TVB fined by watchdog and warned over 'bad taste' after host's remark

The two free-to-air television stations have been punished and reprimanded by the telecoms watchdog, shortly after lodging their licence renewal applications, for rule breaches that included a popular host's "bad taste" in calling his colleague a "comfort woman".

Market leader TVB was fined HK$100,000 for indirect advertising found in its programmes, the Communications Authority (Ofca) revealed yesterday.

The authority also asked TVB to "observe more closely" what was said on air after host Eric Tsang Chi-wai directed the "comfort woman" comment at co-host Astrid Chan Chi-ching during coverage of the start of the FIFA Confederations Cup soccer tournament on the Jade and HD Jade Channels of TVB in June.

Tsang made the remark - a reference to women forced to provide sexual services to Japanese troops during the second world war - after Chan indicated support for Japan in the opening game. TVB was involved in five of the seven complaint cases the authority handled in its meeting last month.

Asia Television was "advised" to ensure its prime-time newscast was at least 15 minutes long. Separately, it was fined HK$200,000 for failing to submit audited accounts for four financial years from 2009 to 2012.

Pay-television operator Cable TV received "strong advice" for an advertisement that featured two people caressing.