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Vivienne Chow

Ng Kang-chung

Beleaguered ATV will have its free-to-air licence revoked if it fails to pay the HK$10.2 million overdue licence fee and penalty, said the chairman of a media watchdog on Monday.
Ambrose Ho, chairman of the Communications Authority, told the Legislative Council that ATV's HK$10 million free-to-air licence fee for 2014/2015 is still outstanding, along with a penalty of HK$200,000 imposed for missing the deadline in December.
The authority has ordered ATV to pay the fee and penalty in two instalments by February 18 and March 18.
"ATV applied to pay in five instalments, but we rejected [that]," Ho told the Legco panel on information technology and broadcasting.
"ATV's licence is valid until [the end of] November. If it fails to pay the fee, it isn't meeting the requirement … ATV must pay by February 18 and March 18, or we will [revoke] the licence."
Under the Broadcasting Ordinance, the authority could suspend ATV's licence for up to 30 days if it fails to pay the fees.
But it takes more to revoke ATV's licence. Ho said the Communications Authority could make a recommendation, but the final decision rests with Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
The authority submitted the recommendation of ATV's licence renewal application on November 4 last year, but the topic has still not been discussed in council. It is understood it will not be discussed until after the Lunar New Year holidays.
Lawmakers have accused Leung of disrupting the system to protect ATV - which still owes staff part of their December salaries and all of January's. The Labour Department has already prosecuted ATV twice for failing to pay salaries last year.
"ATV has broken a number of rules. What are we waiting for? [The Chief Executive] is waiting for a 'white knight' to rescue ATV," said Raymond Chan Chi-chuen of People Power.
Auditors Deloitte, which managed a tender aiming to sell 10.75 per cent of ATV's shares, have said a press conference is expected this week.
ATV's executive director Ip Ka-po said: "We hope a deal can be struck soon so our financial crisis can be resolved."


ATV could lose free-to-air licence if it doesn't pay overdue charges

News

Hong Kong

Beleaguered channel owes HK$10.2 million in overdue licence fees and penalties, said the chairman of a media watchdog.


ATV could lose free-to-air licence if it doesn't pay overdue charges

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Beleaguered channel owes HK$10.2 million in overdue licence fees and penalties, said the chairman of a media watchdog.

Beleaguered channel owes HK$10.2 million in overdue licence fees and penalties, said the chairman of a media watchdog.