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Video-on-Demand regulatory proposals published

The Government proposes to introduce a new category of licence under the Television Ordinance for Video-on-Demand (VOD) programme services, and has published a consultation paper outlining the suggested regulatory approach for public

comments.

"We shall be inviting the comments of interested parties including the general public over the next four weeks, so that we can frame appropriate amendments to the Television Ordinance," the Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr T H Chau, said today (Tuesday).

"We believe that it is important to put the regulatory framework in place as soon as possible, and so we aim to introduce legislation to the Legislative Council before the end of this session."

It is the Government's position that VOD will be one of several types of multimedia service which is transmitted over broadband telecommunication networks.

Those who are connected to such a digital network will be able to call up films and television programmes on to their television screens at times of their own choice.

In addition, it will also be technically possible for multimedia service providers to offer a number of other services, such as home banking, home shopping, and a wide variety of information services.

As VOD programme services will be available to a majority of households within a few years, Mr Chau stressed that the content of such widely available services should be regulated to ensure that it met the basic standards of taste and public decency which the community expect.

"Since we believe that VOD programme services will compete for much the same audiences as pay TV, we consider that the conditions applicable to VOD programme service providers should be similar to those which apply to pay TV licensees.

"It is inevitable, given the various competing interests, that not everyone will like all aspects of our approach.

"But we believe that our proposals represent a fair balance between the interests of consumers, broadcasters and prospective VOD programme service providers," Mr Chau said.