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The following is issued on behalf of the Broadcasting Authority:
This press release summarises the outcome of the Broadcasting Authority (BA)'s deliberations in December 2011:
Other licensable television programme service licence
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The BA approved the application by Luxury Hotels International of Hong Kong Limited for an "other licensable television programme service licence" to provide hotel television programme service in Hong Kong. The period of validity of the licence is 12 years, from December 20, 2011, to December 19, 2023 (both dates inclusive). With this newly approved licence, there are now 29 "other licensable television programme service" licensees providing services to more than 80 hotels in Hong Kong.
Non-domestic television programme service licence
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The BA also approved the application by Starbucks (HK) Limited for renewal of its non-domestic television programme service licence for a period of validity of 12 years, from January 4, 2012, to January 3, 2024 (both dates inclusive). With this newly renewed licence, there are now 17 "non-domestic television programme service" licensees in Hong Kong.
Breach of licence condition
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The BA decided that Starvision Hong Kong Limited and Auspicious Colour Limited were in breach of Condition 15.2 of their respective non-domestic television programme service licences. In the case of Starvision, the breach was related to its failure to notify the BA as soon as practicable of the cessation of one channel on its non-domestic television programme service in October 2010. In the case of Auspicious Colour, the breach was related to its failure to notify the BA as soon as practicable of the launch of two channels and the cessation of seven channels on its non-domestic television programme service during the period from February 2009 to March 2011. The BA decided that both licensees should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provision in their licences.
Complaint cases
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The BA also considered six complaint cases about licensees' non-compliance with the relevant codes of practice on programme and advertising standards:
(a) A complaint about the television programme "Making of 'The Founding of a Party'" broadcast on the Home Channel of Asia Television Limited (ATV) on June 25, 2011. The BA decided that ATV should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the Generic Code of Practice on Television Programme Standards (TV Programme Code) and the Generic Code of Practice on Television Advertising Standards (TV Advertising Code);
(b) Complaints about the broadcast of advertisements for alcoholic beverages during the family viewing hours on the SZTV Channel of ATV on three days in August 2011. The BA decided that ATV should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provision in the TV Advertising Code;
(c) A complaint about the television programme "Chimelong Group Presents: Summer Super Fun" broadcast on the Jade and HD Jade Channels of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) on four days in June and six days in July 2011. The BA decided that TVB should be seriously warned to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme and Advertising Codes;
(d) Complaints about a Japanese drama series broadcast on the now 101 Channel of PCCW Media Limited (now TV) on 10 days in February 2011. The BA decided that now TV should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme and Advertising Codes;
(e) Complaints about the television programme "ATM" broadcast on the now Hong Kong Channel and now 101 Channel of now TV on June 15, 2011. The BA decided that now TV should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code; and
(f) A complaint about the radio programme "The Summit" broadcast on the CR1 Channel of Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited (CR) on September 6, 2011. The BA decided that CR should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the Radio Code of Practice on Programme Standards.
Further details of the above cases are available in the Appendix.
The BA noted that in November 2011, the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing (CTEL) dealt with 201 cases (244 complaints) under its delegated authority, of which nine cases (12 complaints) were classified as minor breaches and 144 cases (177 complaints) were unsubstantiated. The remaining 48 cases (55 complaints) were found to be outside the ambit of the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance. The monthly figures of complaints dealt with by CTEL from November 2010 to November 2011 are shown in Figure 1. A chart showing the nature of the unsubstantiated complaints classified by CTEL in November 2011 is in Figure 2. A chart showing the nature of complaints classified as minor breaches is in Figure 3.
Ends/Friday, December 30, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:04
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