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Hong Kong Technology Venture Company Limited (HKTV, ) is a 
In 2009, HKTV (then- City Telecom) applied for domestic free-to-air television programme service licence, but was rejected by the Hong Kong government in October 2013. Later, HKTV acquired a mobile TV licence and planned to launch the first 2 channels but this plan was foiled again. It commenced live and
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...
-based technology company primarily known for its e-commerce
E-commerce (electronic commerce) is the activity of electronically buying or selling of products on online services or over the Internet. E-commerce draws on technologies such as mobile commerce, electronic funds transfer, supply chain manageme ...
platform and once had plans to become a television station. HKTV currently provides an over-the-top
An over-the-top (OTT) media service is a media service offered directly to viewers via the Internet. OTT bypasses cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms: the types of companies that traditionally act as controllers or distributors ...
shopping and entertainment ("shoppertainment") platform named HKTVMall
HKTVmall is a wholly owned subsidiary of HKTV founded in 2015 as a over-the-top
An over-the-top (OTT) media service is a media service offered directly to viewers via the Internet. OTT bypasses cable, broadcast, and satellite television platfor ...
.
In 2009, HKTV (then- City Telecom) applied for domestic free-to-air television programme service licence, but was rejected by the Hong Kong government in October 2013. Later, HKTV acquired a mobile TV licence and planned to launch the first 2 channels but this plan was foiled again. It commenced live and video on demand
Video on demand (VOD) is a media distribution system that allows users to access videos without a traditional video playback device and the constraints of a typical static broadcasting schedule. In the 20th century, broadcasting in the form of o ...
broadcasting through internet on 19 November 2014, while refiling an application for a free-to-air licence. HKTV had fought a series of legal battles against the government, until it withdrew its application for free-to-air licence and surrendered its mobile television licenses to the Communications Authority in March 2018.
On 13 July 2021, the company changed its name from Hong Kong Television Network to Hong Kong Technology Venture.
Background
Hong Kong Television Network Limited was formerly known as City Telecom (founded in 1992). City Telecom sold its main businessHong Kong Broadband Network
HKBN Ltd., commonly known for its subsidiary Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (), is a Hong Kong-based Internet, communication and telecommunication company. HKBN was established on 23 August 1999, it is one of the largest residential and en ...
in 2012. It then renamed as Hong Kong Television Network in order to attempt to enter the free-to-air television
Free-to-air (FTA) services are television (TV) and radio services broadcast in unencrypted form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscriptio ...
market of Hong Kong.
History
Preparation of HKTV
In January 2013, City Telecom took on the name HKTV. After submission of application for a domestic free television programme service licence in 2009, HKTV invested about HK$300 million and hired several hundred staff to produce TV series, and planned to invest HK$600 million into a new Television Production Centre atTseung Kwan O Industrial Estate
Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate (, branded as ) is located in the southeast of the Tseung Kwan O New Town, Sai Kung District in Hong Kong.
Location
Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate has an area of 75 ha (other sources mention 86 ha
The licence application was rejected by the Hong Kong Government on 15 October 2013 amidst competition from television operators Fantastic Television and HK Television Entertainment. The government quoted 'gradual and orderly approach' as the sole reason for its decision and invited HKTV to challenge it in court by judicial review. There was a strong outcry against the decision from the general public.
On 20 October 2013, five days after the rejection of HKTV's TV licence application, crowds of protesters in black T-shirts including the staff of HKTV marched to request the government to issue the licence and demand an explanation. HKTV suggested that 80,000 people took part in the protest, while the police claimed that only 36,000 people joined. Protesters chanted "Stop monopoly in the TV market" as they thought that TVB was monopolising the market and they said "Stop black box politics" because the policy made by the Executive Council is not transparent to the public. The Facebook page that organised the march received about 500,000 " likes" within one week.
On 21 December 2013 HKTV acquired mobile TV licence and spectrum from
In March 2018, HKTV announced that they have abandoned their television operations, and would continue to focus on its online shopping platform HKTVmall. The company also withdrew its free-to-air TV license application, and said it will return its mobile TV license to Hong Kong's Communications Authority.
CMHK
China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited or CMHK (), is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Mobile. The company was incepted in January 1997 and was the first PCS operator to launch such services in Hong Kong. CMHK is currently the largest telecom ...
, and planned to relaunch UTV on 1 July 2014 as HKTV. It also planned to broadcast through over-the-top
An over-the-top (OTT) media service is a media service offered directly to viewers via the Internet. OTT bypasses cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms: the types of companies that traditionally act as controllers or distributors ...
format.
On 6 January 2014, HKTV filed an application for leave to apply for judicial review in respect of the Government's decision in rejecting HKTV's application for a domestic free TV programme service licence. which was accepted by the High Court.
On 11 April 2014, HKTV appealed for the judicial review on the broadcasting format of the Mobile Television service, which was accepted by the High Court. Meanwhile, HKTV applied again to the Communication Authority for the free Television Broadcasting license. Moreover, HKTV proposed to establish an online shopping center before the end of 2014, where customers can watch the new program produced continuously by HKTV.
In May 2014, HKTV planned to launch an online shopping website. The completed TV shows were planned to broadcast on this website to attract more local companies to get into this online business. The target group of HKTV online shopping website was middle-class families with an annual income of over HKD
The Hong Kong dollar (, sign: HK$; code: HKD) is the official currency of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is subdivided into 100 cents or 1000 mils. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is the monetary authority of Hong Kong and ...
250,000. The business intended to maintain free TV production as its main focus, using e-commerce as an income source while the rejection of its license was challenged.
Launch of TV services
In late October 2014, HKTV launched an online vote for their favourite TV series out of an offer of sixteen, the winner to be broadcast on 19 November 2014. On 19 November 2014, HKTV officially launched its channel, the same day Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) started to broadcast in 1967. The main income was from advertising between 12–13 hours of programmes. In the early stages of its broadcasting, HKTV uploaded 2 hours of drama, half an hour of variety shows, plus 4 hours of programmes every day. After launch, HKTV was exploring new business opportunities, including e-commerce, by consolidating mobile TV spectrum and over-the-top Internet platforms. Leveraging the strong brand presence and programme library of HKTV, it aims to build the largest and, in terms of number of brands, the most diversified products & services e-shopping mall in Hong Kong, providing one-stop shopping and round-the-clock services. On 24 April 2015, the High Court ruled the rejection of HKTV's application as unlawful: when the Executive Council switched to a policy that limits the numbers of licences, it failed to follow the policy which encourages competition within the broadcasting industry as set forth in 1998. The court ordered the Exco to reconsider HKTV's application.Focusing on online shopping platform
In March 2018, HKTV announced that they have abandoned their television operations, and would continue to focus on its online shopping platform HKTVmall. The company also withdrew its free-to-air TV license application, and said it will return its mobile TV license to Hong Kong's Communications Authority.
Senior Leadership
* ''Chairman:'' Paul Cheung (since January 2020) * ''Chief Executive:'' Ricky Wong (since January 2020)List of Former Chairmen
# Ricky Wong (1992–2020)List of Former Chief Executives
# Paul Cheung (1992–2008) # William Yeung (2008–2012) # To Wai-bing (2012–2016) # Paul Cheung (2016–2020); second termPlatforms
Television content
HKTV supports multiple platforms: personal computers, smart televisions, television boxes, smartphones and tablet computers. All smart TVs which are produced in and after 2012 can subscribe to the HKTV channel; Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Sony televisions allow their users to watch HKTV programmes through an application downloaded from the TV markets. Users of Android andiOS
iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also includes ...
smartphones and tablet computers can download apps from Google Play Store
Google Play, also known as the Google Play Store and formerly the Android Market, is a digital distribution service operated and developed by Google. It serves as the official app store for certified devices running on the Android operating sys ...
and the App Store
An App Store (or app marketplace) is a type of digital distribution platform for computer software called applications, often in a mobile context. Apps provide a specific set of functions which, by definition, do not include the running of the co ...
respectively. Besides, HKTV has planned to open more channels on Internet, smartphone, and set top box etc.
E-commerce
HKTVmall offers online shopping experience on lifestyle items on its website. It also supports Android and iOS devices and its app is available in Google Play Store and the App Store. HKTVmall operates a network of self-service pick-up stores in Hong Kong. As of October 2020, it has a network of 68 stores.TV productions
By 31 August 2014, HKTV had produced 190 dramas, 70 variety shows and over 1000 hours' programmes. A list of TV series produced by HKTV: * ''The Election
''The Election'' () is a political drama series produced by Hong Kong Television Network (HKTV). With a budget of HK$15 million, filming started in July 2014 and wrapped up on 28 October 2014. Popularly voted to be the inaugural drama of ...
'' (2014-2015)
* ''The Borderline
''The Borderline'' () is a police procedural television series produced by Hong Kong Television Network. Each episode costs HK$1 million to produce. The first episode premiered on November 19, 2014.
Cast
* Liu Kai-chi as To Yat-fei
* Dominic Lam ...
'' (2014)
* ''To Be or Not to Be To Be or Not to Be may refer to:
* ''To be, or not to be'', the soliloquy from ''Hamlet''.
Films and TV, theatre and books
* ''To Be or Not to Be'' (1942 film), directed by Ernst Lubitsch
* ''To Be or Not to Be'' (1983 film), a remake produced ...
'' (2014-2015)
* ''Once Upon a Song
''Once Upon a Song'' (), is a 2015 musical drama television series produced by Hong Kong Television Network. The first episode premiered on January 16, 2015.
Cast
* Evelyn Choi as Yan Chi-ching
* Kelvin Kwan as Keith
* Kate Yeung as Jade
* Jaso ...
'' (2015)
* '' Incredible Mama'' (2015)
* ''Second Life
''Second Life'' is an online multimedia platform that allows people to create an avatar for themselves and then interact with other users and user created content within a multi player online virtual world. Developed and owned by the San Fra ...
'' (2015)
* ''The Menu
''The'' () is a grammatical Article (grammar), article in English language, English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite ...
'' (2015)
* ''Sexpedia
''Sexpedia'' () was a 2015 Hong Kong romantic comedy television series produced by Hong Kong Television Network. The first episode premiered on 13 April 2015.
Over a year after the series was released, rival television station TVB released a si ...
'' (2015)
* ''Karma
Karma (; sa, कर्म}, ; pi, kamma, italic=yes) in Sanskrit means an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptivel ...
'' (2015)
* ''Beyond the Rainbow
''Beyond the Rainbow'' is a 1922 American silent drama film starring Billie Dove, Harry T. Morey and Clara Bow in her film debut. A 16mm print of the film is in the collection of the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
Plot
As described in a fi ...
'' (2015)
* ''Love in Time
''Love in Time'' is an Hong Kong supernatural television drama produced by Ricky Wong's CTI, and is the company's first television drama since its establishment. The drama follows the love story between a cold 224-year-old vampire (Danson Tang ...
'' (2015)
* ''Doom+5
''Doom+5'' () is a 2015 Hong Kong television series produced by Hong Kong Television Network. The first episode premiered on 15 June 2015.
Synopsis
On 5:40 a.m. January 23rd, 2017, a hacker hacked into the Hong Kong government's supercompu ...
'' (2015)
* ''The Wicked League
''The Wicked League'' () is a 2015 Hong Kong sitcom series produced by Hong Kong Television Network. The first episode premiered on 22 June 2015.
Cast
* David Chiang
* Yuen Wah
* Kwok Fung
* Pai Piao
* Peter Lai
* Lee Fung
* Fung So-bor
* May Ts ...
'' (2015)
* '' P.4B'' (2015)
* ''Hidden Faces
People often see hidden faces in things. Depending on the circumstances, this is referred to as pareidolia, the perception or recognition of a specific pattern or form in something essentially different. It is thus also a kind of optical illusion ...
'' (2015)
*
*
*
* '' Night Shift'' (2015)
* ''Paranormal Mind
''Paranormal Mind'' () is a 2015 Hong Kong supernatural crime thriller series produced by Hong Kong Television Network. The first episode premiered on 3 September 2015. It is the last series to air for HKTV.
Plot
A supernatural-themed detective se ...
'' (2015)
Facilities
HKTV acquired land at Wan O Road and Wan Po Road inTseung Kwan O Industrial Estate
Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate (, branded as ) is located in the southeast of the Tseung Kwan O New Town, Sai Kung District in Hong Kong.
Location
Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate has an area of 75 ha (other sources mention 86 ha The facility is located 2 kilometres north of
TVB City
TVB City (), is the headquarters of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties located at 77 Chun Choi Street in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, Tseung Kwan O, Kowloon.
The HK$2.2 billion facility officially o ...
.
Its online shopping platform is supported by a logistic centre at Kowloon Bay
Kowloon Bay is a body of water within Victoria Harbour and an area within Kowloon, Hong Kong.
The bay is located at the east of the Kowloon Peninsula and north of Hong Kong Island. It is the eastern portion of Victoria Harbour, between ...
.
See also
*City Telecom (Hong Kong)
City Telecom (H.K.) Limited (abb. CTI) was a Hong Kong telecommunications group that was established in 1992. It was a provider of fixed line, international direct dialing services, and later an internet service provider, via a subsidiary and br ...
References
{{Television in Hong Kong Internet television channels Television stations in Hong Kong Mass media companies established in 1992 1992 establishments in Hong Kong Television channels and stations established in 2014 Companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq