The Broadcasting Authority has ceased the firewall provisions in the licences of Television Broadcasts Limited and TVB Pay Vision Limited, removing the restrictions on the management and control, programme deals and transactions.

The authority said the provisions should cease since TVB no longer exercised control over Pay Vision Limited.

TVB and Pay Vision will be bound by the undertakings to the authority - including TVB's agreement to hold not more than 15% of the voting shares of the other company nor appoint any of its directors or principal officers to Pay Vision's board.

TVB restructured its interest in Pay Vision in January by reducing its voting control to less than 15%. Directors or principal officers of the TVB group resigned from their director positions in Pay Vision in February.

The authority said removing the restrictions could enhance Pay Vision's competitiveness in the pay television market and stimulate competition in the local television market. 

Programme draws complaints

The authority has also cautioned TVB over code-of-practice breaches, after considering one case involving 148 complaints.

The case was about Super Trio Wonder Trip broadcast on TVB Jade Channel on March 9, 16 and 23 from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. For details, click here.