RADIO station Metro Broadcast yesterday received a strong warning from the Broadcasting Authority for failing to fulfil licensing conditions.
Broadcasting Authority chairman Sir Roger Lobo said Metro had overlooked provisions in its licence when it dropped its 24-hour news channel in favour of new programming schedules.
''We have been monitoring Metro's new format, Metro Plus, which replaced Metro News in early May and they have simply fallen out of line.
''There have been changes in people and they have gone from 24-hour news to more music. However, they have not broadcast programmes they said they would, which is not in line with their licence. So they have been warned to maintain conditions under whichthey are allowed to operate,'' Sir Roger said.
Hongkong's first 24-hour news service was axed in early May amid financial problems, and was replaced by a music-based format called Metro News Plus with only five hours of news a day at peak listening times.
A statement issued by the Broadcasting Authority said members had considered Metro Broadcast's failure to broadcast the stipulated amount of news and weather programmes as required under its licence.
Metro Plus channel director Kelly Dean said last night the authority had notified Metro of programming oversights on June 20 and three days later licensing conditions were met.