More than 7,000 people have pledged online their support for and presence at the public protest against the Hong Kong government’s decision not to award HKTV a free-to-air licence. The two Facebook posts invite supporters of the network to join in on either of two protest routes on Sunday, October 20, 2013. 

The first requests supporters to assemble at Central Pier 9, dressed in black, and the second parade calls for support at East Point Road. 

There is no indication that either of the posts originated from Ricky Wong or HKTV.

Also, according to the South China Morning Post, Wong announced after the government’s decision was revealed that 320 of HKTV’s 500 staff will lose their jobs at the end of October 2013.

On October 15, 2013, two new FTA television licences were awarded to i-Cable’s Fantastic TV and PCCW’s HK Television Entertainment Company. The South China Morning Post reported that the stations are expected to start two new channels in a year after securing their licences.

The report added that a consultant’s report had shown HKTV, previously known as City Telecom, to be the weakest applicant, and that the licences were approved with no political considerations, but that this decision is against the Broadcasting Authority’s earlier recommendation that all three licences be granted.