SCED speaks on renewal of analogue sound broadcasting licences of Commercial Radio and Metro Radio
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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, on the renewal of analogue sound broadcasting licences of Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited (Commercial Radio) and Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited (Metro Radio) at the Central Government Offices today (March 22):

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I am very pleased to announce that the Chief Executive in Council, having regard to the recommendations of the Communications Authority, today decided to approve the applications for renewal of the analogue sound broadcasting licences of the Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited and the Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited for a period of 12 years from August 26, 2016, to August 25, 2028. The analogue sound broadcasting licences of Commercial Radio and Metro Radio will be subject to a mid-term review in 2022.

     In processing the applications for licence renewal by Commercial Radio and Metro Radio, the Communications Authority has carried out a comprehensive assessment of their performance and conducted a public consultation exercise to gauge public views on the services of the two radio stations. Subsequently, the Communications Authority submitted its recommendation to the Chief Executive in Council.

     The Communications Authority considered that Commercial Radio and Metro Radio had generally complied with the statutory requirements, the licence conditions and the codes of practice in respect of programming, advertising and technical standards. The Authority accepted the proposed investment plans of the two applicants and was satisfied with their financial capability to deliver their commitments.

     The licence conditions in the renewed licences of Commercial Radio and Metro Radio are largely based on their existing licences, with new commitments incorporated and updates made where necessary. Thank you.

Reporter: Mr So, is the prolonged scrutiny of Commercial Radio's licence a subtle warning to warn the Commercial Radio that they should behave and should be left ...?

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: There is no such warning, subtle or not. The entire recommendation made by the Communications Authority has been accepted by the Chief Executive in Council, and there is no prolonged delay. Everything is processed in accordance with the law as well as procedure. And this is the time that will be required because I just outlined the various factors that we considered. This is a very thorough exercise that was done by the Communications Authority. And the whole recommendation was also accepted by the Chief Executive in Council.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:35

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