Product Placement Ban For TV Shows Could Be Lifted

The Communications Authority has proposed relaxing regulations on indirect advertising to help television broadcasters boost their revenues.

In a consultation document, the watchdog suggests lifting the current ban, except for news and current affairs programmes, children's and educational shows, and religious programmes.

Broadcasters would be required, however, to state that a programme included a product placement.

Television industry figures have called for relaxed advertising rules for some time now.

In 2016, TVB accused the authority of being "old-fashioned" after the station was fined HK$150,000 for showing the brand logo of a fried chicken chain during a live awards show.

A public consultation exercise on the proposed changes will run from now until April 28.