwhile, consumer behavior in the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) segment has clearly shifted, with a growing preference for media consumption through video streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, and other online platforms. This has led to a continuous decline in demand for centralized TV systems in households.
Subscription-based cable TV operators must evolve their centralized TV systems to be akin to their B2B clients' own TV systems, in the form of Hotel IPTV or Hospitality IPTV, which can create added value for their B2B customers. Only then will they have the opportunity to sustain their business.
