Letters | Hong Kong TV rule changes will impact kids’ programming and low-income families
- Readers discuss how cutting children’s programming hours will affect families, and why non-Chinese-speaking school leavers should be offered an alternative pathway to further education
Children’s TV programmes have become a low priority, and there are few that can really attract children amid competition from the internet and streaming platforms. The popularity of children’s programmes has a chicken-and-egg relationship with investment and content planning.
There is a natural demand for quality children’s programming, but Hong Kong does not take it seriously. The programmes produced by Hong Kong television stations only meet the minimum licensing requirements and are not aimed at providing quality entertainment and education.
Many children’s programmes are available on the internet, but low-income families in Hong Kong still rely on free television to provide entertainment for their children. The recommendation will drastically reduce the amount of time available for children’s programmes and the choice of locally produced programmes.
Family viewing time runs from 4pm to 8.30pm each day. Any material not suitable for children cannot be broadcast during this time. Licensees must be careful with their scheduling as there are times when parents expect children to be able to watch television without being exposed to offensive content.
Under the new recommendations, however, television stations are required to meet a weekly quota. This means that they can allocate the number of days for children’s programmes according to their own needs, instead of providing children’s programmes daily. The Communications Authority and television stations must explain these changes in detail to reassure parents.