Hong Kong Technology Venture Company Limited (HKTV, ) is a Hong Kong-based technology company primarily known for its e-commerce platform and once had plans to become a television station. HKTV currently provides an over-the-top 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 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 business

Hong 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 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 at

Tseung 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

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 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 HKD250,000. 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 term

Platforms

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 Android may refer to: Science and technology * Android (robot), a humanoid robot or synthetic organism designed to imitate a human * Android (operating system), Google's mobile operating system ** Bugdroid, a Google mascot sometimes referred to ...

and iOS smartphones and tablet computers can download apps from Google Play Store and the App Store 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'' (2014) * '' To Be or Not to Be'' (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 ''Incredible Mama'' (), is a 2015 superhero action comedy television series produced by Hong Kong Television Network. Originally 25 episodes, the series was condensed into 9. The first episode premiered on February 9, 2015. Cast * Kara Hui as Chun ...

'' (2015) * '' Second Life'' (2015) * '' The Menu'' (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'' (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'' (2015) * '' Doom+5'' (2015) * '' The Wicked League'' (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'' (2015)

Facilities

HKTV acquired land at Wan O Road and Wan Po Road in

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