PCCW’s new television service, which earlier this month was formally granted a free-to-air TV licence, has applied for spectrum to air its free programmes.
The Communications Authority said in a statement yesterday that PCCW’s HK Television Entertainment Company (HKTVE) was planning to use airwave transmission to supplement its free TV service to be delivered via fixed network.
HKTVE’s integrated Cantonese channel and integrated English channel will commence within 12 months and 24 months respectively after the grant of licence.
The authority reiterated that Cable TV’s Fantastic Television Limited, whose application for a free-to-air licence was approved in principle, could also submit an application for spectrum to air its free TV service after it had got a formal licence.
All eyes are now on the spectrum soon to be vacated by the cash-strapped broadcaster Asia Television after it is forced to stop broadcasting in April next year now that its application for a free TV licence has been rejected.
The authority said earlier this week that it would consider the assignment arrangements for the spectrum and announce its decisions “as soon as possible” before the spectrum becomes available on April 2, next year.