| ||
***************************
The Chief Executive in Council has approved the recommendation of the Broadcasting Authority (BA) to renew the commercial television broadcasting licences of Asia Television Limited (ATV) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) for a term of three years upon their expiry on 30 November 2000.
Announcing the decision today (Wednesday), a spokesman for the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau said that the Television Ordinance provides that not less than 18 months before the date of expiry of a licence, the BA shall submit recommendations to the Chief Executive in Council concerning the renewal of the licence and the terms and conditions subject to which it may be renewed.
The BA has duly submitted its recommendation for the grant of three-year licences to ATV and TVB respectively so as to ensure that the services of ATV and TVB could continue to run after the expiry of their current licences, pending the formulation of the longer term policy on digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcast in Hong Kong by the Government. The BA's recommendation has since been approved by the Chief Executive in Council.
On completion of the 1998 Review of Television Policy in December 1998, the Government made the policy decision, among others, to proceed with technical trials on DTT with a view to determining a DTT standard for adoption in around 2000.
"The technical trial is scheduled for commencement later this month and is expected to be completed in around early 2000," the spokesman said.
"With the benefits of and having regard to the results of the technical trial, the Government will formulate policy and regulatory proposals on DTT. How many DTT licences should be issued and who should be eligible are some of the issues which will be addressed."
ATV and TVB will each be required to submit a detailed investment plan no later than 30 November 2001 for BA's consideration for the purpose of seeking renewal of the three-year licence or grant of a new licence.
The three-year licences contain essentially the same terms and conditions as the current licences except those which need to be amended to reflect the short-term nature of the licences, the spokesman added.
END/Wednesday, May 12, 1999 NNNN
|