Topical Information

There are currently 13 local radio channels serving Hong Kong. Seven channels are operated by the public broadcaster RTHK. The remaining six channels are operated by two commercial broadcasters, namely Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited (Commercial Radio) and Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited (Metro Broadcast), each broadcasting three channels.

RTHK is a Government department serving as the editorially independent public service broadcaster of Hong Kong. It offers high-quality and diversified programming services through its Cantonese, English and Putonghua radio channels to inform, educate and entertain the community.

Commercial Radio was established as an alternative to the public broadcaster in 1959. Another commercial radio broadcaster, Metro Broadcast, commenced broadcasting in 1991. Each station run three channels and is required to provide balanced entertainment, informative and educational programmes. The radio channels broadcast news and weather reports, current affairs, arts and culture programmes and programmes for young persons and senior citizens. Programmes in Tagalog, Urdu, Nepali and Indonesian are also broadcast to cater for the needs of ethnic minority groups in Hong Kong.

In March 2011, the Government granted Digital Broadcasting Corporation Hong Kong Limited (DBC) (formerly known as Wave Media Limited), Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited (Metro) and Phoenix U Radio Limited (Phoenix U) sound broadcasting licences to provide digital audio broadcasting (DAB) services in Hong Kong. The licensees plan to provide 24-hour DAB services comprising 13 programme channels (three each for Metro and Phoenix U and seven for DBC) with a wide variety of programmes by end 2011.

Furthermore, RTHK plans to broadcast five DAB channels (including simulcast of four AM channels and relay of one China National Radio channel) by end 2011.

(Last update on 12 April 2011)