HK broadcast watchdog says HOY TV's programme breaches guidelines

The Communications Authority has ruled that Phoenix TV has breached its license condition and Fantastic TV's HOY TV channel has violated the authority's TV programme code respectively.

According to the official statement of the broadcast watchdog, the authority has also considered a complaint case about HOY TV’s programme “What a Wonderful World” (世界多美麗) broadcast on 21 February 2023. This came as a member of the public complained that the programme, which was classified as “Parental Guidance Recommended” (PG), was broadcast during the family viewing hours (FVHs). The programme under complaint was a travelogue about Thailand, classified as “PG” for adult elements and was broadcast from 6:00p m to 6:30pm, which is within the FVHs. Furthermore, aural and visual advice on the “PG” classification was broadcast before the start of the programme.

The authority said that the programme started with brief footage of some scenic spots in Thailand, and a few fleeting shots depicting Thailand’s nightlife in which some street dancers dressed in bikini outfit were captured. It then featured a young couple taking part in different outdoor activities including zip lining, outdoor rock climbing and scuba diving.

Don't miss: HK mulls lifting prohibition on indirect advertising in certain radio shows

Although the authority has decided that although the programme did not contain anything unsuitable for viewing by children, the broadcast of a programme classified by the licensee as “PG” within the FVHs constituted a breach of the TV programme code. It advised Fantastic TV to observe more closely the relevant provision of the generic code of practice on television programme standards.

According to the statement, Fantastic TV said that the programme was wrongly scheduled for broadcast during the FVHs due to human error. It had increased its manpower in the programming team and taken measures to improve internal controls.  

On the other hand, the watchdog has ruled that Phoenix TV has breached condition 10.1 of its non-domestic TV license by failing to seek the requisite its approval prior to the implementation of the changes to the shareholding structure of the company during the period from 28 March 2022 to 11 April 2023. The authority advised Phoenix TV to observe the relevant license condition more closely.

Photo credit: YouTube channel @HOY 免費電視77台及78台

Related articles:

HK mulls lifting prohibition on indirect advertising in certain radio shows
Communications Authority rules ViuTV in breach of TV Programme Code
The Communications Authority relaxes programmes broadcast requirements by free TV operators
Communications Authority calls out TVB for exaggerated ad, TVB defends