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Licensing

1.  Renewal of the Domestic Pay Television Programme Service Licence of HKCTV

The Authority discharged its statutory duty to submit to the Chief Executive in Council (CE in C) recommendations on the renewal of the domestic pay television programme service licence of HKCTV, which was due to expire on 31 May 2005. The licensee's level of compliance with the statutory requirements, licence conditions and codes of practice as well as their previous investment commitments were examined.

The Authority commissioned an opinion survey in mid 2003 and conducted a public hearing on 20 November 2003 to collect public feedback about their satisfaction of HKCTV's service. The major issues raised at the public hearing were about programming, subtitling, coverage of HKCTV's network and subscription and installation fees.

After reviewing HKCTV's past performance and considering its commitments to further develop its service and taking into account the views of the public reflected in the opinion survey and public hearing, the Authority recommended that HKCTV's licence should be renewed with effect from 1 June 2005 for a term of 12 years. The CE in C approved the recommendations in May 2004.

2.   Surrender of the Domestic Pay Television Programme Service Licences by TV Plus and Yes TV

The year saw the surrender by TV Plus and Yes TV of their domestic pay television programme service licences due to commercial considerations. As the regulatory body for broadcasting licensees, the Authority, having examined the regulatory issues pursuant to the surrender of the licences, was satisfied that the two licensees had discharged their obligations and liabilities accrued under their licences. The CE in C approved the surrender of the licences by TV Plus and Yes TV, with effect from 1 April 2004 and 1 July 2004, respectively.

3.   Licences of Non-Domestic, and Other Licensable Television Programme Services

During the year under review, the Authority granted two non-domestic television programme service licences to Auspicious City Limited (now renamed as Skywave TV Company Limited) and ATV, and one other licensable television programme service licence to i-Magic Systems Limited for the provision of television programme service in hotel rooms in Hong Kong. The Authority also renewed eight other licensable television programme service licences for the provision of television programme service in hotel rooms in Hong Kong.

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