The Government today (December 13) announced that the Chief Executive (CE) in Council has approved the application for renewal of the domestic pay television programme service (pay TV) licence of Hong Kong Cable Television Limited (HKCTV) for a validity period of 12 years from June 1, 2017, to May 31, 2029.

     HKCTV has committed to a six-year investment plan of $3,447 million for 2017 to 2023, comprising $251 million of capital investment and $3,196 million of programming investment. It has also undertaken to provide subtitling in its news, movies and pre-recorded entertainment programmes and to further improve its customer services and sales practices, including service termination practices and complaints handling procedures.

     A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, "The licence conditions in the renewed licence of HKCTV are largely based on its existing licence, with new commitments incorporated and updates made where necessary."

     He noted that having regard to the present circumstances, the CE in Council has also approved removing from the renewed licence of HKCTV the licence condition which requires the broadcaster to provide up to three channels for the Government's use. This requirement was first imposed when HKCTV was given an exclusive right to provide subscription television services in 1993. The CE in Council agreed that there is no need for retaining such a licensing condition now.

     In processing the application for licence renewal by HKCTV, the Communications Authority (CA) carried out a comprehensive assessment of its performance and conducted a public consultation exercise from July 22 to August 21, 2015, to gauge public views on its service. The CA submitted its recommendations to the CE in Council in April this year.

     "The CA considers that HKCTV has generally complied with the statutory requirements, the licence conditions and the codes of practice in respect of television programming, advertising and technical standards. The CA also accepted HKCTV's proposed investment plan and is satisfied with its financial capability to deliver the investment commitments," the spokesman said.

     The pay TV licence of HKCTV was last renewed in May 2004, with a validity period of 12 years from June 1, 2005, to May 31, 2017.

Ends/Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:30

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