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Hong Kong: Public broadcaster slapped with $100k fine

By  |  September 19, 2013

Free-to-air broadcaster Television Broadcasts was issued a fine of more than $100,000 by Hong Kong’s communications regulatory Thursday for anticompetitive practices, say reports.

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    According to the Communications Authority, the public broadcaster made “harsh and unreasonable” contracts with musicians, as well as other practices, that were deemed anticompetitive. The fines are a result of a formal probe into TVB following a complaint by competitor Asia Television, lodged in December 2009.

    TVB is Hong Kong’s largest free-to-air broadcaster.

    According to the watchdog, the company was found to have also practiced anticompetitive policies in contracts inked with television series and one-show artists.

    Reports say fines were reduced by the regulator following TVB’s willingness to cancel some anticompetitive contracts.

    Full Content: South China Morning Post

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