Hong Kong – Digital broadcasting has commenced in Hong Kong with digital terrestrial television (DTT) services officially launched by free-to-air broadcasters Television Broadcasts Ltd. (TVB) and Asia Television Ltd. (ATV) on Dec 31, 2007. The initial launch serves up to half of Hong Kong’s population, covering areas in Kowloon, north Hong Kong Island, part of Sha Tin and east Lantau Island. ATV and TVB are simulcasting their existing four TV channels in digital format, and will launch new free channels in standard and high definition. The stations will continue to broadcast in analogue format to allow viewers to switch to DTT broadcasts at their own pace. Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive Donald Tsang, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Frederick Ma, Permanent Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau and representatives of Hong Kong’s two TV stations officiated the launch. Ma expects digital broadcasting to bring a wider array of programmes and entertainment, as well as a new audio-visual experience with HD programming becoming available. He said, “The use of digital technologies could release spectrum for the development of new multimedia services and lead Hong Kong to scale new heights in the technology arena.” The government is helping ATV and TVB accelerate construction of their digital networks and targets to provide up to 75% coverage by August this year to provide more than 5 million Hong Kong citizens with digital broadcasts of the 2008 Beijing Olympics which commences Aug 8 2008.