Hong Kong television viewers could soon have more choice, with two companies seeking licences to operate new free-to-air services that would break the 30-year duopoly enjoyed by TVB and ATV.
Telecommunications firm City Telecom has lodged its licence application, and cable-television broadcaster Cable TV also plans to apply soon.
'We believe the current duopoly limits innovation, and Hong Kong is falling behind other more liberalised markets around the world,' City Telecom said yesterday after filing its application with the Broadcasting Authority. 'The company is determined to provide the public with more choice of free-TV programmes.'
The company expects to invest a maximum of HK$210 million in the venture. Its content would include news and infotainment, programmes covering arts and culture and programming for children, young people and the elderly. A spokeswoman would not reveal how many channels would be offered.
Pay television operator Cable TV is also planning to enter the free-to-air market, though it has said nothing publicly about what it is proposing, nor given any indication of what it would show were the government to approve its bid. It hopes to submit an application within days.
Its vice-president for external affairs, Garmen Chan Ka-yiu, said City Telecom's application would not affect Cable TV's plans.