********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Broadcasting Authority:
The Broadcasting Authority (BA) has approved the applications from Asia Television Limited (ATV) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) to extend the coverage of their digital terrestrial television (DTT) services to at least 89% of the population by December 31, 2010.
ATV and TVB have extended their DTT coverage on a progressive basis after the completion of six main transmission stations and six fill-in stations by the end of 2009. The two licensees plan to further extend the coverage by adding eight more fill-in stations to achieve coverage of at least 89% of the population before the end of 2010. The licensees' roll-out plans are in compliance with the Implementation Framework for DTT Broadcasting promulgated by the Government in July 2004.
Section 18(1) of the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562)(BO) requires ATV and TVB to provide their television programme services in such manner as to enable their services to be received throughout Hong Kong to the satisfaction of the BA. Section 18(2) of the BO empowers the BA to exempt the licensees from providing coverage to certain parts of Hong Kong.
After consideration of the licensees' network roll-out plans and the advice of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA), the BA decided to extend the exemption for territory-wide coverage until June 30, 2011, subject to the condition that the licensees' DTT services should cover at least 89% of the population by December 31, 2010. The licensees are required to submit auditors' certificates to certify the progress of their coverage roll-out plans. The BA will monitor the implementation of the coverage plans of the licensees in consultation with OFTA.
The above exemption is specific to the licensees' DTT coverage. The two licensees will continue to be required to provide their analogue television services on a territory-wide basis to the satisfaction of the BA.
Applications for Television Programme Service Licences
------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, the BA approved the application of Broadband Network Systems Limited for an "other licensable television programme service licence" for the provision of hotel television programme service in Hong Kong. The period of validity of the licence is 12 years, from June 21, 2010, to June 20, 2022 (both dates inclusive). There are now altogether 25 "other licensable television programme service" licensees providing services to more than 80 hotels in Hong Kong. The BA also approved the application of Starvision Hong Kong Limited for renewal of its non-domestic television programme service licence for a period of validity of 12 years, from July 21, 2010, to July 20, 2022 (both dates inclusive).
Complaint Cases
---------------
At its monthly meeting in June, the BA also noted that in May 2010, the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing (CTEL) dealt with 154 cases (255 complaints) under its delegated authority, of which 13 cases (13 complaints) were classified as minor breaches and 95 cases (172 complaints) were unsubstantiated. The remaining 46 cases (70 complaints) were held to be outside the ambit of the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance. The monthly complaints figures dealt with by CTEL from May 2009 to May 2010 are shown in Figure 1. A chart showing the respective nature of the unsubstantiated complaints classified by CTEL in May 2010 is at Figure 2. A chart showing the respective nature of complaints which were classified as minor breaches is at Figure 3. Please visit the BA website (www.hkba.hk) for further information on the complaints.
Ends/Monday, July 5, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:30
NNNN
