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The Government today (December 9) announced that the Chief Executive in Council (CE in Council) has approved the application for renewal of the domestic pay television programme service (pay TV) licence of PCCW Media Limited for a validity period of 12 years from September 26, 2015, to September 25, 2027.
PCCW Media has committed to a six-year investment plan of $16,106 million for 2015 to 2021, including capital investment ($1,100 million) devoted to the development, upgrading and maintenance of its infrastructure and transmission facilities, and programme investment ($15,006 million) covering production, programme acquisition, partnership ventures with other content providers, and more.
It has also undertaken to provide subtitling for newscasts on its 24-hour news channel and further improve its sales practices and customer services.
"The licence conditions in the renewed licence are similar to those in the licences held by existing pay TV licensees, with specific provisions relevant to PCCW Media," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said.
In processing the application for licence renewal by PCCW Media, the Communications Authority (CA) carried out a comprehensive assessment on its performance and conducted a public consultation exercise from November 1 to 30, 2013, to gauge public views on PCCW Media's service. The CA submitted its recommendation to the CE in Council in September this year.
"The regulator considers that PCCW Media has generally complied with various regulatory requirements under the Broadcasting Ordinance and the licence, and is satisfied with its investment commitments," the spokesman noted.
PCCW Media (formerly PCCW VOD Limited) was granted a pay TV licence in September 2003, with a validity period of 12 years from September 26, 2003, to September 25, 2015.
Ends/Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:20
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