HKTV Pulls The Plug On Its Television Business

Hong Kong Television Network said on Tuesday that it is going to withdraw its application for a free-to-air TV licence, nearly five years after its first bid failed, and that it is closing its online service.

The government's refusal to grant Ricky Wong's firm a licence in 2013 drew widespread protests, and many critics pointed the finger at the then-Chief Executive CY Leung. The company submitted a second bid the following year.

In an announcement made to the local stock exchange, HKTV also said it is surrendering its mobile TV licence and will stop providing the service on Saturday, or on an alternative date as directed by the authorities. It said the Communications Authority has been informed.

Ricky Wong said the decision was made because of the industry’s changing landscape and shrinking advertising revenue.

"We have to learn to face unfair challenges. I think whenever it's unfair on one side, there'd be more rewards on the other," Wong told a press conference on the listed company's results.

Despite not managing to obtain a TV licence, HKTV produced a number of popular drama shows that drew rave reviews when the company aired them online.

One of the lead actors in the dramas, Gregory Wong, told RTHK he was shocked by the disappointing news. He said the saga showed the government's attempt to exert its control on broadcasting.

The actor also said he felt that the freedom to make dramas on various topics "has slowly been strangled" in recent years.

Fantastic TV, the free channel of Cable TV, recently purchased the rights to broadcast some of the shows.

HKTV still runs an online supermarket in the city, a business set up after the initial failure to win a TV licence.