Public Consultation Exercise launched for the Mid-term Review of the Domestic Free Television Programme Service Licences and Sound Broadcasting Licences

The Communications Authority (CA) announced today (10 September 2021) the commencement of the public consultation exercise for the mid-term review of the domestic free television programme service (free TV) licences of Fantastic Television Limited (Fantastic TV), HK Television Entertainment Company Limited (HKTVE) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), and the sound broadcasting licences of Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited (CRHK) and Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited (Metro). The CA invites members of the public to give their views on the services of Fantastic TV, HKTVE, TVB, CRHK and Metro for assessment of their performance.

The free TV licences of HKTVE, TVB and Fantastic TV are valid for 12 years from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2027, from 1 December 2015 to 30 November 2027 and from 31 May 2016 to 30 May 2028 respectively. The sound broadcasting licences of CRHK and Metro are valid for 12 years from 26 August 2016 to 25 August 2028. Pursuant to the relevant statutory requirements and licence conditions, these licences shall be subject to review by the Chief Executive in Council in the sixth year of the 12-year validity period of the licence between 2021 and 2022. Given the proximity of the review periods of these licences and to more efficiently manage these mid-term reviews, the CA decided to conduct a consolidated exercise for all the free TV and sound broadcasting licences. Following the established practice, the CA will evaluate the licensees' performance against the various statutory requirements and licence conditions as well as formulate recommendations for consideration and approval by the Chief Executive in Council. The CA will take into account public views received in making recommendations to the Chief Executive in Council.

The consultation period will last for two months until 9 November 2021. Members of the public may give their views by email ( ), fax (2507 2219) or mail (Office of the Communications Authority - Attn: Licence Administration Section 22, 20/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong). In tandem, the CA has commissioned an independent survey companyNote to conduct an opinion survey to collect public views on the services provided by the three domestic free TV licensees and the two sound broadcasting licensees. An online public consultation (OPC) session will also be conducted by the CA on 25 September 2021 to listen to views and suggestions expressed by members of the public on the licensees' services. For registration for the OPC session and information on the licensees' services, please visit the CA website at https://www.coms-auth.hk/en/policies_regulations/consultations/inprogress/review_of_tv_and_sound_broadcasting_licences/index.html.

Communications Authority
Secretariat

10 September 2021

Note:

The CA has commissioned the Nielsen Company (Hong Kong) Limited to conduct the opinion survey. The fieldwork is expected to be conducted between October and December 2021.

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