The government and the Broadcasting Authority have expressed concerns about a reported non-Hong Kong citizen management reshuffle at Asia Television (ATV) since former PLA officer Liu Changle took control.
Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority commissioner Eddie Chan said the government and the regulator contacted ATV yesterday to seek information.
Three Chinese-language newspapers reported yesterday that Mr Liu had mortgaged his 46 per cent stake in the unlisted ATV to banks. They claimed he had recently appointed non-Hong Kong citizens to be part of his management team and friends and relatives as board members.
The market has speculated that Mr Liu could be forced to make way for Li Ka-shing's Tom.com, which said it would buy a 32.75 per cent stake in ATV for HK$290.37 million on July 9.
Mr Liu's deal was approved by the Broadcasting Authority on July 11, although he was unqualified to lift his stake due to his failure to meet the permanent citizenship requirement.
Mr Chan yesterday said the broadcasting rules did not restrict the means of financing for a licensee or its shareholders.