Communications, the Media and Information Technology 369
broadcasters launched digital broadcasting officially in December 2007. By the end of 2011, there was a total of 15 free-to-air television channels (4 analogue and 11 digital free TV channels). Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), the public service broadcaster of Hong Kong, produces programmes of public interest for broadcast on free and pay TV channels. There are three radio stations, including two commercial operators and RTHK, providing a total of 13 analogue channels in Hong Kong. In the second half of 2011, two new commercial operators and RTHK soft-launched digital audio broadcasting (DAB) services, providing a total of 13 digital radio
channels.
Regulatory Approach
Provision of television programme services and the carriage networks in Hong Kong are regulated separately. A television programme service provider may hire any transmission network operator to transmit its service instead of investing in transmission infrastructure itself. This arrangement facilitates market entry and encourages competition.
Under the Broadcasting Ordinance, the four categories of television programme services domestic-free, domestic-pay, non-domestic (mainly satellite television services targeting the Asia-Pacific region) and other licensable television programme services (mainly television services for hotel rooms) - are regulated according to their characteristics and pervasiveness rather than their transmission mode. The provision of sound broadcasting services is regulated under the Telecommunications. Ordinance and the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance.
As a result of its liberalised, light-handed and pro-competition regulatory approach, Hong Kong enjoys a vibrant broadcasting industry and a multitude of television and radio channels with diversified programming.
The Broadcasting Authority
The Broadcasting Authority (BA) is an independent statutory regulator of the broadcasting sector, comprising nine non-official members from various sectors of the community and three public officers. The BA is the licensing authority for non- domestic and other licensable television licences, and is responsible for making recommendations to the Chief Executive in Council on applications for new domestic free television, domestic pay television and sound broadcasting licences, as well as on applications for renewal of these licences.
The BA's main function is to safeguard proper standards of television and sound broadcasting with regard to both programme and advertising content, as well as technical performance. It publishes codes of practice on programme, advertising and technical standards with which licensees are required to comply. The BA is also responsible for upholding a fair and competitive broadcasting market in Hong Kong through the enforcement of the competition provisions of the Broadcasting Ordinance as well as relevant conditions of the sound broadcasting licences issued under the Telecommunications Ordinance.