THE future of pay television and Wharf Cable has been thrown into doubt by the Preliminary Working Committee (PWC) threat to scrap several broadcasting laws.
Hong Kong's top broadcasting official said the proposal could jeopardise the regulatory framework for subscription TV.
Acting Secretary for Recreation and Culture Rachel Cartland expressed concern that three ordinances would be deleted by Chinese administrators after the 1997 handover.
Cable TV and pay TV have been caught in the human rights row arising from the PWC's attack on the Bill of Rights.
The problem arises from amendments to allow the introduction of subscription TV in 1993 which were contained in the same package of changes removing emergency powers available to the Government over broadcasting.
The uncertainty comes at a damaging time for the Government and industry as they gear up for an expected rise in the number of pay channels to operate from June next year when Cable TV's monopoly on the subscription market expires.
Mrs Cartland said China had given 'very full approval' for the licensing of Wharf Cable and had agreed to consultations on licences lasting beyond 1997.
