PCCW Media Group hires TVB's George Chan ching-cheong as chairman

Chan will provide strategic direction in relation to the expansion of PCCW's media business.

Reported in The Standard on 19 June, Chan, a low-profile TVB veteran, only retired from his post as assistant MD of TVB at the beginning of this month.

Chan headed TVB's sales department in the 1980s, and was responsible for both local and international sales before leaving the station. He rejoined the company in 2004 as assistant managing director.

PCCW is in the process of applying for a free TV licence, which is under consultation by the Hong Kong Government. The result of the application is expeced to come out in early 2011.

Local firms PCCW, i-Cable's Cable TV and City Telecom's Hong Kong Broadband are vying for a licence.

Over the first six years of the channel's operations, Cable TV and Hong Kong Broadband have each promised to spend more than US$128 million on their services. PCCW has promised over $77,180,000 over the first three years.

TVB currently spends approximately US$100 million a year, mostly on programming.