The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

     This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 106th meeting held in April 2021:

CA grants approval-in-principle (AIP) for Fantastic Television Limited (Fantastic TV)'s application for using spectrum as an additional transmission means
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     Pursuant to Conditions 10.2 and 30 of the domestic free television programme (free TV) service licence of Fantastic TV, the CA today (April 29) granted an AIP to Fantastic TV in respect of its application for using spectrum, on top of fixed network, as an additional means of transmission for the delivery of its free TV service.

     "In May 2020, Fantastic TV applied to the CA for the assignment of a digital terrestrial television (DTT) frequency channel (i.e. the 478-486 MHz band), on top of fixed network, to deliver its licensed free TV service," said a spokesman of the CA. "The above-mentioned band to be vacated upon the completion of migration of relevant DTT frequency channels by December 1, 2021 will be reserved for Fantastic TV's use."

     The use of spectrum in the requested band for TV broadcast will provide an additional means of transmission, and Fantastic TV has committed to providing a new digital TV programme channel on top of its existing two integrated channels. The CA considers that it would be in the viewers' interest for the CA to grant an AIP for using spectrum to Fantastic TV. "The decision made today can provide viewers with more programming choices by enabling households currently beyond the reach of Fantastic TV's fixed network to receive its free TV service and facilitating the launch of an additional TV programme channel to viewers within 12 months and 18 months respectively from the grant of the AIP," added the spokesman. 

     The grant of the AIP would enable Fantastic TV to proceed with the preparatory work for the spectrum use and transmission network planning as per its proposed timeline pending vacation of the relevant DTT frequency channel by December 1, 2021.

     In granting the AIP, the CA is satisfied that Fantastic TV has demonstrated its commitment to comply with the additional conditions that the CA imposes, which are pertinent to spectrum assignment (note) to ensure that Fantastic TV would operate on a level playing field as the spectrum-based incumbent free TV licensees.

     The CA will monitor Fantastic TV's progress in honouring its commitments and compliance with the terms and conditions of the AIP before granting a formal approval of its application.

     In May 2016, the Government granted a free TV licence to Fantastic TV for the provision of free TV service in Hong Kong by using a fixed network as its transmission means.

Updated investment plan of Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited (Metro)
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     Upon an application by Metro, a sound broadcasting licensee, the CA approved Metro's updated six-year investment plan for 2016 to 2022. Under the updated investment plan, the total investment by Metro for the period will be adjusted from around $685 million to around $617 million, comprising around $22 million for capital investment and around $594 million for programming investment.

     In approving the application, the CA noted that Metro's original plan was formulated back in 2014 and that its business has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the economic downturn. Under its updated investment plan, Metro pledged to maintain the standard and quality of the sound broadcasting service and to continue to comply with all applicable statutory requirements and licence conditions.

Broadcast complaint
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     The CA considered a complaint case concerning three editions of the television programme "Property Outlook" broadcast on October 10, 17 and 24, 2020, on the Finance Info Channel of Hong Kong Cable Television Limited (HKCTV). The CA decided that HKCTV should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions of the Generic Code of Practice on Television Advertising Standards. Details of the case are at www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/en/content_713/appx_20210429.pdf.

Note: Including additional programme requirements, an updated investment plan, and a set of new performance bonds tied to the launch of a new TV programme channel, the service coverage specific to its spectrum-based transmission and the investment expenditure.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Seretariat:
 
     The special meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene scheduled for tomorrow (April 30) at 10.45am will be advanced to start at 10.30am in Conference Room 2B of the LegCo Complex.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (April 29), 12 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 11 404 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 637 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 184 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 112 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 16 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, among which three patients are in critical condition, two are in serious condition and the remaining 107 patients are in stable condition.
 
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.
 
     The case numbers of the discharged, critical and serious patients are as follows:
 

     The Hong Kong Energy Statistics 2020 Annual Report is published by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (April 29).
 
     The report describes the situation of energy supply and demand in Hong Kong. It contains comprehensive statistical information relating to different forms of energy, including oil products, coal products, electricity and gas. It also includes an overall energy balance which summarises the origins and uses of different forms of energy, and depicts their relationship in the energy transformation processes.
 
     Major statistics presented in the report include:

(i) storage capacity, tank stock, imports, unit values of imports and quantity of sales by type of users for oil products;
(ii) imports and unit values of imports for coal products; and
(iii) generating capacity, production and local consumption by type of users for electricity and gas.
 
     Annual figures for the years from 2010 to 2020 and quarterly figures for 2019 and 2020 are provided for most of these statistics. Users can download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1100002&scode=90).
 
     Enquiries about this report can be directed to the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: energy@censtatd.gov.hk).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, April 29, 2021 is 101 (down 0.2 against yesterday's index).