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The following is issued on behalf of the Broadcasting Authority:
The Broadcasting Authority (BA) today (July 9) invited members of the public to express their views on the notices of applications for domestic free television programme service licences by City Telecom (H.K.) Limited (CTI), Fantastic Television Limited (Fantastic TV) and HK Television and Entertainment Company Limited (HKTVE) (copies at Annex).
The particulars of the applications in the notices are provided by the three applicants. Nothing in the notices shall affect or prejudice any powers, discretion and rights of the BA or the Government.
Apart from publishing the notices in the Gazette, the BA has arranged for the notices to be published in two local newspapers (Ming Pao and South China Morning Post) and uploaded onto the BA's website (www.hkba.hk).
The BA received applications from CTI on December 31, 2009, Fantastic TV on January 15, 2010, and HKTVE on March 31, 2010. The BA is considering the applications in accordance with the Broadcasting Ordinance (BO) (Cap.562) and established procedures. The BA will consider all relevant factors including public views before submitting recommendations to the Chief Executive in Council, which is the authority to grant a domestic free television programme service licence under section 10(1) of the BO.
Section 9(3) of the BO provides, inter alia, that the BA shall consult the public on the application by publishing a notice in the Gazette stating the name of the applicant and the type of licence sought by the applicant together with such other particulars as the BA thinks fit.
Members of the public may submit their views on the applications to the BA by August 8, 2010, through any of the following means -
By post: The Broadcasting Authority
c/o Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority
39/F, Revenue Tower
5, Gloucester Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
By fax: (852) 2507 2219 (open)
(852) 2598 5509 (confidential)
By e-mail: ba@tela.gov.hk
Ends/Friday, July 9, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:01
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