Leung shut down HK TV's free to air license application

Communications Authority says it recommended approval of all three applications.

The broadcasting regulator said in a letter that it recommended the approval of the three applications for new free TV licenses, including that of Hong Kong Television Network Ltd, which was rejected by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. It said HK TV, PCCW Ltd and i-Cable Communications Ltd. all met financial, technical and managerial criteria.

“The Authority considered it best in the public interest to recommend the grant of licenses to those which met the relevant requirements. On the whole, the Authority considered that all three applicants had demonstrated their compliance.” It said ranking the applications wasn’t necessary or appropriate.

Legislators supporting the free to air license for HK TV said it is very unusual for the government and the Executive Council to make a decision without taking into account an industry regulator’s recommendation.

“I have never seen this happen in other industries such as telecommunications and ports,” said Albert Chan Wai Yip, a lawmaker from the People Power party. Chan said there might be political considerations in the licensing decision and the Legislative Council will continue follow up the situation.

Dennis Kwok said the Executive Council could have abused its power on the licensing decision. He said the LegCo panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting plans to invite Communications Authority Chairman Ambrose Ho to elaborate further on its recommendations.

Tens of thousands marched in protest last month against Leung’s decision. The outcry over the licenses, the first granted in almost four decades, highlights the demand for choice in a market dominated by Television Broadcasts Ltd.