ATV to make dramatic pitch to win back viewers

Beleaguered broadcaster ATV has made a renewed effort to appeal to Hong Kong viewers by offering more self-produced dramas - and possibly Thai and Indian serials as well.

The broadcaster's idea of strengthening its programme line-up, however, does not include airing potentially popular dramas produced by Ricky Wong Wai-kay's Hong Kong Television Network, which has shelved all its shows after failing to get a free-to-air television licence.

ATV made the pledge after applying to renew its licence yesterday, just before today's deadline.

"We are now trying to acquire Thai and Indian dramas," ATV senior vice-president Ip Ka-po said. The new serials, tentatively scheduled for next year, will be added to the Korean and Taiwanese dramas that the station has been showing.

When asked whether it had plans to acquire the titles of Wong's HKTV, such as crime thriller Borderline, which attracted more than 1.1 million views for the YouTube premiere of its opening episode, ATV said no. Wong was briefly ATV's chief executive in 2008.

The Communications Authority said it had received ATV's licence renewal application. Its rival TVB, the dominant player, applied on November 19.