************************************************************
In response to media enquiries about Digital Broadcasting Corporation Hong Kong Limited (DBC), a spokesman for the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) gives the following reply:
Regarding the temporary cessation of service of DBC from 8pm on October 10 to 7am on October 15, the Communications Authority (CA) has reached a provisional decision that the service cessation amounted to a contravention of DBC's sound broadcasting licence condition, and that a sanction should be imposed on DBC on the breach in accordance with the law. The CA is inviting representations from DBC on the provisional decision. An announcement will be made once the CA has reached a final decision on the matter, having taken into account the representations of DBC.
Separately, the receivers of DBC submitted an application to the CA on October 25 for approval for DBC to broadcast only music and re-run programmes on its seven channels for a period of up to 60 days from October 21, so that the receivers could be afforded more time to resolve the funding issue of DBC. Subsequently, in relation to DBC ceasing broadcasting since October 31 midnight, the receivers of DBC submitted a further application on November 2 seeking the CA's approval for DBC to vary its broadcasting arrangements from October 21 for a period of up to 60 days. The CA is seeking from DBC the justifications for and further information on its applications and a reply is awaited. The CA will process the applications in accordance with the established procedure.
Ends/Monday, November 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:08
NNNN
