Hong Kong’s Communications Authority (CA) has rejected Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited’s application for lifting the time limit imposed on its simulcast of FM service and the broadcast of FM programmes on its DAB channels under its DAB licence.

Metro’s DAB licence provides that, unless the CA otherwise approves or determines, for each channel on Metro’s DAB service, the licensee shall ensure that the aggregate time in any week for simulcasting any FM broadcasting service (FM Simulcast) and for broadcasting any FM programme transmitted in the digital form for the first time (First-time FM Programmes Broadcast) shall not exceed 50 per cent of the total broadcast time of that week.

Metro applied for the CA’s approval to lift the 50 per cent time limit on FM Simulcast and First-time FM Programmes Broadcast so that it could arrange for FM Simulcast and First-time FM Programmes Broadcast on each of its DAB channels up to 100 per cent of the total broadcast time.

In support of its application, Metro submitted that it was facing great difficulty in generating sufficient income to cover the cost for operating the DAB channels and that the removal of the time limit on FM Simulcast and First-time FM Programmes Broadcast would enable Metro to make better use of its resources.

In considering Metro’s application, the CA noted that the 50 per cent limits on FM Simulcast and First-time FM Programmes Broadcast as stipulated in the DAB licences served to provide greater programming variety and to ensure a more effective utilisation of the DAB multiplex.

The CA also considered that a complete removal of the time limits imposed on FM Simulcast and First-time FM Programmes Broadcast would be tantamount to permitting a full replication of Metro’s FM and DAB services, which would not be an effective and efficient use by Metro of the DAB multiplex capacity to which it was assigned.

Furthermore, the CA noted that, being a broadcaster holding both analogue sound broadcasting and DAB licences, Metro had already been afforded the flexibility under its DAB licence to arrange for simulcast of FM and AM services on its DAB service. Any further relaxation of the time limits on FM Simulcast and First-time FM Programmes Broadcast might unlevel the playing field further vis-à-vis the remaining DAB licensee.