TVB calls for review of advert curbs

TVB has called for a review of government restrictions on television commercials so that the advertising pie can be expanded as new competition comes on stream.

The company also insisted it had never picked on Hong Kong Television Network (HKTV), the budding station chaired by maverick media mogul Ricky Wong Wai-kay that had failed to secure a licence.

TVB general manager Cheong Shin-keong said the mere act of adding new players meant "all licensees will be eating each other's food". Stringent control over free-television ads, including product placement, was inherited from Britain and limited advertisers' options, he said. For example, the station had to deduct advertising airtime if commercials appeared on screen superimposed on a show.

"We need to lobby the government to stop applying inappropriate standards in Hong Kong," Cheong said.

He said expanding the pie was a must in the interests of both TVB and new entrants to the market and was not impossible.

Besides regulations, Cheong said digital channels offered advertisers more options and affordable rates compared with Jade, TVB's main local channel.

The station has put up ad rates by 5 per cent.