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Lai Ying-kit

I-Cable affiliate Fantastic Television could start operating within a year of its official receipt of a free-to-air licence, chairman Stephen Ng Tin-hoi said on Monday.
Updating the progress on its bid for a domestic free-to-air licence, Ng said on Monday the company was still in talks with the government over when and with what conditions a licence would be granted. But he said once that licence was granted, progress would be swift.
“I believe it can be faster than one year,” Ng said.
I-Cable runs a pay TV service via its fixed network.
In 2013, the government approved in principle its application for a free-to-air licence as well as rival PCCW’s HK Television Entertainment Company (HKTVE)’s application.
Last month, HKTVE was officially granted a licence.
Ng said Fantastic TV was planning to invest HK$1 billion in the first six years. He said he hoped it could break even within the six years and expected its main revenue source would be advertising.
Ng also said Fantastic TV had earlier applied for use of the airwave spectrum to be vacated by cash-strapped Asia Television.
The spectrum will soon be vacated when the 58-year-old broadcaster is forced to stop broadcasting in April next year, now that its application for renewing its free TV licence has been rejected.
The Communications Authority said last month it would consider the assignment of the spectrum and announce its decisions “as soon as possible” before the spectrum becomes available on April 2, next year.


Hong Kong broadcaster Fantastic Television says it can start operating a year after it gets a licence

Stephen Ng, chairman of i-Cable, said progress would be swift. Photo: May Tse 

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