TV Systems, Stations and Cable TV in Hong Kong

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TV Systems, Stations and Cable TV in Hong Kong

The transmission standard in Hong Kong is PAL. There are three main television/video standards in use throughout the world.

• NTSC - used in the USA, Canada, Japan and some other countries
• PAL - used in most of Western Europe, Australasia and South Africa
• SECAM - used in France and Eastern Europe

The three systems are not compatible with each other. It is not possible to watch television on a NTSC or SECAM appliance, or to use DVD or video players which are configured for these systems. Multi-standard TV, DVD or video equipment will be able to play a PAL (or NTSC) camcorder, DVD player or games console.

TV Licence

No television license is required in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Television

There are numerous English-language channels available. Modern apartment blocks are often pre-installed with cable or Satellite Master Antenna (SMATV) provided by the management company, meaning that each apartment is able to receive free and pay channels without the need of a receiver. The cost for this is usually included in management charges or rent.

Terrestrial channels

There are two local terrestrial channels which broadcast in English: TVB Pearl and ATV World.

TVB Pearl broadcasts free of charge, mainly in English but it also shows programmes in other languages including Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean. The channel has a wide selection of programmes including movies, series, documentaries, entertainment and more.

• TVB Pearl - Television Broadcasts Limited
  At: TVB City, 77 Chun Choi Street, Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, Kowloon
  Tel: 2335 9123
  Website

ATV World broadcasts free of charge and has two channels, the 24 hour Home Channel (in Cantonese) and the 22 hour World channel, broadcasting mostly in English. A variety of programmes are shown including drama, news and series.

• ATV World, Asia Television Ltd
  At: 81 Broadcast Drive, Kowloon
  Tel: 2992 8888
  Fax: 2338 0438
  Website

Satellite television

The main satellite TV provider is STAR TV. Star TV's satellite channels include: Star World (entertainment), Star Movies, Sky News, Fox News, National Geographic, Channel V (music), Star Sports, ESPN.

• STAR TV
  At: 8/F One Harbourfront, 18 Tak Fung Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon
  Tel: 2621 8888
  Fax: 2621 8000
  Website

Cable & Broadband television

There are a number of cable operators, of which Hong Kong Cable TV is the most established, and a Broadband TV operator, Now.

Hong Kong Cable TV's basic package includes: The Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Star Sports, ESPN, Cartoon Network, BBC World, CNN International, CNBC Hong Kong, Bloomberg TV. Premium channels include HBO, Cinemax and Star Movies.

• Hong Kong Cable TV (Cable TV Tower)
  At: 9 Hoi Shing Road, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
  Tel: 2112 6868
  Fax: 2112 7878
  Website

Cable TV can be subscribed by telephone.

• Tel: 1832 832 (for English Press 2)

Now Broadband TV has many English-language channels on a pay-by-channel basis as well as 18 free channels. It is possible to subscribe by telephone or online.

• Now Broadband TV
  Tel: 1833 888 (Customer Services Hotline)
  e-mail
  Website
• Subscribe via telephone Tel: 2888 0008 (press 1)
• Subscribe online: Click here then select Now Services and Apply now

Radio

Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK): The public service broadcaster operates seven networks in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. RTHK operates two radio channels in English 24 hours a day:

• Radio 3: Local and international news, discussions and easy-listening music on the following frequencies depending on location:
• 567 AM
• 1584 AM / 106.8 FM 
• 97.9 FM 
• 107.8 FM 
• Live online broadcast
• Radio 4: The channel plays mainly classical music and some jazz on 97.6-98.9 FM
• The BBC World Service is available around the clock via RTHK's Radio 6

Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited: Metro Radio Hong Kong consists of three radio channels. They feature news, finance and showbiz with some programming in English. Most likely to be of interest to English speakers is Metro Plus on 1044 AM, which broadcasts in several languages including English.

Commercial Radio Hong Kong: There are a number of stations but only one in English on the AM waveband, 864 AM. It is mostly a non-stop music channel playing a diverse range of tunes. 

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation page Electricity & Home Appliances