Key investment projects in the television industry in recent
years include digitisation of the terrestrial broadcasting
network, HDTV content and production technology, interactive
television services, and regular network upgrades and maintenance
that are required to maintain or expand the ever-advancing
scope of services. In addition, as the television industry
becomes increasingly competitive, the exclusive rights to
broadcast premium content, to some operators, have been considered
as a major attraction to viewers.
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The two domestic free television programme service licensees, ATV and TVB, have committed $2.4 billion and $7 billion respectively for their six-year investment plans for 2004 - 2009. At the end of 2005, the Authority approved ATV and TVB's plans to each invest more than $400 million for digital terrestrial television in-station facilities and programming in addition to their original six-year plans. Specifically, TVB decided to upgrade its digital production centre in phases to cater also for HDTV productions. ATV moved to a new headquarter cum production centre in Tai Po Industrial Estate in July 2007.
As regards the domestic pay television programme service market, i-Cable Communications Limited (i-Cable), the parent company of HKCTV, reported in its 2006 Annual Report that the capital expenditure of the group for the year amounted to $200 million with major items including investment on television production facilities and further network upgrade and expansion expenditure. i-Cable also invested in movie production together with other partners. According to the 2006 annual report of PCCW Limited, parent company of PCCW Media, the capital expenditure for the year on its television and content business was $ 147 million.
No public information on capital investment is available for other domestic television licensees and the sound broadcasting licensees.
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