Hong Kong renews TV station licences with push for ‘telling good stories’

Hong Kong authorities have renewed the free-to-air licences of the city’s television broadcasters with conditions to boost local production of English-language national education shows and programmes aimed at “telling good stories” of the city.

The Executive Council, the city’s top decision-making body, approved the renewal on Tuesday, extending 12-year licences to all three broadcasters. These licences will run until 2039 for HK Television Entertainment and TVB, and until 2040 for i-Cable Hoy.

A government spokesman said the approvals, alongside various relaxation measures and enhancement requirements, aim to “foster the sustainable development of the local broadcasting industry and provide more diversified and quality television programmes”.

“The Chief Executive in Council’s decision to renew the free television licences, along with the timely regulatory updates, has demonstrated the government’s commitment to cultivating a more favourable business environment,” a Commerce and Economic Development Bureau spokesman said.