The Communications Authority (CA) announced today (2 March 2022) its decision to temporarily waive, for a period of five months from 5 March 2022 to 4 August 2022, the requirement relating to children’s programmes broadcast on the integrated Chinese channels of domestic free television programme service (free TV) licensees being wholly of Hong Kong origin (the "wholly of Hong Kong origin" requirement)1. Notwithstanding the waiver, the total broadcasting hours of children’s programmes to be provided by a licensee will keep unchanged.
On 11 February 2022, the CA received an application from HK Television Entertainment Company Limited for waiving the "wholly of Hong Kong origin" requirement related to children's programmes on the grounds of the disruptions to TV programme production caused by the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In view of the latest pandemic situation and the operational difficulties of free TV licensees arising from the prohibition on group gathering, the CA decided to approve the application.
Communications Authority
Secretariat
2 March 2022
Notes:
| (1) | Pursuant to the relevant licence condition in the free TV licences, unless otherwise approved by the CA, a licensee is required to broadcast a maximum of two hours daily of children’s programmes on each of the integrated Chinese and English channels, of which not less than 30 minutes daily of such programmes on the integrated Chinese channels are to be wholly of Hong Kong origin. |