Communications Authority press release
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Requirement for free TV licensees to broadcast locally produced children's programmes temporarily relaxed
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The Communications Authority (CA) announced today (March 2) its decision to temporarily waive, for a period of five months from March 5, 2022, to August 4, 2022, the requirement relating to children's programmes broadcast on the integrated Chinese channels of domestic free television programme service (free TV) licensees being wholly of Hong Kong origin (the "wholly of Hong Kong origin" requirement) (see Note). Notwithstanding the waiver, the total broadcasting hours of children's programmes to be provided by a licensee will keep unchanged.
On February 11, 2022, the CA received an application from HK Television Entertainment Company Limited for waiving the "wholly of Hong Kong origin" requirement related to children's programmes on the grounds of the disruptions to TV programme production caused by the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In view of the latest pandemic situation and the operational difficulties of free TV licensees arising from the prohibition on group gathering, the CA decided to approve the application.
Note: Pursuant to the relevant licence condition in the free TV licences, unless otherwise approved by the CA, a licensee is required to broadcast a maximum of two hours daily of children's programmes on each of the integrated Chinese and English channels, of which not less than 30 minutes daily of such programmes on the integrated Chinese channels are to be wholly of Hong Kong origin.
Ends/Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Issued at HKT 14:00
Issued at HKT 14:00
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