Key facts
- Hong Kong plans to relax indirect advertising rules for broadcasters.
- The move aims to improve the business environment for broadcasters facing online competition.
- Commerce Secretary Algernon Yau Ying-wah confirmed the plan in an interview.
Hong Kong is preparing to ease restrictions on indirect advertising for its broadcasters, a move intended to bolster their competitiveness against the growing influence of online and streaming media. Algernon Yau Ying-wah, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, indicated in an interview with the South China Morning Post that the government is responding to requests from broadcast operators to enhance the business environment.
Hong Kong's broadcasting industry is diverse, featuring 15 free digital television channels and 14 radio channels from commercial broadcasters and the public service broadcaster, RTHK, alongside over 700 satellite and pay TV channels. The government's policy objectives include expanding programme choices, fostering investment and innovation, promoting fair competition, and solidifying Hong Kong's status as a regional broadcasting hub. The industry is regulated under various ordinances, including the Broadcasting Ordinance for TV and parts of the Telecommunications Ordinance for sound broadcasting, with licensing requirements overseen by the Communications Authority and the Chief Executive in Council.