'No big problem' with HKTV's mobile deal
Ricky Wong's move into mobile television does not raise competition concerns, sources say
Hong Kong Television Network's HK$142 million acquisition of a mobile television service from China Mobile will not reduce competition and the Communications Authority is unlikely to block it, sources say.
The authority, which is the regulator, has until tomorrow to decide whether further investigation of the sale, announced last month, is needed. It was yesterday still awaiting final feedback from authority members, but a government source said: "There is no big problem with the deal".
HKTV boss Ricky Wong Wai-kay announced the surprise purchase of China Mobile Hong Kong Corporation, and with it a share of the mobile television spectrum, last month. Wong made the move after HKTV's bid for a free-to-air television licence was snubbed in October and he intends to use it to broadcast programmes already made by HKTV for its planned free-to-air station.
Because mobile television is governed by telecom regulations rather than the Broadcasting Ordinance, the impact on the television market will not be a factor in the authority's decision.
"We should not confuse the telecom market with the broadcasting one," the source said, although "of course, television stations can still submit their views".
The source said that due to the limited spectrum available for mobile television, HKTV could offer only one high-definition channel or several in lower definitions on mobile. Wong had planned to offer five channels via mobile and online services.