ENG-2001 — Page 454

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COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

In 2001, the BA's Complaints Committee dealt with 49 complaints. Having considered the recommendations of the Complaints Committee, the BA issued 15 warnings, three serious warnings and three financial penalties.

Television

Hong Kong's television viewers have access to over 60 domestic and non-domestic television programme service channels in various languages. These include four free- to-air terrestrial TV channels, over 30 pay TV channels and a variety of free-to-air satellite channels.

Domestic Free Television Programme Services

The two domestic free television programme service licensees Television Broadcasts Limited and Asia Television Limited - are each licensed to broadcast one Cantonese and one English-language channel. Both stations are required to broadcast programmes produced by the publicly funded Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK).

Domestic Pay Television Programme Services

There are five domestic pay television programme service licensees in Hong Kong Hong Kong Cable Television Limited (HKCTV), PCCW VOD Limited (PCCW VOD), Yes Television (Hong Kong) Limited (Yes TV), Pacific Digital Media (HK) Corp. Limited (PDMHK) and Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Limited (Galaxy).

HKCTV broadcasts over 30 channels, including locally produced channels and acquired overseas channels. By the end of 2001, about 1.9 million homes were passed by HKCTV's network.

PCCW VOD Limited launched its video-on-demand service in 1998. It now offers a wide variety of interactive, multimedia services for its subscribers in Hong Kong.

Yes TV, Galaxy and PDMHK are expected to commence their services in 2002.

Non-Domestic Television Programme Services

Many regional and international broadcasters have chosen Hong Kong as their Asian broadcasting centre, attracted by the excellent infrastructure and world-class telecommunication facilities, as well as the other advantages that make Hong Kong the best place to do business in Asia. There are 12 non-domestic television programme service licensees providing services to the region.

Hong Kong is the home base for STAR Group Limited (STAR). Starvision Hong Kong Limited, a subsidiary of STAR, transmits 28 channels in eight languages and has an audience reach of approximately 300 million people across Asia, using AsiaSat 3S as its satellite platform.

Galaxy's non-domestic TV programme service has two satellite Putonghua channels, while APT Satellite TV Development Limited, Starbucks (HK) Limited, Asia Plus Broadcasting Limited and MATV Limited each broadcasts one regional satellite television programme channel. Turner International Asia Pacific Limited also broadcasts three satellite TV channels from Hong Kong.