Public Consultation Begins for Now TV's Pay TV Licence Renewal

CA launches public consultation on renewal of domestic pay television programme service licence

The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

The Communications Authority (CA) announced today (January 2) the commencement of a one-month public consultation on the renewal of a domestic pay television programme service (pay TV) licence.

The pay TV licence of Now TV Limited (Now TV) is due to expire on September 25, 2027 (Note). Now TV has submitted its licence renewal application to the CA. In accordance with the requirements under the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562) (BO) and established procedures, the CA will carry out a detailed assessment of the licensee's past performance and collect public views through various means, including carrying out a one-month public consultation, an opinion survey and a televised online public hearing (TOPH). The CA will take into account the licensee's performance and renewal proposal, views of the industry and public, the latest market developments etc, and make recommendations on the licence renewal application to the Chief Executive in Council in September 2026.

Members of the public may give their views through various means, including submitting views in writing during the period from January 2 to February 1, 2026 (by email: paytv-pc@ofca.gov.hk, fax: 2507 2219 or mail to: Office of the Communications Authority (Attn: Broadcasting Section 32), 20/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong); and/or by participating in the TOPH which will be held on January 17, 2026. For the TOPH registration arrangements and the details of the licensee's service (including compliance records and investment plans), please visit the dedicated webpage on the CA's website.

The pay TV licence of Now TV is valid for 12 years from September 26, 2015, to September 25, 2027. As required by the BO, Now TV has submitted its licence renewal application to the CA no less than 24 months before the expiry of the validity period of its licence. The CA will carry out a review exercise for the renewal application in accordance with the BO and established procedures.

Note: The Chief Executive in Council renewed the licence of PCCW Media Limited in December 2014, with a validity period of 12 years from September 26, 2015, to September 25, 2027. PCCW Media Limited was renamed as Now TV Limited with effect from September 2024.

The Communications Authority (CA), Photo source: news.gov.hk

Applications invited for operating green minibus route

The Transport Department (TD) published a Gazette notice today (January 2) to invite applications for a passenger service licence for the operation of a package ofNew Territories public light bus (scheduled) route (green minibus route) covering one route in total, plying between Fanling North and Kwu Tung North.

Application documents are available free of charge from the following TD offices and the TD website:

• The TD New Territories Regional Office, 7/F, Mongkok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon;

• The TD Public Light Bus Section, 11/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon;

• The TD Urban Regional Office (Hong Kong), 37/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; and

• The TD Hong Kong Licensing Office, 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong.

A spokesman for the TD reminded applicants to refer to the details and requirements of the green minibus route concerned and the "Guidance Notes for Applicants" attached in the application document. They should also follow the guidelines when completing the application form.

Completed application forms and relevant supporting documents must be submitted in a plain envelope sealed and marked on the outside of the envelope with "Application for Passenger Service Licence in respect of the Package of Public Light Bus (Scheduled) Route Gazetted in January 2026". They must be placed in the tender box located at the reception counter of the TD Headquarters at 10/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, before noon on February 27, 2026 (Friday). Applications by any other means or late submissions will not be considered.

For enquiries, please call the hotline at 2804 2600.

The Transport Department (TD), Photo source: reference image