Hong Kong has traditionally been dominated by English-language media but since the beginning of the transition to Chinese sovereignty in the 1980s, Chinese-language newspapers have become more prevalent and their readership has expanded. Non-English TV has also expanded.

The public service broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) was established under British rule in 1928. It is government funded and operates as a government department.

Most Hong Kong households subscribe to multi-channel pay-TV. Residents have access to over 200 local and overseas television channels in various languages through free-to-air terrestrial and satellite reception or pay television services.

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.

Hong Kong FM: Online radio station in Hong Kong. Choose from today's music, Top 40 countdowns, classic hits and 80s music. 

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. 

Radio on the Internet: English-language stations online

Many international radio stations are available streamed live on the Internet. Typically Real Player or Windows Media is needed.

• For a fairly comprehensive list of the many stations available online: Click here

Alternatively, select one of the stations below for (relatively) instant access to live radio!

• To reach links to any of the BBC Radio stations: Click here
• The BBC World Service (RealPlayer) (Windows Media)
• Voice of America on VOA NewsNow
• CNN (RealPlayer) (Windows Media)

International and local news online

• BBC News has an Asia-specific section: Click here
• CNN News
• China Daily

Television

Under the Broadcasting Ordinance, there are four categories of television programme services — domestic free, domestic pay, non-domestic (mainly satellite television services for the region) and other licensable television programme services (mainly television service for hotel rooms).

Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK): RTHK's television programmes are broadcast on free-to-air and pay television channels. It has a reputation for producing quality programmes and plays an important role as a broadcaster of essential public information. News and event podcasts, information on programming and live broadcasts can be found on the RTHK website. It is also possible to listen to radio online – including the BBC World Service.

• English news online

There are two local, free, English-language television operators. Both televise local and international news, children's programming, movies, comedies and current affairs and lifestyle shows. Most of the movies and programmes are from the USA, the UK and Australia.

• Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB): TVB operates one English-language and one Chinese-language channel. Many popular movies and UK and US drama series (such as Hotel Babylon and The West Wing) are shown on Pearl, the English-language channel
• Asia Television Limited (ATV): ATV is a private terrestrial channel, operating just two channels – the 22-hour World channel broadcasts mostly in English, the other channel is in Cantonese

Satellite and other channels

• now TV: Owned by PCCW, now TV offers a variety of channels broadcasting news, sports, entertainment, children's programmes and movies. The station works on a pay-per-channel basis with subscribers using their PIN number to buy programmes. Programmes vary in content and language but there are plenty of channels in English including movies and drama, sport and news and music and entertainment. Customers pick and choose from a list of channels in either a la carte format or in bundle packages. They are charged a monthly subscription fee
• i-Cable: Owned by Cable TV Hong Kong, i-Cable offers subscribers over 100 channels featuring a range of programmes. Its sports channels are particularly popular. Subscription is via fixed-price packages. Some of the English-language channels available are the same as now TV's and include CNN, BBC World, CNBC, HBO, Cinemax and others
• STAR TV: Transmits a number of channels in a variety of languages. Star Movies showcases English-language movies and STAR World provides English-language entertainment programming

Newspapers 

There are two local English-language daily newspapers, the South China Morning Post and The Standard. Both newspapers have a daily edition available online.

• South China Morning Post: It is possible to subscribe for updates, place advertisements and view events guides at the website. The printed English-language daily newspaper has local and world news. With little local competition, the South China Morning Post is still the most popular English-language newspaper in Hong Kong
• The Standard: A business orientated English-language daily. It also has an online version
• The Sunday Examiner: The Sunday Examiner is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. The newspaper is published weekly and is available every Sunday at the Catholic churches in Hong Kong
• Tel: 2522 0487
  Fax: 2536 9939
  e-mail

International dailies such as the International Herald Tribune, the Wall Street Journal Asia, USA Today, and China Daily are printed in Hong Kong and available at news stands, bookstores and major hotel chains.

Magazines and Journals

There are a reasonable number of magazines and journals available throughout Hong Kong.

• Time
• Newsweek  
• The Economist
• BC Magazine: A free magazine distributed on the first and third Thursday of the month. Information on nightlife in Hong Kong, cinema, dining out, live music and more
• Tel:2976 0876
  Fax: 2976 0973
  e-mail
• HK Magazine: A free English-language magazine distributed weekly to readers at coffee shops, restaurants and fitness centres. The magazine contains articles and information regarding life-style and entertainment in the city. Online with Asia City
• Tel: 2850 5065
  Fax: 2543 1880
  e-mail
• Hong Kong Culture: Monthly lifestyle magazine with articles on arts, food, wine, the Hong Kong community and  information on cultural events and activities. Available by subscription
  • e-mail
• Hong Kong Tatler is also available in English
• Far Eastern Economic Review: Monthly news publication covering a range of topics such as politics, business, economics, technology and social issues that affect the Asia Region
• Parents Journal: Monthly bilingual magazine with information for parents in Hong Kong on a wide number of issues including health, pregnancy, child development and education
  • Tel: 2505 8906
  • Fax: 2505 0815
• Playtimes: Published ten times a year, Playtimes gives advice and guidance on many parenting issues such as the social, physical, intellectual and emotional development of children
• Daily 7 and Daily 10 are English language newspapers for children. Each edition has news items, vocabulary weather forecast, cartoons and games. Published every day except Sunday, available by subscription only
  • To subscribe: Click here
• Women can find a number of well known international publications with Hong Kong editions such as Elle and Marie-Claire, which also have online versions
• Children will find magazines in English and a number of bilingual magazines, including the very popular Typhoon Club

International News Links

AngloINFO delivers an extensive English-language news service, drawn from sources around the world.

• Visit the AngloInfo Newsroom!

You can also often read your favourite newspaper online:

UK

• The Belfast Telegraph
• The Daily Express
• The Daily/Sunday Telegraph
• The Financial Times
• The Guardian
• The Independent
• The Mirror
• The Sun
• The Scotsman
• The Times
• And many more, listed here

Ireland

• The Irish Independent
• The Irish News
• The Irish Times
• And many more, listed here

USA

• The Chicago Sun-Times
• The LA Times
• The New York Times
• The New York Post
• The San Francisco Chronicle
• The San Francisco Examiner
• The Seattle Times
• USA Today
• The Wall Street Journal
• The Washington Post
• And many more, listed here

Canada

• The Montreal Gazette
• The Toronto Star
• The Vancouver Sun
• The Globe and the Mail
• And many more, listed here

Australia

• The Sydney Morning Herald
• The Melbourne Age
• And many more, listed here

New Zealand

• The New Zealand Herald
• And many more, listed here

South Africa

• Business Day
• Die Burger (in Afrikaans)
• Independent Newspapers (The Star, The Cape, Argus, etc)
• The Sunday Times
• The Weekly Mail and Guardian

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