Communications Authority Press Release (July)

This press release summarises the Communications Authority ("CA")'s decisions following its 54th meeting in July 2016:

Compliance of HK Television Entertainment Company Limited ("HKTVE") with Milestones under its Domestic Free Television Programme Service Licence ("free TV licence")

The CA considered the submissions of HKTVE and was satisfied that it had complied with the relevant milestones under its free TV licence to broadcast one 24-hour integrated Chinese channel within 12 months after licence grant (i.e. by 31 March 2016) and to make its service available for reception by not less than 1.38 million Premises within Network Reach1 and not less than 1.15 million Premises Ready for Service2 within 24 months after licence grant (i.e. by 31 March 2017).  In accordance with the relevant licence conditions, a total of $10 million performance bond submitted by HKTVE to secure compliance with the above milestones will be discharged.

Renewal of Other Licensable Television Programme Service Licences

The CA approved the applications by Fame Capital Investment Limited ("Fame Capital") and Cordis Hong Kong Limited ("Cordis") for the renewal of their respective other licensable television programme service licences for the provision of television programme service to hotel rooms in Hong Kong for a period of 12 years.  Including Fame Capital and Cordis, there are now 24 other licensable television programme service licensees providing services to more than 80 hotels in Hong Kong.

Broadcast Complaints

The CA also considered two complaint cases in respect of the licensees' non-compliance with the Generic Code of Practice on Television Programme Standards and Generic Code of Practice on Television Advertising Standards ("TV Programme and Advertising Codes") and the Radio Code of Practice on Programme Standards ("Radio Programme Code") -

  1. complaints against the television programme "Scoop" (東張西望) broadcast on the Jade Channel of Television Broadcasts Limited ("TVB") on 1 January 2016. The CA decided that TVB should be warned to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme and Advertising Codes; and
  2. a complaint against the radio programme "Lunch Special" (一點叮一叮) broadcast on the CR 1 Channel of Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited ("CRHK") on 30 December 2015. The CA decided that CRHK should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provision in the Radio Programme Code.

Details of the above cases are at Appendix.

Notes:

 (1)

"Premises within Network Reach" refer to specified premises in a building, an estate or a village with a main entrance in the external wall thereof not exceeding 10 metres, as measured in a straight line (or such other distance as approved by CA), from the nearest part of the network concerned.  In the event of there being more than one entrances in the external walls of a building, an estate or a village, and upon request from CA, the Licensee shall irrevocably elect by notice in writing to CA as to which entrance it will treat as the main entrance for the purpose of this definition.
 (2)

"Premises Ready for Service" refer to specified premises to which the Service is capable of being provided by the Licensee within 28 days after receipt of a request for the Licensee's Service in writing from: (a) the Building Management Office, Incorporated Owners, or owner of the relevant building in which the specified premises are situated; and (b) the resident of the specified premises (where applicable), in which an agreement is obtained from (a) and (b) (where applicable) above for access to the relevant building and the specified premises to carry out any work necessary for the provision or reception of the Service, and in which the equipment necessary for receiving the Service via delivery means designated by the Licensee is made available by (a) or (b).

Communications Authority
Secretariat

26 July 2016

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