After VTC was forced to stop broadcasting VTC1 channel in HCM City on May 4, the HCM City Television (HTV) on May 7 had to stop airing three channels, HTV1, HTV3 and HTV4.

The Centre for Frequency Control of Region 2 has confirmed the above information. Accordingly, HTV has to stop broadcasting on channel 27 (HTV3 – a channel for children), channel 35 (HTV4 – education and science), and channel 46 (HTV1 – news).

HTV has to halt broadcasting the three above channels because the station has been airing the channels with analog technology without being licenced to use frequencies and wireless equipment (the same violation as VTC). HTV covers HCM City and neighboring provinces.

So far, at least four TV channels, including one of VTC and three of HTV have had to stop broadcasting for violating rules on frequency and broadcasting equipment.

In addition, from now to the end of May, VTC will have to stop airing two more channels, including channel 51 (VTC9) and channel 52 (VTC7), raising the total number of TV channels that have to stop airing in HCM City and neighboring provinces to six.

Meanwhile, the Binh Phuoc Province Radio and Television Station (BPTV) said that after VTC stopped airing VTC1 on channel 25, BPTV programmes have come to viewers in Binh Phuoc and neighboring localities.

According to BPTV, VTC began illegally broadcasting its channel in 2006, jamming BPTV’s broadcasting in the southeastern region. As a result, many Binh Phuoc families couldn’t watch BPTV.

On May 7, the General Director of HTV, Huynh Van Nam, said that HTV would not broadcast HTV1, HTV3 and HTV4 using analog technology but these channels would still be available to households with digital, cable and satellite systems.

According to a representative of HTV3, this incident will not affect HTV much because up to 90% of HCM City residents are using cable TV services, according to statistics by TNS.

VietNamNet/TT