The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:
 
     This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 154th meeting held in September 2026.
 
Renewal and termination of "other licensable television programme service" licences
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      The CA approved the application by Dynamic Streaming Service Limited (Dynamic) for renewal of its "other licensable television programme service" licence for the provision of television programme services to hotel rooms in Hong Kong. The renewed licence of Dynamic will be valid for 12 years from March 27, 2028, to March 26, 2040, (both dates inclusive). The CA also approved the application by Gala Hotels Limited (Gala) to surrender its "other licensable television programme service" licence with effect from August 24, 2026. The CA noted that Gala's surrender of the licence was a commercial decision as its client concerned had ceased operation of its hotel service and hence the related TV programme service was no longer required.
 
     Following the CA's decision to renew and terminate the above licences, there are 20 "other licensable television programme service" licensees providing television programme services to more than 50 hotels in Hong Kong.
 
Breach of licence requirement regarding broadcast of some hourly news and weather reports on its AM channel by Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited (CRHK)
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     The CA decided to impose a financial penalty of $120,000 on CRHK for contravention of Condition 23.1(b) of its sound broadcasting licence (Licence) (See Note 1), arising from its failure to broadcast hourly news and weather reports at certain hours (See Note 2) on the AM864 Channel (See Note 3) during the period from May 1, 2022, to April 2, 2026.    
 
     The CA acknowledged CRHK's explanation that the lapse and the inaccurate compliance records submitted during the said period resulted from human error and administrative inadvertence. CRHK made the rectification by resuming all required hourly news and weather reports since April, 3 2026. The CA also noted CRHK's assessment that the impact on listeners was likely minimal, given the relatively small audience base of its AM channel and the availability of alternative news sources. Nonetheless, CRHK's non-compliance and submission of inaccurate records to the regulatory authority over a prolonged four-year period was hardly acceptable. This lapse constitutes a breach warranting the specified penalty in accordance with Section 24 of the Broadcasting (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (B(MP)O) (Cap. 391). 
 
     In imposing the above sanction, the CA had taken into account CRHK's representations, the specific circumstances of the breach as well as all relevant facts. Apart from the financial penalty, CRHK should enhance internal monitoring to prevent recurrence of incidents of a similar nature. In that connection, the CA has directed CRHK to submit enhanced procedures, to the satisfaction of the CA, to strengthen its internal procedures and monitoring system for ensuring compliance within one month, pursuant to Section 20 of the B(MP)O. 
 
     The CA stresses that licensed broadcasters bear the responsibility of ensuring continued compliance with all regulatory requirements. The CA has written to all licensed broadcasters reminding them of their compliance obligations.
 
Note 1: CRHK is required under Condition 23.1(b) of the Licence to broadcast on AM864 hourly news and weather reports throughout the day. To give some flexibility to the sound broadcasting licensees, by virtue of Condition 23.1, the CA is authorised to approve alternative arrangements for meeting the broadcasting requirements. In this connection, CRHK had been granted approval since 1997 to be exempted from the abovementioned broadcasting requirement on the condition that (a) AM864 continues to broadcast the required hourly reports from 7am to 11pm on a daily basis; and (b) no further changes should be made to such broadcast arrangements without the CA's prior approval.
 
Note 2: At 7am and from 6pm to 11pm on a daily basis.
 
Note 3: AM864 is an AM channel in English mainly providing music programmes throughout the day.

Ends/Monday, September 7, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:00

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