View source for Asia Television

{{Short description|Online media company in Hong Kong}}
{{about|over-the-top service provider and former TV channel in Hong Kong|the Iraqi TV channel|Asia Network Television|the history of Asia Television before 1982|Rediffusion Television}}
{{Copy edit|date=August 2024}}

{{Use Hong Kong English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Asia Television
| logo = Asia Television logo since 2017.png
| image = HK ATV TaiPoHeadquarters.JPG
| image_caption = Headquarters in [[Tai Po]]
| trading_name = 
| native_name = 亞洲電視有限公司
| native_name_lang = zh-Hant-HK
| type = Limited company
| foundation = {{start date|1957|5|29|df=y}} (as Rediffusion Television)<br> {{start date|1982|9|24|df=y}} (as ATV, TV broadcaster) <br> Revived in 2019 into APP (as ATV, OTT service provider)
| predecessor = [[Rediffusion Television]]
| location = 33 Dai Shing Street, <br>[[Tai Po Industrial Estate]], <br>[[Tai Po]], [[Hong Kong]]
| key_people = Lai Chai Suang (main investor)<br>Ip WP Leong (executive director), Andy Yong (non-executive director)
| industry = Internet-based media
| homepage = {{url|www.hkatv.com/}}
| owner = Asia Television Holdings Ltd.<ref name="ejinsight-ott">{{cite news|title=ATV to return with launch of digital media platform|url=http://www.ejinsight.com/20171218-atv-to-return-with-launch-of-digital-media-platform/|access-date=21 December 2017|work=Hong Kong Economic Journal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051010/http://www.ejinsight.com/20171218-atv-to-return-with-launch-of-digital-media-platform/|archive-date=22 December 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref><!--Renaming of Co-Prosperity Holdings to Asia Television Holdings-->{{cite news |script-title=zh:【改名轉運】亞視上市喇喂! |url=https://hk.finance.appledaily.com/finance/realtime/article/20180214/57834263 |access-date=16 October 2018 |work=[[Apple Daily]] |date=14 February 2018 |language=zh-HK |archive-date=16 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016081354/https://hk.finance.appledaily.com/finance/realtime/article/20180214/57834263 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Asia Television
| t = 亞洲電視
| s = 亚洲电视
| p = Yàzhōu Diànshì
| j = {{kCantonese|亞洲電視|tone=sup}}
| t2 = 亞視
| s2 = 亚视
| p2 = Yàshì
| j2 = {{kCantonese|亞視|tone=sup}}
| first = t
}}

'''Asia Television Limited''' ({{zh|t_hk=亞洲電視有限公司}}, also known as '''ATV''') is a [[digital media]] and [[broadcasting]] company in [[Hong Kong]]. Established as the first television service in Hong Kong as [[Rediffusion Television]] ({{zh|t_hk=麗的電視/麗的呼聲|labels=no}}) on 29 May 1957, it shifted to [[terrestrial television]] in 1973 and was renamed to Asia Television (ATV) in 1982. ATV operated two main over-the-air channels: Cantonese-language [[ATV Home]] and English-language [[ATV World]].

Despite its relatively small market share, ATV received awards for its programs. One of its successes was the [[Baak Maan Fu Yung|local version]] of the British game show ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'' in 2001, providing ATV increased viewership. After 2000, ATV faced a gradual decline in production quality and [[Audience measurement|viewership]], as well as financial difficulties—a process hastened under the leadership of Wang Zheng. ATV's credibility was severely damaged in 2011 after its news department had falsely reported the death of [[Jiang Zemin]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chow|first1=Vivienne|last2=Nip|first2=Amy|last3=Cheung|first3=Tony|date=1 April 2015|title=Exco troubled broadcaster ATV's application to renew free-to-air licence|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1753424/troubled-broadcaster-atvs-future-line-exco-meets-discuss-licence|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=1 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402021459/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1753424/troubled-broadcaster-atvs-future-line-exco-meets-discuss-licence|archive-date=2 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 1 April 2015, Hong Kong's [[Executive Council of Hong Kong|Executive Council]] announced that ATV's broadcast license would not be renewed. ATV's channels ceased over-the-air transmission on 1 April 2016.<ref name="scmp-lastshow">{{cite news|title=Countdown to final ATV show begins as former stars share feelings on station's demise|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1932728/countdown-final-atv-show-begins-former-stars|access-date=31 March 2016|work=South China Morning Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406082350/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1932728/countdown-final-atv-show-begins-former-stars|archive-date=6 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ATV announced plans to continue business as a digital and satellite broadcaster.<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1935725/mystery-investor-talks-save-air-hong-kong-broadcaster-atv Mystery investor in talks to save off-air Hong Kong broadcaster ATV] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221103133/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1935725/mystery-investor-talks-save-air-hong-kong-broadcaster-atv |date=21 December 2016 }}, ''[[South China Morning Post]]'', 13 April 2016</ref> The company announced its [[Pay television|subscription-based]] internet content streaming operations in December 2017.<ref name="ejinsight-ott"/>

==History==

===1949–1981: early years===
{{see also|Rediffusion Television}}
[[Rediffusion Television]] (RTV), the predecessor to ATV, began as a wired radio broadcasting service in 1949.<ref name="Kitley">Kitley, Philip. [2003] (2003). Television, Regulation and Civil Society in Asia. Routledge. {{ISBN|0-415-29733-8}}</ref> The original office was located on Arsenal Street and Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. It launched its subscription-based TV service on 29 May 1957. In 1959, Rediffusion was moved to the offices that were occupied by Fortis Bank Tower.

In 1962, Rediffusion broadcast the first-ever fundraising special in the wake of Hong Kong's [[Typhoon Wanda (1962)|Typhoon Wanda]], which caused 130 deaths.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Damages and shipwrecks caused by Typhoon Wanda, 1962 |url=https://www.grs.gov.hk/ws/erp/wanda-en.htm |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=www.grs.gov.hk}}</ref> The first televised artist course broadcast was in 1966 under the title "Ying Li's Voice."

In October 1968, new shows were broadcast on Rediffusion, including variety, sports, and other leisure, attracting more viewers. The most notable show was "[[Old Master Q|Master Q]]." It also led the trend in acquiring Japanese anime shows, including [[Osamu Tezuka]]'s ''[[Astro Boy]]'' in 1966.<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1932932/59-years-making-how-hong-kongs-asia-television 59 years in the making: how Hong Kong's Asia Television went from a pioneering broadcaster to final death] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002195141/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1932932/59-years-making-how-hong-kongs-asia-television |date=2 October 2016 }}, ''[[South China Morning Post]]'', 1 April 2016</ref>

Rediffusion was given a [[free-to-air]] television broadcasting license in 1973 by the Hong Kong Government, which had switched to using wireless television. Rediffusion (later ATV) and [[Television Broadcasts Limited|TVB]] (launched on 19 November 1967) formed a duopoly in free-to-air terrestrial TV broadcasting in Hong Kong for more than 40 years.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yu|first1=Sophie|date=5 November 2010|title=New entrants will test TVB, ATV duopoly|url=http://www.scmp.com/article/729577/new-entrants-will-test-tvb-atv-duopoly|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=3 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140448/http://www.scmp.com/article/729577/new-entrants-will-test-tvb-atv-duopoly|archive-date=24 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A third broadcaster, [[Commercial Television (TV station)|Commercial Television]], entered the market in September 1975, but in the face of intense competition from the two rival broadcasters, it ceased transmissions in August 1978.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=tj-rBgAAQBAJ&dq=%22CTV%22+Hong+Kong+1978&pg=PA111 ''Hong Kong Documentary Film''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002011626/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tj-rBgAAQBAJ&lpg=PA111&dq=%22CTV%22%20Hong%20Kong%201978&pg=PA111 |date=2 October 2016 }}, Ian Aitken, Michael Ingham, Edinburgh University Press, 2014, page 111</ref>

In 1976, the Hong Kong government introduced [[Mark Six]], a new lottery system that was broadcast twice a week on Rediffusion. The first host of that show was Ha Chun-Chau ({{lang-zh|t_hk=夏春秋|labels=no}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=2157&display_set=eng|title=Ha Chun-Chau|website=hkmdb.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307005140/http://hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=2157&display_set=eng|archive-date=7 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===1981–2002: development===

In 1981, [[Associated-Rediffusion|Rediffusion]] in the UK sold 61% of its shares in RTV to an Australian consortium. In July 1982, a Chinese enterprise called Far East Group ({{zh|t_hk=遠東機構|labels=no}}), owned by the Chiu family, took a stake in the company, such that Far East Group and the Australian consortium each held 50% of RTV's shares. The move marked the first time that a Chinese enterprise had partly owned RTV. RTV was renamed "Asia Television" later in the same year.<ref name="p34">''ATV 46th Anniversary Retrospective'' (2003), p.34</ref> The company that operated ATV frequently recorded losses, and in January 1984, following the withdrawal of the Australian enterprise, the Chiu family acquired the company.

In August 1987, the shares of ATV were put up for sale. One year later, Asia Television Limited, the Lim family (led by [[Lim Por-yen]]), and the [[New World Development|New World Group]] each owned one-third of the shares. At that time, the members of the board of directors included [[Deacon Chiu]], Lim Por-yen, [[Fang Li (executive)|Fang Li]], and [[Cheng Yu-tung]].

On 30 January 1989, the Chiu family sold its shares of ATV to New World Group and [[Lai Sun Development|Lai Sun Group]] for [[Hong Kong dollar|HK$]]237.5&nbsp;million. The New World Group held half of the shares, while the Lam family owned one-third and Lai Sun held one-sixth. At the same time, [[Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau]] (STDM) joined as a minority shareholder. Cheng Yue-tung became chairman, Lim Por Yen vice-chairman, and [[Selina Chow]] administrative director.

===2002–2010: ownership shift===
In November 2002, Lai Sun Development, which was heavily indebted following the HK$7&nbsp;billion acquisition of the [[Furama Kempinski Hotel|Furama Hotel]] in 1997 at the height of the property bubble, announced that it would sell its 32.75% stake to the company's chief executive, [[Chan Wing-kee]], for HK$360&nbsp;million in cash.<ref>Dennis Eng, "[http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=25257&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20021118&sear_year=2002 A little less debt for ailing Lai Sun] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102213627/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=25257&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20021118&sear_year=2002 |date=2 November 2007 }}", [[The Standard (Hong Kong)|The Standard]], 18 November 2002</ref>

In June 2007, Chan, along with {{ill|Liu Changle|zh|劉長樂}}, chairman of [[Phoenix Television|Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Limited]], established a company that later bought most of ATV's shares. Afterward, Chan Wing-kei became Administrative Director General. With the change of shareholders, the company innovated with the direction of production, marketing strategy, and human resources. The network increased the purchase of foreign programs, such as the South Korean drama ''[[Autumn in My Heart]]''.

In December 2008, [[City Telecom (Hong Kong)|City Telecom]] chairman [[Ricky Wong Wai Kay]] was assigned as the new chief executive, while former [[PCCW]] deputy chairman [[Linus Cheung|Linus Cheung Wing-lam]] became executive chairman.<ref name="stan1">The Standard HK. [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=75331&sid=21762374&con_type=1&d_str=20081205&sear_year=2008 ''Survival Drama''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813001613/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=75331&sid=21762374&con_type=1&d_str=20081205&sear_year=2008 |date=13 August 2013 }}. ''The Standard''. Retrieved 7 December 2008.</ref> After just 2 weeks, Ricky Wong resigned from his position [[Ricky Wong Wai Kay#Asia Television|due to many factors]].<ref name="scmp1">South China Morning Post. "[http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=63d959217545e110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=Hong+Kong&s=News SCMP] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213190122/http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=63d959217545e110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=Hong+Kong&s=News |date=13 February 2009 }}." ''Outspoken, and out of a job.'' Retrieved on 24 December 2008.</ref> In early 2009, [[Taiwanese people|Taiwanese]] billionaire [[Tsai Eng-Meng]] signed a preliminary agreement to become a key shareholder of Alnery, a company that controls 47.58% of ATV.<ref>Etaiwannews.com. "[http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=852321&lang=eng_news&cate_img=49.jpg&cate_rss=news_Society etaiwannews.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809201135/http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=852321&lang=eng_news&cate_img=49.jpg&cate_rss=news_Society |date=9 August 2014 }}." ''Tsai Eng-meng funds HK station.'' Retrieved on 3 February 2009.</ref> Tsai has agreed to inject HK$1&nbsp;billion in the form of convertible bonds.<ref>The Standard HK. "[Friend of ATV chief helped fix $1b deal The Standard.com]." ''Article.'' Retrieved on 2 February 2009.</ref> Tsai and Payson Cha have since debated over control of the station.<ref>''The Standard'' (HK). [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=12&art_id=92002&sid=26452992&con_type=3 "Cha accused as ATV spat flares up in public"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515163904/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=12&art_id=92002&sid=26452992&con_type=3 |date=15 May 2010 }}. Retrieved 10 January 2010.</ref>

===2010–2015: decline===
[[File:Atv2015nov.png|thumb|200px|Former logo (2007–2016)]]

Hong Kong's other main television broadcaster, [[TVB]], was regarded as the driving force behind ATV's decision to transform its pay TV operation to terrestrial TV broadcasting. For many years, TVB has been the predominant rating leader in Hong Kong. Its programmes often capture 90–95% of the viewing audience. In the last round, ATV had its licence renewed in December 2004 for another 12 years. Under the new terms of the licence, the Broadcasting Authority required that ATV World provide bilingual subtitles on news, weather, and current affairs shows, educational shows, and public service announcements, as well as more cultural and arts shows.<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/article/397425/english-subtitles-atv-and-tvb English subtitles for ATV and TVB] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002201344/http://www.scmp.com/article/397425/english-subtitles-atv-and-tvb |date=2 October 2016 }}, ''[[South China Morning Post]]'', 13 November 2002</ref> In its final years, viewing figures for ATV Home had fallen sharply, as the TV station had begun to cater more to the interests of the mainland Chinese audience, who could now legally receive the channel.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} In the [[Pearl River Delta]] area of China, ATV used to enjoy a 70% ratings share in the late 90s, largely due to rebroadcasting rights. The ratings share has since reduced to 2–3%. The shift resulted in Hong Kong viewers complaining that programmes aired on the channel are "old-fashioned" and not in tune with the preferences of the Hong Kong TV audience.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}

In 2010, Chinese property businessman [[Wang Zheng (businessman)|Wang Zheng]] became known as ATV's "major shareholder" and began to exercise actual control over the board of directors when his relative-in-law Wong Ben Koon, who is a Hong Kong resident, purchased 52% of ATV's shares from Cha's brothers and other shareholders, although Wang himself was not a member of the board.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chow|first1=Vivienne|date=16 March 2010|title=ATV seeks shareholding change|url=http://www.scmp.com/article/718500/atv-seeks-shareholding-change|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=3 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135836/http://www.scmp.com/article/718500/atv-seeks-shareholding-change|archive-date=24 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It is generally regarded by observers as a means of circumventing Hong Kong's broadcasting regulations, which prohibit individuals who are not residents of Hong Kong from owning and controlling local television stations.<ref name="SCMPWangZheng">{{cite news|last1=Chow|first1=Vivienne|date=29 March 2015|title=Wong Ching, the leading man in ATV's sorry drama|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1750407/wong-ching-leading-man-atvs-sorry-drama|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=3 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924200100/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1750407/wong-ching-leading-man-atvs-sorry-drama|archive-date=24 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Stating his plan to shape ATV into "Asia's [[CNN]]" and "Hong Kong's conscience",<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chow|first1=Vivienne|date=5 November 2010|title=Tycoon unveils push to make ATV Asia's CNN – and city's conscience|url=http://www.scmp.com/article/708764/tycoon-unveils-push-make-atv-asias-cnn-and-citys-conscience|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=3 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135406/http://www.scmp.com/article/708764/tycoon-unveils-push-make-atv-asias-cnn-and-citys-conscience|archive-date=24 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Wang replaced the production of [[television drama series]] with [[talk shows]], which contributed to further loss of ATV's audience and advertisers.<ref name="SCMPWangZheng"/>

On 6 July 2011, [[ATV News]] falsely reported the death of [[Jiang Zemin]], former [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]]. Wang Zheng, at that time, rumored to be a distant relative of Jiang, was believed to be the source. The Communications Authority fined ATV HK$300,000 for the false news report, and later another HK$1&nbsp;million after concluding Wang Zheng had been unlawfully interfering with ATV's management. Wang's cousin [[James Shing Pan-yu]] was forced to quit his role as executive director.<ref name="SCMPWangZheng"/> ATV came under heavy pressure from the community when its ''ATV Focus'' smeared anti-[[Moral and National Education]] pupils and when it broadcast a live show of Wang leading a group of artists dancing in front of the Central Government Offices to call for the government not to issue new free-to-air licences.<ref name="SCMPWangZheng"/>

On 19 June 2013, the Hop Chung Tourist Car Company, a long-standing transport contractor of ATV, filed a petition with the High Court seeking the winding up of ATV over unpaid debts amounting to HK$900,000. ATV's executive director, James Shing, denied that the station was facing financial difficulties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=134781&sid=39839930&con_type=1&d_str=20130620&isSearch=1&sear_year=2013 |work=The Standard |title=Coach firm chases ATV over unpaid bills |date=20 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705183206/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=134781&sid=39839930&con_type=1&d_str=20130620&isSearch=1&sear_year=2013 |archive-date=5 July 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref> In 2014, the court ruled in Tsai's favour that Wang Zheng was responsible for ATV's business failure, and appointed Deloitte to seek a [[white knight (business)|white knight]] to take over Wong Ben-koon's controlling shares.<ref name="SCMPWangZheng"/>

ATV had also failed to pay wages to its employees;<ref name=sina105821213417/> at the end of December 2014, the company said it would shortly pay half the back wages of its staff for September.<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1655727/hong-kong-broadcaster-atv-once-more-defaults-pay-its-staff Hong Kong broadcaster ATV once more defaults on pay for its staff] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927095442/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1655727/hong-kong-broadcaster-atv-once-more-defaults-pay-its-staff |date=27 September 2016 }}, ''[[South China Morning Post]]'', 5 December 2014</ref> By early January, the company had yet to settle the outstanding salary arrears dating back to November, and a number of terminations and redundancies occurred as a consequence of its operational difficulties. ATV and its executive director, Ip Ka-po, received 34 prosecution notices from the Labour Department in relation to unpaid wages covering the period from July to September.<ref name=sina105821213417>{{cite web|url=http://finance.sina.com.cn/chanjing/gsnews/20150102/105821213417.shtml|title=The Failed and Unpaid Wages Between July and September|publisher=Sina Corp|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106094952/http://finance.sina.com.cn/chanjing/gsnews/20150102/105821213417.shtml|archive-date=6 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In late-January 2015, the company, still facing liquidity issues, controversially advanced the outstanding salaries for December on condition that employees signed a loan agreement with the company belonging to the major shareholder, Wong Ben-koon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ejinsight.com/20150122-unpaid-atv-staff-offered-loans-by-top-shareholder/|title=Unpaid ATV staff offered loans by top shareholder|work=EJ Insight|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923234921/http://www.ejinsight.com/20150122-unpaid-atv-staff-offered-loans-by-top-shareholder/|archive-date=23 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="wsj.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hong-kongs-oldest-tv-station-atv-to-shut-down-1427890831/|title=Hong Kong's Oldest TV Station, ATV, to Shut Down|last1=Zheng|first1=Anjie|last2=Steger|first2=Isabella|date=1 April 2015|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115183703/http://www.wsj.com/articles/hong-kongs-oldest-tv-station-atv-to-shut-down-1427890831|archive-date=15 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="china.org.cn">{{cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2015-04/02/content_35222935.htm|title=Hong Kong refuses renewal of Asia Television licence|author=段亚英|publisher=china.org.cn|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402074003/http://china.org.cn/arts/2015-04/02/content_35222935.htm|archive-date=2 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== 2015–2017: loss of licence ===
On 31 March 2015, ATV announced during its evening news that its main shareholders had agreed to sell their stake in the company to [[Ricky Wong (Hong Kong businessman)|Ricky Wong]]'s [[Hong Kong Television Network]] (which was the subject of a failed bid for an over-the-air license before electing to launch as an [[internet television]] service instead).<ref name="variety-licensepulled"/><ref name="scmp16-wong">{{cite news|work=South China Morning Post|title=Ricky Wong abandons free-TV dream for digital one with HKTV relaunch|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1386872/ricky-wong-abandons-free-tv-dream-digital-one-hktv-relaunch|access-date=21 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117041429/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1386872/ricky-wong-abandons-free-tv-dream-digital-one-hktv-relaunch|archive-date=17 January 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although he had met with ATV staff a few days prior, Wong denied that a deal had been made, while legislators argued that the report was intended to mislead the [[Executive Council of Hong Kong|Executive Council]] into believing that ATV was in the process of addressing its financial issues.<ref name="variety-licensepulled"/>

On 1 April 2015, the Executive Council ruled that it would not renew ATV's broadcasting licence. [[Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development]] [[Gregory So]] explained that ATV's performance was "unsatisfactory" and had "clearly deteriorated after the mid-term review of its licence", and that the Communications Authority "[had] serious doubts as to whether ATV would be capable of making the necessary improvements, and whether it has the financial capability to deliver its investment plans, and indeed to continue its business as a going concern." As federal law requires broadcasters to be given one year's notice in the event of license revocation, the license was provisionally extended to 1 April 2016, after which ATV is required to cease broadcasting. Concurrently, the government announced the approval of an over-the-air license to a new broadcasting company, [[HK Television Entertainment]].<ref name="wsj.com"/><ref name="variety-licensepulled">{{cite web|title=Hong Kong Government Strips ATV of Broadcast License|url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/asia/hong-kong-government-strips-atv-of-broadcast-license-1201464903/|website=Variety|date=2 April 2015 |access-date=18 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324223903/http://variety.com/2015/biz/asia/hong-kong-government-strips-atv-of-broadcast-license-1201464903/|archive-date=24 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The government also allowed [[RTHK]] to take over ATV's analogue broadcast spectrum; RTHK planned to use the spectrum to broadcast an expanded version of its channel 31 service.<ref name="hkfp-backon"/><ref name="cd-rhtkanalog">{{cite web|title=RTHK invited to provide analog TV service|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2015-04/03/content_19988835.htm|website=China Daily|access-date=18 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328141011/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2015-04/03/content_19988835.htm|archive-date=28 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 7 February 2016, following the resignation of more than 200 employees in the preceding week, ATV was compelled to suspend its news programming due to insufficient staffing. The broadcaster indicated plans to resume newscasts after the Chinese New Year holiday. The Communications Authority warned that it would impose a fine on ATV for the suspension, as it contravened licence conditions requiring the daily broadcast of 15-minute evening newscasts in both Cantonese and English. On 22 February 2016, the Communications Authority announced that ATV would be subjected to a 30-day suspension effective April 2016 for breaches of licence conditions relating to news programming and the non-payment of licence fees. Although ATV was scheduled to cease broadcasting upon the expiry of its licence by that time, the Authority maintained that the penalty was nonetheless warranted, arguing that to refrain from imposing it "would send a wrong message to the broadcasting sector, that a beleaguered and cash-strapped licensee would be given a carte blanche to contravene the BO and licence conditions" with minimal repercussions.<ref name="variety-newssuspend">{{cite news|title=Hong Kong's ATV Halts News Broadcasts as Financial Crisis Deepens|url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/asia/atv-halts-news-broadcasts-1201699478/|access-date=18 March 2016|work=Variety|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312040941/http://variety.com/2016/biz/asia/atv-halts-news-broadcasts-1201699478/|archive-date=12 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="variety-suspended">{{cite web|title=Hong Kong Gov't Suspends ATV Broadcast License|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/asia/hong-kong-suspends-atv-broadcast-license-1201711594/|website=Variety|date=22 February 2016 |access-date=18 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324220739/http://variety.com/2016/tv/asia/hong-kong-suspends-atv-broadcast-license-1201711594/|archive-date=24 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 24 February 2016, the [[High Court of Hong Kong]] appointed the firm [[Deloitte]] to serve as a provisional liquidator for ATV's assets.<ref name="scmp-liquidation">{{cite news|title=Hong Kong judge appoints Deloitte as provisional liquidator for beleaguered ATV|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1916185/hong-kong-judge-appoints-deloitte-provisional|access-date=18 March 2016|work=South China Morning Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228091659/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1916185/hong-kong-judge-appoints-deloitte-provisional|archive-date=28 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 29 February 2016, Deloitte announced that as part of the liquidation process, all of ATV's staff would be laid off.<ref name="hkfp-layoff">{{cite news|title=ATV to lay off all staff|url=http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1245433-20160229.htm|access-date=18 March 2016|work=RTHK|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328013332/http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1245433-20160229.htm|archive-date=28 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 3 March 2016, Deloitte announced that it was in the process of winding down ATV's operations and planned to shut down the network as soon as possible. However, RTHK stated that it would not be ready to take over ATV's analogue spectrum with its new programming until 10 March at the latest. On 7 March, only a day after the layoffs took effect, China Cultural Media Group reached a deal to invest in ATV, pay outstanding staff wages for 2016, and operating costs for March, allowing the network to re-hire 160 employees to continue operating ATV in the interim. However, the outstanding wages would not be paid until 2 April. ATV spokesperson stated that the broadcaster was considering alternate outlets for its programming following the shutdown, including the internet.<ref name="hkfp-backon">{{cite news|title=ATV re-hires 160 staff to stay on air until April, Labour Sec. warns of 'undesirable' contracts|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/03/07/atv-re-hires-160-staff-to-stay-on-air-until-april-labour-sec-warns-of-undesirable-contracts/|access-date=18 March 2016|work=Hong Kong Free Press|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328050429/https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/03/07/atv-re-hires-160-staff-to-stay-on-air-until-april-labour-sec-warns-of-undesirable-contracts/|archive-date=28 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="scmp-shutdown">{{cite news|title=It's curtains for ATV: liquidators to shut down ailing broadcaster after Hong Kong court decision cleared the way|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1920062/its-curtains-atv-liquidators-shut-down-ailing-broadcaster|access-date=18 March 2016|work=South China Morning Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317044401/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1920062/its-curtains-atv-liquidators-shut-down-ailing-broadcaster|archive-date=17 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==== Final day of broadcast ====
The final program aired by ATV Home was a repeat of a special celebrating the 25th anniversary of the [[Miss Asia Pageant]]. Although a public relations manager stated that ATV was planning to broadcast one more edition of the Miss Asia Pageant before ATV's shutdown, former producer Wingo Ng stated that ATV did not have enough money and staff to produce such a programme.<ref name="scmp-lastshow" /><ref name="scmp-onemore">{{cite news|title=Miss Asia Pageant won't be final show for ailing Hong Kong network ATV|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1930488/miss-asia-pageant-wont-be-final-show-ailing-hong-kong-network|access-date=31 March 2016|work=South China Morning Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404125215/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1930488/miss-asia-pageant-wont-be-final-show-ailing-hong-kong-network|archive-date=4 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

ATV's channels signed off shortly before midnight local time on 1 April. [[RTHK TV 31]] and TV33 ([[CGTN Documentary]]) began broadcasting on ATV's analogue channels shortly after midnight on 2 April 2016. HKTVE also soft-launched its new digital channel, [[ViuTV]], ahead of its formal launch on 6 April.<ref name="standard-farewell">{{cite web|title=Farewell ATV as its survival fight ends|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php?id=167872|website=The Standard|access-date=11 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424063122/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php?id=167872|archive-date=24 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="variety-atvdone">{{cite web|title=ATV, World's Oldest Chinese TV Channel, Closes Down|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/asia/atv-chinese-tv-channel-closes-down-1201744128/|website=Variety|date=2 April 2016 |access-date=11 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406050849/http://variety.com/2016/tv/asia/atv-chinese-tv-channel-closes-down-1201744128/|archive-date=6 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==== Debt resolved ====
Following ATV's formal cessation of free-to-air television broadcasting, ATV Investor Secretary Rong Rongbin pledged shares of Star Platinum Corporation—which held 99 percent of ATV's equity—as collateral to secure a loan of HK$300 million from Xiesheng Xiefeng in an attempt to rescue the broadcaster. However, the loan was not repaid on time, and in July 2016 Xiesheng Xiefeng acquired full ownership of Star Platinum. Reports also indicated that approximately HK$35 million in outstanding wages owed to 640 former employees, along with HK$18 million from the Insolvency Fund, were subsequently settled after the company had obtained its majority stake.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2090518/atv-likely-avoid-liquidation-chinese-company-takes-majority|title='White knight' helps troubled ATV with HK$2.2 billion debts|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=2018-07-06|language=en|archive-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706163020/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2090518/atv-likely-avoid-liquidation-chinese-company-takes-majority|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2017–present: ventures after the loss of licence ===
{{Infobox company
| name = Asia Television Digital Media Limited
| logo = 
| type = 
| industry = 
| native_name = 亞洲電視數碼媒體有限公司
| native_name_lang = zh-HK
| romanized_name = 
| former_name = Total Star Enterprise Limited (8 November-12 December 2016)<br>Asia Television New Media Group Limited (12 December 2016 – 30 October 2017)
| fate = 
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2016|11|08}}
| founder = <!-- or: | founders = -->
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| hq_location_city = [[New Territories]], [[Hong Kong]]
| hq_location_country = [[China]]
| area_served = Hong Kong
| key_people = 
| products = 
| owner = Asia Television Holdings Ltd.
| num_employees = 
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| parent = 
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}

In December 2017, ATV announced that the company would continue business with its new mobile app and [[Over-the-top media services|OTT services]], delivering programmes and shows through the internet instead of terrestrial broadcasting. They also announced their new series for the show ''[[Baak Maan Fu Yung]]'' (local version of ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]''), which is hosted by former general manager of TVB, [[Stephen Chan Chi-wan|Stephan Chan]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ejinsight.com/20171218-atv-to-return-with-launch-of-digital-media-platform/|title=ATV to return with launch of digital media platform|date=2017-12-18|work=EJ Insight|access-date=2018-04-01|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223025612/http://www.ejinsight.com/20171218-atv-to-return-with-launch-of-digital-media-platform/|archive-date=23 December 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1370700-20171218.htm|title=ATV makes a comeback with app launch|website=RTHK|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101154/http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1370700-20171218.htm|archive-date=2 April 2018|url-status=live|access-date=2 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The app also includes previous ATV original dramas and documentaries. The OTT service is operated by ATV's subsidiary, '''Asia Television Digital Media Limited'''.

In June 2018, ATV announced the reboot of the [[Miss Asia Pageant]] since the hiatus in 2015. Partnered with South Korean company [[CJ E&M]], the pageant was described as "ATV's biggest investment of the year".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hk.entertainment.appledaily.com/entertainment/daily/article/20180615/20420718|title=【馮仁昭四圍超】亞視揼本搞亞姐何麗全：全年最大投資|website=Apple Daily 蘋果日報|access-date=2018-08-03|archive-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803194313/https://hk.entertainment.appledaily.com/entertainment/daily/article/20180615/20420718|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, ATV partnered with UK production company Phoenix Waters Productions to relaunch their drama department and develop a slate of films, series, and variety shows spearheaded by PWP CEO Bizhan Tong.<ref>{{Cite web|title=亞視一姐？丨崔碧珈接拍亞視兩戲一劇 希望盡快開工 ｜ 蘋果日報|url=https://hk.appledaily.com/entertainment/20200922/LKAEJNZGJZBMLGZWSMYV5FXCBU/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621184713/https://hk.appledaily.com/entertainment/20200922/LKAEJNZGJZBMLGZWSMYV5FXCBU/|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 June 2021|access-date=2021-01-12|website=Apple Daily 蘋果日報|language=zh-hk}}</ref> This would start with international thriller [[Lockdown (2021)]], to be filmed around the world during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|2020 pandemic]] and feature a global cast including [[John Savage (actor)|John Savage]], [[Xander Berkeley]], and [[Anita Chui]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shackleton|first=Liz|date=2020-12-23|title=Hong Kong broadcaster ATV returns to production with UK's Phoenix Waters|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/hong-kong-broadcaster-atv-returns-to-production-with-uks-phoenix-waters/5155926.article|access-date=2021-01-12|website=Screen|language=en|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126183257/https://www.screendaily.com/news/hong-kong-broadcaster-atv-returns-to-production-with-uks-phoenix-waters/5155926.article|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, AMM Global Media was formed with Tong as executive director, acquiring all 19 of Tong's creative projects, including Lockdown to focus entirely on creative entertainment with international appeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3124214/asia-television-gets-reboot-new-content-production-arm-amm/|title=Asia Television gets reboot with new content production arm AMM, and dreams of rivalling Netflix, Viu TV and TVB|website=[[South China Morning Post]]|first=Andrew|last=Sun|date=March 7, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=22 March 2021|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314235127/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3124214/asia-television-gets-reboot-new-content-production-arm-amm}}</ref>

On 7 September 2022, the [[High Court (Hong Kong)|High Court]] ordered Asia Television Digital Media be [[Liquidation|liquidated]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-09-08 |title=亞洲電視控股根據上市規則第 13.51(2)(L)條及第 13.51B(2)條更新董事資料 |url=http://www.atvgroup.com.hk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/c_20220908-ATVHL_Winding-up-ATVDM-1430.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205161006/http://www.atvgroup.com.hk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/c_20220908-ATVHL_Winding-up-ATVDM-1430.pdf |archive-date=2023-02-05 |accessdate=2022-09-08 |publisher=亞洲電視控股有限公司 |url-status=live}}</ref> ATV issued a statement stating that only Asia Television Digital Media would be liquidated and that Asia Television Holdings and its subsidiary Asia Momentum Media would continue providing content.<ref>{{cite news |date=2022-09-08 |title=亞視發聲明認子公司已清盤 正接觸受影響藝員商討未來安排 |work=[[on.cc]] |url=https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20220908/bkn-20220908162411646-0908_00862_001.html |accessdate=2022-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205160058/https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20220908/bkn-20220908162411646-0908_00862_001.html |archive-date=2023-02-05 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Location==

On 21 July 2007, ATV left its long-time home at 81 [[Broadcast Drive]] in [[Kowloon Tong]] and moved into a new facility in [[Tai Po]]. The original home was demolished in 2008–2009 and is now a residential development, called Meridian Hill.

The Tai Po production facilities cover {{convert|550000|sqft|m2}} and are three times larger than the old facilities on Broadcast Drive. The Tai Po facilities have four news studios, eight variety show and drama studios, and a range of digital broadcasting facilities. The largest studio covers {{convert|20000|sqft|m2}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onscreenasia.com/article/atv-greets-the-future-as-it-celebrates-the-past/1286 |title=ATV greets the future as it celebrates the past |publisher=onscreenasia.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511114858/http://onscreenasia.com/article/atv-greets-the-future-as-it-celebrates-the-past/1286 |archive-date=11 May 2015 }}</ref>
The new headquarters is the former site of [[Lee Kum Kee]]'s Hong Kong headquarters and factory operations.
<gallery widths="px" heights="px">
File:ATV HQ at Broadcast Drive 20060725.jpg|Former ATV headquarters on [[Broadcast Drive]] (demolished)
File:HK Ho Chung Che Kung Temple near ATV ppt.JPG|Former ATV studio building in [[Ho Chung]], [[Sai Kung District]]
File:HK ATV TaiPoHQ 2008.JPG|ATV headquarters in [[Tai Po Industrial Estate]], [[Tai Po District]]
</gallery>

==News operation==

[[File:ATV NewsCar MY3241 20071105.jpg|thumb|right|200px|ATV News vehicle]]
{{Main article|ATV News}}
ATV News was the news arm of ATV. It produced daily newscasts in [[Cantonese]], [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]], and English, which were seen on its Home, World, and News & Business Channels. Additional foreign news coverage was provided by [[CNN]] and [[CBS]]. The broadcaster was long recognized as pro-Beijing.<ref name="stan1" />

==Programming==

ATV aired a range of television programmes, including [[news]], [[infotainment]], drama, and variety shows. In addition to producing its shows, ATV acquired popular TV programmes from overseas markets to cater to changing audience tastes. Of note, ATV bought popular TV dramas from [[South Korea]] and [[mainland China]] for broadcast in prime time.

===Channels===
Before 2 April 2016, ATV operated six channels: the 24-hour [[ATV Home]] channel in [[Cantonese]]; the 24-hour [[ATV World]] channel in [[Standard English|English]]; the 24-hour Cantonese satellite channel '''ATV Overseas''', which was accessible in North America via satellite, and three digital [[Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast|DMB-T/H]] channels: '''[[ATV Asia]]''', a 24-hour [[High-definition video|high-definition]] channel; '''[[CCTV-1]]''', the general channel of [[China Central Television]].

Before 1 April 2009, the following DMB-T/H channels were in operation: '''News & Business''', a 24-hour news and finance news channel; '''His TV''', a 24-hour sports and infotainment channel aimed at men; '''Her TV''', a 24-hour lifestyle infotainment channel aimed at women; '''Plus TV''', a 24-hour documentary channel; and '''HDTV''', a 24-hour high-definition channel.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%; width:99.9%;"
|- style=" text-align:center;"
| style="width:4.1%;"| '''Area Served''' || style="width:6.4%;"| '''29 May 1957''' || style="width:6.2%;"| '''30 Sept. 1963''' || style="width:6.2%;"| '''4 Jan. 2002''' || style="width:6.2%;"| '''31 Dec. 2007''' || style="width:6.2%;"| '''1 Apr. 2009''' || style="width:6.2%;"| '''1 Oct. 2009''' || style="width:6.2%;"| '''1 Dec. 2010''' || style="width:6.2%;"| '''1 Mar. 2011''' || style="width:6.2%;"| '''1 Apr. 2011''' || style="width:6.2%;"| '''1 Oct. 2012''' || style="width:6.2%;"| '''31 Dec. 2012''' || style="width:6.4%;"| '''2 April 2016'''
|-align=center
| rowspan=8|Local (Hong Kong) || rowspan=2|'''[[Rediffusion Television]]''' || colspan=10| '''RTV Chinese''' → '''RTV1''' in 1967 → '''aTV Chinese''' in 1982 → '''aTV Gold''' in 1987 → '''[[aTV Home]]''' since 1989 (later renamed to '''aTV1''' prior to April 2009 following the launch of the digital TV on channel '''11''' by December 2007). || rowspan=8|{{color|red|'''All channels ceased broadcasting on terrestrial platforms upon the expiring of ATV's license, switching instead to [[Over-the-top media services|OTT broadcasting]] between 18 December 2017 and 29 January 2018. Its analogue spectrum was taken over by [[RTHK]] and its digital spectrum was partially taken over by [[ViuTV]].'''}}
|-align=center
| colspan=10| '''RTV English''' → '''RTV2''' in 1967 → '''aTV English''' in 1982 → '''aTV Diamond''' in 1987 → '''[[aTV World]]''' since 1989 (later renamed to '''aTV6''' prior to April 2009 following the launch of digital TV on channel '''16''' by December 2007).
|-align=center
| rowspan=6 colspan=3 |{{color|grey|N/A}} || '''aTV2'''<ref group=n>aTV2 News & Business Channel</ref> {{clear}} (Digital channel '''12''') ||colspan=7 rowspan=2| '''HD aTV''' (Digital channel '''12'''), renamed to '''[[ATV Asia]]''' on 2 May 2011.
|-align=center
| '''aTV9 HDTV''' (Digital channel '''19''')
|-align=center
| '''[[His TV|aTV3 His TV]]''' (Digital channel '''13''') || {{color|grey|''Vacant''}} || colspan=4 | '''[[Television Southern|TVS2*]]''' (Digital channel '''13''') || {{color|grey|''Vacant''}} || rowspan=2 | '''aTV Classic''' (Digital channel '''13''')
|-align=center
| '''[[Her TV|aTV4 Her TV]]''' (Digital channel '''14''') || colspan=4 | '''[[CTi International|CTi Asia]]''' (Digital channel '''14''') || colspan=2| {{color|grey|''Vacant''}} 
|-align=center
| '''[[Plus TV|aTV5 Plus TV]]''' (Digital channel '''15''') || colspan=3 | '''[[CCTV-4|CCTV4]]''' (Digital channel '''15''') || colspan=4 | '''[[CCTV-1|CCTV1]]''' (Digital channel '''15''')
|-align=center
| '''CCTV4''' (Digital channel '''17''') || colspan=2| {{color|grey|''Vacant''}} || colspan=5 | '''[[Shenzhen Media Group|SZTV]]''' (Digital channel '''17''')
|-align=center
| Americas || colspan=2|{{color|grey|N/A}} || colspan=9 | '''aTV Home (America)''', renamed to '''aTV Overseas''' on 20 January 2016.|| colspan=4 |{{color|red|'''Ceased broadcasting at 1:00 PM on 1 April 2016, followed by [[Rogers Cable]] channel 809 on 2 May 2016.'''}}
|-
|}
{{reflist|group=n}}

===Programmes on ATV Home===
{{see also|List of Asia Television series}}
ATV produced numerous classic TV dramas, including ''Super Stuntman'' ({{lang|yue-HK|獅王之王}}), ''Crocodile Tears'' ({{lang|yue-HK|鱷魚淚}}), ''[[My Date with a Vampire]]'', ''Fatherland'' ({{lang|yue-HK|大地恩情}}), ''Vampire Hero'' ({{lang|yue-HK|殭屍英雄}}), ''The Legend'', ''[[My Date with a Vampire 2]]'', ''[[The Legendary Fok]]'', ''[[My Date with a Vampire 3]]'', ''Central Affairs I and II'' ({{lang|yue-HK|情陷夜中環}}), ''[[Vampire Expert II]]'' and ''[[Reincarnated (TV series)|Reincarnated]]''. Productions of note in the 1990s include ''[[The Pride of Chaozhou]]'', ''Who is the Winner?'' ({{lang|yue-HK|勝者為王}}), ''Who is the Winner?! 2: King of Green Bat'', ''King of the Gambler'' ({{lang|yue-HK|千王之王重出江湖}}), and ''[[The Good Old Days (Hong Kong TV series)|The Good Old Days]]''.

In the 2000s, ATV created and hosted certain large-scale award shows. The most well-known would probably be ''The Annual Most Popular TV Commercial Awards'' ({{lang|yue-HK|十大電視廣告頒獎禮}}).

Other infotainment programmes like ''Stories From Afar'' ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|尋找他鄉的故事}}) ranked highly in the ''Appreciation Index Survey Best Television Awards'' ({{lang|yue-HK|香港電視節目欣賞指數}}), as reflected by a public review.

Some ATV programmes, such as the entertainment news show ''Hong Kong Today'' ({{lang|yue-HK|今日睇真D}}) and ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Hong Kong game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'', proved particularly popular, prompting local rival [[Television Broadcasts Limited|TVB]] to offer similar fare.

Asia Television used to air the British Science Fiction Programme ''[[Doctor Who]]'' and was responsible for returning one of their copies to the [[BBC]], when [[BBC Enterprises]] [[wiped]] many ''Doctor Who'' serials in the 1970s. [[The Tomb of the Cybermen]] returned in late 1991.

===Programmes on ATV World===
ATV World was one of two English-language channels that broadcast in Hong Kong. It offered a variety of programmes, mostly from the United States, ranging from popular serial dramas and films, to documentaries and educational shows. Among the shows it aired are ''[[Ally McBeal]]'', ''[[Survivor (American TV series)|Survivor]]'', ''[[Smallville]]'', ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'', ''[[Elizabeth I (TV miniseries)|Elizabeth I]]'', ''[[CSI: Miami]]'', ''[[Cold Case (TV series)|Cold Case]]'', ''[[CSI: NY]]'', ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'', ''[[The Closer]]'', ''[[Doctor Who]]'', and ''[[Ghost Whisperer]]''. ATV stopped carrying the talk show ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' {{As of|lc=on|2009|01|01}}, but there was a grass-roots movement to bring it back. Arts and sports programming were also offered (e.g. [[Hong Kong Jockey Club|local horse racing]], {{zh|t_hk=賽馬直擊|links=no}}). [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] and [[Korean language|Korean]] programmes were available on ATV World at off-peak hours.

ATV World's flagship English news programme was ''Main News and Weather Report at 7:30'', provided under the collective effort of [[ATV News]].

Given its focus on English-language programming in a predominantly Cantonese-speaking market, ATV World carried relatively little advertising and was subsidized by ATV Home. Free-to-air television companies in Hong Kong are required to provide an English-language service. In the face of competition from [[TVB Pearl]], ATV World switched focus from dramas and movies to documentaries and natural history shows, likely because such programming was less expensive to acquire. Although movies formerly aired on Saturdays, movies acquired by ATV were generally aired on Monday nights, leading to ''[[The Late News (ATV)|The Late News]]'' programme.

==Artistes==

===ATV Training Institute===
'''Asia Television Training Institute''' was founded to train people who are interested in joining the television industry. There are four faculties including television production, television artwork, television talent and technical production. Some of the graduates are offered work at ATV.

===Actor station-hopping===
Like TVB, ATV used a contract artist system, in which the station acted as both employer and [[Talent agent|booking agent]]. Artists were signed to contracts which meant that they could only appear in that station's programmes; the artists were kept on a basic wage with additional fees paid on a per episode or per appearance basis. Acting as an artiste's booking agent, the station would also have a veto in what personal appearances, endorsements, and advertisements an artiste may take, demanding a cut of all fees. Artistes would also be pushed to take jobs favored by the station, with artistes who rebelled and refused being put "on ice" ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|被雪}} or {{lang|zh-Hant-HK|雪藏}}), or being forced to see out their contract at the basic wage, but not being used in any of the station's programs and forbidden from any other work. Being put "on ice" effectively ends an artist's career until the contract lapses.

TVB is known to typecast their performers, with some always given lead roles and others always given supporting roles. As such, some actors left TVB for ATV in hopes of better opportunities, although in most cases the change of station could mean a drastic reduction in fame for the artist, as TVB is the dominant station in Hong Kong. The majority of the leading roles were given to veteran TVB actors. While some veteran TVB actors merely switched sides because their contracts ended, some joined because they were offered better compensation and positions than veteran TVB actors. There were several known incidents where TVB had certain dramas planned and were forced to cancel or rewrite scripts because the star(s) of the role left for other opportunities and vice versa. While TVB also acquired ATV actors, the cross-over was higher in frequency with TVB actors to ATV.

With the disbandment of ATV's in-house drama department and the station's retreat from making its dramas, there was no longer any work for its actors and most have since found alternative employment.

===Past ATV personalities===
{{update|section|date=July 2015}}
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Alice Chan]] – now at TVB
* [[Astrid Chan]] – 1999–2004; returned to TVB
* [[Kenneth Chan Kai-tai|Kenneth Chan]] – formerly TVB, now working for Cable TV
* [[Ruco Chan]] – now at TVB
* [[Joyce Chen (actress, born 1975)|Joyce Chen]] – formerly TVB, now a disc jockey
* [[Saladin Chen]] 1991–1998
* [[Leslie Cheung]] – formerly from RTV, 1977–1982; former TVB artist, 1982–1985; deceased
* [[Valerie Chow]] – Formerly of TVB – no longer an actress
* [[Giovanni Chu]]
* [[Fang Fong]] – 1998–1999
* [[Eddy Ko]] 1990–2000; has returned to TVB
* [[Elena Kong]] – now at TVB
* [[Wayne Lai]] – 2000; returned to TVB
* [[Gilbert Lam]] - returned and now at TVB
* [[Thomas Lam]]
* [[Damian Lau]] 1981–1987, Freelance now
* [[Hawick Lau]] – former TVB artist; 1-year contract at ATV in 2006; Freelance now
* [[Patricia Liu]] – formerly from TVB, no longer acting and lives in the US
* [[Gallen Lo]] – 1983–1984; now at TVB
* [[Annie Man]] – 1993–1999; Freelance now
* [[Joey Meng]] – now at TVB
* [[Felius Pang]] – no longer acting
* [[Lydia Shum|Lydia Sum]] 1990s; returned to TVB; deceased
* [[Van Der Slogan]] 1988–1999; retired
* [[Sheren Tang]] 1995–1996; has returned to TVB
* [[Michael Tao]] – 1999–2004; has returned to TVB
* [[Kristal Tin]] – now at TVB
* [[Raymond Wong Ho-yin]] – now at TVB
* [[Quener Wu]] – 1984–1988, retired
* [[Michelle Ye]] 2005–?; Freelance now
* [[Claire Yiu]] 1998–2001; now at TVB
}}

==Criticism and controversies==

=== Hitler advertisement ===
In 1994, ATV controversially ran a two-page advertisement in the ''[[South China Morning Post]]'' promoting marketing opportunities, featuring a full-page picture of [[Adolf Hitler]] surrounded by members of the [[Hitler Youth]].<ref>[https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/11/14/Hong-Kong-editor-apologizes-for-ad-slur/1894784789200/ Hong Kong editor apologizes for ad slur], [[UPI]], 14 November 1994</ref> It suggested that, had Hitler been able to advertise on ATV, he would have "been assured of total domination" and have "had them [[sieg heil]]ing from [[Shanghai]] to [[Guangzhou]]" before adding that advertisers should contact the station or their advertising agency, "before you come up with your [[Final Solution|final solution]]".<ref>[http://adage.com/article/news/hitler-theme-ad-sparks-furor-asia-television-agency-south-china-morning-post-apologize/89203/ Hitler-theme Ad Sparks Furor, Asia Television, South China Morning Post Apologize] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413145311/http://adage.com/article/news/hitler-theme-ad-sparks-furor-asia-television-agency-south-china-morning-post-apologize/89203/ |date=13 April 2016 }}, ''[[Advertising Age]]'', 21 November 1994</ref>

This was condemned as "extremely tasteless" by the [[List of diplomatic missions of Germany|German Consul-General]], who added that the advertisement "hurts the feelings of the many victims of totalitarianism and fascism",<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/article/96091/atvs-hitler-advertisement-poor-taste ATV's Hitler advertisement is in poor taste] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002025415/http://www.scmp.com/article/96091/atvs-hitler-advertisement-poor-taste |date=2 October 2016 }}, Wolfgang Göttelmann, ''[[South China Morning Post]]'', 16 November 1994</ref> and as "outrageous and unbelievable" by his [[List of diplomatic missions of Israel|Israeli counterpart]].<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/article/96089/atvs-hitler-advertisement-poor-taste ATV's Hitler advertisement is in poor taste] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513175023/http://www.scmp.com/article/96089/atvs-hitler-advertisement-poor-taste |date=13 May 2018 }}, Nachman Perel, ''[[South China Morning Post]]'', 16 November 1994</ref> The [[Jews in Hong Kong|United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong]] also condemned it as "disgusting", claiming that it "carries the newspaper to the very brink of moral bankruptcy", and was "an insult to the memories of all of Hitler's victims".<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/article/96078/atvs-hitler-advertisement-poor-taste ATV's Hitler advertisement is in poor taste] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002172715/http://www.scmp.com/article/96078/atvs-hitler-advertisement-poor-taste |date=2 October 2016 }}, Rabbi Howard Kosovske, ''[[South China Morning Post]]'', 16 November 1994</ref>

=== Pro-Beijing slant ===
News programmes broadcast by ATV were deemed by some observers to have taken on a [[pro-Beijing]] bias, reporting news involving pro-democracy political forces in Hong Kong in a negative light. A short talk show on current affairs that aired after the six o'clock news frequently invited pro-Beijing advocates to air their views, often praising the PRC's policies and criticising pro-democratic parties, especially when these parties invoked a demonstration. There were also other pro-democratic guests, but this did not balance out the pro-Beijing bias. TVB's news programming is similarly criticised for its "pro-establishment" stance. Although the Hong Kong media has the [[freedom of speech]], [[self-censorship]] is commonly practised at media organisations whose owners have business interests in mainland China. A shift in ownership of ATV in mid-2006 sparked concern that ATV would become even more pro-Beijing.

For example, the pro-democracy [[Hong Kong 1 July marches|1 July marches]] usually make the headline news on TVB, but ATV usually makes the pro-Beijing counter protests the headline news. ATV also attempted to dilute the pro-democracy message of the marches by saying the participants had different messages.

In September 2012, there was outrage after ATV broadcast a news article claiming that opponents of Hong Kong's pro-CCP "National Education" classes for students were "destructive forces" which were backed by London and Washington and sought to "destroy Hong Kong by all possible means".<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1029635/10000-complain-over-atv-programme-calling-scholarism-pawn 10,000 complain over ATV programme calling Scholarism a 'pawn'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002014708/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1029635/10000-complain-over-atv-programme-calling-scholarism-pawn |date=2 October 2016 }}, ''[[South China Morning Post]]'', 5 September 2012</ref> Members of the student advocacy group Scholarism were labelled as "naive teenagers" who have allowed themselves to be "exploited by politicians" and are ruining their own futures by "playing with politics".<ref name="Hong Kong's ATV: London and Washington behind anti-National Education protests">{{cite web|url=http://shanghaiist.com/2012/09/04/hong_kongs_atv_london_and_washingto.php|title=Hong Kong's ATV: London and. Washington behind anti-National Education protests|work=Shanghaiist|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829025147/http://shanghaiist.com/2012/09/04/hong_kongs_atv_london_and_washingto.php|archive-date=29 August 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Companies}}
*[[Media of Hong Kong#Media|Media of Hong Kong]]
*[[Television in Hong Kong]]
*[[List of television stations in Hong Kong]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Asia Television Limited}}
*[http://www.hkatv.com Official Site]
*[http://hongwrong.com/abandoned-atv-studios/ Photographs of the abandoned ATV studios in Ho Chung]
*[http://www.coms-auth.hk/en/home/index.html Communications Authority]

{{Television in Hong Kong}}
{{European Broadcasting Union Members}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Asia Television| ]]
[[Category:Television stations in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1957]]
[[Category:1957 establishments in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1957]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2016]]
[[Category:2016 disestablishments in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Defunct television networks]]