Sound Broadcasting Licence

In January 2008, the Authority received an application from Wave Media Limited (Wave Media) for a sound broadcasting licence to establish and maintain a 24-hour Cantonese language AM radio channel. The proposed service aims to provide information and knowledge about Hong Kong, the Mainland and the world, through the production of a diversity of knowledge-based programmes. Pursuant to the "Guide to the Consultation Process of the Broadcasting Authority" promulgated in 2006, the Authority conducted a public consultation exercise at the beginning of 2008. A total of 57 written submissions were received. A summary of the opinion was uploaded on the Authority's website for public information.

Having assessed Wave Media's application against the established criteria and taking into account the submissions of Wave Media and comments received from the public in the consultation process, the Authority made recommendations on the application to the Chief Executive in Council (CE in C). On 9 July 2008, the CE in C accepted the Authority's recommendations and approved in principle to grant Wave Media a sound broadcasting licence with a validity period of 12 years under section 13B of the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106).  Wave Media was granted the sound broadcasting licence on 11 November 2008 to provide a sound broadcasting service within 24 months.

Grant and Renewal of Television Programme Service Licences

During the period under review, the Authority granted two non-domestic television programme service licences respectively, to Times International Media Group Limited and Asia Times Online Limited, and one other licensable television programme service licence to Goodnews Communication International Limited for the provision of television programme service in hotel rooms in Hong Kong. The Authority also renewed eleven other licensable television programme service licences for hotel television services in Hong Kong.

Sales Practice of Domestic Pay Television Programme Service Licensees

At present, the Broadcasting Ordinance and the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance do not empower the Authority to regulate the sales activities and contractual matters of domestic pay television programme service licensees. However, the licensees are required to comply with the terms and conditions of their licences, including the requirements to prepare a code of practice on customer service, to receive and consider complaints and comments, and to report such cases to the Authority. Even though such complaints are outside the Authority's jurisdiction, the Authority Secretariat will refer the cases to the concerned licensees for investigation and follow-up if the complainants so agree. 

During the year under review, the total number of complaints about pay television licensees received by the Authority was 149 as at the end of August 2008, a decrease of 68% over the previous year. The decrease was mainly due to the efforts of the pay television licensees to improve their procedures of service termination and sales activities.

Sichuan Earthquake

In May 2008, Members of the Authority expressed their deepest condolences to relatives and friends of the Sichuan earthquake victims.  The Authority also paid special tribute to all frontline reporters from the Hong Kong media covering the incident in Sichuan for their dedication and professionalism in reporting the latest development of the disaster.  In order to facilitate local broadcasters for following the three-day national mourning, the Authority handled with flexibility applications by the broadcasting licensees to obtain exemption from compliance with relevant regulatory requirements, where appropriate, in programming arrangements.