Hong Kong’s struggling pay TV provider, iCable, enters China through deal with Guangdong CableTV Network in bid to revive fortunes

The new agreement would allow the loss-making pay TV operator to reach 14 million mainland residents in southern China

‘We hope this agreement will bring our business back on track,’ says Irene Leung Shuk-yee, iCable’s chief operating officer

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Hong Kong’s biggest pay TV provider has racked up losses of more than HK$2 billion (US$254.9 million) in the past decade. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Published: 8:37pm, 16 Jan 2019Updated: 9:28pm, 16 Jan 2019

Hong Kong’s biggest pay TV operator, which has racked up losses of more than HK$2 billion (US$254.9 million) in the past decade, is set to broadcast its shows to viewers in China for the first time, thanks to a new partnership with Guangdong CableTV Network.

The embattled i-Cable Communications said it has signed an agreement with Guangdong CableTV Network that will allow it to air programmes to 14 million mainland Chinese pay TV users.

“We hope this agreement will bring our business back on track,” said Irene Leung Shuk-yee, the company’s chief operating officer.

“We will provide content such as finance news, and news related to the Greater Bay Area development to mainland users.” She was referring to Beijing’s plan to create an economic hub by linking Hong Kong, Macau and nine other cities in Guangdong province.

The two companies will also collaborate in the areas of business and technology development, Leung said.

Guangdong CableTV Network is one of the biggest cable television stations in China, broadcasting to more than 14 million households. It also provides broadband services to nearly 3.5 million households.