The Communications Authority (CA) announced today (1 August 2025) the commencement of a two-month public consultation on the applications for the renewal of domestic free television programme service (free TV) licences.
The free TV licences of HK Television Entertainment Company Limited (HKTVE), i-CABLE HOY Limited (i-CABLE HOY) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) are due to expire between 2027 and 2028. The three licensees have submitted their licence renewal applications to the CA. In accordance with the requirements under the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562) (BO) and established procedures, the CA will carry out a detailed assessment of the licensees' past performance and renewal proposals, and collect public views through various means, including carrying out a two-month public consultation, an opinion survey, a televised online public hearing (TOPH) and focus group discussions. The CA will take into account performances of the licensees, views of the industry and public, the latest market developments etc, and make recommendations on the licence renewal applications to the Chief Executive in Council before the end of March 2026.
Members of the public may give their views through various means, including submitting views in writing by 30 September 2025 (by email: consultation-tv-2025@ofca.gov.hk, fax: 2507 2219 or mail to: Office of the Communications Authority (Attn: Broadcasting Section 33), 20/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong); and/or by participating in the TOPH which will be held on 20 September 2025. For the TOPH registration arrangements and the details of the licensees' services (including compliance records and investment plans), please visit the dedicated webpage on the CA's website.
The free TV licences of HKTVE, i-CABLE HOY and TVB are valid for 12 years from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2027, 31 May 2016 to 30 May 2028 and 1 December 2015 to 30 November 2027 respectively. As required by the BO, the three licensees have submitted their licence renewal applications to the CA no less than 24 months before the expiry of the validity period of their licences. Having regard to the proximity of expiry of the three licences, the CA will carry out a consolidated review exercise for the renewal applications in accordance with the BO and established practice.
Communications Authority
Secretariat
1 August 2025