Ricky Wong abandons free-TV dream for digital one with HKTV relaunch
Ricky Wong unveils plans for three to five channels, including a 24-hour news service
Hong Kong Television Network chairman Ricky Wong Wai-kay says the company will press ahead with its broadcasting plans, despite the rejection of its bid for a free-to-air licence, by launching TV services that can be viewed through the internet from July 1.
HKTV will begin offering content on three to five channels in the form of what is known as "over-the-top content", similar to that offered by Netflix, Hulu and WhereverTV.
"Hong Kong needs free television," Wong said yesterday. "Free isn't just about free of charge, but also freedom."
Wong also said he would not give up on pursuing a judicial review of the decision to reject HKTV's licence application.
At least one of the channels to be offered from July will be a 24-hour news channel. The content of the rest is yet to be decided, but most will be free, except video-on-demand services.
Wong unveiled his plan following the company's HK$140 million acquisition of China Mobile Hong Kong Corporation, a subsidiary of state-owned China Mobile which holds a unified carrier licence that allows the licensee to offer mobile television services through its broadcast spectrum.
The platform will be free from the rules covering content and advertising now regulating free-to-air television.
