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The Media, Communications and Information Technology

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 (Miscellaneous Provisions)

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.

Public Service Broadcasting

RTHK is a government department that serves as the public service broadcaster for Hong Kong. It provides editorially independent, professional and high quality radio, television and new media services. The RTHK Charter enshrines RTHK's editorial independence, and sets out its public purposes and mission and its relationship with the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the CA and the Board of Advisors.

RTHK currently operates 12 radio channels, with three of them using FM, four using AM transmission and five digital audio broadcasting. The station produces around 1,097 hours of radio programmes of different genres in Cantonese, English and Putonghua every week. The pilot project of Community Involvement Broadcasting Service continued in 2014, with two hours of airtime provided on RTHK digital radio channel DAB 31.

RTHK started a trial run of three DTT channels in January 2014. RTHK produced about 1,303 hours of television programmes for broadcasting on RTHK DTT channels as well as Hong Kong's two local free television stations and pay-TV platforms in 2014. RTHK's DTT network coverage has now reached about 75 per cent of Hong Kong's population. RTHK will establish 22 fill-in stations in the coming years to extend the network coverage to about 99 per cent of the population, matching that of the commercial DTT broadcasters.

In addition to 20.8 hours of new school educational television programmes and pre-primary school programmes, an interactive learning platform, eTVonline, provides educational information to complement the government's education policies. RTHK also provides filming and technical support as well as audio and video signals to local and overseas broadcasters for events of public interest, such as the annual National Day celebration and flag raising ceremony, the delivery of the Chief Executive's Policy Address and the ceremonial opening of the Legal Year.

The RTHK website has an average daily page view of 4.8 million. RTHK continues to harness the multi-media potential of the different emerging media platforms, including providing applications for mobile services ('RTHK Cube, 'RTHK Node, 'RTHK On the Go, 'RTHK Prime' and 'RTHK Thumb') to meet the diverse needs of the public.

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