As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 21, 2011April 29, 2015

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DCD.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

 

¨REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR 12(G) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

or

 

xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the yearsixteen months ended AugustDecember 31, 20112014

or

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             orto            

 

¨SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report

Commission file number: 000-30354

 

 

City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited

(Exact nameName of registrantRegistrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,

The People’s Republic of China

(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

Level 39, Tower 1, Metroplaza13th Floor, Trans Asia Centre

No. 223 Hing Fong Road18 Kin Hong Street

Kwai Chung, New Territories

Hong Kong

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Mr.Ms. Wong Nga Lai, Ni QuiaqueAlice

12th13th Floor, Trans Asia Centre

No.18 Kin Hong Street

Kwai Chung, New Territories

Hong Kong

Telephone : (852) 3145 60686888

Facsimile : (852) 2199 84458354

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

 


Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title Of Each Class

 

Name Of Each Exchange On Which Registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing

20 Ordinary Shares par value HK$0.10 per share

 The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Ordinary Shares, par value HK$0.10 per share*Shares* The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC*

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:SECURITIESREGISTEREDORTOBEREGISTEREDPURSUANTTO SECTION 12(G)OFTHE ACT:

NoneNONE

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:SECURITIESFORWHICHTHEREISAREPORTINGOBLIGATIONPURSUANTTO SECTION 15(D)OFTHE ACT:

NoneNONE

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: 771,911,853809,016,643 Ordinary Shares, par value HK$0.10 per shareShares.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    ¨Yes    ¨  No¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer¨             Accelerated filerx            Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAP  ¨                 International Financial Reporting Standards as issued  x                 Other  ¨

US GAAP  ¨

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued  x

          by the International Accounting Standards Board

by the International Accounting Standards Board

Other  ¨

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has selected to follow.    Item 17  ¨    Item 18¨

If this report is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

*Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares

 

 

 


ContentsTABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Use of defined and technical termsPART I

 14  

Currency translationITEM 1 IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

 24  

Note regarding forward-looking statementsITEM 2 OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 34  
Special note on our financial information presented in this annual reportITEM 3 KEY INFORMATION 4  
A.

PART ISelected Financials

 54  
B.

ITEM 1Capitalization and indebtedness

 IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS5

ITEM 2

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE5

ITEM 3

KEY INFORMATION58  
A.Selected financial data5
B.Capitalization and indebtedness11
C.

Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds

 128  
D.

Risk factors

 12

ITEM 4

Information on the Company198  
ITEM 4 INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY18
A.

History and development of the Company

 1918  
B.

Business overview

 20  
C.

Regulatory frameworkOrganizational structure

 2831  
D.

Organizational structureProperty, plant and equipment

 3532  
E.ITEM 4A UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS Property, plant and equipment36

ITEM 5

Operating and financial review and prospects3732  
A.ITEM 5 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS Operating results3732  
A.

Operating results

33
B.

Liquidity and capital resources

 39
C.

Research and development, patents and licenses

41
D.

Trend information

41
E.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

41
F.

Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations

42
G.

Safe Harbor

42
ITEM 6 DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES42
A.

Directors and senior management

42
B.

Compensation

 44  
C.

Research and development, patents and licensesBoard practices

 44
D.

Employees

 46  
D.Trend information46
E.

Off-balance sheet arrangementsShare ownership

46
F.Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations 47  
G.ITEM 7 MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION Safe Harbor47

ITEM 6

Directors, senior management and employees4749  
A.

Directors and senior managementMajor shareholders

 4749  
B.

CompensationRelated party transactions

 49
C.

Interests of experts and counsel

 50  
C.ITEM 8 FINANCIAL INFORMATIONBoard practices 50  
D.A.

Consolidated statements and other financial information

 Employees50  
B.

Significant changes

50
ITEM 9 THE OFFER AND LISTING50
A.

Offer and listing details

50
B.

Plan of distribution

 52  
E.Share ownershipC.

Markets

 52  
D.

ITEM 7Selling shareholders

 Major shareholders and related party transaction5552  
A.E.

Dilution

 Major shareholders5552  
F.

Expenses of the issue

52
ITEM 10 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION53
A.

Share capital

53
B.

Related party transactionsMemorandum and Articles of Association

 53
C.

Material contracts

 56  
C.Interests of experts and counselD.56

ITEM 8Exchange controls

Financial information56
A.Consolidated statements and other financial information56
B.Significant changes56

ITEM 9

The offer and listing 57  
A.Offer and listing detailsE.

Taxation

 57  
B.F.

Dividends and paying agents

 Plan of distribution5962  
C.G.

Statement by experts

 Markets5962  
D.H.

Documents on display

 Selling shareholders5962  
E.I.

Subsidiary information

 Dilution5962  
F.ITEM 11 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Expenses of the issue59

ITEM 10

Additional information5962  
A.ITEM 12 DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES Share capital5962  
B.A.

Debt securities

 Memorandum and Articles of Association5962  
B.

Warrants and rights

62
C.

Material contractsOther securities

 63  
D.Exchange controls63
E.Taxation63
F.Dividends and paying agents67
G.Statement by experts67
H.Documents on display67
I.Subsidiary information67

ITEM 11

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk68

ITEM 12

Description of securities other than equity securities68
A.Debt securities68
B.Warrants and rights68
C.Other securities68
D.American depositary shares

 6863  

 

i


PART II

 6369
ITEM 13 DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES63

ITEM 14 MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEED

64
ITEM 15 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES64  

ITEM 13A.

Disclosure and procedures

 Defaults, dividend arrearages and delinquencies69

ITEM 14

Material modifications to the rights of security holders and use of proceeds69

ITEM 15

Controls and procedures6964  
A.Disclosure controls and procedures69

B.

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting

 6964  
C.

C.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 7064  
D.

D.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 70

ITEM 16A

Audit committee financial expert70

ITEM 16B

Code of ethics71

ITEM 16C

Principal accountant fees and services71

ITEM 16D

Exemptions from the listing standards for audit committees71

ITEM 16E

Purchase of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers71

ITEM 16F

Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant71

ITEM 16G

Corporate Governance7265  

PART IIIITEM 16A AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 7265  

ITEM 17

16B CODE OF ETHICS
 Financial statements7265  

ITEM 18

16C PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 Financial statements7265  

ITEM 19

16D EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
 66
ExhibitsITEM 16E PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS 6672
ITEM 16F CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT66
ITEM 16G CORPORATE GOVERNANCE66
ITEM 16H MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE67
PART III67
ITEM 17 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS67
ITEM 18 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS67
ITEM 19 EXHIBITS67  

 

ii


Use of defined and technical termsUSE OF DEFINED TERMS

Except as otherwise indicated by the context, references in this annual report to:

 

“Android” are to the operating system for mobile devices produced by Google.

“Apple Device” are to the electronic devices designed and produced by Apple Inc. including iPhone and iPad.

“ADSL” are to the asymmetric digital subscriber line technology;

“Articles” are to the Company’s existing Memorandum and Articles;

“City Telecom” or the “Company” are to City Telecom (H.K.) Limited;

“Category 5e copper wiring” are to certain network cabling commonly used for Ethernet network;

“Ethernet” are to a family of computer networking technology for local area networks;

“fiscal year” or “fiscal” are to the Company’s fiscal year ended August 31 for the year referenced;

“FMIC” are to an interconnection charge for circuit-switched traffic between a fixed network operator and a mobile network operator.

“FTNS business” are to our business segment in which we provide fixed telecommunications network services, including dial up and broadband Internet access services, local VoIP services, IP-TV services and corporate data services;

“FTNS Licenses” are to the licenses issued by the Hong Kong regulatory authorities for fixed telecommunications network services;

“GPON” are to Gigabit Passive Optical Network;

“Group” are to the Company and its subsidiaries;

“Hong Kong Companies Ordinance” are to Chapter 32 of the laws of Hong Kong;

“HKBA” or the “Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority” are to an independent statutory body established by the Hong Kong government for the regulation of the broadcasting industry in Hong Kong;

“HKBN” are to Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;

“HKFRSs” are to Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants;

“HKMA” or “Hong Kong Monetary Authority” are to the government authority in Hong Kong responsible for maintaining monetary and banking stability in Hong Kong;

“HKSE Listing Rules” are to Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited;

“IDD business” are to our business segment in which we provide international direct dialing telecommunications services, including international long distance call services;

“IFRSs” are to International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board;

“Internet” are to the most common global system of interconnected computer networks with a standard protocol suite;

“IP” are to Internet Protocol, the most commonly used set of rules for dispatching data across the Internet;

“IP-TV services” are to pay-television services through Internet Protocol;

“Articles”

are to the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association;

“Broadcasting Ordinance”

are to the Broadcasting Ordinance (Chapter 562 of the laws of Hong Kong);

“CA”

are to the Communications Authority, a unified Hong Kong regulatory body for the broadcasting and the telecommunications sectors, which has taken over the functions and responsibilities of the HKBA and the Hong Kong Telecommunications Authority since April 1, 2012;

“Centre”

are to the Television and Multimedia Production Centre under construction in Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate in Hong Kong;

“DTMB”

are to Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast, a standard widely adopted in the PRC, Hong Kong and Macau for the transmission of television to mobile and fixed terminals;

“Exchange Act”

are to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

“fiscal 2010”

are to the period of twelve months from September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010;

“fiscal 2011”

are to the period of twelve months from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2011;

“fiscal 2012”

are to the period of twelve months from September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012;

“fiscal 2013”

are to the period of twelve months from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013;

“fiscal 2014”

are to the period of sixteen months from September 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014;

“free TV license”

are to a domestic free television programme service licence issued under the Broadcasting Ordinance

“FTNS Business”

are to our former business segment in which we provided fixed telecommunications network services, including dial-up and broadband Internet access services, local VoIP services, IP-TV services and corporate data services;

“Group”

are to the Company and its subsidiaries;

“Guangzhou Agreement”

are to the sale and purchase agreement dated April 19, 2012 entered into by the Company and Metropolitan Light (HK) Company Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metropolitan Light Company Limited;

“Hong Kong Companies Ordinance”

are to Chapter 622 of the laws of Hong Kong;

“HKBA” or the “Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority”

are to an independent statutory body established by the Hong Kong government for the regulation of the broadcasting industry in Hong Kong;

“HKBN”

are to Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited, a former wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company;

“HKMA” or “Hong Kong Monetary Authority”

are to the government authority in Hong Kong responsible for maintaining monetary and banking stability in Hong Kong;

“HKSE”

are to The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited;

“HKSE Listing Rules”

are to Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the HKSE;

“HKTV” or the “Company”

are to Hong Kong Television Network Limited;

“IDD Business”

are to our former business segment in which we provided international direct dialing telecommunications services, including international long distance call services;

“IFRS”

are to International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board;

“Mobile TV Acquisition”

are to our acquisition on December 20, 2013 of the entire issued share capital of the Target Company pursuant to an option exercised by the Company under an agreement dated August 16, 2013 entered into between the Company and the Vendor;

“Mobile TV Spectrum”

are to the frequency at 678 – 686 MHz and microwave link in the frequency range of 7910 – 7920 MHz for the provision of broadcast-type mobile television services;

“Multimedia Business”

are to our business in which we provide multimedia production and distribution and other multimedia related services, including the offer of television programming through our OTT platform, our online shopping operation, multimedia and drama productions, content distribution and other related services;

“Nasdaq”

are to The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC;

“OTT”

are to Over-The-Top, which is the delivery of multimedia content over the Internet;

“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”

are to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

“SEC”

are to the Securities and Exchange Commission;

“Securities Act”

are to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

“Supplementary Financial Information”

are to the Company’s unaudited financial information relating to the twelve months ended August 31, 2014 and four months ended December 31, 2014;

“Talents”

are to all individuals employed by us, including the directors of the Company;

“Target Company”or“HKMTV”

are to Hong Kong Mobile Television Network Limited (formerly China Mobile Hong Kong Corporation Limited), a company incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability and, prior to the Mobile TV Acquisition, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vendor;

“Telecom Group Agreement”

are to the sale and purchase agreement dated March 31, 2012 entered into between the Company and Metropolitan Light Company Limited in relation to the disposal of 100% of the issued share capital of City Telecom International Limited, Credibility Holdings Limited and Automedia Holdings Limited;

“Telecom Business”

are to the disposed businesses, which include the FTNS Business and IDD Business;

“Unified Carrier License”

are to a unified carrier licence issued by the Communications Authority to the Target Company;

“Vendor”

are to China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability and an wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile Limited, a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the main board of the HKSE; and

“we”, “us” or “our”

are to Hong Kong Television Network Limited and/or its subsidiaries, as the context requires.

“ISR” or “international simple resale” are to a telecommunication methodology by which operators are allowed to pool traffic to a particular destination and send it down an international leased line, whereby such operator is able to charge its customers a per-minute fee while itself pays a lower fixed charged for leased line rental;

“Metro Ethernet” are to a computer network that covers a metropolitan area and that is based on the Ethernet standard;

“Mbps” are to megabits per second;

“Next Generation Network” are to our broadband packet-based fixed-line telecommunication network which utilizes Metro Ethernet and GPON technologies;

“OFTA” or the “Office of the Telecommunications Authority” are to an independent statutory body established by the Hong Kong government for the regulation of the telecommunications industry in Hong Kong;

“PNETS Licenses” are to licenses issued by the Hong Kong regulatory authorities for the public non-exclusive telecommunications services;

“Talents” are to all individuals employed by our Group including the directors of our Company;

“UC License” are to the Unified Carrier License issued by the Hong Kong regulatory authorities for fixed and mobile telecommunication services;

“USC” are to universal service contribution made to PCCW-HKT, a local carrier in Hong Kong, as specified in an arrangement established by OFTA of Hong Kong, in order to fund the network development costs for certain remote areas in Hong Kong;

“US GAAP” are to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States;

“Video-On-Demand” are to systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand;

“VDSL” are to the very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line technology; and

“VoIP” are to voice over internet protocol.

Currency translationCURRENCY TRANSLATION

We publish our consolidated financial statements in Hong Kong dollars. In this annual report, references to “Hong Kong dollars” or “HK$” are to the currency of Hong Kong, and references to “U.S. dollars” or “US$” are to the currency of the United States. This annual report contains translations of Hong Kong dollar amounts into U.S. dollar amounts solely for your convenience. Unless otherwise indicated, the translations have been made at US$1.00 = HK$7.7876,7.7531, which was the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on AugustDecember 31, 2011.2014. On December 9, 2011April 24, 2015, the exchange rate was US$1.00 = HK$7.7817.7.7499. You should not construe these translations as representations that the Hong Kong dollar amounts actually represent such U.S. dollar amounts or could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rates indicated or at any other rates.

Note regarding forward-looking statementsPRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Unless otherwise indicated, the financial information in this annual report has been prepared in accordance with IFRS. The significant IFRS accounting policies applied to our financial information in this annual report have been applied consistently.

NO INCORPORATION OF WEBSITE INFORMATION

The content of our website does not form part of this annual report.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report contains forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These include statements with respect to City Telecom and our plans, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts.beliefs. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “continue”, “plan”, “predict”, “project” or other similar words. TheAll statements other than statements of historical fact included in this annual report, including statements regarding our future financial position, strategy, projects costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to us.forward-looking statements.

These assumptions involve risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievementsthose expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation:include:

 

technological changes;

our ability to identify and implement other business plans for the development of our Multimedia Business after the rejection on our application for a free TV license by the government of Hong Kong and the unfavorable reply from the CA for the adoption of DTMB as the transmission standard for the proposed mobile television service in the absence of a free TV license;

 

our ability to evaluate and introduce different distribution channels, platforms and approaches to distribute our completed programs;

our ability to introduce new services to the market and the popularity of those new services to the market;

our ability to integrate and manage our strategic acquisitions;

changes in our regulatory environment, including changes in rules and policies promulgated by regulatory agencies from time to time;

environment;

 

increasing competition in the telecommunications, Internet access, local VoIP, pay-televisionmultimedia market, including the television programming and corporate data markets;

content production market in Hong Kong and the international content licensing and distribution market;

 

increasing competition in the online shopping market;

viewer preferences regarding self-produced and purchased content;

consumer viewing and purchasing habits;

the benefits we expect to derive from our Next Generation Network, which utilize Metro Ethernet and GPON technologies,the Centre under construction in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate in Hong Kong, on which we have been making significant capital investments;

intend to resume construction depending on business developments, the result of our applications for a free TV license and the outcome of the judicial review relating to our mobile TV license;

 

the stability and continued development of the telecommunications network of our abilityprior Telecom Business, to maintain growthwhich the Company is granted a 20-year indefeasible right of use and successfully introduce new services;

which is intended to form one of the main channels of distribution in Hong Kong for the Company’s television and multimedia content;

 

the continued development and stability of our technological infrastructure, a platform through which our local and international telecommunications, Internet access, local VoIP, IP-TV and corporate data services are offered;

contrary to our telecommunications business with 19 years operational track record, our business expansion intolimited experience in multimedia production, content distribution and free TV subject to license grant, is a new line ofthe online shopping business, for us, for which we lack direct experience, thereby making forecasting much more difficult; and

 

changes in technology; and

changes in the localHong Kong and global economic environment.

environments.

When considering such forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the factors described in Item 3 “Key information — risk factors”Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements appearing in Item 5 “Operating and financial reviewFinancial Review and prospects”Prospects” of this annual report. Such risk factors and statements describe circumstances that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Additionally, new risk factors can emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.

Special note on our financial information presentedAll forward-looking statements included in this annual report are based on information available to us on the date of this annual report. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained throughout this annual report.

PART I

Our consolidated

ITEM 1IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable

ITEM 2OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable

ITEM 3KEY INFORMATION

A. Selected Financials

Historical financial statementsinformation

The following table presents our selected historical financial data as of and for the yearstwelve months ended August 31, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2011 included in this annual report on Form 20-F have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or the IASB. Pursuant to the requirement under IFRS 1: First-Time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS 1, the date of our transition to IFRSs was September 1, 2007, which is the beginning of the earliest period for which we presented full comparative information in our consolidated financial statements in our annual report for the year ended August 31, 2009. With due regard to our accounting policies in previous periods2013, and the requirements of IFRS 1, we have concluded that no adjustments were required to the amounts reported under HKFRSs as of September 1, 2007 or in respect of the yearsixteen months ended AugustDecember 31, 2008.

In accordance with rule amendments adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, which became effective on March 4, 2008, we are not required to provide reconciliation to U.S. GAAP.

PART I

ITEM 1 IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2 OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

ITEM 3 KEY INFORMATION

A.Selected financial data

City Telecom’s historical financial information

The following table presents selected historical financial data of our Company as of and for each of the years in the five-year period ended August 31, 2011.2014. Except for amounts presented in U.S. dollars, the selected historical consolidated income statement data and other financial data for the yearstwelve months ended August 31, 2009, 20102012 and 20112013 and the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014, and the selected historical consolidated balance sheet data as of August 31, 20102013 and 2011December 31, 2014, set forth below are derived from, should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to our audited consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.report. The selected historical consolidated income statement data for the yearstwelve months ended August 31, 20072010 and 20082011 and the selected historical consolidated balance sheet data as of August 31, 2007, 20082010, 2011 and 20092012 set forth below are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this annual report on Form 20-F.report. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with InternationalIFRS.

You should read the selected financial data in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and Item 5 “Operating and Financial Reporting Standards, orReview and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate our expected results for any future periods.

Pursuant to a resolution of the Board dated August 29, 2014, the Company’s financial year end date has been changed from August 31 to December 31 in order to unify the financial year-end dates of the Company and its subsidiaries and align with the business cycle of the Group’s potential customers in the retail e-commerce industry and the multimedia advertising industry. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements, and the selected financial information below, for the current financial period cover a period of sixteen months from September 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. As the fiscal 2010 through fiscal 2013 figures are not directly comparable with those of the current financial period, financial information for the twelve months ended August 31, 2014 and the four months ended December 31, 2014 prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued byhas been presented to enhance comparability. This supplementary financial information has not been audited. For further information, see Note 1 to the International Accounting Standards Board.consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

Selected consolidated income statement data:

 

   For the year ended August 31, 
   2008  2009  2010  2011  2011 
   HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  US$ 
   (Amounts in thousands except per share data and number of ordinary  shares) 

Revenue:

      

- FTNS business

   1,011,038    1,230,880    1,356,098    1,484,324    190,601  

- IDD business

   291,943    247,359    218,589    197,134    25,314  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating revenue

   1,302,981    1,478,239    1,574,687    1,681,458    215,915  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Network costs and costs of sales:

      

- FTNS business

   (103,524  (107,670  (144,347  (177,302  (22,767

- IDD business

   (74,843  (67,459  (50,945  (35,013  (4,496
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total network costs and costs of sales

   (178,367  (175,129  (195,292  (212,315  (27,263
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

   (966,094  (1,037,964  (1,105,604  (1,097,164  (140,886

Interest expense, net

   (59,541  (50,258  (10,863  (2,993  (384

Other income/(expense), net

   9,393    36,671    (3,383  3,883    499  

Income taxes benefit/(expense)

   16,818    (38,730  (42,679  (58,954  (7,570
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income

   125,190    212,829    216,866    313,915    40,311  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share (cents)

   19.7    32.4    30.7    40.8    5.2  

Diluted earnings per share (cents) (note 1)

   19.0    31.8    29.4    39.6    5.1  

Dividends per share attributable to the year (cents)

   6.0    19.0    20.0    30.0    3.9  

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

   634,015    657,201    706,605    768,807    768,807  

Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares (note 2)

   657,997    668,384    736,616    792,799    792,799  
   Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2010
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2011
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2012
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2013
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2014
  Four
months
ended
December 31,
2014
  Sixteen
months
ended
December 31,
2014
  Sixteen
months
ended
December 31,
2014
 
   HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  US$ 
   (in thousands, except per share data) 

Continuing operations:

          

Turnover

   —      —      3,762    7,802    1,391    21,636    23,027    2,970  

Cost of sales

   —      —      (6,006  (15,706  (560  (27,207  (27,767  (3,581

Valuation gains on investment properties

   —      —      18,200    43,400    1,800    2,100    3,900    503  

Other operating expenses

   (21,932  (23,481  (104,960  (201,514  (245,581  (98,218  (343,799  (44,344

Other income/(loss), net

   (7,696  3,456    19,920    128,909    117,702    29,907    147,609    19,038  

Finance costs, net

   (21,289  (7,303  (2,455  (4,860  (5,751  (2,016  (7,767  (1,002

Impairment losses/ write off of assets

   —      —      —      —      (32,000  —      (32,000  (4,127
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

 (50,917 (27,328 (71,539 (41,969 (162,999 (73,798 (236,797 (30,543

Income tax (expenses)/ credit

 (5,611 (4,782 (2,281 1,659   (145 (60 (205 (26
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations

 (56,528 (32,110 (73,820 (40,310 (163,144 (73,858 (237,002 (30,569
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

Profit from discontinued operations (net of tax)

 273,394   346,025   3,771,694   —     —     —     —     —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(Loss)/profit for the period

 216,866   313,915   3,697,874   (40,310 (163,144 (73,858 (237,002 (30,569
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

Equity shareholders of the Company

 

-Continuing operations

 (56,528 (32,110 (71,406 (40,310 (163,144 (73,858 (237,002 (30,569

-Discontinued operations

 273,394   346,025   3,771,694   —     —     —     —     —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
 216,866   313,915   3,700,288   (40,310 (163,144 (73,858 (237,002 (30,569
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

 

-Continuing operations

 —     —     (2,414 —     —     —     —     —    

-Discontinued operations

 —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
 —     —     (2,414 —     —     —     —     —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(Loss)/profit for the period

 216,866   313,915   3,697,874   (40,310 (163,144 (73,858 (237,002 (30,569
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share (cents)

 

-Continuing and discontinued operations

 30.7  40.8  471.9   (5.0 (20.2 (9.1 (29.3 (3.8

-Continuing operations

 (8.0) (4.1) (9.0 (5.0 (20.2 (9.1 (29.3 (3.8

-Discontinued operations

 38.7  44.9  480.9   —     —     —     —     —    

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share (cents)(1)

 

-Continuing and discontinued operations

 29.4  39.6   465.1   (5.0 (20.2 (9.1 (29.3 (3.8

-Continuing operations

 (7.7) (4.1 (9.0 (5.0 (20.2 (9.1 (29.3 (3.8

-Discontinued operations

 37.1   43.7   474.1   —     —     —     —     —    

Selected consolidated balance sheet data:

 

  As of August 31,   August 31,
2010
 August 31,
2011
 August 31,
2012
 August 31,
2013
 August 31,
2014
 December 31,
2014
 December 31,
2014
 
  

2008

HK$

 

2009

HK$

 

2010

HK$

 

2011

HK$

 

2011

US$

   HK$ HK$ HK$ HK$ HK$ HK$ US$ 
  (Amounts in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Total assets

   2,093,410    1,790,408    2,251,549    2,264,462    290,778     2,251,549   2,264,462   3,537,356   3,833,047   4,098,256   3,938,437   507,982  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

10-year senior notes due 2015

   (683,242  (162,586  —      —      —    

Long-term bank loan - unsecured

   —      —      (123,567  —      —    

Long-term bank loan – unsecured

 (123,567 —     —     —     —     —     —    

Finance lease obligations – non-current portion

   (255  (530  (393  (288  (37 (393 (288 (160 (70 —     —     —    

Derivative financial instrument

   —      —      (11,293  (11,564  (1,485 (11,293 (11,564 (9,663 (5,181 (1,340 —     —    

Finance lease obligations – current portion

   (121  (202  (212  (105  (13 (212 (105 (85 (90 —     —     —    

Other liabilities

   (377,185  (398,563  (427,545  (455,124  (58,443 (427,545 (455,124 (44,055 (577,084 (929,621 (883,276 (113,925
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities

   (1,060,803  (561,881  (563,010  (467,081  (59,978 (563,010 (467,081 (53,963 (582,425 (930,961 (883,276 (113,925
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net assets

   1,032,607    1,228,527    1,688,539    1,797,381    230,800   1,688,539   1,797,381   3,483,393   3,250,622   3,167,295   3,055,161   394,057  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Share capital

   65,062    66,418    76,500    77,191    9,912   76,500   77,191   80,902   80,902   —     —     —    

Share premium

   670,717    681,208    1,074,997    1,083,495    139,131  

Reserves

   296,828    480,901    537,042    636,695    81,757  

Other statutory capital reserves

 1,096,068   1,107,261   1,188,012   1,188,012   —     —     —    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Share capital and other statutory reserves

 1,172,568   1,184,452   1,268,914   1,268,914   1,268,914   1,268,914   163,665  

Other reserves

 515,971   612,929   2,214,479   1,981,708   1,898,381   1,786,247   230,392  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   1,032,607    1,228,527    1,688,539    1,797,381    230,800   1,688,539   1,797,381   3,483,393   3,250,622   3,167,295   3,055,161   394,057  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Other financial data:

 

   For the year ended August 31, 
   

2008

HK$

  

2009

HK$

  

2010

HK$

  

2011

HK$

  

2011

US$

 
   (Amounts in thousands) 

EBITDA (note 3)

   377,964    508,058    469,437    594,059    76,283  

Net cash inflow from operating activities

   381,991    536,771    485,340    585,899    75,235  

Net cash outflow from investing activities

   (147,750  (176,488  (306,254  (414,189  (53,186

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities

   (345,978  (561,292  178,307    (343,112  (44,059

Capital expenditures (note 4)

   211,684    286,734    344,844    449,196    57,681  

We believe that the most directly comparable measure to EBITDA is net cash provided by operating activities. The following table reconciles our net cash inflow from operating activities, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with IFRSs, to our definition of EBITDA on a consolidated basis for the years ended 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

   Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2010
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2011
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2012
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2013
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2014
  Four
months
ended
December 31,
2014
  Sixteen
months
ended
December 31,
2014
  Sixteen
months
ended
December 31,
2014
 
   HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  US$ 
   (in thousands) 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities

   485,340    585,899    181,924    (356,804  (241,404  (49,662  (291,066  (37,542

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities

   (306,254  (414,189  3,681,791    (1,781,342  (120,577  627,835    507,258    65,426  

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities

   178,307    (343,112  (2,191,749  403,762    322,129    (65,116  257,013    33,150  

Capital expenditure(2)

          

- Continuing operations

   —      51,255    178,750    37,708    18,621    50,096    68,717    8,863  

- Discontinued operations

   344,844    397,941    283,643    —      —      —      —      —    

Dividends

          

- Interim dividend declared

   49,725    115,605    119,674    —      —      —      —      —    

- Final dividend proposed after balance sheet date

   103,275    115,787    121,352    —      —      —      —      —    

- Special dividend declared

   —      —      2,022,542    —      —      —      —      —    

 

   For the year ended August 31, 
   

2008

HK$

  

2009

HK$

  

2010

HK$

  

2011

HK$

  2011
US$
 
   (Amounts in thousands) 

EBITDA

   377,964    508,058    469,437    594,059    76,283  

Depreciation and amortization

   (210,051  (206,241  (199,029  (218,197  (28,018

Interest expense, net

   (59,541  (50,258  (10,863  (2,993  (384

Income taxes benefit/(expense)

   16,818    (38,730  (42,679  (58,954  (7,570
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income

   125,190    212,829    216,866    313,915    40,311  

Depreciation and amortization

   210,051    206,241    199,029    218,197    28,018  

Amortization of deferred expenditure

   33,777    53,160    48,621    37,873    4,863  

Income taxes (benefit)/expense

   (16,818  38,730    42,679    58,954    7,570  

Interest income

   (15,596  (4,869  (11,372  (3,366  (432

Interest element of finance lease

   34    27    42    30    4  

Interest, amortization and exchange difference on senior notes

   72,640    49,214    6,069    —      —    

Interest on other borrowings

   3,428    885    3,260    3,473    446  

Amortization of upfront cost on bank loan

   —      —      192    182    23  

Interest expense on bank loan

   —      —      1,379    1,152    148  

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

   —      —      11,293    271    35  

Write-off of upfront costs upon settlement of long-term bank loan

   —      —      —      1,251    161  

Realized gain on long term bank deposit

   (1,185  —      —      —      —    

Loss/(gain) on disposal of fixed assets

   1,431    1,016    (1,375  1,008    129  

Equity settled share-based transaction

   4,204    4,768    5,347    4,652    597  

Realized loss on derivatives financial instruments

   1,039    —      —      —      —    

Realized and unrealized gain on other financial assets

   (3,284  (189  —      —      —    

(Gain)/loss on extinguishment of senior notes

   (2,582  (31,371  9,650    —      —    

Taxation paid

   (4,250  (1,732  (3,013  (3,012  (387

Change in long term receivable and prepayments

   1,346    (505  917    1,073    138  

Change in working capital, net

   (27,434  8,567    (44,244  (49,754  (6,389
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash inflow from operating activities

   381,991    536,771    485,340    585,899    75,235  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating data:

   As of and for the year ended August 31, 
   2008   2009   2010   2011 

FTNS subscriptions:

        

- Broadband Internet access

   316,000     391,000     526,000     590,000  

- Local VoIP

   329,000     382,000     431,000     476,000  

- IP-TV

   156,000     170,000     153,000     181,000  

Total

   801,000     943,000     1,110,000     1,247,000  

Registered international telecommunications accounts (note 5)

   2,336,000     2,383,000     2,445,000     2,488,000  

IDD outgoing minutes (in thousands)

   574,000     487,000     464,000     412,000  
   August 31,
2010
   August 31,
2011
   August 31,
2012
   August 31,
2013
   August 31,
2014
   December 31,
2014
 
   (in thousands) 

Number of ordinary shares issued and fully paid (in thousands of shares)

   764,997     771,912     809,017     809,017     809,017     809,017  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

(1)Diluted (loss)/earnings per share is computed by dividing (loss)/profit for the net incomeyear by the diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares at the end ofduring the year.

(2)The diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares have been computed after adjusting for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.
(3)EBITDA for any period means, without duplication, net income for such period, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such net income: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period not included in the calculation), less interest income. EBITDA is not a measure of performance under IFRSs. We believe that EBITDA is an additional measure utilized by investors in determining a borrower’s ability to meet debt service requirements. However, EBITDA does not represent, and should not be used as a substitute for, net earnings or cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with IFRSs, and EBITDA is not necessarily an indication of whether cash flow will be sufficient to fund our cash requirements. In addition, our definition of EBITDA may differ from that of other companies.
(4)Capital expenditures represent additions to fixed assets and include non-cash transactions.
(5)Registered accounts refer to international telecommunications customers that have a valid account. Account holders may or may not be active users of our services.

Selected Consolidated Income Statement:

For the year ended August 31,

2007

HK$

(Amounts in thousands except per share data)

HKFRS

Revenues:

Fixed telecommunications network services

816,800

International telecommunications services

324,470

Total operating revenue

1,141,270

Network costs and costs of sales:

Fixed telecommunications network services

(103,795

International telecommunications services

(110,796

Total network costs and costs of sales

(214,591

Other operating expenses

(834,104

Income from operations

92,575

Interest expense, net

(64,833

Other income, net

3,149

Income taxes expense

(2,026

Net income

28,865

Basic earnings per share (cents)

4.7

Diluted earnings per share (cents) (note 1)

4.6

Dividends declared per share (cents)

8.0

Weighted average number of shares

614,840

Diluted weighted average number of shares (note 2)

631,319

For the year ended August 31,

2007

HK$

(Amounts in thousands except per share data)

U.S. GAAP

Total operating revenue

1,141,270

Total operating expenses

(1,048,695

Net income

28,865

Basic earnings per share (cents)

4.7

Diluted earnings per share (cents) (note 1)

4.6

Dividends declared per share (cents)

8.0

Weighted average number of shares

614,840

Diluted weighted average number of shares (note 2)

631,319

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

As of August 31,

2007

HK$

(Amounts in thousands)

HKFRS

Total assets

2,161,133

Debt

(952,593

Finance lease obligation

(1,210

Other liabilities

(303,448

Total liabilities

(1,257,251

Net assets employed

903,882

Share capital

61,650

Share premium

622,433

Reserves

219,799

Total shareholders’ equity

903,882

As of August 31,

2007

HK$

(Amounts in thousands)

U.S. GAAP

Total assets

2,189,086

Total liabilities

(1,279,587

Net shareholders’ equity

909,499

Other Financial Data:

For the year ended August 31,

2007

HK$

(Amounts in thousands)

HKFRS

EBITDA (note 3)

353,827

Net cash provided by operating activities

383,999

Net cash provided by investing activities

114,053

Net cash used in financing activities

(109,504

Capital expenditures (note 4)

132,250

We believe that the most directly comparable measure to EBITDA is net cash provided by operating activities. The following table reconciles our net cash provided by operating activities under HKFRS to our definition of EBITDA on a consolidated basis for fiscal 2007.

For the year ended August 31

2007

HK$

(Amounts in thousands)

EBITDA(note 3)

353,827

Depreciation and amortization

(258,103

Interest expense, net

(64,833

Income taxes expense

(2,026

Net income

28,865

Depreciation and amortization

258,103

Amortization of deferred expenditure

15,580

Income taxes expense

2,026

Interest income

(22,671

Interest, amortization and exchange difference on senior notes

89,879

Other borrowing costs

(739

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

1,714

Equity settled share-based transaction

5,727

Realized and unrealized loss on derivatives financial instruments

806

Unrealized gain on other investments

(1,887

Taxation paid

(2,171

Change in long term receivable

5,600

Change in working capital, net

3,167

Net cash flow provided by operating activities

383,999

Operating Data:

As of and for the year ended August  31,
2007

FTNS Subscriptions:

Broadband Internet Access

247,000

Local VoIP

308,000

IP-TV

128,000

Total

683,000

Registered international telecommunications accounts (note 5)

2,331,000

IDD outgoing minutes (in thousands)

659,000

Notes:

(1)Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income by the diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares at the end of the year.
(2)The diluted weighted average number of shares have been computed after adjusting for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

(3)EBITDA for any period means, without duplication, net income for such period, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such net income: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense (excluding any such non cash charge to the extent it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period not included in the calculation), less interest income. EBITDA is not a measure of performance under HKFRS or U.S. GAAP. We believe that EBITDA is an additional measure utilized by investors in determining a borrower’s ability to meet debt service requirements. However, EBITDA does not represent, and should not be used as a substitute for, net earnings or cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with HKFRS or U.S. GAAP, and EBITDA is not necessarily an indication of whether cash flow will be sufficient to fund our cash requirements. In addition, our definition of EBITDA may differ from that of other companies.
(4)Capital expenditures represent additions to fixed assets and include non-cash transactions.
(5)Registered accounts refer to international telecommunications customers that have a valid account. Account holders may or may not be active users of our services.

Exchange rate information

The Hong Kong dollar is freely convertible into other currencies (including the U.S. dollar). Since 1983, the Hong Kong dollar has been officially linked to the U.S. dollar and the current rate is US$1.00 to HK$7.80. Despite the efforts of the HKMA to keep the official exchange rate stable, the market exchange rate of the Hong Kong dollar against the U.S. dollar continues to beis influenced by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets. Furthermore, the official exchange rate is itself subject to fluctuations and can be reset in circumstances where the secondary foreign exchange markets move beyond the HKMA’s ability to back the official rate with foreign reserves.

Exchange rates between the Hong Kong dollar and other currencies are influenced by the rate between the U.S. dollar and the Hong Kong dollar.

As of April 24, 2015, the exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the U.S. dollar was 7.7499. The following table sets forth the average, high, low and period-end exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the U.S. dollar (in Hong Kong dollars per U.S. dollar) for the fiscal periods indicated:

 

   Average   High   Low   Period-end 
   (note)
HK$
   HK$   HK$   HK$ 

Fiscal 2007

   7.8029     7.8289     7.7665     7.7968  

Fiscal 2008

   7.7915     7.8159     7.7497     7.8036  

Fiscal 2009

   7.7550     7.8094     7.7495     7.7505  

Fiscal 2010

   7.7646     7.8040     7.7495     7.7781  

Fiscal 2011

   7.7776     7.8087     7.7506     7.7876  

June 2011

   7.7850     7.7976     7.7767     7.7814  

July 2011

   7.7892     7.7964     7.7802     7.7942  

August 2011

   7.7965     7.8087     7.7876     7.7876  

September 2011

   7.7943     7.8040     7.7830     7.7840  

October 2011

   7.7774     7.7884     7.7634     7.7641  

November 2011

   7.7809     7.7957     7.7679     7.7730  

December 2011 (through December 9, 2011)

   7.7727     7.7817     7.7676     7.7817  
   Average(1)   High   Low   Period-end 
   HK$   HK$   HK$   HK$ 

Fiscal 2010

   7.7646     7.8040     7.7495     7.7781  

Fiscal 2011

   7.7776     7.8087     7.7506     7.7876  

Fiscal 2012

   7.7670     7.8040     7.7532     7.7560  

Fiscal 2013

   7.7559     7.7654     7.7493     7.7544  

October 2014

   7.7572     7.7645     7.7541     7.7551  

November 2014

   7.7543     7.7572     7.7519     7.7548  

December 2014

   7.7541     7.7616     7.7509     7.7531  

January 2015

   7.7531     7.7563     7.7508     7.7529  

February 2015

   7.7551     7.7584     7.7517     7.7559  

March 2015

   7.7584     7.7686     7.7534     7.7540  

April 2015 (through April 24, 2015)

   7.7509     7.7525     7.7495     7.7499  

Note:

 

Note:(1)The average rates on the last business day of each month during the relevant fiscal year period or the average rates for each business day during the relevant monthly period.

Source: For all periods prior to January 1, 2009, theThe exchange rate refers to noon buying rate as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. For periods beginning on or after January 1, 2009, the exchange rate refers to the exchange rate as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.

B. Capitalization and indebtedness

B.Capitalization and indebtedness

Not applicable.

C.Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds

Not applicable

D.Risk factors

You should carefully considerC. Reasons for the risks described belowoffer and use of proceeds

Not applicable

D. Risk factors

In addition to the other information contained in this annual report before making an investment decision.on Form 20-F, you should carefully consider the following risk factors. If any of the possible events described below occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be adversely affected. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impairadversely affect us.

Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations

Our application for a free TV license in Hong Kong was rejected and although our judicial review was successful, we may not ultimately receive a license.

In 2009, we submitted an application for a free TV license to the HKBA. On October 15, 2013, the Chief Executive in Council announced that it had rejected our application. As a result, we are not able to operate domestic free television program services in Hong Kong. On April 11, 2014, we submitted a new application for a free TV license, which is being considered by the CA. On January 6, 2014, we filed an application for leave to apply for judicial review in respect of the Chief Executive’s denial of our first application and the substantive hearing was conducted from August 27 to 29, 2014. The court’s judgment was handed down on April 24, 2015, quashing the Chief Executive’s denial of our application for a free TV license and directing the government to pay our legal fees and expenses in relation to the judicial review. The application was remitted to the Chief Executive in Council for reconsideration.

The Chief Executive in Council, after reconsidering our application, may again reject our application. Even if we again apply for judicial review of the new denial, that could be a protracted and costly process and one which is not successful in the end. We may not ultimately receive a license. As we had planned on domestic free television being one of the major distribution channels for our self-produced television content and the primary source of our advertising revenue, any failure to obtain a free TV license will make us more reliant on the other distribution channels we have been exploring, such as our mobile TV services, and developing, such as our OTT and Online Shopping Business.

Depending on the progress we make in obtaining a free TV license, we may at some point cease pursuing the domestic free television business in Hong Kong, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations.prospects and financial condition.

Our application to use the widely adopted DTMB standard to provide mobile TV services in Hong Kong using the license of our subsidiary was rejected by the CA, and our judicial review may not be successful.

By acquiring the Target Company in December 2013, we acquired a license to provide mobile TV services in Hong Kong. In April 2014, however, we suspended the launch of mobile TV services after being denied permission by the CA to provide the services using the DTMB transmission standard without also having a free tv license. As a consequence, we have reduced the scale of our workforce in the creative and production teams, and we suspended the filming of new television programs The High Court granted us leave to apply for judicial review, and the substantive hearing was conducted on November 26 and 27, 2014, with the judgment reserved to be handed down at a later date. As noted above, we have submitted a new application for a free TV license, and our first application for a free TV license may be reconsidered by the Chief Executive in Council in light of the outcome of the judicial review of his denial of that application. This free TV license, if granted, would enable us to use the DTMB transmission standard, but we may not ultimately receive the license. Subject to feedback from viewers, to the result of the Chief Executive’s reconsideration of our first application for a free TV license, to the result of the CA’s consideration of our second application for a free TV license, and to the result of the judicial review on our provision of mobile TV services, we may adjust the direction and pace of our content and will consider resuming content production. We cannot assurewill also continue to explore opportunities to extend the reach of our content to Hong Kong people using different platforms. Given the uncertainties relating to our licenses, there can be no assurance that we will in fact resume content production or extend the reach of our content.

As we had planned on our mobile TV services being one of the major distribution channels for our self-produced television content and a significant source of our advertising revenue, our failure to gain permission to provide mobile TV services in Hong Kong using an acceptable transmission standard will make us more reliant on the other distribution channels we have been developing, such as our OTT platform, and on other business development, such as our online shopping business. If we lose the judicial review in respect of our provision of mobile TV services, we may be responsible for the government’s costs incurred in the process. Even if the judicial review is successful, we will not necessarily be granted permission to use the DTMB transmission standard or another standard acceptable to us; a successful judicial review may merely mean that the CA will be required to reconsider our plan to use the DTMB transmission standard in light of the outcome of the judicial review.

If we do not make real progress in the near future toward permission to provide mobile TV service in Hong Kong using an acceptable transmission standard, we may cease pursuing the mobile TV business in Hong Kong, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects and financial condition.

We have a limited operating history in our Multimedia Business, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business.

Our Multimedia Business includes our offer of free television programming through our OTT platform, our online shopping business, multimedia and drama productions, and content distribution and licensing, as well as artiste management services. We launched our OTT platform, HKTV Mall, in November 2014 and our online shopping business in February 2015. As a result, we have a limited operating history in the Multimedia Business for you to evaluate our business, financial performance and prospects. Our historical results, which were largely based on the Telecom Business that we disposed of in May 2012, are not indicative of our future performance. To date, we have not achieved significant revenue or profitability in our Multimedia Business and, going forward, we may not be able to generate significant revenue or achieve profitability.

We may not be able to implement our business plans and expansion strategies successfully.

We may not be able to implement our business plans and expansion strategies successfully. Our business plans include strengthening our position in the multimedia and television industry, in part through the expansion of our OTT platform, as well as expanding our online presence with our online shopping business. Our business plans and strategies have been formulated based on a number of assumptions, including successful cooperation with our business partners, and are expected to place substantial demands on our managerial, operational, financial and other resources.

The success of our business plans and expansion strategies depends on a number of factors, including our ability to:

build our infrastructure on schedule and within budget;

produce high-quality content appealing to our customers within budget;

source merchants with products and services which are appealing to our customers and have attractive pricing and sufficient inventory for ready availability for delivery to our customers in their required timeframe;

generate revenue through advertising, online shopping operations, content licensing and distribution, content production, artiste management and other multimedia-related platforms;

develop effective marketing channels in Hong Kong and international markets; and

maintain effective operational cost and quality control.

The failure to achieve any of the events discussedabove could increase our costs of operation and investment. We may not be able to manage our operations efficiently to compete successfully in our existing markets or any new markets that we may enter, which may materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Our OTT and Online Shopping Businesses may not be profitable.

We have refined our business plan to focus primarily on the development of our OTT and online shopping businesses. On November 19, 2014, we officially announced the launch of the HKTV Mall – an OTT platform integrating entertainment and a one-stop online shopping platform in Hong Kong. The first phase was to launch the OTT platform with about 18 hours of broadcasting content, including self-produced drama series, variety and infotainment programs and purchased content. After the trial run on December 17, 2014, our online shopping mall was formally launched on February 2, 2015. This platform can be accessed through multiple Internet-connected devices, such as smart phones running on Android, iOS and Windows, tablet computers, personal computers, smart TV sets, Android TV boxes and game consoles. For the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014, we incurred a loss of HK$237.0 million. We may incur substantial expenditure in connection with these endeavors before we can generate significant revenue from our OTT and online shopping businesses. As a result, our OTT and online shopping businesses may not be able to become profitable in the risk factors below or any other events that has not been so identified will not occur. If they do,future.

The construction and development of the Centre is subject to a number of risks beyond our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.control.

Risks relating to our businessWe started building the Centre on land granted by Hong Kong Science and operations

Technology Parks Corporation in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate in February 2012. In light of the intense competition inrejection of our target markets,application for a free TV license, we cannot assure you that our revenues and net profit will continue to grow.

We derive our total revenues from our FTNShave suspended the construction of the Centre. Depending on business and our IDD business. Our FTNS business primarily consists of broadband Internet access, local VoIP, IP-TV and corporate data services, while our IDD business primarily consists of direct dial, international calling cards and mobile call forwarding services. Our total revenues increased by 6.8% to HK$1,681.5 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$1,574.7 million in fiscal 2010, and our net profit increased by 44.8% to HK$313.9 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$216.9 million in fiscal 2010. The increase in net profit in fiscal 2011 was primarily due to increased contribution from our FTNS business and finance cost savings of HK$15.9 million as adevelopments, the result of the full year impactChief Executive’s reconsideration of our first application for a free TV license, the result of the repurchase and redemptionCA’s consideration of our outstanding 10-year senior notes in fiscal 2010.

Although revenue fromsecond application for a free TV license and the outcome of the judicial review relating to our FTNSmobile TV license, we may resume the construction of the Centre to support our business increased by 9.5% in fiscal 2011,development. We have obtained an extension of time for development of the Centre to February 28, 2017. If we cannot assure you thatdo not resume the construction of the Centre, we will be ableunable to maintain such revenue and profit growth. The increase in revenue of our FTNS business was primarily duerecover the investment made to an increase in our broadband subscription base by 12.2% as a result of our “Member-Get-Member” marketing campaigns between November 2009 to August 2010, which reduced the price for our symmetric 100 Mbps service by half to HK$99 per month, in exchange for an enlarged customer base and a subsequent increasedate in the price for the same service following the termination of the “Member-Get-Member” marketing campaigns since September 1, 2010. We cannot assure you whether our revenues and net profit will continue to grow as a result of such price increase due to intense competition in our industry. The growth of our subscription base will depend on our ability to continue to expand our network coverage and to operate in a highly competitive market.

Further, revenue from our IDD business decreased by 9.8% in fiscal 2011. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the total number of airtime minutes by 11.2%. On our IDD service, our strategy is to focus on cash flow rather than market share. Due to increasing competition, we expect our IDD business will continue to experience pressure on tariff rates and to contribute to a smaller portion of our revenue and net profit over time.

Our ability to continue to grow our total revenues and net profit in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry depends on many factors, including our ability to accurately identify and respond to demand for new services, success in developing new services on a timely basis, quality and cost competitiveness of our services, effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts, and the number and nature of competitors in a given market segment. The global economic uncertainty has resulted in decreased consumer confidence and overall slower economic activity,project, which may dampen the demand for broadband services or affect our customers’ ability to continue with existing services. We cannot assure you that we can maintain the current level of revenue growth and profitability.

Given the pace of change in the telecommunications industry and the characteristics of our target markets, we cannot assure you that our FTNS business will continue to be profitable.

The main target market for our FTNS business is Hong Kong. The Hong Kong telecommunications industry is highly competitive. The intense competition could result in price reductions, reduced gross margins or loss of market share, any of which could adversely affect our future growth and profitability. We expect competition to continue to increase for the following reasons:

Increasing liberalization of the telecommunications industry in Hong Kong may continue to attract new local and foreign entrants and broaden the variety of telecommunications services available in the market, thereby increasing the overall level of competition in our industry.

The Hong Kong government may continue to issue new wireless and wire-line FTNS Licenses. For instance, 270 PNETS Licenses had been issued in Hong Kongtotaled HK$156.3 million as of December 31, 2010 for2014.

If we do resume the provisionconstruction and development of “external telecommunications services” (as defined in OFTA’s Determination asthe Centre, the success of December 30, 1998). Somethe project will be subject to a number of risks beyond our control, including:

the possibility of construction delays or cost overruns due to inclement weather, labor or material shortages, work stoppages, market inflation or delayed regulatory approvals;

the possibility of discovering previously undetected defects or problems; and

natural disasters, social disorder and other extraordinary events.

The occurrence of any of these licenses are held by subsidiaries of major foreign telecommunications providers, which have competitive advantages over us due to their global presence , financial resourcesevents could further delay the construction and size.

Around December 31, 2007, Television Broadcasts Limited and Asia Television Limited, commonly known as TVB and ATV, respectively, the only two licensed domestic free television program broadcasters in Hong Kong, launched their digital terrestrial television services and have since broadened such services to cover an increasingly large percentagedevelopment of the viewing publicCentre or increase construction costs, which may in Hong Kong. As of December 13, 2011, their services offeredturn have a total of 11 free channels in both standard and high definition. This improvement in the quality of free television may result in a reduction in the number of subscribers for pay-television services.

As some of our main competitors have longer operating histories and others are subsidiaries of large business conglomerates, they may have greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources; a more sophisticated infrastructure; better brand recognition; and a larger subscription base and may be able to devote more human and financial resources to research and development, network improvement and marketing than we can. Our competitive position varies significantly by service type because each service is characterized by a different market. If we cannot compete effectively in a major market, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our services may become obsolete if we cannot address the changing needs of our customers.

The telecommunications industry is characterized by rapidly changing technology and industry standards, evolving subscriber needs and the changing nature of services with increasingly short life cycles. We cannot assure you that we will be able to respond successfully to technological advances and stay ahead of the evolving industry standards, for the following reasons:

To compete successfully, we must constantly increase the diversity and sophistication of the services we offer and upgrade our telecommunications technologies. We may be required to make substantial capital expenditures and may not be successful in modifying our network infrastructure in a timely and cost-effective manner in response to these changes.

New technology, such as the possible development of 4G wireless data networks as a substitute for fiber-based services, or other trends in the telecommunications industry, could have anmaterial adverse effect on the services we currently offer. For example, traditional fixed line home telephones are being replaced by mobile telephones and/or VoIP services. Technology substitution from global VoIP providers, some of which offer free PC-to-PC based international calls, is also becoming more prevalent. Increased adoption of such competing technology may lead to a decline in our revenues and profitability.

Changing our services in response to market demand may require the adoption of new technologies that could render many of the technologies that we are currently implementing less competitive or obsolete. We may also need to gain access to related or enabling technologies in order to integrate the new technology with our existing technology. Our new services may contain design flaws or other defects when first introduced to the market.

If we cannot offer the new services demanded by our customers in a timely manner, our business, operating results orprospects, financial condition could be adversely affected.and results of operations.

The development of our Next Generation Network and our multimedia production and distribution businessMultimedia Business requires significant capital expenditures,expenditure, which may not be available on terms satisfactory to usterms or may impose a burden on our other business activities.

Our business is capital intensive. We need to continue to devote substantial resources in infrastructure construction and upgrade to provide consistent and high quality services. In particular, because we deliver our fixed telecommunications network services through our self-owned Next Generation Network, we have made, and will continue to make, capital investments in the expansion and upgrade of this network and the development of various telecommunications services. We incurred total capital expenditures of approximately HK$449.2 million in fiscal 2011 including HK$50.1 million for a parcel of land and related costs for constructing our multimedia production and distribution centre which is expected to be completed within 36 months.

Excluding our business expansion into multimedia production and free TV subject to licensing, we expect to incur significant capital expenditures ranging from approximately HK$320 millionexpenditure to HK$350 million in fiscal 2012,develop our Multimedia Business, a large majoritymajor portion of which will be spent onfor the continued expansion and upgradebuilding of the Centre. Our capital expenditure plans will also include the development of our network. Once we achieved our 2.0 million homes pass target, we expect our core capital expenditure on the telecom business to turnover ratio gradually reduce to mid teens percentage of turnover in order to maintain our Next Generation Network. However, the telecom industry is exposed to rapidly evolving technology changes which may pose both opportunitiesOTT and threats to us, for which we may need to respond with additional operating and capital expenditures. We do not have a specific plan to upgrade our network but expect to incur recurring investment for technology upgrade which could be covered by the turnover ratio referenced above.online shopping businesses. While we intend to fund such expendituresexpenditure by using our currently available cash, as well as cash flow from operations,unutilized banking facilities, we may not have adequate capital to fund our projected capital expenditures. Our ability to fund operating andexpenditure if there is any further delay in our capital expenditures depends significantly on our ability to generate cash from operations. In fiscal 2011, we generated cash from operating activities of HK$585.9 million. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to sustain our operationsexpenditure plans or if there is an increase in order to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our future requirements. Our ability to generate cash from operations is subject to general economic, financial, industry, legal and other factors and conditions, many of which are outside our control. In particular, our operations are subject to price and demand volatility in the telecommunications industry.

costs. If we cannot finance our operations and capital expenditure using existing available cash generated from operations,and unutilized banking facilities, we may be required to among other things, incur additional debt, reduce capital expenditures,expenditure, sell assets, or raise equity. The global economic uncertainty has caused a general tightening in the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, increases in the rates of default and bankruptcy, and volatility in the capital markets. Although we have sufficient cash to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months, the current marketMarket conditions may affectimpair our ability to obtain further financing to support our networkcapital expansion in the future. Any failure to do so will negatively impact our business and slow down our network deployment, in that we may not be able to continue expanding our network infrastructure to cover substantial area of the Hong Kong territory.plans. Additional debt or equity financing may not be available, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictions on our investing, financing and operating activities.

If any ofwe fail to capture viewer preferences, our new services are not successful, our operating resultsbusiness prospects and reputation could be materially and adversely affected.

New telecommunications services are introducedThe success of our self-produced multimedia content, such as the entertainment programs broadcast on our OTT platform and available in HKTV Mall, depends primarily on our ability to capture viewer preferences, which vary among different demographic groups and regions and could change rapidly. In general, the popularity of multimedia content among viewers is mainly determined by the producer’s ability to originate and source viewer-engaging content, create high-quality scripts and characters that appeal to a broad range of viewers, and cast popular talent and directors. If viewers’ reaction to our competitorsmultimedia content is different from timethat we have predicted, the success and popularity of our multimedia content may be jeopardized. If our multimedia content fails to time. If we do not anticipate these changes and rapidly adopt new and innovative services in response,perform as expected, we may not be able to fully capture the opportunitiesestablish a strong reputation in the market. Development of new services, however, exposes usmultimedia content production business, and our business prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

Changes in consumer viewing habits could adversely affect our business.

The manner in which consumers view multimedia content is changing rapidly. Digital cable, wireless and Internet content providers are continuing to the following risks:

Developing new telecommunications servicesimprove technologies, content offerings, user interfaces, and business models that allow consumers to access multimedia content with interactive capabilities. The devices through which multimedia content can be complex.consumed are also changing rapidly. Currently, multimedia content may be viewed on our OTT platform via multiple Internet-connected devices, such as smart phones, tablet computers, personal computers, smart TV sets, Android TV boxes and game consoles. If other providers of multimedia content address the changes in consumer viewing habits in a manner that is better able to meet consumer needs and expectations, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

Our distribution of multimedia content may be materially and adversely affected by instability of the network of our prior Telecom Business or disruption in the network’s continued development.

Upon the completion of the disposal of the Telecom Business, we were granted an indefeasible right of use, among other rights, to use certain of HKBN’s telecommunications capacity for a term of 20 years to enable the delivery of our multimedia content through the telecommunications network operated by HKBN. We expect the indefeasible right of use will form one of the main channels of distribution in Hong Kong for our multimedia content. Instability of the telecommunications network or disruption in the network’s continued development could materially and adversely affect our operations.

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by claims of infringement of intellectual property rights.

Monitoring and preventing the unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights may be difficult, costly and time-consuming. We are currently challenging a third party’s applications to register trademarks incorporating our name. If we are unable to adequately protect our copyrights and other intellectual property rights, these rights may be infringed, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

Moreover, third parties may claim that our self-produced multimedia content, including television content, or our trademarks, misappropriate or infringe their intellectual property rights, including those with respect to their previous productions, scripts, characters and trademarks. We are actively defending ourselves against a third-party challenge to one of our registered trademarks. Litigation over intellectual property rights could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. If we are unsuccessful in defending any such assertions or claims, our business, financial condition, results of operations and reputation may be materially and adversely affected.

Our success depends on our ability to attract, retain and rehire high-quality production crew, talent artistes and logistics personnel in a highly competitive market.

The Multimedia Business requires the collaboration of many different workstreams and people with different expertise. In addition, some of our operations, such as our logistics operations, are human-capital intensive. As such, our ability to attract, retain and rehire high-quality production crew, popular talent artistes and logistics personnel will be a key factor to our success. Loss of a significant number of members of our logistics operations could cause customer dissatisfaction with our online shopping services; and, as a result, our business could be materially and adversely affected. We may not be able to adapt the new services effectively, promptlyre-hire Talents, in particular, production team members and economically to meet customer demand.

In developing new services,talent artistes whom we are required to continuehave made redundant or whose contracts we have not renewed, or to make significant investmentsreplacement hires, if we resume content production in our network infrastructurethe future or need them in order to supportmeet other future business needs.

In addition, we face competition for high-quality production crew and popular talent artistes from other multimedia content production companies and other organizations. Competition for these services. If we exceed our budgeted capital expenditure and cannot meet the additional capital requirements in time through operating cash flows and planned financings, we may have to delay our projects.

Any of our new services may not be commercially successful. The failure of any of our services to achieve commercial acceptanceindividuals could result in additional capital expenditures or, to the extent that we are required under the applicable accounting standards to recognize a charge for the impairment of assets, could materially adversely affect our financial condition and the results of our operations.

Specifically, we cannot assure you that any services enabled by upgrading and expanding our Next Generation Network will provide us with an acceptable rate of return. This would depend on our ability to accurately identify and respond to emerging consumer trends and demand. We cannot assure you that we can generate satisfactory investment returns on any new service.

We may lose investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements if we fail to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, which in turn could harm our business and adversely affect the trading prices of our ADRs.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report on such company’s internal controls over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting. Effective from September 21, 2010, the SEC adopted amendments to its rules and forms to conform them to Section 404(c) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as added by Section 989G of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). Section 404(c) provides that Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act shall not apply with respect to any audit report prepared for an issuer that is neither an accelerated filer nor a large accelerated filer. During fiscal 2010, we became an accelerated filer. Therefore, we are required to have an independent registered public accounting firm to attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting starting from fiscal 2010.

We have evaluated our internal controls surrounding the financial reporting process for the current fiscal period so that management can attest to the effectiveness of these controls, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We have implemented appropriate steps to strengthen the internal controls. However, we may identify conditions that could result in significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the future. As a result, we could experience a negative reaction in the financial markets and incur additional costs in improving the condition of our internal controls. For a detailed discussion of controls and procedures, see Item 15 “Controls and procedures.”

Notwithstanding our efforts, our management may subsequently conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Further, even if our management concludes that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. If we do not successfully design and implement changes to our internal controls and management systems, or if we fail to maintain the adequacy of these controls as such standards are modified or amended from time to time, we may not be able to comply with Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This could subjectrequire us to regulatory scrutinyoffer higher compensation and penalties that may resultother benefits in a loss of public confidence inorder to attract and retain them, which would increase our management, which could, among other things, adversely affect our customer and vendor confidence, stock price and our ability to raise additional capital and operate our business as projected.

If we cannot manage the growth in our FTNS business, the quality of our services and ourfuture operating results could be adversely affected.expenses.

We have been pursuing an aggressive strategy in growing our FTNS business. As part of this strategy, we intend to continue to expand and invest in our Next Generation Network infrastructure to support our range of broadband Internet access, local VoIP, IP-TV and corporate data services. The deployment of these projects has resulted and will result in significant demands on our systems and controls and may impact our administrative, operational and financial resources. These projects will also place significant demands on us to maintain the quality of our services to ensure that our brand does not suffer as a result of any deviations, whether actual or perceived, in the quality of our services.

Our ability to manage the growth in our FTNS business will depend upon our ability to:

improve our existing operational, administrative and technological systems and our financial and management controls;

enhance our infrastructure to support the expansion;

develop effective marketing plans;

control operational costs and maintain effective quality controls; and

offer competitive prices to customers for our services.

Our failure to achieve any of the above in an efficient manner and at a pace consistent with the growth of our FTNS business could have an adverse effect on the quality of our services and increase our costs of operation.

We depend on certain key personnel, and our business and growth prospects may be disrupted by the loss of their services.

Our future success is dependentdepends upon the continued service of our key executives and Talents. While we have employment agreements with members of our senior management, we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain these senior management. If one or moreany of our key personnel were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, or if they joined a competitor or formed a competing company, or if they shifted their focus away from Hong Kong operations, we may not be able to replace them easily and our business may be significantly disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.disrupted. Furthermore, as our industry is characterized by high demand and increased competition for Talents, we may need to offer higher compensation and other benefits in order to attract and retain key personnel in the future.personnel. We cannot assure you that we willmight not be able to attract and retain the key personnel that we will need to achieve our business objectives.

Our ability to further expandWe may lose investor confidence in the coveragereliability of our Next Generation Network may be limited by the physical limitations or our ability to obtain access rights in certain buildings.

Our Next Generation Network has the capability of providing value-added broadband services and content that combine voice, data and images with increased efficiency and flexibility. As part of our strategy to grow our FTNS business, we plan to increase the coverage of our Next Generation Network from the current number of 1.94 million residential homes pass as of August 31, 2011 to our target of 2.0 million residential homes pass by the end of 2011. To connect our Next Generation Network to a new physical site, we need to install fibre-to-the-home or fibre-to-the-building with Category-5e copper wiring, which we refer to as “in-building wiring”. Our expansion plan may be hindered because the installation of in-building wiring is subject to the following constraints:

Because at least one of our competitors has already installed in-building wiring in virtually all buildings and many buildings have limited physical space for additional in-building wiring, other FTNS providers, including us, may encounter a bottleneck when installing our own in-building wiring;

Some single-owner commercial buildings may grant rights of access to our competitors while barring us from installing our own in-building wiring; and

Certain developers may have affiliations with our competitors and may attempt to delay or inhibit our wiring installations.

We may be unable to capitalize on any economy of scale benefitsfinancial statements if we fail to expandmaintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, which in turn could harm our network coveragebusiness and adversely affect the trading prices of our ADSs.

Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, every public company must include a management report on its internal controls over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we are also required to have an independent registered public accounting firm to attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. For a detailed discussion of our controls and procedures, see Item 15 “Controls and procedures.”

Notwithstanding our efforts, our management could conclude that our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective. Even if our management concludes that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may conclude that our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective. If either of these were to occur, we could experience a negative reaction in the financial markets and incur additional costs to improve our internal controls. If we do not successfully design and implement changes to our internal controls and management systems, or if we fail to maintain the adequacy of these controls as the relevant standards are modified or amended from time to time, we may not be able to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This could subject us to regulatory scrutiny and penalties that could lead to a loss of public confidence in our management, which in turn could, among other things, adversely affect our shareholders’ confidence, our stock price and our ability to raise additional capital and operate our business as projected.

We may not be able to sustain the level of other income we generated in fiscal 2014.

We recorded “other income, net” of HK$147.6 million in fiscal 2014, which was significantly more than in previous years. As compared with fiscal 2013, the increase was mainly due to an increase of HK$56.3 million in investment return, which included an additional four months’ investment return of HK$35.5 million, as well as an additional four month’s rental from investment properties of HK$3.8 million, which were partially offset by a HK$41.4 million decrease in exchange gain. In fiscal 2014, our “other income, net” mainly comprised interest income from available-for-sale securities, bank interest income, net exchange gain and rental income from investment properties. As we develop our Multimedia Business, less surplus cash will be available for these investments and, accordingly, we may not be able to generate a similar level of other income as we did in fiscal 2014.

In addition, our investment income is affected by many factors beyond our control. For example, our interest income is affected by changes in interest rates, which are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policy and domestic and international economic and political conditions. Deterioration in the credit of the securities in which we have invested and general market conditions may also materially and adversely affect our investment income.

We may not be able to realize our investment in other financial assets at our projected rate.desired time, price and transaction size, or to receive the debt principal back upon maturity.

We recorded other financial assets of HK$1,784.4 million as of December 31, 2014 which represented investment in available-for-sale securities mainly composed of debt securities, a significant portion of which has a maturity date of over one year from December 31, 2014, and equity securities. Although we mostly invested in liquid instruments with sound credit quality, such as investment grade products, securities of constituents in major stock indices or securities of state-owned or -controlled companies, we may still face liquidity risk, which is highly sensitive to many factors, including issuers’ credit and financial condition, governmental monetary policy and general market conditions. We may not be able to realize our investment in other financial assets at our desired time, price and transaction size.

In addition, we may not be able to recover the par value of our investment in available-for-sale debt securities, upon maturity or at all, if the credit quality and financial position of the debt issuers deteriorate.

If we are unable to offer products that attract new customers and recurring purchases from existing customers through our online shopping platform, HKTV Mall, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We launched our 24-hour online shopping platform on HKTV Mall in February 2015. We expect this online shopping business will be one of the major contributors to our business. Our future growth opportunitiesdepends on our ability to continue to attract new online shopping customers as well as recurring purchases from existing online shopping customers. Constantly changing consumer preferences have affected and will continue to affect the online retail industry. We must stay abreast of emerging consumer preferences and anticipate product trends that will appeal to existing and potential customers. Our customers choose to purchase authentic and quality products on our website due in part to the attractive prices that we offer, and they may choose to shop elsewhere if we cannot match the prices offered by other websites or by physical stores. If our customers cannot find their desired products on our website at attractive prices, they may lose interest in us and visit our website less frequently or even stop visiting our website altogether, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Our online shopping business faces intense competition. We may lose customers if we fail to compete effectively.

The online retail industry in Hong Kong is intensely competitive. Our current or potential competitors include major online retailers in the Hong Kong area that offer a wide range of general merchandise product categories, major traditional retailers in Hong Kong that are moving into online retailing, major internet companies that have commenced online retail businesses, online retail companies in Hong Kong focused on specific product categories, and physical retail stores, including big-box stores that also aim to offer a one-stop shopping experience. In addition, new and enhanced technologies may increase the competition in the online retail industry. New competitive business models may appear, for example based on new forms of social media or social commerce.

Increased competition may reduce our margins or result in significant losses. When we set prices, we have to consider how competitors have set prices for the same or similar products. When they cut prices or offer additional benefits to compete with us, we may have to lower our own prices or offer additional benefits or risk losing market share, either of which could harm our financial condition and results of operations.

Some of our current or future competitors may have longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, better supplier relationships, larger customer bases or greater financial, technical or marketing resources than we do. Some of our competitors may be limitedable to secure more favorable terms from suppliers, devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing or inventory policies and devote substantially more resources to their website, mobile application and systems development than us. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors, and competitive pressures may have a material and adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Our online shopping business offers product categories which are not familiar to us, and a substantial increase in the number of products in the future may expose us to new challenges and more risks.

As of April 27, 2015, our online shopping mall has over 350 stores offering a variety of products in categories which include fashion, mother and baby, skin care and make up, personal care, medicine and health, supermarket, food and wine, household, music, video and books, games, toys and stationery, outdoor and sports, pet care, and digital and electronics products. In addition, we may substantially increase number of products we offer in the future. Our lack of familiarity with these products and lack of relevant customer data relating to these products may make it more difficult for us to anticipate customer demand and preferences. We may misjudge customer demand. It may also make it more difficult for us to inspect and control quality and ensure proper handling, storage and delivery. We may experience higher return rates on new products, receive more customer complaints about them and face costly product liability claims as a result.

Internet security concernsresult of selling them for the merchants who are the owners of the products, which could harm our brand and reputation as well as our financial performance. Furthermore, we may not be able to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers. We may need to provide aggressive promotional offers to gain market share or remain competitive in new categories. It may be difficult for us to achieve profitability in the new product categories, and our profit margin, if any, may be lower than we anticipate, which could adversely affect our Internet access services.overall profitability and results of operations.

We may be subject to product liability claims if people or properties are harmed by the products we sell through our online shopping platform.

To remain competitive,We are a marketplace with a substantial number of products and services, selling for third-party merchants through our online shopping platform, some of which may be defectively designed or manufactured. As a result, sales of such products could expose us to product liability claims relating to personal injury or property damage and may require product recalls or other actions. Third parties subject to such injury or damage may bring claims or legal proceedings against us as the operator of the marketplace selling the product. Although we must continuewould have legal recourse against the third-party merchants or manufacturer of such products under Hong Kong law, attempting to upgradeenforce our broadband Internet access, local VoIP, IP-TVrights against such parties may be expensive, time-consuming and corporate data services. Computer viruses, break-insultimately futile. In addition, we do not currently maintain any product liability insurance in relation to products we sell. As a result, any material product liability claim or litigation could have a material and other inappropriate or unauthorized usesadverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Even unsuccessful claims could result in the expenditure of funds and managerial efforts in defending them and could have a negative impact on our reputation.

We are subject to payment-related risks.

We enable customers of our Next Generation Networkonline shopping business to make payments through our website by working with third-party online payment processing service providers. As we rely on third parties to provide payment processing services, including processing payments made with credit cards, it could affect the provision of our full suite of Internet Protocol services and have the following effects on our FTNS business:

interruption, delays or cessation in services to our customers;

a threat to the security of confidential information stored in the computer system of our customers; and

illegal viewing or download of our contents.

To protectdisrupt our business from computer viruses and other harmful attacks,or even we may need to scale down or suspense the online shopping business if these companies become unwilling or unable to provide these services to us. We may be subject to human error, fraud and other illegal activities in connection with third-party online payment services. If our data security systems are breached or compromised, we may lose our ability to accept credit card payments from our customers, and we may be subject to claims for damages from our customers and third parties, all of which could adversely and materially affect our reputation as well as our results of operations.

If we are unable to conduct our marketing activities cost-effectively, our business, financial conditions and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We have incurred, and we may in the future incur, significant costsexpenses on a variety of marketing efforts designed to increase sales of our products and enhance our brand recognition. Our marketing activities may not be well received by consumers and may not result in the levels of sales that we anticipate. Marketing approaches and tools in the online shopping business in Hong Kong are evolving. This further requires us to enhance our marketing approaches and experiment with new marketing methods to keep pace with industry developments and customer preferences. Failure to refine our existing marketing approaches or to introduce new marketing approaches in a cost-effective manner could reduce our market share, cause our net revenue to decline and negatively impact our prospects to achieve profitability.

Failure to protect confidential information of the customers of our online shopping business, due to network against security breaches or other causes, could damage our reputation and substantially harm our business and results of operations.

A significant challenge to the online retail industry is the secure storage of confidential information and its secure transmission over public networks. The online payments for products sold on our online shopping platform are settled through third-party online payment processing service providers. Maintaining complete security for the storage and transmission of confidential information on our technology platform, such as customer names, personal details and billing addresses, is essential to maintaining customer confidence.

We have adopted security policies and measures, including encryption technology, to protect our proprietary data and customer information. However, advances in technology, the expertise of hackers, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other events or developments could result in a compromise or breach of the technology that we use to protect confidential information. We may not be able to prevent third parties, especially hackers or other individuals or entities engaging in similar activities, from illegally obtaining the confidential or private information we hold as a result of our customers’ visits to our website and use of our mobile applications. Any individuals or entities that obtained our customers’ confidential or private information could engage in various other illegal activities using such information. In addition, we have limited control or influence over the security policies or measures adopted by third-party providers of online payment services through which our customers may elect to make payment for purchases. If we give third parties greater access to our technology platform in the future as part of a strategy of providing more technology services to third-party sellers and others, it may become more challenging for us to ensure the security of our systems. Any compromise of our information security, or the information security measures of our contracted third-party online payment and other service providers, could have a material and adverse effect on our reputation, business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Practices regarding the collection, use, storage, transmission and security of personal information by companies operating over the Internet have recently come under increased public scrutiny. As online retail continues to evolve, we believe that increased regulation by the relevant authorities of data privacy on the Internet is likely. We may become subject to new laws and regulations applying to the solicitation, collection, processing or use of personal or consumer information that could affect how we store, process and share data with our customers, suppliers and third-party sellers. Compliance with any additional laws could be expensive, and may place restrictions on the conduct of our business and the manner in which we interact with our customers. Any failure to comply with applicable regulations could also result in regulatory enforcement actions against the threat ofus.

Significant capital and other resources may be required to protect against information security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. We intendbreaches or to continuecomply with our privacy policies or privacy-related legal obligations. The resources required may increase over time as the methods used by hackers and others engaged in online criminal activities are increasingly sophisticated and constantly evolving. Any failure or perceived failure by us to strengthenprevent information security breaches or to comply with privacy policies or privacy-related legal obligations, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of personally identifiable information or other customer data, could cause our network securitycustomers to alleviate these problems. Our efforts, however,lose trust in us and could expose us to legal claims. Any perception by the public that online transactions or the privacy of user information are becoming increasingly unsafe or vulnerable to attacks could inhibit the growth of online retail and other online services generally, which may cause interruptions, delays or cessationsreduce the number of orders we receive.

The proper functioning of our services, andtechnology platform is essential to our customers may stop using our service or assert claims against us as a result.

We may be unablebusiness. Any failure to further expandmaintain the scopesatisfactory performance of our Internet access services unless we obtain additional network capacity.

Our ability to transition from time to time to more advanced technologies for faster Internet access is critical to our sustainable competitiveness. Because our Next Generation Network has limited capacity, our ability to expand the network bandwidth on a timely basis is subject to the following factors:

the expansionwebsite and development of our own international telecommunications facilities;

the availability of leased capacity from third party carriers at favorable rates; and

the possible termination or cancellation of our existing contracts.

If we fail to increase the capacity of our international bandwidth, our ability to increase our market share and revenue in the Internet access market segment will be limited.

Natural disasters and other disruptive regional eventssystems could damage our networkmaterially and adversely affect our business and operating results.reputation.

The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our technology platform are critical to our success and our ability to attract and retain customers and provide quality customer service. All of our sales of products are made online through our website. Any system interruptions caused by telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hacking or other attempts to harm our systems that result in the unavailability or slowdown of our website or reduced order fulfillment performance could reduce the volume of products sold and the attractiveness of product offerings on our website. Our network isservers may also be vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions, which could lead to system interruptions, website slowdown or unavailability, delays or errors in transaction processing, loss of data or the inability to accept and fulfill customer orders. Security breaches, computer viruses and hacking attacks have become more prevalent in the e-commerce industry. We can provide no assurance that our current security mechanisms will be sufficient to protect our IT systems from third-party intrusions, viruses or hacker attacks, information or data theft or other similar activities. Any such future occurrences could reduce customer satisfaction, damage our reputation and result in a material decrease in our revenue.

Additionally, we must continue to upgrade and improve our technology platform to support our business growth; failure to do so could impede our growth. However, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in executing these system upgrades and improvement strategies. In particular, our systems may experience interruptions during upgrades, and the new technologies or infrastructures may not be fully integrated with the existing systems on a timely basis, or at all. If our existing or future technology platform does not function properly, it could cause system disruptions and slow response times, affecting data transmission, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any interruption in our logistics operation, including our warehousing and delivery operations, for an extended period may have an adverse impact on our business.

We have set up our own logistics center at Kowloon Bay with a logistics, warehousing and delivery team. Our ability to process and fulfill orders accurately and provide high quality customer service depends on the smooth operation of our logistics team, which includes our warehousing operation and the delivery services provided by our couriers and drivers. Our logistics operations may be vulnerable to damage or cessation of operations fromcaused by fire, earthquakes, severe storms, heavy rainfall,flood, power loss,outage, telecommunications failures, network software flaws, vandalism, transmission cable cutsfailure, break-ins, human error and other catastrophic events. We may experience failures or shut downs relating to individual points of presence or even catastrophic failureIf any of our entire network. Any sustained failurewarehouse or delivery services were rendered incapable of our network, our servers, oroperation, then we may be unable to fulfill relevant orders. We do not carry business interruption insurance, and the occurrence of any link inof the delivery chain, whether from operational disruption, natural disaster or otherwise,foregoing risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

The lossWe may incur liability or become subject to penalties for counterfeit or unauthorized products sold on our website, or for products sold on our website or content posted on our website that infringe on third-party intellectual property rights, or for other misconduct.

As of key suppliers or their failure to deliver equipment onApril 27, 2015, our online shopping mall has over 350 stores offering a timely basis could negatively impact our business.

We rely on third parties for the supplyvariety of network equipment. Further, because an IP set-top box must be installedproducts in order to access our IP-TV services, we must have an adequate supplycategories which include fashion, mother and baby, skin care and make up, personal care, medicine and health, supermarket, food and wine, household, music, video and books, games, toys and stationery, outdoor and sports, pet care, and digital and electronics products. A substantial majority of such installation equipment on handproducts and services are offered by third-party merchants through our online shopping platform which functions as a marketplace for delivery to our customers in a timely manner.

such third parties. We purchase all of our IP set-top boxes and other equipmentalso directly sell from our suppliers on a purchase order basis and have no long-term contracts. If our suppliers are unable to supply us with these products in a timely manner or the costs of these products increase due to unforeseen causes, this could negatively impact our operating results, especially if we are unable to spread the costs over a larger subscription base or effectively pass the additional costs on to our subscribers.

Because we rely on third parties in delivering services through our Next Generation Network, our operating results could be adversely affected if their services are not timely or do not meet our standards.

We depend on third parties for the ongoing maintenance and repair of our Next Generation Network. Further, although our Next Generation Network is operated essentially as an independent network,own inventory a small portion of itthe products and services on our online shopping platform. Some of products offered on our online shopping platform may be defectively designed or manufactured.

In addition to acting as a marketplace for merchants, we also source a small portion of products in our inventory from third-party suppliers. Third-party sellers on our online marketplace are separately responsible for sourcing the products they sell on our website. Although we have adopted measures to verify the authenticity and authorization of products sold on our website and avoid potential infringement of third-party intellectual property rights in the course of sourcing and selling products, we may not always be successful.

In the event that counterfeit, unauthorized or infringing products are sold on our website, or infringing content is connectedposted on our website, we could face claims that we should be held liable. Irrespective of the validity of such claims, we could incur significant cost and effort in either defending against or settling such claims. If there is a successful claim against us, we might be required to pay substantial damages or refrain from further sale of the network of other providersrelevant products. Potential liability under interconnection agreements. We are also dependent on certain Hong Kong rail transport providerslaw if we negligently participated or assisted in infringement activities associated with counterfeit goods includes injunctions to maintaincease infringing activities, rectification, compensation, administrative penalties and provide us with access to their infrastructure to support the proper functioning of our equipment and fiber-based backbone. If these third parties fail to respondeven criminal liability. Moreover, such third-party claims or are untimelyadministrative penalties could result in their response to our maintenance and repair needs, our customers may experience interruptions or variations in the quality of our fixed telecommunications network services. Any service interruptions or variations could adversely affect our operating resultsnegative publicity, and our ability to retain or add new customers.

We cannot assure you that the licensereputation could be severely damaged. Any of domestic free television program service license will be granted to usthese events could have a material and our new business in the provision of domestic free television program will generate revenue in short period of time or become profitable in long run

On December 31, 2009, we submitted an application for the domestic free television program service license in Hong Kong to the HKBA. If granted, such license would allow us to provide free television program services in Hong Kong. As of December 13, 2011, our application for such license is still pending. If granted, we will incur additional expense for program production before we can generate revenue. In addition, given that Television Broadcasts Limited has dominance in viewership, we cannot assure that we can generate revenue in a short period of time and become profitable in the long run.

If we cannot manageadverse effect on our business, expansion in multimedia production, our operatingprospects, results could be adversely affected.of operations or financial condition.

We target to invest HK$600 million to build a multimedia center plus incur additional expenditure to produce drama series and a variety of TV contents for broadcasting in Hong Kong to generate advertising revenues within Hong Kong and for sale to international markets. Contrary to our telecommunications business with 19 years of operational track record, we lack direct experience in this new business.

Our ability to manage the expansion in the multimedia production business will depend on our ability to:

build our infrastructure on schedule and within budget;

manage to produce contents with good quality to our customers;

develop effective marketing channels in Hong Kong and international markets;

control operational costs and maintain effective quality controls; and

obtain the free television program service license for broadcasting in Hong Kong.

Our failure to achieve any of the above could increase our costs of operation and investments, thus affecting our operating results adversely.

Risks relating to the regulatory, political and economic environment

Regulatory reforms and currently contemplated regulatory initiatives in the telecommunications industry may adversely affect us.

The Hong Kong telecommunications industry is undergoing continuous regulatory reform. Our business and results of operations may be adversely affected by changessubject to seasonal fluctuations.

We may experience seasonality in our online shopping business similar to other retail businesses in Hong Kong. For example, sales in the telecommunications regulations, especiallytraditional retail industry are significantly higher in the following areas:

In July 2004, a new provisionfourth quarter of the Telecommunications Ordinance came into force. This anti-competition provision specifically regulates the conduct of all carrier licensees (in particular merger and acquisition transactions)each calendar year than in the Hong Kong telecommunications industry by giving OFTApreceding three quarters. Given that our OTT services were launched only in November 2014 and our online shopping mall formally began operations only in February 2015, we are still assessing the power to review the conductssignificance of any seasonal fluctuations in our business and transactions concerning carrier licenseestheir impact on our results of operations. Our business, financial conditions and to take appropriate actions if it determines that the transaction would, or is likely to, prevent or substantially lessen competition in a telecommunications market. OFTA has the power under this provision to conduct an investigation into any questionable transaction. It might consentresults of operations for future periods may experience seasonal fluctuations.

Risks Relating to the transaction (unconditionally orRegulatory, Political and Economic Environment

We are subject to any conditions it deems appropriate) or reject the transaction outright. The decision of OFTA will take into account whether the transaction will adversely affect the public interest and benefit. This provision may have an adverse effect on our ability to grow our business through mergers and acquisitions.

We offer local VoIP services through our Next Generation Network under HKBN’s FTNS License. Following the conclusion of a public consultation on the regulation of Internet Protocol Telephony Services, OFTA issued a statement on June 20, 2005, setting out its views and decisions on the regulatory and licensing framework for the provision of VoIP services, including the creation of a licensing framework, conformance to the existing system of assigning telephone numbers, imposition of interconnection charges and establishing guidelines with respect to the quality of services.

We offer fixed but not mobile telecommunications network services. OFTA has implemented a new fixed-mobile convergence licensing practice by way of the UC License. The UC License regime, which began on August 1, 2008, seeks to replace the existing four classes of carrier licenses for the provision of fixed and mobile services with a simple license. Going forward the UC License will be the only carrier license to be issued for the provision of fixed, mobile and/or converged services. Existing carrier licenses will remain effective until their expiry date. Licensees can choose to apply to convert their existing licenses to UC Licenses before then or apply for a UC License upon expiry. This regulatory change, together with the development of new technologies, may further accelerate the convergence of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, resulting in more structural competition between fixed-line and mobile telecommunications operators. As we do not have a mobile license, and are not currently authorized to provide mobile services, our ability to compete may be hindered by our inability to offer such services independently.

We provide our IP-TV services over our Next Generation Network under HKBN’s FTNS License. The Hong Kong government has indicatedconsumer protection laws that because our IP-TV services are carried over the Internet, we are exempted under the Broadcasting Ordinance from the requirement to obtain a domestic pay-television program service license. However, the Hong Kong government’s Communications and Technology Branch has informed us that the government is considering a review of the broadcasting regulatory regime and may introduce changes to the existing regulatory framework, including the existing exemption in the Broadcasting Ordinance. As a result, we cannot predict whether the government maycould require us to obtain a pay-television program service license in the future.

We require licenses from OFTA to providemodify our services. If one of these licenses is revoked or not renewed or there are substantial changes in its termscurrent business practices and conditions, we may be unable to deliver the services authorized by that license.incur increased costs.

We require licenses from OFTA to provide our fixed telecommunications network and international telecommunications services. Our business operations therefore are susceptible to the following changes in the regulatory environment in particular:

Our ability to adjust the tariffs for different services is governed by the terms and conditions of the relevant licenses. The licenses, however, are issued under different regulatory frameworks. The differences in regulatory structure for these licenses may constrain our flexibility to respond to market conditions, competition or cost structure.

We have been granted a waiver by OFTA to comply with the tariff restrictions contained in HKBN’s FTNS License. If the waiver is revoked, our ability to adjust the tariffs for our fixed telecommunication network services, including our offer of discounts to subscribers from time to time, will be restricted.

Our PNETS License is subject to OFTA’s annual renewal. On October 19, 2009, OFTA announcedHong Kong laws and regulations that regulate retailers generally or govern online retailers specifically. If these regulations were to change or if we, suppliers or third-party sellers on our marketplace were to violate them, the replacementcosts of the PNETS License by a new class of Services-Based Operator License, Class 3 Modified Services-Based Operator License. On November 10, 2009, the PNETS License of City Telecom was replaced by a Class 3 Modified Services-Based Operator License. On December 7, 2009, the PNETS License of HKBN was replaced by a Class 3 Modified Services-Based Operator License.

HKBN’s FTNS License was initially granted in 2000 for a term of 15 years and will expire in 2015. Since OFTA will no longer issue an FTNS License, HKBN will havecertain products or services could increase, or we could be subject to apply for a UC Licensefines or penalties or suffer reputational harm, which could reduce demand for the provision of fixed telecommunications networkproducts or services in 2015. However, the discretion whether a UC License will be granted to HKBN continues to rest with OFTA.

OFTA’s failure to renew or its revocation of any of these licenses or its amendment of any of the terms and conditions contained in such licenses for any reason would prohibit us from continuing to offer the services authorized by those licenses, which would have a significant adverse impactoffered on our revenueswebsite and profitability. In addition, there may be future changes in Hong Kong’s telecommunications regulations or policies that would require us to obtain additional licenses, which could have an adverse impact on our operations.

Our international telecommunications revenues may be adversely affected by increases in carrier charges in China.

In China, tariffs for all domestic and international long distance services offered through public switched telephone networks, leased lines and data services are jointly set by the Ministry of Information Industry of the PRC and the State Development Planning Commission. Certain tariffs payable by us to our carrier partners are based, among other things, on the tariffs set by these agencies with respect to the calls our subscribers make to persons in China. In fiscal 2011, approximately 80% of our international call traffic volume was to China. We cannot predict the timing, likelihood or magnitude of any tariff adjustments that may be imposed by the Ministry of Information Industry of the PRC and the State Development Planning Commission, nor can we predict the extent or potential impact upon our business of any future tariff increases. Such increases may lead to a decrease in traffic, reduce our revenues and adversely affecthurt our business and results of operations. In addition, ifLegal requirements are frequently changed and subject to interpretation, and we are unable to effectively managepredict the increased networkultimate cost of compliance with these requirements or their effect on our operations. We may be required to make significant expenditure or modify our business practices to comply with existing or future laws and regulations, which may increase our costs the profit margins of our IDD business could be adversely affected.

As approximately 50% of our Talents are located in Guangzhou, China, changes in Chinese labor or business laws may significantly affect our operations and materially limit our ability to serveoperate our Hong Kong based customers.business.

Our call center in Guangzhou employs over 1,500 Talents and is an important resource to us. We are therefore significantlymay be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in Hong Kong regulation of Internet-related businesses.

We are subject to Hong Kong laws and regulations governing foreign companies with operations in China. Asthat regulate the Chinese legal system develops, changes in suchInternet industry. The Internet-related laws and regulations are relatively new and evolving, and their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainties. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or their enforcementomissions may leadbe deemed to restrictions onbe in violation of applicable laws and regulations. New laws and regulations may be promulgated that will regulate Internet activities, including online retail. If these new laws and regulations are promulgated, additional licenses may be required for our abilityoperations. If our operations do not comply with these new regulations at the time they become effective, or if we fail to hireobtain any licenses required under these new laws and retainregulations, we could be subject to penalties which may materially and adversely affect our Talents in China, which could impact our ability to provide services to our Hong Kong-based customers.business, prospectus, results of operations and financial condition.

Currency fluctuations of the Hong Kong dollar, our functional currency, may increase our operating costs and long term liability.adversely affect our profitability.

We are exposed to a certain amount of foreign exchange risk because our revenues areexpected revenue will be predominantly denominated in Hong Kong dollars, while a major portion of our operating costs and some of our capital expenditure plans are expected to be denominated in U.S. dollars, Renminbi or other foreign currencies. Our foreign currency-denominated expenses primarily consist of the following:

A majorIn addition, a significant portion of our operating costs of interconnection charges payable to overseas carriers for the delivery of our international calls. Substantially all of these interconnection charges areinvestments in available-for-sale securities and deposits is denominated in U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies.

The equipment and hardware we purchase for the expansion of our Next Generation Network constitutes a large portion of our capital expenditures and is also denominated in U.S. dollars.Renminbi.

Expenses incurred for the operation of our call center located in Guangzhou, China are denominated exclusively in Renminbi, the official currency of the People’s Republic of China. These include salaries paid to our personnel as well as various operating expenses that we incur to maintain our operations.

Since October 17, 1983,Although the Hong Kong dollar has been linked to the U.S. dollar at the rate of HK$7.80 per US$1.00. We, however, cannot assure you the link willsince 1983, it may not continue to be maintained in the future.linked. Any material depreciation of the Hong Kong dollar against the U.S. dollar, Renminbi or other currencies would increase our operating costs, including our debt servicing costs, make some of our capital expenditure plans more expensive and adversely affect our profitability.

The Renminbi is presently pegged to a basket of currencies, and there remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to further liberalize its currency policy. This could result In addition, any depreciation in a further and more significant appreciation in the value of theU.S. dollar or Renminbi against the Hong Kong dollar which would increasereduce the costvalue of operating our call center.investments in available-for-sale securities and deposits.

Our Chairman and Vice Chairman have significant ownership interestinterests in the company. We cannot assure you that our Chairman and Vice Chairman will notCompany. They could engage in any transactions that lead to conflictscould conflict with the interests of interest resulting from their ownership interests.our shareholders.

Our Chairman and Vice Chairman each have an indirect ownership interest in our Company through Top Group International Limited, which, as of December 13, 2011,April 27, 2015, held approximately 43.98%42.00% of the Company’s shares, of which 42.12% and 27.06% was owned by our Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively. Top Group International Limited is a special purpose vehicle incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Its board of directors consists of Mr. Wong and Mr. Cheung. Mr. Wong and Mr. Cheung have entered into a voting agreement pursuant to which they agreed to vote the 339,814,284 shares held by Top Group International Limited, the 7,145,28915,236,893 shares held by Mr. Wong individually, and the 44,286,15950,377,763 shares held by Mr. Cheung individually, collectively as a group. We cannot make assurances that ourOur Chairman orand Vice Chairman will notcould take actions that may not be in the best interests of our other shareholders.

ITEM 4 We believe we were a passive foreign investment company for our taxable year ended December 31, 2014, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of our American depository shares or ordinary shares.

Based on the market price of our American depository shares, the value of our assets, and the composition of our income and assets, we believe we were a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, it is likely one or more of our subsidiaries were also PFICs for such year. A non-U.S. corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). In general, the total value of our assets for purposes of the asset test will be determined based on the market price of our American depositary shares and ordinary shares. A separate determination must be made after the close of each taxable year as to whether we were a PFIC for that year. Because the value of our assets for purposes of the PFIC test will generally be determined by reference to the market price of our American depositary shares and ordinary shares, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of the American depositary shares and ordinary shares, which may fluctuate significantly. Furthermore, unless our share value increases and/or we invest a substantial amount of our cash and other passive assets in assets that produce active income, there is a significant risk we will be a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2015. Because we believe we were a PFIC for our taxable year ended December 31, 2014, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to a U.S. Holder (as defined in “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation”) who holds an American depository share or an ordinary share with respect to any “excess distribution” received from us and any gain from a sale or other disposition of the American depositary shares or ordinary shares. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation—Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

Risks Relating to Our ADSs

As a foreign private issuer, we are not subject to U.S. proxy rules and are subject to Exchange Act reporting obligations that are more lenient than those of a U.S. issuer.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including (i) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents and authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time and (iii) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specified information, or current reports on Form 8-K upon the occurrence of specified significant events. In addition, the executive compensation disclosure requirements to which we are subject under Form 20-F are less rigorous than those required of U.S. issuers under Form 10-K. Furthermore, foreign private issuers are not required to file their annual report on Form 20-F until 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, while U.S. domestic issuers that are not large accelerated filers or accelerated filers are required to file their annual report on Form 10-K within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year. Foreign private issuers are also exempt from Regulation FD, aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosure of material information.

Holders of ADSs must act through the depositary to exercise their rights as shareholders of our Company.

Holders of our ADSs do not have the same rights as our shareholders and may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement for the ADSs. If you are a holder of our ADSs, when a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice to permit you to withdraw your ordinary shares to allow you to cast your vote with respect to any specific matter. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but you might not receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your ADSs. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ADSs are not voted as you requested. In addition, in your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to call a shareholders’ meeting.

Except in limited circumstances, the depositary for our ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders’ meetings, which could adversely affect your interests. Holders of our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.

You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of ADSs.

Our ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deems it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings, and you may not receive cash dividends or other distributions if it is impractical to make them available to you.

We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the United States unless we register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Also, under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not make rights available to you unless either both the rights and any related securities are registered under the Securities Act or the distribution of them to ADS holders is exempted from registration under the Securities Act. We are not obligated to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.

The holding, acquisition or exercise of voting control by non-Hong Kong resident ADS holders and shareholders may be restricted if we obtain a free TV license.

The holding, acquisition or exercise of voting control of a free TV license by persons who do not meet certain Hong Kong residency requirements as set out in the Broadcasting Ordinance (“Unqualified Voting Controllers”) is restricted in various ways by the Broadcasting Ordinance. Such restrictions include, but are not limited to, the requirement for prior approval from the CA for the holding, acquisition or exercise of voting control by an Unqualified Voting Controller of more than 2% of a licensee and restrictions on the exercise of “voting control” by such Unqualified Voting Controller. Under the Broadcasting Ordinance, “voting control” means “the control of or the ability to control, whether directly or indirectly, the exercise of the right to vote attaching to one or more voting shares of a licensee.” If we obtain a free TV license, our Company and any Unqualified Voting Controller will be subject to these restrictions. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulatory Framework—Domestic Free Television Programme Services—Foreign Ownership Restrictions.”

ITEM 4INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A. History and development of the Company

The legal and commercial name of our Company is Hong Kong Television Network Limited, effective from January 10, 2013 (our Company was formerly known as City Telecom (H.K.) Limited.Limited). We were incorporated on May 19, 1992 under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and isare a limited liability company. Our registered office is located at Level 39, Tower 1, Metroplaza, No. 223 Hing Fong Road,13th Floor, Trans Asia Centre, No.18 Kin Hong Street, Kwai Chung, New Territories, Hong Kong, telephone (852)(+852) 3145-6888. Our agent for U.S. federal securities laws purposes is CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10011.

We began offering international telecommunications services in September 1992. In our early stage of development, we focused on increasing our subscription base and amount of international traffic, and on building the CTI brand name as a low cost provider of international telecommunications services. In addition to our operations in Hong Kong, we also provide international telecommunications and Internet access services in Canada through two telecommunications companies in Canada, City Telecom Inc. and City Telecom (B.C.) Inc. We acquired our interests in these companies in December 1998, as part of our efforts to increase our market share of the telecommunications traffic between Canada and Hong Kong.

In January 1999, we became the first company in Hong Kong to obtain a PNETS License. This license, giveswhich gave us the right to offer international telecommunications services using ISRthe International Simple Resale (ISR) method and has had a significant positive impact on our international telecommunications revenues.revenue. We incorporated HKBN in Hong Kong in August 1999 and launched our broadband Internet access services in March 2000. In addition, we began providing local VoIP services in April 2002, IP-TV services in August 2003, and corporate data services in July 2004 using our Next Generation Network. In September 2007, we launched “Fibre-To-The-Home” residential broadband, including the “FibreHome100”, “FibreHome200” and “FibreHome1000” services. In December 2009, we achieved the one-million mark for fixed telecommunications network services subscriptions.

In December 2009, we submitted an application to the HKBA to obtain a free TV license. In August 2011, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation granted us a parcel of land in Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, New Territories to build the Centre, a center for television and multimedia production. The network has the capability of providing value-added broadband services and content that combine voice, data and images with increased efficiency and flexibility.

We believe that oneconstruction of the cornerstonesCentre was suspended following the rejection of our successapplication for a free TV license. Depending on the outcome of the reconsideration of our application by the Chief Executive in Council in light of the results of the judicial review, we may resume the construction of the Centre to support our business development, and upon completion, the Centre would become our headquarters. We have obtained an extension of time for the development of the Centre to February 28, 2017.

In March and April 2012, we entered into the Telecom Group Agreement and the Guangzhou Agreement, respectively, and in May 2012, we completed the very substantial disposal transaction of both the FTNS Business and the IDD Business. Since then, the Multimedia Business has been our principal focus. Our Multimedia Business includes the production, sale and distribution of television drama series and variety and infotainment programs locally and internationally. Our business also includes artiste management services and independent content production.

Beginning in mid-2011, we embarked on a large-scale recruitment process in the multimedia industry, from creative directors to post-production professionals, and we began content production in April 2012. During fiscal 2014, we started the production for a number of drama series, including “End of the Day + 5”, “Sexpedia”, “The Wicked League” and “The Election”. On drama program production, we encourage our Talents to go beyond traditional or mass market drama programs. We have conducted workshops and invited different experts to develop new creative and production ideas and have conducted numerous focus groups by inviting mass market audiences to provide feedback on the first episode of certain drama series. We put the first episode of “Borderline” on YouTube to receive feedback on a larger-scale basis, held workshops to benchmark our creative and production skills, and held workshops with professional consultants for our field production and post-production Talent to enhance their techniques with respect to shooting, lighting and color grading skills when using Hollywood-grade cameras.

Our infotainment and variety programs cover a spectrum of program types, with a variety of subjects and locations, ranging from world class productions, such as “Challenge”, an adventure program, to programs introducing domestic local culture, such as “Secret of Food.” In March 2013, we invited our artistes Mr. Ai Wai, Ms. Lau Yuk Chui and Mr. Chou Tsun Wai to join us and become the first production crew in the world to walk through the entire Hang Son Doong, the world’s biggest cave in central Vietnam, which measures more than seven kilometers in length, 90 meters in width and 200 meters in height. In February 2014, we introduced a new program: a reality show crossover travel diary called “HKTV ‘Working’ Holiday”. The objective of this program is to provide a platform for young people, mostly those born in the 1990s, who are often considered spoiled and dependent, to demonstrate their ability, creativity and determination. The shortlisted candidates are responsible for the entire filming process, from research to quickly expandscript writing to serving as the emcee of luxury travel programs (for example, a program involving a test drive of a Ferrari along Lake Como in Milan and another involving a visit to Arte e Querce to be a truffle hunter with the help of a truffle dog, a journey which became a HK$180,000 treasury hunting adventure).

Upon the disposal of the Telecom Business, the news production operations unit remained with the Company and provided news content to the Telecom Business for their bbTV broadcasting use under a licensing arrangement. The licensing arrangement expired on August 31, 2013. Apart from the above self-produced programs, we also purchased popular and high-quality content from Japan, Korea and Mainland China, including television drama series and cartoons. To adapt to local audiences, we maintain a professional team for dubbing to local language and subtitling as part of the post production process. As of December 31, 2014, we had more than 1,000 episodes of purchased content in our service offerings when changeslibrary.

On October 15, 2013, the Chief Executive in regulation or technology have providedCouncil announced its decision against HKTV’s application for a free TV license which was first made in December 2009. In the light of this decision, in order to ensure its long-term well-being, the Company made redundant about 320 Talents, who started leaving us in phases beginning in October 2013.

On December 20, 2013, we announced our decision to launch our OTT and mobile television services. The intended launch of mobile TV services, however, has been suspended due to a dispute with an opportunitythe CA over the transmission standards the services would use. In April 2014, as a result of this, the Company took steps to do so. reduce the scale of its workforce in the creative and production teams to match its business needs and suspended the filming of new television programs, which has affected approximately 207 Talents mainly from the television content production team.

For the HKTV Mall, we launched our OTT services in November 2014. Subsequent to that, we formally launched the online shopping business on February 2, 2015. To cope with the development and launch of the HKTV Mall, the Company has increased its workforce accordingly.

Some of the key events in our history and development include the following:

In October 2006, our Liu Xiang “Be Ahead of Yourself” marketing campaign won the “Certificate of Excellence” of HKMA/TVB Awards for Marketing Excellence 2006.

 

In February 2007, we launched our “bb50 and bb200” symmetric residential broadband service supported by our special duty unit (“SDU”), personalized customer care service.

In June 2007, we were awarded “Best Retention Strategies” at the Hong Kong HRM Awards 2007.

In July 2007, we were awarded “Integrated Support Team” of the year at the Asia Pacific Customer Service Consortium Customer Relationship Excellence Awards.

In September 2007, we launched “Fibre-To-The-Home” residential broadband service, “FibreHome100”, “FibreHome200” and “FibreHome1000”. As the same time, we upgraded our entry level service broadband Internet access from 10 Mbps to 25 Mbps.

In January 2008, we began to offer our “Dual Mode High Definition Terrestrial TV Receiver and IPTV Set-Top Box” to all of our customers in Hong Kong.

In February 2008, we were awarded contract for the provision of payphone service at the Hong Kong International Airport.

In September 2008, we launched the National Geographic Channel’s first ever interactive channel.

In June 2009, we launched the first online broadband service registration platform in Hong Kong.

In November 2009, we accepted the Innovation in Recruitment award and Champion of HR award at the Hong Kong HRM Awards 2009.

In December 2009, we shatteredsubmitted an application to the one-million mark for fixed telecommunications network services subscriptions.

HKBA to obtain a free TV license.

 

In March 2010,February 2012, we commenced construction of the Centre.

In May 2012, we disposed of our FTNS Business and IDD Business.

In January 2013, the name of the Company was changed from “City Telecom (H.K.) Limited” to “Hong Kong Television Network Limited.”

In October 2013, the Chief Executive in Council announced its decision against HKTV’s application for a free TV license which had been first made in December 2009, a decision we later challenged by judicial review.

In December 2013, we, through one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, acquired the Target Company and announced our decision to launch our OTT and mobile television services and our plans to begin distributing our multimedia content through these platforms on or about July 1, 2014, which were subsequently suspended due to an unfavorable reply from the CA as mentioned below.

In April 2014, after receiving an unfavorable reply from the CA and after several discussions with the CA regarding the adoption of various transmission standards for mobile TV broadcasting without breaching the Broadcasting Ordinance, we and HKMTV filed an application for leave to apply for judicial review in respect of the decision of the CA that HKTV would not be entitled to commence operations if it adopted the DTMB transmission standard for its proposed mobile television service unless a domestic free/pay television programme service licence was first obtained. The substantive hearing was conducted on November 26 and 27, 2014 and the judgment was reserved to be handed down at a later date.

In November 2014, we launched our “bb100” symmetric broadbandOTT services in HKTV Mall, making available our self-produced drama series and WiFi services at Hong Kong International Airport.

variety and infotainment programs, as well as purchased drama series and animation, to viewers by live streaming through video on demand.

 

In April 2010,February 2015, we formally launched our 1Gbps symmetric residential broadbandonline shopping services in HKTV Mall and, at the same time, made available our video on demand service at HK$199 per month.

In December 2010, we launched “Music One”,on a high definition online music portal.

majority of TV set-top boxes in use in Hong Kong.

 

B.Business overviewIn March 2015, the HKTV app became available on Sony’s PlayStation® 4 game console.

Principal Activities

We are a

In April 2015, the High Court of Hong Kong-based provider of residential and corporate fixed telecommunications network and international telecommunications services. We specializeKong delivered its judgment in the residential mass marketjudicial review filed in October 2013 referred to above, quashing the decision against HKTV’s application for a free TV license and small-to-medium corporateremitting the application to the Chief Executive in Council for reconsideration.

B. Business overview

Principal Activities

The Group principally provides multimedia production and enterprise market segments. The majority of our revenues are derived from business conducted in Hong Kong.

We derive our revenues from two business segments: FTNSdistribution and IDD. A breakdown of our revenues is as follows:

   For the year ended August 31, 
   2009   2010   2011 
   HK$   HK$   HK$ 
   (Amounts in thousands) 

Revenue

      

FTNS business

   1,230,880     1,356,098     1,484,324  

IDD business

   247,359     218,589     197,134  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenue

   1,478,239     1,574,687     1,681,458  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FTNS business. Our FTNS business involves the provision of fixed telecommunications network services through our self-owned Next Generation Network. Such services include the following:

high-speed broadband Internet access services at symmetric upstream and downstream access speeds of 25 Mbps to 1000 Mbps;

fixed line local telephony services using VoIP technology;

IP-TV services consisting of more than 110 channels, including self-produced news, children’s programs, international drama, movies and documentaries and local interest programming, using our IP platform; and

corporate dataother multimedia-related services, including the provisionoffer of dedicated bandwidthfree television programming through its OTT platform, multimedia and drama productions, content distribution, online shopping mall operation and other related services, which we refer to corporate customers.

Asin this annual report as our Multimedia Business. Our Multimedia Business includes the OTT platform and e-commerce online shopping and delivery services which were launched in November 2014 and February 2015 respectively and through which we distribute our multimedia content. See “Recent Developments.” The Multimedia Business generated HK$23.0 million of August 31, 2011, we had a total of approximately 1,247,000 subscriptions for our fixed telecommunications network services, consisting of 590,000 broadband Internet access, 476,000 local VoIPturnover in fiscal 2014, which mainly represented the income from program content broadcasting and 181,000 IP-TV services subscriptions.licensing, income received from artiste management functions, income from independent content production and e-commerce related income.

IDD business. Our IDD business involves the provision of international telecommunications services. Such services include direct dial services, international calling cards and mobile call forwarding services in Hong Kong and Canada. As of August 31, 2011, the customer base for our total international telecommunications services consisted of approximately 2.5 million registered accounts.

Strategy and Competitive Strengths

Our strategyaim is to market multiple fixed telecommunications network services by capitalizing on the new in-building blockwiring we have done onprovide an enjoyable one-stop shopping experience to Hong Kong people — a mass scalesimple and hassle-free shopping experience for customers, covering merchant sourcing, order placement, payment collection, same-day or next-day local product delivery, and post-sales customer service. This one-stop shopping experience also brings potential benefits to our Next Generation Network and willmerchants, as they can focus more on growing their business and on product development, rather than using their resources to build product distribution networks and handle post-sales services.

Our success in the OTT and online shopping businesses forming part of our market share, increasingMultimedia Business is dependent on two critical factors: developing our network coverageown strong logistics team and introducing new services through our IP platform.being able to attract a stable customer base and sufficient visitor traffic. We believeconsider that our success in these aspects of the Multimedia Business will continue to depend on our ability to capitalize on our focus on the residential mass and small-to-medium corporate and enterprise market segments, our leading-edge Next Generation Network, and our first mover advantage in the fixed line telecommunications market, which has a high entry barrier.

We believe that our demonstrated success is primarily due to our ability to capitalize on the following key strengths:

 

Focus onStrong content library. As a result of the Residential Mass, Small-To-Medium Corporate and Enterprise Market Segments and Certain High Bandwidth Demand Organizations in the Hospitality, Education and Finance Sectors. We focus on offering high-bandwidth services to the residential mass, small-to-medium enterprise markets and high bandwidth demand organizations in the hospitality, education and finance sectors in Hong Kong, whichinvestment we believe have significant growth potential. We price our services attractively on a value-for-bandwidth basis and at the same time offer bandwidth advantages over comparable service offerings by our competitors. Our IP-TV services focus on the residential mass market by providing Chinese-language content that targets the Chinese-speaking population of Hong Kong. We have also strengthened our English language contentmade over the past year to increaseseveral years in creative driven production, first-class production facilities and procurement of high-quality multimedia content, we have over 1,000 hours of self-produced drama series, variety and infotainment programs and purchased content in our competitiveness by adding Disney Channels, Discovery Channels, National Geographic, AXN, Bloomberg and other channels. Such focus has enabled us to quickly grow our subscription base, and we believe this will help us to increase revenues for our services.

Leading-Edge Next Generation Network. We believe our self-owned Next Generation Network, a fiber-based backbone,content library, which gives us an inherent costeffective means to attract traffic to the HKTV Mall, in particular for its initial launch. We have put these programs into our live streaming and performance advantage overvideo on demand systems for the public to watch for free on our competitors. The high capacity of this network has enabled us to offer a suite of services on a single IP network platform. This IPOTT platform is highly scalable, enabling us to offer broadbandusing Internet access local VoIP, IP-TVon multiple Internet-connected devices, such as smartphones, tablet computers, personal computers, smart TVs, TVs connected to set-top boxes, and corporate data services overgame consoles.

Wide spectrum of products. We operate an online shopping mall providing retailers and wholesalers a single network. It is also capable of providing upplatform to 1000 Mbps symmetric broadband Internet access. Whereas our competitors are on a linear improvement path, we can upgrade our fiber-based services logarithmically from 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps on our existing passive fiber infrastructure, which cannot be accomplished using legacy telephone lines.

First Mover Advantage and High Barriers to Entry. Despitereach the intense competition in the Hong Kong telecommunications industry, the inherent characteristics of the fixed line telecommunicationsmass market create a high entry barrier. Accordingly, we believe that our Next Generation Network’s current coverage of 1.94 million residential homes pass, substantially all in densely populated areas, gives us a first mover advantage over our competitors. Competitors who want to replicate our business model to provide a full coverage network that includes remote and difficult-to-reach areas of Hong Kong may encounter technological difficulties. Attempting to deploy Metro Ethernet technology in such locations would significantly increase costs and completion time of such a network. While other telecommunications operators may lay their own fiber-to-the-building, we believe some would encounter significant in-building bottlenecks when attempting to complete an end-to-end network. This is because a majority of Hong Kong’s residential properties have limited space for in-building wiring leading to subscribers’ residences, making it difficult for new entrants to replicate our end-to-end network infrastructure.

Recent Development

On December 31, 2009, we submitted an application for the domestic free television program service license in Hong Kong to the HKBA. If granted, such license would allow us to provide free television program services in Hong Kong. As of December 13, 2011,April 27, 2015, we have more than 350 stores operating in HKTV Mall, with merchants from Hong Kong and overseas, providing products in areas such as fashion, mother and baby, skin care and make up, personal care, medicine and health, supermarket, food and wine, household, music, video and books, games, toys and stationery, outdoor and sports, pet care, and digital and electronics. Substantially all of the grantproducts in HKTV Mall are owned by our merchants and sold by them to consumers through HKTV Mall, which helps to minimize for us the risk of such license isholding excessive inventory, which most other retailers face. We intend to continue increasing the number of merchants using HKTV Mall and the number of products sold on our platform. By striving to enrich the variety of our products and services as much as possible, we hope to outpace physical shopping malls in terms of our ability to serve every aspect of a consumer’s life.

Substantial registered user base. As of April 24, 2015, we have more than 1.36 million e-mail IDs registered as HKTV Mall members, which enables our merchants to reach a mass audience of customers who they might not currently be able to reach

Experienced advertising sales team. We have an established sales team with extensive experience and strong networks in the advertising industry for acquiring advertisement placement and product integration into our self-produced programs.

Professional logistics team. We have set up our own logistics center at Kowloon Bay with a logistics, warehousing and delivery team for same-day or next-day delivery of local products. This enables the merchants joining HKTV mall to avoid having to invest in complicated logistics support while still pending.being able to deliver a satisfying shopping experience to their customers.

Effective marketing through big data analysis. With the large content library offered to HKTV Mall visitors to watch for free and the wide range of products available for browsing and shopping, we anticipate being able to establish visitors’ viewing, browsing and shopping history and behavior over time. We will collect viewers’ demographic information, advertising viewership patterns, product browsing behavior and their purchase records, all of which will serve as a foundation for “big data” analysis on consumer behavior, which could be instrumental to our advertisers across industries. We expect that this big data analysis will provide useful insight for our merchant-advertisers, for example, showing previously unrecognized patterns of behavior and enabling them to act on this information in a more relevant, timely and targeted way. Enabling merchants to be more responsive to their actual and potential customers may ultimately benefit consumers using our services, who could enjoy a more personalized shopping experience.

Recent Developments

Aiming to expand its foothold inTV licenses and judicial review

The Group’s original business model for free TV services and multimedia production business, City Telecom establishes a World-classsubsequently for mobile TV Multimedia Production and Distribution Centre on the land granted by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation at Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate. It will produce drama series and a variety of TV contents, in order to support the development of the Group’s free TV and Multimedia Production Business and the demand and development of the Group’s business partners.

The multimedia centre willservices have a total estimated gross floor area of approximately 300,000 square feet which will take City Telecom an investment of HK$600 million. It is expected to operate in full gear in 2014. There will be a number of studios of which, the largest one will be sized at 15,000 square feet, exhibition centre for educational purpose, post-production suite with leading facilities and equipment to support Super High-definition and 3D production,been suspended as well as administration offices.

Our Services

Fixed telecommunications network services

We offer our fixed telecommunications network services through our Next Generation Network. The high capacity of our fiber-based backbone has enabled us to offer a suite of services on a single IP network platform. These services include our broadband Internet access, local VoIP, IP-TV and corporate data services. Our strategy is to leverage our broadband subscription base to up-sell our other fixed telecommunications network services such as local VoIP and IP-TV.

The table below shows the profile the subscriptions of our fixed telecommunications network services over the past three years:

   As of August 31, 
   2009   2010   2011 

Broadband Internet access

   391,000     526,000     590,000  

Local VoIP

   382,000     431,000     476,000  

IP-TV

   170,000     153,000     181,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total FTNS subscriptions

   943,000     1,110,000     1,247,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Broadband Internet Accessdescribed below:

 

 1.

ScopeOn free TV services, the Chief Executive in Council announced on October 15, 2013 its decision against HKTV’s application for a free TV license submitted in December 2009. On January 6, 2014, the Company filed an application for leave to apply for judicial review of service. Our broadband Internet access services in Hong Kong are offered through HKBN. We currently offer our residentialthis decision. The substantive hearing was conducted from August 27 to 29, 2014, and corporate customers broadband Internet access speeds of upthe judgment was reserved to 1000 Mbps, butbe handed down at a later date. The court’s judgment was handed down on April 24, 2015, quashing the majorityChief Executive’s denial of our customers currently have access speeds of 100 Mbps. We also offer Fiber-to-the-Home, or FTTH, broadband serviceapplication for 100 Mbps, 500 Mbpsa free TV license and 1000 Mbps. Rather than using Category-5e copper wiring fordirecting the last mile, optical fiber is usedgovernment to pay our legal fees and expenses in FTTH broadband service. Apart from fibre broadband service, most of our customers also choose an array of value added services such as MusicOne - an online High Definition Music Portal, bbWIFI — providing wireless Internet access through more than 5,500 hotspots , Game.hkbn.net” — a game point portal that sells various game providers’ cards and merchandises, 2b app — an app for Android and Apple Mobile Device to enjoy free calls between the app and HK fixed/mobile numbers.

We frequently alter our promotions in response to changing market conditions or as a way of attracting additional subscribers.

Pricing. We currently offer broadband service plans, namely bb100, FibreHome500, bb1000 and FibreHome 1000 with speeds of 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps, respectively, for both upload and download, cateringrelation to the needs of all users.judicial review. The monthly fee ranges from HK$169 to HK$199 for unlimited service access. We frequently alter our promotions in response to changing market conditions as a way of attracting additional subscribers.

In addition to the residential packages described above, we have also developed broadband and Metro Ethernet private network service plans that target corporate customers. We offer prepackaged plans that provide access at speeds of up to 1000 Mbps. Corporate customers that subscribe to prepackaged plans pay fixed monthly subscription fees ranging from HK$248 to HK$200,000, depending on bandwidth or solution selected. Our prepackaged plans include on-site training, on-site maintenance support, high capacity data transfer and e-mail services.

Competition. There have been new entrantsapplication was remitted to the Internet access business, but our main competitors are PCCW-HKT, i-Cable and HTHK. PCCW-HKT has been offering broadband Internet access services since May 1998. The incumbent now offers from 1.5Mbps to 1000 Mbps by using ADSL, VDSL and PON technology . PCCW-HKT announced their fiber networkChief Executive in HK covered 3,442 commercial buildings, 1.9M Homes with FTTB or which 1.26M Homes with FTTH. i-Cable also started to deploy 130Mbps downstream service on Hong Kong Islands. HTHK has 1.5M+ home passes. Maximum service speed is up to 1Gbps.

Our main competitors have been in operation longer and may have greater market presence, brand recognition and more financial, technical and personnel resources. In addition, they may have greater network coverage in terms of number of homes pass.

Market share. We had approximately 590,000 broadband Internet access subscriptions as of August 31, 2011, which represented a market share of approximately 27% with respect to the total number of broadband Internet access subscribers in Hong Kong.

Local VoIP

Scope of service. We offer our on-network local VoIP services in Hong Kong by installing IP-based voice switching equipment in locations covered by our Next Generation Network. Voice signals are transmitted through our Ethernet network by the VoIP switches installed in the subscriber’s building. The quality of our local VoIP service is comparable to traditional fixed line local telephony services, and customers are able to use their existing telephone equipment. In addition, with portability of fixed line numbers, fixed line telephony subscribers switching to our local VoIP services are able to retain their existing local telephone number.

We also offer hardware-based off-network local VoIP services, or “Broadband Phone” services, via the broadband network of other operators. In October 2005, we launched our global software-based VoIP services under the brand “2b”. This service is primarily targeted at the overseas Chinese community, which we believe will enable us to access a wider addressable market with higher tariff compared to the Hong Kong market. To ride on the latest trend of smart phones and tablets, in November 2010, we further launched our 2b app for Apple and Android Devices, which offers greater convenience to users without the need of bringing a laptop or PC. It especially targets those frequent travelers who want to save the voice roaming charges between overseas and Hong Kong.

Pricing. We currently charge from HK$68 to HK$118 per month on standalone basis or starting from HK$20 per month. Home Telephony service to be bundled with the subscription of our broadband Internet access services,Council for our on-network local VoIP services depending on the service plan. And we offer a full range of value added services, including call waiting, caller display and conference call services.

reconsideration.

 

 2.

Competition. PCCW-HKT isOn mobile TV services, an unfavorable reply was received from the incumbentCA regarding the adoption of certain transmission standards for mobile TV broadcasting. Subsequent discussions with the CA failed to resolve the issue. On April 11, 2014, the Company and largest fixed telecommunications network operatorHKMTV filed an application for leave to apply for judicial review in Hong Kong. Based on public information, PCCW-HKT had a market share of approximately 61.2% with respect to local telephony services as of June 30, 2011. The remainder of the market is shared among ourselves and three other alternative carriers: HGC, ,Wharf and Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited.decision of the CA that HKMTV would not be entitled to commence operations if HKMTV adopted the DTMB transmission standard for its proposed mobile television service unless a free TV license was first obtained by HKMTV. The principal basis of competitionHigh Court granted us leave to apply for local telephony is price and brand name recognition. PCCW-HKT has the highest brand name recognition, but wejudicial review on May 20, 2014. The substantive hearing was conducted from November 26 to 27, 2014, and the other operators are contending by offering competitively priced local telephony services that provide comparable qualityjudgment was reserved to PCCW-HKT.

be handed down at a later date.

 

 3.

Market share.On April 11, 2014, the Company submitted a new application for a free TV license to the CA as the Company does not wish to give up considering the use of other transmission standards for broadcasting purposes. As of August 31, 2011, we had 476,000 local VoIP subscriptions. Our market share with respect to local residential and business telephony services was approximately 10% as of August 31, 2011.

April 29, 2015, the application is being processed by the CA.

IP-TV

Scope of service. Our IP-TV services began in August 2003 and include the provision of standard definition and high definition video via our Next Generation Network to an IP set-top box connected to the subscriber’s television set. In May 2007, we renamed our IP-TV services as “bbTV”. “bbTV” currently consists of more than 110 channels, including a self-produced 24-hour news channel and kids education and development channels and turnaround channels from various international content providers such as Sony Entertainment Channels, Disney Channels, Animax, Syfy, Universal and NatGeo, etc. Starting from October 2010, we have offered video-on-demand movies content for customers' selection. It provides the Hollywood movies by charging HK$10 to HK$25 per movie. Customers can enjoy unlimited views within 24 hours after choosing the movie. Since the launch of our IP-TV services in August 2003, we have progressively adjusted our content offerings and valued added components of the services. We consider our IP-TV to be an incremental component of our broadband and VoIP service offerings, rather than a large standalone business.

Pricing. We currently bundle our IP-TV service together with our broadband and VoIP services at an additional fee starting from HK$50 per month for this subscription-based pay television service. Because of the scalability of our Next Generation Network infrastructure, the current cost of adding IP-TV services to an existing broadband Internet access or local VoIP subscriber is small.

Competition. Our two main competitors in the pay-television business are i-Cable and PCCW-HKT. The pay-television services of i-Cable and PCCW-HKT include a significant amount of exclusive contents, such as Barclays Premier League Football until June 2013, HBO, Cinemax, ESPN and others. We target a different market than these competitors by offering a wide spectrum of content line-up and attractive pricing, both of which we consider critical for successful penetration in the residential mass market. We have also strengthened our English language content and Video-On-Demand contents by adding Disney Channels, Discovery Channels, National Geographic Channels, AXN, Universal Channel, Bloomberg, Mega Threater-on-demand with over 700 Hollywood and Asia movies and other channels over the past year to increase our competitiveness.

TVBAs a result of the above incidents, the Company has reduced the scale of its workforce in the creative and Asia Television Limited (“ATV”) are indirect competitorsproduction teams to match its business needs and has substantially suspended the filming of new television programs, while the workforce for HKTV Mall has expanded in line with the development of that part of our pay-TV services. TVBbusiness.

OTT business

On November 19, 2014, we officially announced the launch of our OTT platform on HKTV Mall, an entertainment and ATV accountone-stop online shopping platform in Hong Kong. This platform can be accessed through various Internet-connected devices, such as smart phones running on Android, iOS and Windows, tablet computers, personal computers, smart TV sets, Android TV boxes and game consoles.

Our OTT platform was launched with the slogan “Always Something New.” Through our OTT platform, our self-produced drama series and variety and infotainment programs are made available for Hong Kong people to watch either by live streaming or through video on demand. To attract more viewers, we add fresh programs, such as self-produced drama series and variety and infotainment programs, a substantial proportionshopping program named “Shopping Hero” and purchased drama series and animation from Japan and Korea, on our OTT platform every day. As part of Hong Kong’s television viewershipour program content broadcasting, we earn advertising revenue through six major innovative advertising packages and plans. We also provide a platform for advertisement production and product placement by integration. Since the launch of HKTV Mall, we have aired a wide spectrum of advertisements broadcast through live streaming and video on demand, covering a variety of sectors, including skin care products, jewelry, personal loan and insurance companies, online travel, telecommunications services, online games, food and beverages, electronic appliances, oil and gas, apparel, dental care, and restaurant operations.

During the period under review, we entered into several content licensing arrangements with third parties for international program content distribution. We have brought a majority of our self-produced drama and infotainment programs through video portals or TV stations to overseas audiences, including those in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

Online shopping

In addition to our program content, we operate an online shopping platform through HKTV Mall. Our online shopping platform functions as a marketplace where third-party merchants can offer their products to customers and pay us commission on their sales. As of April 27, 2015, it features over 350 stores providing products in categories such as fashion, mother and baby, skin care and make up, personal care, medicine and health, supermarket, food and wine, household, music, video and books, games, toys and stationery, outdoor and sports, pet care, and digital and electronics. Included among the offerings in HKTV Mall are certain Japanese and Korean products, such as fashion, fresh seasonal fruits, cosmetics and skin care products, and local snacks, which are delivered to consumers directly from Japan and Korea. We provide transaction processing and billing services on all orders on our online shopping platform, and we marketleverage our own logistics team to offer our third-party merchants additional value-added services, such as supplementalwarehousing and delivery services. We require third-party merchants to theirs. Because TVBmeet our standards for authenticity and ATVreliability as we aim to offer primarily subscription-free televisionconsumers the same high-quality customer experience regardless of the source of the products they choose. In addition, we sell a small number of products from our self-owned inventory directly on our online shopping platform. HKTV Mall has its own customer services supported by advertising revenues,team to handle consumer inquiries. In order to offer a better user interface and shopping experience, HKTV Mall on December 17, 2014, commenced a trial run of the online shopping and end-to-end delivery services before their formal launch.

HKTV Mall formally launched on February 2, 2015 with the slogan “We Sell Whatever You Can Imagine,” aiming to be a large-scale online shopping mall in Hong Kong. To celebrate the grand opening and encourage the first purchases on our platform, we expect that their programming is designedallocated an over HK$120 million budget to attract the widest possible audience. In contrast, we and the other pay-TV operators rely on monthly subscription fees for mostbe used to grant HK$100 Mall Dollars to each individual who had registered as a user of our revenues. Other competitors include satelliteHKTV Mall and had activated his or her account on or before February 15, 2015. These Mall Dollars were valid for dollar-for-dollar online consumption until March 31, 2015, which was subsequently extended to April 5, 2015 due to overwhelming traffic approaching the expiration date. Going forward, we plan to have more marketing and promotional campaigns or TV operators, suchshopping programs to stimulate recurring purchases in HKTV Mall.

As of April 24, 2015, we had more than 1.36 million email IDs registered as Star TV,HKTV Mall members who are able to watch our program content by live streaming or video on demand as well as potential competition from direct-to-home broadcasters and broadcasters using digital terrestrial delivery methods.enjoy the online shopping experience provided by HKTV Mall.

Following are some key details of our online shopping operations:

 

Market share. As of August 31, 2011, we had 181,000 IP-TV subscriptions, representing approximately 7% of the total pay-television subscription base in Hong Kong.

Payment. Our online shopping customers pay online at the time they place their orders, using credit cards and/or the Mall Dollars in their HKTV Mall accounts.

International telecommunications services

Customer service and return policy.Providing satisfactory customer service to the users of our online shopping service is a high priority. Our commitment to users of our online shopping service is reflected in the high service levels provided by our Talents as well as in our product return and exchange policies.

We provide 24-7 online chat customer service to the users of our online shopping service. HKTV Mall members can contact our customer service representatives through online chat, ask questions and leave comments and complaints in writing through our website, or send us e-mails.

If a product is returnable and unused, then subject to the return and exchange policy set by the relevant third-party merchant in HKTV Mall, we allow the customer to exchange or return it within seven days after the customer receives the product. After we have received a product that is being returned, we will issue a Mall Dollar refund to the customer’s HKTV Mall account in the amount the customer paid. If a non-returnable product was received by the customer in damaged condition and has not been used, we will allow the customer to return it within seven days after receiving it, and we will issue a Mall Dollar refund as above. We generally pick up at the customer’s address products to be returned.

 

Scope of services. We began providing international telecommunications services in 1992 and were among the first companies to be granted a PNETS License. Our international telecommunications services are offered to our FTNS business customers via our Next Generation Network and to other carriers’ customers via indirect access. Indirect access allows any pre-registered telecom user in Hong Kong to access our services via our two primary access codes “1666” and “0030”. By dialing our access code, our registered customers can access any destination in the world through our network, by paying us a usage charge.

Delivery.We have greatly expandedset up our rangeown logistics center at Kowloon Bay with a logistics, warehousing and delivery team for same-day or next-day delivery of local products. We provide details about the delivery arrangement and the estimated delivery time for each of our online products, whether it is delivered by our logistics team or directly delivered by third-party merchants. Our aim is to deliver a compelling customer experience by fulfilling orders quickly and accurately. To this end, we have built a logistics team comprising couriers and drivers, enabling us to deliver products as quickly as within 24 hours after order placement.

Other

In addition to the above, we continue our business of artiste management services overand multimedia content production.

Sales and marketing

To drive the years to includebusiness growth of HKTV Mall and for branding purposes, we use a variety of international direct dial servicessales and marketing tools, including the following:

“Shopping Hero” shopping program. Since the launch of the OTT platform in November 2014, to stimulate purchases through HKTV Mall, from Monday to Friday we have broadcasted a shopping program called “Shopping Hero” to introduce and demonstrate products offered in HKTV Mall. On an occasional basis, we have used “flash sales” campaigns for certain special promotional offers during the program to drive instant purchases.

Festival and seasonal promotional campaigns. We occasionally run special promotional campaigns to drive sales sentiment, such as the HK$100 Mall Dollar campaign for the grand opening of our online shopping mall, Chinese New Year grocery shopping, “Lai See” money spending, Valentine’s Day gifts, and Korean Week, and usually we produce TV commercials for broadcasting on our OTT platform to increase awareness of the promotional offer.

Mall Dollar Rebate Programme. To encourage recurring purchases, HKTV mall offers a Mall Dollar Rebate Programme. Upon completion of every purchase (after delivery and expiration of the relevant return period, if any), HKTV Mall customers are entitled to at competitive rates.least a 3% Mall Dollar rebate which can be used for purchases in the next six months.

Public events. We believe thathold public events, such as press conferences and shopping mall shows to promote new television series. These events feature discussion of the plot of the television series and behind-the-scenes footage and are attended by our celebrity artistes to attract media coverage. To further drive growth in our online shopping business, we hold seminars and merchant recruitment talks to introduce the HKTV Mall business model, features and strength so as to expand the number of merchants using the platform and the number of products available for sale.

Social media network.In addition to traditional marketing events, we make use of certain popular social networking platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, to increase the visibility of HKTV Mall to the general public.

Big data analysis. By analyzing the data obtained from the HKTV Mall relating to our viewers’ responses to our programs and advertisements as measured by their watching behavior, and the customers’ interest and purchases of products across various categories, we are building our ability to deliver a range of calling plans with varying features that caterprovide personalized promotional offers and product recommendations, which we expect will add value to different customer needs has been onethe third-party merchants and the brand owners of the key factors of our success. We market our international telecommunications services underproducts offered in the IDD 1666 and IDD 0030 brand names. These two brands provide us with flexibility in ourHKTV Mall by enabling them to conduct more effective marketing strategies. The primary international telecommunications services that we currently offer our customers are the following:

ServiceDescription
IDD 1666Provides subscribers with international direct dial using the access code 1666 in Hong Kong.
IDD 0030Provides subscribers with international direct dial using the access code 0030 in Hong Kong.
Mobile call forwarding servicesAllows call forwarding of Hong Kong mobile numbers to any overseas telephone number so that subscribers can receive calls while in overseas.

Pricing. We charge our IDD 1666 and IDD 0030 users a per minute tariff rate that varies according to the destination of the call and the calling prefix, with discounts depending on the time of day or day of the week when the call is placed as well as monthly plans. To maintain our market share in a market segment with increasingly intense competition, we have significantly reduced some of our international telecommunications rates and introduce new marketing and promotional offers from time to time. To offset the effects of these price reductions, we have taken steps to reduce our cost base, such as using our relatively large traffic volume to negotiate lower prices from our international partners, establishing a call center in Guangzhou to provide customer service and back office support services, and developing our own international telecommunications infrastructure. Our employment of two separate brand names, IDD 1666 and IDD 0030, also provide us with flexibility in our marketing strategies.

Competition. PCCW-HKT, HGC, New World, and Wharf T&T are our main competitors in the international telecommunications business. As in previous years, we experienced fierce price competition in Hong Kong during fiscal 2011. This competition drove down the average tariff rates per minute and we expect this price competition to continue in fiscal 2012.

Further, technology substitution from global VoIP providers such as Skype, which offers free PC-to-PC based international calls, is becoming more prevalent.

Market share. We experienced a reduction in total traffic volume of 4.7% to 464 million minutes in fiscal 2010 and a further reduction of 11.2% to 412 million minutes in fiscal 2011. The continuing reduction in traffic volume was mainly due to intense competition as some of our integrated competitors offered free or very low cost international direct dial minutes as a customer incentive to gain local fixed line and mobile market share.

Our network infrastructure

Fixed telecommunications network

Our fixed telecommunications network services are delivered over our self-owned Next Generation Network, which allows us to deliver multiple services, including the triple play service of voice, broadband and IP-TV. The coverage of our Next Generation Network is concentrated in Hong Kong’s most densely populated areas, characterized by high-rise apartment buildings with multiple apartments on each floor. The network currently covers approximately 1.94 million residential homes pass, representing approximately 80% of Hong Kong’s total households and also about 1,600 commercial buildings. We plan to extend the coverage of our Next Generation Network to 2.0 million residential homes pass, representing approximately 90% of Hong Kong’s population, and to 1,800 commercial buildings by the end of 2011. As we expand the reach and coverage of our Next Generation Network, we plan to continue introducing new services.

Our Next Generation Network is deployed using Metro Ethernet technology. Metro Ethernet technology is highly cost-effective when access is to be provided to a large number of users in a single building or cluster of buildings and is typically used in commercial buildings in metropolitan areas in other geographical markets. Our Ethernet infrastructure is a system of Category-5e copper wiring that connects our subscribers’ premises to our local area network, or LAN, switches within a residential or commercial building. By keeping our Category-5e copper distance to less than 100 meters we are able to deliver bandwidth of up to 1000 Mbps to our subscribers.

The first step in expanding the reach of our fixed telecommunications network infrastructure is to select buildings that we believe will provide sufficient economic returns to justify our investment based on several factors, including population density, proximity of the building to our existing fiber loop and our projected ability to sell services. We then perform a site visit to analyze the feasibility of installing our Ethernet technology. Once we are satisfied with the prospects of a particular building, we must obtain access rights from the building’s management, which may take several weeks or months. After receiving the required access rights, we employ a combination of our full-time Talents and contractors to begin installation of our in-building Ethernet. The length of time required for the installation process depends on the size and structural features of the building and can be completed in as little as three weeks or take several months. As we install our in-building Ethernet infrastructure we simultaneously connect the building to our fiber-based backbone.

Unlike many of our competitors, which use multiple platforms to provide comparable services, all of our fixed telecommunications network services are offered through a single IP platform. In addition, unlike many new entrants to the industry, we operate an “end-to-end” network that extends from our IP network hub sites and our switching centers in Hong Kong to our subscribers’ premises. All the buildings covered by us are served by our self-owned infrastructure.

Since November 2007, we have been collaborating with one of the largest network solution providers for the deployment of our Next Generation Network using GPON technology. As the reach of GPON is considerably more than 100 meters, it can be a more cost effective solution to expand our Next Generation Network than our Ethernet setup for lower density deployments.

We incurred capital expenditures of approximately HK$344.8 million in fiscal 2010 and HK$449.2 million in fiscal 2011, substantially all of which were made in connection with the construction and upgrade of our infrastructure for the provision of fixed telecommunications network services. In fiscal 2012, we plan to further incur total capital expenditures about HK$320 million to HK$350 million in our fixed telecommunications network service business.

International telecommunications network

Our international telecommunications network consists of a system of switches, self-owned and leased backbone capacity, interconnection arrangements and undersea cables for the transmission of long distance calls and data.

Undersea cables. In March 2002, we received our license to provide undersea cable-based FTNS. This license allows us to purchase and operate our own undersea cables. In 2000, we entered into contracts with two large consortia of international telecommunications companies to acquire undersea cable capacity. Pursuant to the first contract, we completed the construction of a Japan-U.S. undersea cable in August 2001. Pursuant to the second contract, we agreed to jointly construct and maintain the Asia-Pacific Cable Network 2 undersea cable as an international transmission facility. Construction of the cable was completed in May 2002, and commercial operation began immediately thereafter. We spent a total of HK$120 million on these two projects. We believe the utilization of these undersea cables provides capacity for significant future growth of our international and fixed-network telecommunications services.

Having our own undersea cables and our fiber-based backbone have enabled us to better control international transmission quality, reduce the costs associated with international transmission and reduce our reliance on third party infrastructure. Our international telecommunications network currently has a monthly handling capacity of approximately 130 million minutes. We believe that the continuing improvement of our international telecommunications network is important in supporting the growth of our subscription base and the expansion of our range of services.

Interconnection arrangements. We have entered into interconnection arrangements with other local fixed network operators in Hong Kong and overseas carriers to transmit calls between Hong Kong and overseas destinations for our customers. We take into account a number of factors in choosing the local fixed network operators and overseas carriers with whom we cooperate, including the level of termination charges and transmission efficiency and quality. We evaluate the performance of parties with whom we have interconnection arrangements periodically. We believe that we will not have difficulty in finding alternative overseas carriers if performance standards are not being met or a change is otherwise necessary. We have not experienced any disruption in the provision of our services as a result of a change of arrangements with overseas carriers or local fixed network operators.

We pay a fixed monthly fee to local fixed network operators for connection between our switches and their networks and a variable access fee payable on a per-minute basis when accessing their network. For customers using our own network, no interconnection fee is charged. We negotiate the termination charges we pay with the overseas carriers, and the termination charges vary from one overseas carrier to another. All of the interconnection and termination charges we pay to local fixed network operators and overseas carriers, respectively, are made on an open account basis with credit terms ranging from 10 to 30 days. The interconnection charges we pay to local fixed network operators are denominated in Hong Kong dollars and substantially all the interconnection charges we pay to overseas carriers are denominated in U.S. dollars.

International telecommunications switching systems. We own four international telecommunications switching systems: two in Hong Kong and two in Canada, one in Vancouver and one in Toronto.

Our two international telecommunications switching systems in Hong Kong handle telephone calls originating or terminating in Hong Kong as well as transit traffic. Our telecommunications network mainly consists of switching equipment supplied by Nortel Networks Limited and compression units supplied by Cisco Systems, Inc. and ECI Telecom Ltd. These systems are programmed to automatically choose the optimal routing for each transmission. Optimal routing is a function of a variety of factors, such as country or territory of origination and destination, communication quality, efficiency and costs, and the capacity of the various communication methods available.

Because our two international telecommunications switching systems in Hong Kong operate independently of each other, if one system breaks down, all transmissions are immediately diverted to another switching system. We have never experienced a period where all systems experienced a failure at the same time since we commenced operations in 1992.

Sales and marketing

We advertise our products and services through our “Fibre Shops”, “on-the-street” marketing kiosks, telemarketing and direct mailing, as well as through Chinese language television, radio, print media and on the Internet.

As of August 31, 2011, we had 16 “Fibre Shops” and a customer service center. We believe these shops can offer our customers convenient access to our wide range of services. We continue to identify new locations to expand our sales network.

We have an extensive sales network in Hong Kong. Our senior marketing personnel closely oversee our sales network to ensure that a consistent image is presented by all of our sales representatives in promoting City Telecom and HKBN. We provide commission based incentives to our residential sales force for our fixed telecommunications network services and international telecommunications services.

We have a sales division responsible for coordinating our corporate marketing and sales efforts. We believe our dedicated corporate and small-to-medium enterprise sales force is one of the largest sales forces targeted at corporate users of telecommunications and Internet services in Hong Kong. In addition, our dedicated corporate Talents designs marketing and sales promotions specifically tailored to address the concerns of business users. This division also organizes seminars for current and prospective customers to promote new products and services and to raise the public awareness of our various corporate offerings.

Maintenance and monitoring

To ensure reliability of our fixed telecommunications network, we continue to maintain our monitoring system, which involves:

two separate network operation centers in two different locations that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing real-time service monitoring and maintenance services and supported by about 120 operational and field Talents;

products.

individual self-reporting mechanisms and centralized performance monitoring systems for our switches and equipment;

an emergency self-reporting system that automatically contacts designated personnel; and

back-up systems for our switches, critical software and hardware components.

Once a network fault is detected by our control room, we will either rectify the problem remotely or dispatch field Talents to that location should physical interaction be required. After the problem has been resolved, we will continue to monitor network performance as well as track customer service feedback until we are assured of the fault being fully rectified.

Research and development activities

As of August 31, 2011,April 27, 2015, our research and development departmentteam in Hong Kong consisted of approximately 2527 Talents experienced in systems design, engineering, telecommunicationsmobile technology and computer programming. Our research and development departmentteam is primarily responsible for assessing and adapting the technology that we employexpect to deploy in upgradingour Multimedia Business, such as through the Internet. In particular, our research and expanding our Next Generation Network.development team has been discussing and evaluating with prospective applications developers various technical solutions available for the deployment and enhancement the OTT and online shopping platform and services. To identify and develop new market opportunities and product advancement, our research and development departmentteam evaluates new services offered by telecommunications and Internet companiestechnology under development in the United States and elsewhere and works closely with our sales and marketing department for product development. Our research and development expenditures were approximately HK$10.8 million, HK$11.2 million and HK$11.8 million for fiscal 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.department.

Customer service

We believe that excellent customer service and support is essential to our building and retaining of a large and loyal subscription base. We therefore have committed considerable personnel and financial resources to establishing a reliable and accessible customer service system.

Our customer service department provides integrated support to subscribers of FTNS business and IDD business. We provide a hotline to handle complaints, subscription applications and queries relating to account balances, pricing, billing, service and technical information. Complaints and in-depth queries from subscribers that cannot be immediately remedied or answered are forwarded to a customer care team, which is responsible for answering such complaints and queries. We also have a dedicated customer service team to provide service to our corporate subscribers, which includes access to a highly skilled technical team that may go to the customer site for trouble shooting and repairs.

Our centralized customer service call center is located in Guangzhou, which provides our customer service and back office support services at that location. This enables us to lower our operating costs while continuing to increase our customer service capabilities. As of August 31, 2011, our Guangzhou customer service facility had 1,532 Talents.

Billing and collection

Our credit and collection team is responsible for securing prompt payment from subscribers. Invoices are issued on a monthly or quarterly basis with a specified payment due date. A variety of payment methods are made available to our subscribers, including cash, check, credit card, payment by telephone service, automatic transfer from subscribers’ bank accounts or through Internet banking. Our bad debts expense represented approximately 0.8%, 0.9% and 0.8% of our revenue for each of fiscal 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

We maintain tight collection procedures, including periodic reminder notices, and impose a charge of HK$10 or a fee of 1.5% to 2.5% per month on outstanding overdue amount for late payment. We have the right to charge the outstanding overdue amount to the subscriber’s pre-registered credit card account for any amount overdue or if applicable, deduct such amount from the subscriber’s application deposit. Moreover, we generally suspend an account when the amount overdue is not settled within our prescribed period. If payment is still not settled after we suspend the account, further recovery actions including court proceedings and/or the use of collection agencies will be taken.

Seasonality

Our operations are notmay be subject to significant seasonal fluctuations generally. Our IDD business typically experiences a slight decreasesimilar to other retail businesses in revenue duringHong Kong. Given that our OTT services were launched only in November 2014 and our online shopping mall began operations only in February 2015, we will observe the second quartersignificance of each fiscal year (i.e. December through February)any seasonal fluctuations in connection with the Christmas holiday and Chinese New Year holiday. We do not believe that seasonality has had a material effect on our business financial condition orand their impact on our results of operations. Over time, we expect to partially offset such fluctuations by launching promotional offers at key points in the year.

Environmental matters

Since our date of incorporation, we have not violated any environmental laws, ordinances or regulations, andWe believe that all of our operations comply fullyin all material respects with applicable environmental laws.

Intellectual property rights

We have registered and applied to register our trademarks with the Trademarks Registry of the Intellectual Property Department in Hong Kong. We have no other material intellectual property.

maintain copyright in our self-produced television programs.

C.Regulatory framework
Regulatory framework

The following is a brief summary of the Hong Kong laws and regulations that currently materially affect our business. This section does not purport to be a comprehensive summary of all present and proposed regulations and legislation relating to the industries in which we operate.

As a providerMobile TV services

To facilitate further development of broadband Internet access, local VoIP, IP-TV and international telecommunicationsmobile TV services, the Hong Kong Government announced the “Framework for Development of Broadcast-type Mobile TV Services in Hong Kong, our operationsKong” in February 2010 (the “Mobile TV Policy Framework”). The radio spectrum of 678 - 686 MHz (i.e., the Mobile TV Spectrum) was then assigned through auction in June 2010. As disclosed in Item 4B, we obtained the Mobile TV Spectrum upon completion of the Mobile TV Acquisition on December 20, 2013. There are subject toseparate regimes for regulating “conveyance” and the “content” of mobile TV services. Establishing and maintaining a distributing network for transmitting local broadcast-type mobile TV services (i.e., conveyance) will require a Unified Carrier License issued under the Telecommunications Ordinance (Chapter 106 of the Laws of Hong Kong). The Telecommunications Ordinance sets out the overall licensing framework for Hong Kong’s telecommunications market. The Telecommunications Regulations (Chapter 106A of the Laws of Hong Kong) and the Telecommunications (Carrier Licences) Regulation (Chapter 106V of the Laws of Hong Kong) set out the prescribed licencss and provide for the license conditions that may be issued under the Telecommunications Ordinance. In issuing a Unified Carrier License for different types of services, the CA may attach additional special conditions which are not inconsistent with the Telecommunications Ordinance and the general conditions. Licensees will also need to comply with the Telecommunications Ordinance (including, among other things, provisions relating to anti-competitive practices, abuse of position, changes in relation to carrier licensees), regulations made under the Telecommunications Ordinance, license conditions or any other instruments which may be issued by the CA under the Telecommunications Ordinance.

The CA issued Unified Carrier License No.041 to our wholly-owned subsidiary, HKMTV, the holder of the Mobile TV Spectrum, on December 20, 2013. Unified Carrier License No. 041 sets out, among other things, the terms and conditions, in connection with the provision of broadcast-type mobile television services.

Anti-competitive conduct in the telecoms industry is currently regulated by the CA through provisions of the Telecommunications Ordinance and conditions imposed under licenses. The key governing competition provisions for the telecommunications sector are Sections 7K, 7L and 7N of the Telecommunications Ordinance, which prohibit anti-competitive conduct, abuse of dominance and discriminatory practices. Mergers and acquisitions of telecommunications carriers in Hong Kong are also subject to the sector-specific merger control rules that are set out in Section 7P of the Telecommunications Ordinance.

In relation to the content, the Broadcasting Ordinance Chapter 562 of the Laws of Hong Kong currently does not regulate television program services for mobile reception (i.e., reception at moving locations not related to any specified premises) in Hong Kong unless the services are not primarily targeting Hong Kong. As such, content delivered by both the streaming-type mobile TV services and their respectivethe broadcast-type mobile TV services are subject to regulation by general laws.

Pursuant to the Mobile TV Policy Framework, the not-for-profit Communications Association of Hong Kong (“CAHK”) published its Code of Practice for the Provision of Mobile Television Services (“Mobile TV Code of Practice”) in August 2012. The Mobile TV Code of Practice is a voluntary code for the self-regulation of mobile television service providers. The requirements of the Mobile TV Code of Practice supplement the relevant legislation and regulations currently in force and do not absolve any mobile television service providers from complying with all relevant legislation, regulations and license conditions. The Mobile TV Code of Practice covers broadcast-type mobile television services, streaming-type mobile television services and mobile video content, provided free of charge or subject to a fee. Content which is obtained from the Internet, obtained through mobile apps from independent third party and which is readily obtained from the Internet even if it is part of the content of mobile television services provided by mobile television service providers fall outside the scope of the Mobile TV Code of Practice. The CAHK may, in consultation with industry players and other stakeholders including the CA, review and amend the Mobile TV Code of Practice from time to time in order to meet the needs of the industry, to fulfill the needs and expectations of the society and to reflect changes in the market.

Domestic free television program services

We submitted our application for a free TV license to the HKBA in 2009. On October 15, 2013, the Hong Kong Government announced that our application for the license was rejected by the Chief Executive in Council, a decision that we challenged by judicial review. On April 11, 2014, we submitted a new application for a free TV license, which remains under consideration by the CA. On April 24, 2015, the court’s judgment in the judicial review was handed down, quashing the Chief Executive’s denial of our initial application for a free TV license and directing the government to pay our legal fees and expenses in relation to the judicial review. The application was remitted to the Chief Executive in Council for reconsideration. If and when we have been granted a free TV license, we will be regulated by the CA through its executive arm, the Office of the Communications Authority, and our broadcasting operations will be subject to the Broadcasting Ordinance, the Broadcasting (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 391 of the Laws of Hong Kong) and the related subsidiary legislation, regulations, directions, orders, determinations and codes of practice. The Telecommunications Ordinance providespractice issued by the legislative and regulatory framework forCA, as well as the provision of telecommunications services and facilities in Hong Kong.license conditions. The Broadcasting Ordinance governs the content and scope of television programming and the licensing of television broadcasters.

Our primary regulator is OFTA, whose responsibility and functions include regulating and licensing telecommunications network services and regulating the telecommunications markets in Hong Kong, including the issuance of non-exclusive licenses; the determination of terms of interconnection; promotion of fair competition in the telecommunications sector; management of the radio frequency spectrum; development of technical standards and customer equipment testing; protection of consumer interests; and the control and administration of the Hong Kong numbering plans (including allocation of numbers or codes). The OFTA is also responsible for the administration of the Telecommunications Ordinance. We are also regulated by HKBA, which administers the Broadcasting Ordinance and makes recommendations to the Chief Executive-in-Council of Hong Kong on applications for broadcasting licenses, as well as on the renewal, suspension and revocation of licenses.

Telecommunications industry

Licensing

It is unlawful to establish or maintain any means of telecommunications, or possess, use or deal with telecommunications apparatus in Hong Kong without a license. OFTA has the authority to grant licenses for all means of telecommunications services and facilities in Hong Kong, including the provision of fixed wireline, public mobile telephone, Internet and satellite services. Furthermore, OFTA has the authority to require a licensee to comply with the terms of its license and any applicable legislation or regulations or codes of practice, and to suspend or revoke licenses to enforce the Telecommunications Ordinance or other rules or regulations or codes of practice to protect the public interest.

Prior to August 1, 2008 the operation of fixed and mobile services were regulated separately under four types of carrier license. Further, a number of other types of licenses permitted a licensee to establish facilities or services of a similar kind.

However, in recognition of the convergence of fixed and mobile services enabling voice, data and multimedia applications to be provided over common core networks, delivered through a range of wireline and wireless customer access networks and which will be accessible from common end-user devices irrespective of whether the users are at fixed locations or on the move with the result that is becoming more difficult to classify a service as a “fixed” or “mobile”, amendment legislation has been passed to create a single unified carrier license (UC License) encompassing both fixed and mobile carrier services. The UC License regime came into operation on August 1, 2008. After that date OFTA will not issue any further fixed or mobile carrier licenses. Instead the UC License is the only carrier license to be issued for the provision of fixed, mobile and/or converged services. In the meantime, existing fixed and mobile licenses continue to be effective until their expiry date. License holders may convert existing fixed or mobile licenses into UC Licenses before their expiry on a voluntary basis or apply for UC Licenses upon the expiry of existing fixed or mobile licenses.

General Licensing Requirements

Generally, a licensee is required to be a company incorporated in Hong Kong (which can be wholly owned by a foreign company) or a foreign company registered in Hong Kong. Currently, there is no foreign ownership restriction on the holder of a telecommunications license under the current regulatory regime.

Non-compliance by a telecommunication licensee with the Telecommunications Ordinance, any subsidiary legislation made pursuant to it, any of the license conditions or any direction issued by OFTA, could result in the revocation or suspension of the relevant license. The Telecommunications Ordinance contains a set of provisions setting forth the procedural steps which OFTA must adhere to prior to revoking or suspending any telecommunications licenses. In addition, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong has the authority, at the recommendation of OFTA, to revoke a telecommunications license at any time if it is in the public interest to do so.

Public Non-Exclusive Telecommunications Services License

A PNETS License is used by OFTA to cover the provision of a number of different telecommunications services where the service provider provides the service to the public using the network of a licensed carrier or by establishing or maintaining transmission facilities within the boundary of a building or property. In practice, the PNETS License is also used as a “sweep-up” license category, where a license is required by virtue of the Telecommunications Ordinance but none of the existing categories are applicable to the means of telecommunications or telecommunications service for which the license is required. With effect from November 30, 2009, the OFTA no longer issue PNETS Licenses to service-based providers using the network of a licensed carrier. As a replacement, all PNETS License will be gradually replaced by the modified Services-Based Operator License, i.e. Class 3 Services-Based Operator License. Holder of Class 1 & 2 Services-Based Operator License is allowed to provide Internet Protocol based telephony services making use of Hong Kong telephone numbers, while Class 3 Services-Based Operator is not allowed.

A Class 3 Services-Based Operator License has a validity period of 12 months and is renewable at the discretion of OFTA on an annual basis upon the payment of a prescribed annual fee, which is currently set at HK$750. Where radio communications apparatus is used, there is an additional variable component calculated by reference to the number of base stations and mobile stations involved.

Since the expiry of PNETS License in December 2009, OFTA granted us a Class 3 Services-Based operator License. The Class 3 Services-Based Operator License presently gives us the right to provide calling card services, ISR services for facsimile and data services, virtual private network services and external telecommunications services over the external telecommunications facilities of other licensed external facilities providers, the scope of service under the Class 3 Services-Based operator License is similar to the PNETS License previously granted to us by OFTA. HKBN also holds a Class 3 Services-Based Operator License, which was issued to us in December 2009. This Class 3 Services-Based Operator License allows us to act as an Internet service provider.

Under the terms of the Class 3 Services-Based Operator License, we and IDD1600 Company Limited, or IDD1600, our wholly owned subsidiary, are required to comply with certain license conditions relating to technical and reporting matters.

FTNS License

A FTNS License authorizes the licensee, among other things:

to provide a public fixed telecommunications network service, covering internal services or external services, or both; and

to establish and maintain a fixed telecommunications network, which may be wireline-based or wireless-based (Wi-Fi spectrum included), or a combination of both.

A FTNS License is valid for a period of 15 years and is renewable for a further period of not exceeding 15 years at OFTA’s discretion. The amount of license fee payable by a holder of a FTNS License comprises (i) a fixed annual amount of HK$1.0 million; (ii) a variable amount calculated on the basis of the number of customer connections (which is currently set at HK$700 for each 100 customer connections); and (iii) a variable fee calculated by reference to the radio spectrum assigned and used by the license holder.

HKBN currently holds a FTNS License, which was issued to it in February 2000 initially for the operation of a local fixed wireless network. This FTNS License has been subsequently amended three times and presently, HKBN is authorized to operate both local fixed telecommunications networks (wireline and wireless based) and external telecommunications facilities.

Interconnection

OFTA divides interconnection into two main types. The first type is “Type I Interconnection”, which is interconnection between network gateways, such as tandem exchanges, local exchanges or dedicated interconnection gateways, which allow end users on different networks to “communicate” with each other. The second type is “Type II Interconnection”, which is a connection to a fixed carrier’s network at points of the customer access network level (more often referred to as local access or local loop unbundling) allowing the end customer requesting the interconnection to use the customer access network of the fixed carrier to obtain FTNS. OFTA introduced the Type II interconnection policy in 1995 under which the fixed carriers have obligation to provide Type II interconnection at regulated terms and conditions.

On July 6, 2004 the Hong Kong government announced that the mandatory Type II Interconnection policy applicable to telephone exchanges for individual buildings covered by such exchanges, would be gradually withdrawn on a building-by-building basis, applying to buildings already connected to at least two self-built customer access networks, such withdrawal to be fully implemented by a final sunset date of June 30, 2008. Since that time, mandatory Type II Interconnection was to be maintained only in buildings for which it is technically not feasible or economically not viable for an operator to roll out its customer access network.

On July 3, 2008, OFTA issued a statement to confirm that the mandatory Type II Interconnection policy has been successfully withdrawn as from July 1, 2008 as well as to set out the issues to be followed up after its withdrawal. Since that date, interconnection terms including charges have been determined by commercial negotiation between carriers.

On April 27, 2009, OFTA issued a statement on “Carrier-to-Carrier Charging Principles (For Fixed Carrier Interconnections) providing guidance on carrier-to-carrier charging principles for fixed carrier interconnections that the OFTA will rely on when making determination for interconnection between fixed telecommunications networks in Hong Kong.

Competition provisions

Regulation of anti-competitive conduct

Although Hong Kong has never had a general competition code, historically, holders of FTNS Licenses have been prohibited from engaging in anti-competitive conduct, abusing a dominant position in a telecommunications market, or engaging in any discriminatory conduct by certain competition-related license conditions contained in the FTNS Licenses issued by OFTA. In June 2000, the competition provisions of the Telecommunications Ordinance became operational and, as from that time, anti-competitive conduct was prohibited by legislation as well as under the relevant license conditions.

The Telecommunications Ordinance provides an appeal mechanism by the establishment of a Telecommunications (Competition Provisions) Appeal Board. A person or a licensee aggrieved by a decision made by OFTA relating to the competition provisions may appeal to the Telecommunication (Competition Provisions) Appeal Board. Additionally, a third party suffering loss or damage from breach of such competition provisions may bring an action for damages or seek other appropriate remedies against the offending licensee.

Control on mergers and acquisitions

If OFTA determines that the relevant merger and acquisition activity has, or is likely to have, the effect of preventing or substantially lessening competition in a telecommunications market, OFTA is empowered to direct a carrier licensee to take such actions, such as the complete or partial divestiture of the relevant parties’ interests in the merged entity, as OFTA considers necessary, to eliminate or avoid any anti-competitive effect. However, OFTA may not issue such a directive if it takes the view that the public benefit of the merger and acquisition outweighs any detriment caused by a reduction in competition. Any decision made or direction issued by OFTA under the merger and acquisition provision is subject to appeal to the Telecommunications (Competition Provisions) Appeal Board.

The regulatory regime on mergers and acquisitions only applies to carrier licensees, which includes HKBN as a holder of a FTNS License, which is regarded as a carrier license for the purpose of the Telecommunications Ordinance.

Consumer protection

The Telecommunications Ordinance also contains a statutory provision that is primarily aimed at protecting consumers. This provision prohibits a licensee from engaging in any misleading or deceptive conduct.

OFTA has taken an active role in enforcing this prohibition and has developed voluntary codes to assist in this respect. For instance, in February 2010, OFTA issued a “Code of Practice for Communications Service Contracts” (the “Code”) which supersedes the “Code of Practice for the Service Contracts for the Provision of Public Telecommunications Services” issued in November 2004. The Code is a voluntary scheme intended to heighten customer satisfaction levels by improving the provisions used in communications customer contracts. The Code sets out guidelines on, among other things, the style, format and structure of written contracts, the expiry of term contract, termination of contract etc. In addition, the Code requires that an unsolicited contract must provide a cooling-off period of not less than seven days during which the customers may cancel the contract without incurring any payment liability or any other obligation whatsoever. The Code is applicable to all providers of communications service which include the supply of telecommunications services. Service providers pledging compliance with the Code shall publish on their respective website their pledges to the Code. On December 21, 2010, the Code has been adopted by the Communications Association of Hong Kong and the majority of providers, including HKBN, has pledged compliance with the Code.

Apart from the Telecommunications Ordinance, like any company carrying on business in Hong Kong, telecommunications operators are required to comply with applicable Hong Kong consumer protection laws, for example, the Sale of Goods Ordinance (Cap 26), Control of Exemption Clauses Ordinance (Cap 71), Supply of Services (Implied Terms) Ordinance (Cap 457), the Unconscionable Contracts Ordinance (Cap 458) , Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap 486), and the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance (Cap 593).

Regulation of pricing

Currently, the pricing of both FTNS and public non-exclusive external telecommunications services in Hong Kong is regulated by license conditions. However, the regulatory frameworks of each type of services are different.

All Services-Based Operator Licenses contain license conditions requiring the licensees to publish their tariffs and to charge no more than the published tariffs.

Similarly, holders of FTNS Licenses or UC Licenses are prohibited by license conditions from charging more than their published tariffs for their services. The FTNS License/UC License conditions prohibit licensees from offering discounts to their published tariffs and require the licensees to seek approval from OFTA in connection with (i) any revision of published tariffs, (ii) tariffs for any new services or products or (iii) tariffs for any trial services. However, OFTA may grant a waiver of the application of any or all of these restrictions in relation to a relevant telecommunications market if, in the opinion of OFTA, the licensee is not “dominant” in such market. This is known as an ex ante regime.

HKBN has been granted a waiver from all the tariff revision prohibitions contained in its FTNS License and is able to provide discounts and revise its tariffs in all the FTNS markets.

Universal service contribution and local access charge

Under the current regulatory regime, PCCW-HKT has a universal service obligation to provide good, efficient and continuous basic telecommunications services at reasonable cost on a non-discriminatory basis to all persons in Hong Kong. To compensate PCCW-HKT for the expenses of this obligation, certain licensees are required to contribute to such cost, which is referred to as the USC.

On June 8, 2007, OFTA issued a Statement entitled “Review of the Regulatory Framework for Universal Service Arrangement”, which announced the new USC arrangement for funding the cost of universal service obligation. Commencing from May 1, 2009, the USC sharing arrangement based on external traffic volume has been migrated to that based on the number of all telephone numbers allocated which may be assigned to customers for voice services, non-voice services or both voice and non-voice services. Under the new arrangement, local fixed carrier license, local fixed telecommunications network service licensee, mobile carrier licensee, unified carrier licensee authorized to provide local fixed or mobile services, mobile virtual network operator licensee and services-based operator licensee authorized to provide Class 1 or 2 services are the USC contributing parties. In respect of the above, HKBN as a local fixed telecommunications network service licensee is classified as a USC contributing party and is required to pay USC under the regime that was introduced in 2009.

The level of USC is determined by OFTA and is reviewed periodically based on actual cost and revenue and on a customer-by-customer basis. The average rate has declined over the past several years. In accordance with a statement dated April 27, 2010 issued by OFTA, the level for the period from July 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009 is confirmed to be zero cent per minute and OFTA decided that USC contributing parties are not required to pay provisional USC from May 1, 2009 onward until a further review of the USC. Until November 23, 2011, OFTA has not yet released further review of the USC.

Additionally, providers of external telecommunications services, such as holders of Class 3 Services-Based Operator License, including ourselves and IDD1600, are required to pay a local access charge, or LAC, to the local network operators whose network facilities holders of Class 3 Services-based Operator Licenses use to transmit calls to and from their customers’ sites. The level of the LAC is calculated on a per-minute basis and its arrangement is based on the statement dated November 25, 1998 issued by OFTA. Since December 2009, OFTA is conducting a review on the LAC regime, for the time being, the existing LAC arrangement prevails.

Fixed mobile interconnection charge

In June 2007, OFTA determined the FMIC rates for HKBN, which is a fixed network operator, with one of its mobile network operators, China Resources Peoples Telephone Company Limited, or Peoples, at a rate of 4.8 Hong Kong cents per occupancy minute for interconnection from April 1, 2002 to August 31, 2002, 4.22 Hong Kong cents per occupancy minute for interconnection from September 1, 2002 to August 31, 2003 and 2.89 Hong Kong cents per occupancy minute for interconnection from September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004. In February 2008, HKBN requested OFTA to make a new determination with four mobile network operators on the rate of FMIC payable by these mobile network operators for mobile interconnection service. In September 2008 OFTA indicated that it accepted HKBN’s request for determination. On May 28, 2010, OFTA issued its decision on the determination which set out the rates of mobile interconnection charges payable by the mobile operators under dispute. Based on this determination, we adjusted our revenue related to mobile interconnection charges and interest income during the year ended August 31, 2010. For details, please refer to note 2(b) of our consolidated financial statements.

Fixed Mobile Interconnection Charge, or FMIC, is an interconnection charge for circuit-switched traffic between a fixed network operator and a mobile network operator. OFTA has indicated in its statement published on April 27, 2007, that it will deregulate the existing FMIC arrangement with effect from April 27, 2009. When this occurs, the fixed and mobile network operators would have to adopt a more market driven approach in that parties are expected bilaterally to negotiate a commercially agreed FMIC without OFTA’s intervention.

Since the deregulation of FMIC arrangement on April 27, 2009, HKBN reached agreements with some of the mobile operators on the new settlement arrangements of FMIC. As of December 13, 2011, the discussion with remaining mobile operators on FMIC is still in progress.

Television broadcasting industry

At present, Hong Kong has two licensed domestic free television programprogramme broadcasters, TVBTelevision Broadcasts Limited and Asia Television Limited (“ATV”), providing free-to-air broadcasting services. In addition, there are also three licensed domestic pay-TV broadcasters, namely Hong Kong Cable Television Limited, PCCW Media Limited and TVB PayNetwork Vision Limited (formerly known as Galaxy Satellite BroadcastingTVB Pay Vision Limited). HKBN provides TV services overOn October 15, 2013, the Internet under its FTNS License, while Star TV continues to provide its services through satellite means under its satellite television uplink and downlink license. Currently,Hong Kong Government announced that the HKBA is processingChief Executive in Council had approved in principle applications for a domestic free television program service licenseTV licenses from Fantastic Television Limited and HK Television and Entertainment Company Limited (“HKTVE”), subject to further review and us.final determination by the Chief Executive in Council of the application at a later stage. On April 1, 2015, the Hong Kong Government announced the Chief Executive in Council’s decision on ATV’s application for renewal of its free TV license and HKTVE’s application for a new free TV license. The Chief Executive in Council decided not to renew ATV’s free TV license. Under the Broadcasting Ordinance, a written notice was required to be served on ATV at least twelve months before expiration of the license on November 10, 2015. In order to comply with the statutory requirement as to the length of notice, ATV will have its license extended to April 1, 2016. As of December 13, 2011,regards HKTVE, the HKBA has not yet announced its decisionChief Executive in Council decided to grant a free TV license to HKTVE, and such license will be valid for the aforesaid applications.12 years, until March 31, 2027, subject to a mid-term review in 2021.

Licensing

It is unlawful to offer any “television programprogramme service” in Hong Kong without aan appropriate license. “Television programprogramme service” is broadly defined to mean the provision of television programsprogrammes for transmission by telecommunications that are readily accessible to the general public in or outside Hong Kong or to persons in 2two or more specified premises simultaneously or on demand, whether on a point-to-point or a point-to-multipoint basis.basis (or any combination thereof), having equipment appropriate for receiving that service. The Broadcasting Ordinance exempts certain categories of television programprogramme services from the current licensing regime, including television programprogramme services provided on the service commonly known as the “Internet”.“Internet.” The Broadcasting Ordinance itself, however, does not contain a definition of “Internet”.“Internet.”

The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology has indicated that on the condition that HKBN continues to provide its service on the platform currently deployed by HKBN, the Hong Kong government does not dispute that HKBN’s service is provided on the “Internet” and is thus exempt. On this basis, HKBN is not required to obtain a pay-television broadcasting license and continues to provide IP-TV services under its FTNS License.

Cross media ownership restrictions

As with other television regulatory regimes, there are detailed cross-media ownership restrictions in the Broadcasting Ordinance. The restrictions are only applicable to domestic free and domestic pay television programprogramme service licenses.

The Broadcasting Ordinance essentially provides that a company which is either a “disqualified person” or has a “disqualified person” exercising control over it will not be eligible to be granted a broadcasting licensedomestic free and domestic pay television programme service licence unless it discloseswith the disqualificationprior approval of the Chief Executive in its license application.Council. “Disqualified person” includes, for example, a company which is an existing domestic free or domestic pay television programprogramme licensee; an advertising agent; a sound broadcasting licensee; or a proprietor of newspaper printed or produced in Hong Kong.

Generally, a disqualified person who has complied with the disclosure requirementdisclosed its disqualification in its license application may apply for a broadcasting license. The Broadcasting Ordinance provides that the Chief Executive of Hong Kongin Council may grant a broadcasting license to a company, including a disqualified person or to a company which has a disqualified person exercising control over it, or to a disqualified person in which another disqualified person exercises control subject to such conditions as the Chief Executive of Hong Kongin Council sees fit.

Foreign ownership restrictions

In addition to the cross-media ownership restrictions outlined above, the Broadcasting Ordinance also imposes restrictions on foreign ownership of a holder of a domestic free television program serviceTV license. The restrictions do not prohibit the ownership of any voting shares in a domestic free television program serviceTV licensee but rather take the form of prohibiting the exercise of any voting rights attached to such voting shares.

Upon receivingIf we obtain a domestic free television program serviceTV license, an unqualified voting controller of our Company will be subject to the voting restrictions under Section 20(1)as set out in Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Broadcasting Ordinance. An “unqualified voting controller” under the Broadcasting Ordinance refers to a voting controller who is not a qualified voting controller, and a qualified voting controller refers to a voting controller who satisfies the ordinary resident requirement and who, in the case of an individual, has resided in Hong Kong for a period of no less than seven years or in the case of a corporation, whose directors satisfy the Hong Kong residency requirement. According to Sectionparagraph 20(1) of Schedule 1 to the Broadcasting Ordinance, no unqualified voting controller may hold, acquire, or exercise or cause or permit to be exercised 2% to 6% or 6% to 10% or more than 10% of the total voting control of a domestic free television program serviceTV licensee without the prior approval of the HKBA. SectionCA. If an unqualified voting controller holds more than 10%, in the aggregate, of the total voting control of a licensee without the prior approval in writing of the CA, notwithstanding anything contained in the memorandum or articles of association of the licensee or any provision of the laws of Hong Kong apart from this section, he shall not exercise or cause or permit to be exercised, in relation to any question or matter arising at a general meeting of the licensee, voting rights exceeding, in the aggregate, 10% of the total voting control of the licensee. Paragraph 20(3) of Schedule 1 to the Broadcasting Ordinance provides that the HKBACA may, in respect of any unqualified voting controller who is in contravention of Section 20(1) of Schedule 1 to the Broadcasting Ordinance,such voting restriction, direct such unqualified voting controller in question to cease any such contravening act, theact. If and when a free TV license is granted to our Company, an unqualified voting controller willmay need to seek the requisite approval of the HKBA, if and when the license is granted toCA for exercising its voting power in our Company. Our Company shallwill be required to notify the HKBACA of the unqualified voting controller pursuant to the directions of the HKBACA and sectionsparagraphs 22 and 30 of Schedule 1 to the Broadcasting OrdinanceOrdinance.

Competition provisions

TheCurrently, competition provisions governing the broadcasting sector in Hong Kong are set out in the Broadcasting Ordinance, also contains competition provisions, which are aimed at prohibiting a licensee from engaging in “anti-competitive conduct” and a licensee who is in a dominant position from abusing its position. “Anti-competitive conduct” is defined as conduct that has the purpose or effect of preventing, distorting or substantially restricting competition in a television program service market.

The Broadcasting Ordinance provides that a breach of any of the competition statutory provisions may lead to the relevant contractual provisions in an agreement being regarded as void.

Unlike the regulatory regime for the telecommunications industry, thereThere is no equivalent of a specialized competition appeal board for the television broadcasting industry. A licensee aggrieved by a decision made by the HKBA,CA, may appeal by way of petition to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.in Council.

Program standards, and advertising standards and technical standards

A broadcastingIn addition to the Broadcasting Ordinance, the Broadcasting (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance and the related subsidiary legislation, regulations, directions, orders and determinations, a television programme service licensee is required to comply with the terms and conditions of its license and the codes of practice issued by the CA, pursuant to section 3 of the Broadcasting Ordinance, which set out generic standards with respect to program, advertising and technical standards applicable to the licensee. The Generic Codes of Practice for Television currently comprises of three sets of standards, i.e., the program standards, the advertising standards and the technical standards. The program standards and the advertising standards published byapply to the HKBA.four categories of television programme services licensed under the Broadcasting Ordinance,viz., domestic free television programme services, domestic pay television program services, non-domestic television programme services and other licensable television programme services. The technical standards are applicable to television programme services licensed under the Broadcasting Ordinance except for a service provided to hotel rooms. These codes are reviewed in consultation with the licensees and the general public. The latest program standards andwere issued in May 2014, the advertising standards were both issued on December 12, 2008.in January 2013 and the latest technical standards were issued in October 2012.

PRC Regulations

Non-compliance by licensee

Corporate laws relatingNon-compliance by a licensee with the Broadcasting Ordinance, any subsidiary legislation made pursuant to foreign investmentit, any of the license conditions or any direction issued by the CA or any of the code of practice, could result in the revocation or suspension of the relevant license. The Broadcasting Ordinance contains a set of provisions setting forth the procedural steps which the CA and the Chief Executive in Council must adhere to prior to revoking or suspending any broadcasting licenses.

Online shopping business

Misleading advertising

The establishment, operationTrade Descriptions (Unfair Trade Practices) (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 (the “Amendment Ordinance”) came into effect on July 19, 2013 and managementamended the Trade Descriptions Ordinance by prohibiting specified unfair trade practices and strengthening the enforcement mechanism. The Customs and Excise Department is the principal enforcement agency under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. Concurrent jurisdiction is conferred on the Office of corporate entitiesthe Communications Authority to enforce the new fair trading sections in Chinarelation to the commercial practices of licensees under the Telecommunications Ordinance and the Broadcasting Ordinance that are governeddirectly connected with the provision of telecommunications and broadcasting services.

The key amendments include:

the expansion of the definition of trade descriptions in relation to goods, as well as the extension of the scope to cover services;

the creation of new criminal offenses on unfair trade practices, namely misleading omissions, aggressive commercial practices, bait advertising, bait-and-switch and wrongly accepting payment;

the introduction of a compliance-based mechanism under which civil enforcement options, namely the acceptance of an undertaking from traders and the seeking of an injunction from a court where necessary, can be drawn on to promote compliance with the new fair trading sections introduced by the Company LawAmendment Ordinance; and

the creation of a new private right of action for damages to facilitate consumer redress.

On July 15, 2013, the Customs and Excise Department and the Office of the PRC, orCommunications Authority published the Company Law, effectiveEnforcement Guidelines for the Amendment Ordinance to state the manner in 1994, as amended in 1999, 2004which they will exercise their enforcement powers and 2005, respectively. The Company Law is applicable to our PRC subsidiary CTI Guangzhou Customer Services Co. Ltd. unlessprovide guidance on the PRC laws on foreign investment have stipulated otherwise.operation of the new legislative provisions.

Data privacy

The establishment, approval, registered capital requirementPersonal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (“PDPO”) governs our collection and day-to-day operational matters of wholly foreign-owned enterprises, such as our PRC subsidiary, CTI Guangzhou Customer Services Co. Ltd., are regulated by the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Lawuse of the PRC effective in 1986, as amended in 2000,personal data we collect from our customers and users of our HKTV Mall service.

The PDPO regulates all aspects of personal data processing. The PDPO defines “personal data” very broadly to include any data relating directly or indirectly to a living individual from which it is practicable for the Implementation Rulesidentity of the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Lawindividual to be directly or indirectly ascertained. A “data user” is defined as the person who, either alone or jointly or in common with other persons, controls the collection, holding, processing or use of the PRC effective in 1990, as amended in 2001.

Foreign exchange

On August 29, 2008,personal data. A “data subject” is the Noticeindividual who is the subject of the General Affairs Department of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on the Relevant Operating Issues concerning the Improvement of the Administration of Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-funded Enterprises, or Circular 142, was promulgated by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. Pursuant to Circular 142, the foreign currency capital of foreign-invested enterprises, after being converted to Renminbi,personal data.

Personal data can only be processed or used by us for the purposes notified to the data subject on or before the collection of the data and any directly related purpose. Data subjects must consent to any new or additional purpose.

We are required under the PDPO to obtain data subjects’ consent to the processing of personal data for direct marketing purposes. Such consent must describe the kinds of personal data we will be using for direct marketing purposes and the classes of goods or services that will be marketed.

Contracts for the sale of goods

The Sale of Goods Ordinance (the “SGO”) applies to all contracts for the sale of goods. A contract for the sale of goods is made when the seller transfers or agrees to transfer the property in goods to the buyer for a price.

The SGO provides that goods for sale must:

be sold under terms that include an implied condition that the seller has the right to sell the goods or will have the right to sell goods when the property is to pass (section 14 of the SGO);

be of merchantable (that is, satisfactory) quality. Goods must meet the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking account of any description of the goods, the price and all other relevant circumstances. The quality of goods includes their appearance and finish, their safety and their durability. Goods must be free from defects, even minor ones, except where these defects have been brought to the consumer’s attention by the seller (section 16 of the SGO);

be fit for their purposes (section 16 of the SGO);

be as described on the package or a display sign, or by the seller (section 15 of the SGO); and

correspond with any sample (section 17 of the SGO).

If sellers fail to meet any one of the above conditions, they are in breach of contract. Under these circumstances, consumers are entitled to reject the goods and demand a full refund.

We will be bound by the provisions of the SGO where we are the seller of products. The SGO will not apply to our activities as an intermediary where we are acting as a marketplace for the sale of goods offered by third-party merchants only.

Contracts for the supply of services

The Supply of Services (Implied Terms) Ordinance (the “SSO”), provides that in the absence of provisions in the contract for services, services should be carried out (i) with reasonable care and skill (which generally means the services must meet the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory) (section 5 of the SSO), (ii) the services should be performed within a reasonable time if the time of performance has not been fixed by the contract (section 6 of the SSO); and (iii) a reasonable charge should be paid if the charge has not been fixed by the contract (section 7 of the SSO).

If we fail to meet any one of the above conditions, we would be “in breach of contract”. Under these circumstances, consumers would be entitled to seek compensation from us.

Section 8(1) of the SSO provides that as against a party to a contract for the supply of a service who deals as a consumer, the other party (the service supplier) cannot, by reference to any contract term, exclude or restrict any liability of his arising under the contract by virtue of this Ordinance. In other words, we cannot impose a contract term that excludes or restricts our liability on breach of contract.

We will be bound by the provisions of the SSO where we are the provider of services. The SSO will not apply to our activities as an intermediary where we are acting as a marketplace for the sale of services offered by third-party merchants only.

Unconscionable contracts for the sale of good or supply of services

The Unconscionable Contracts Ordinance (the “UCO”) applies to a contract for the sale of goods or supply of services in which one of the contracting parties is dealing as a consumer. If the Court finds that the contract or any part of it was unconscionable (that is, unfair or not sensible) in circumstances relating to the contract at the time when it was made, the Court would have the jurisdiction under section 5 of the UCO to refuse to enforce the contract, or to enforce the remainder of the contract without the unconscionable part, or to limit the application of, or to revise or alter, any unconscionable part so as to avoid any unconscionable result.

Misrepresentation

A person who makes a false statement of fact that induces another person to enter into a contract is guilty of making a misrepresentation. The three prerequisites for misrepresentation are:(i) someone has given a statement of fact,(ii) that statement is wrong, and (iii) that false statement induced the innocent party to enter into the contract.

The Misrepresentation Ordinance allows an innocent party to apply to court to cancel the contract and restore the parties to where they were before the contract was made and to claim compensation.

Limitations on liability

The Control of Exemption Clauses Ordinance (“CECO”) subjects any attempt by us to exclude our liability for financial loss or damage to property during the course of the provision of our services to the test of “reasonableness”. The reasonableness test is satisfied if the court concludes that the relevant exemption clause was fair and reasonable having regard to the circumstances which were, or ought reasonably to have been, known to or in the contemplation of the parties when the agreement was made (section 3(1) CECO).

Under CECO, we cannot exclude or restrict our liability in relation to goods we have sold in respect of the following areas:

liability arising from the death or personal injury caused by negligence;

goods proving defective while in consumer use (section 10(1)(a));

negligence in the distribution of goods for private use or consumption (section 10(1)(b)); and

liability for breach of the obligations arising under the implied undertakings in the SGO.

We will be bound by the provisions of CECO where we are the provider of goods and services. CECO will not apply to our activities as an intermediary where HKTV Mall is serving only as a marketplace for the sale of goods or services offered by third party merchants only.

Product safety

The Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (the “CGSO”) and the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (the “TCPS”) impose a statutory duty on manufacturers, importers and suppliers of consumer goods, toys and children’s products to ensure that the goods and products are reasonably safe. The CGSO also imposes controls on the advertising of consumer goods.

The CGSO does not prescribe any mandatory safety tests to be carried out on products before they are offered for sale. Suppliers are, however, encouraged to have their consumer goods tested by an approved laboratory to determine whether they are reasonably safe.

Under the TCPS, all toys manufactured, imported or supplied for consumption in Hong Kong must comply with one of three sets of safety standards for toys, while children’s products must comply with the corresponding standards set out in a schedule to the Ordinance. Toys with no relevant ISO 8124/IEC 62115, EN 71 (BS EN 71) or ASTM F963 standards and children’s products with no relevant standard requirements must comply with the ordinance’s general safety requirements, which imposes a duty on manufacturers, importers and suppliers to ensure that their products are reasonably safe.

As with the SGO, we will be bound by the provisions of the CGSO and TCPS where we are the seller of consumer products. Neither the CGSO nor the TCPS will apply to our activities as an intermediary where HKTV Mall is serving only as a marketplace for the sale of goods offered by third-party merchants.

Pharmaceutical safety

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, there are two kinds of medicine retailers: Listed Sellers of Poisons and Authorized Sellers of Poisons.

A Listed Seller of Poisons is only allowed to sell category 3 medicines, as set out in the Ordinance. Medicines in this category can be sold in pharmacies or medicine stores without resident pharmacists. Examples include drugs for the common cold, antipyretics, painkillers and those used to treat or alleviate minor illnesses.

An Authorized Seller of Poisons is authorized to sell all 3 categories of medicine under specific conditions. The Ordinance requires that medicines in categories 1 and 2 must be sold under the supervision of registered pharmacists at the premises of the Authorized Seller of Poisons.

Copyright infringement

Copyright is infringed by any person who, not being the owner of the copyright or his licensee, engages in any of the acts restricted by the Copyright Ordinance in Hong Kong. Under the Copyright Ordinance, an online service provider (“OSP”) such as HKTV Mall may be liable for copyright infringement if it “authorizes” another party to engage in an act restricted by copyright. Once an OSP becomes aware (or ought reasonably to have become aware) that its platform is being used for doing business withininfringing activities, it must take prompt action to bring the business scope approvedinfringing activity to an end.

The Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014 was introduced in the Legislative Council on June 13, 2014 but has not yet been passed. The 2014 Bill would introduce safe harbor provisions which would have the effect of limiting, subject to conditions, our liability as an OSP for copyright infringement caused by relevant governmentalthird parties on our service platform.

Online transactions

The Electronic Transactions Ordinance provides the legal framework for the recognition of electronic records and signatures, giving them the same legal status as their paper counterparts. It has also established a Voluntary Certification Authority Recognition Scheme for certification authorities to enhance public confidence in electronic transactions.

Employment

All our employees are employed in Hong Kong, and shallwe are subject to the Hong Kong Employment Ordinance (the “EO”). The EO is the main employment legislation in Hong Kong, providing for certain minimum benefits and protections, including:

paid annual leave;

paid sick leave;

paid maternity leave; and

compensation payments in certain cases of severance, unfair dismissal or termination after long service.

Subject to limited exceptions, the EO applies to all employees working in Hong Kong, regardless of their nationality. Observing the terms of the EO is generally considered to be mandatory, although it is not specifically expressed to be used for domestic equity investment except as otherwise explicitly provided byan overriding statute.

Other mandatory laws that are likely to apply to the employment relationship with our employees include the following:

The PDPO. This ordinance regulates an employer’s collection or surveillance, use and regulations. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises may not change how they use such capital without SAFE’s approval,disclosure of an employee’s personal data (including personal data contained in e-mails and may notphone calls).

Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance. Subject to limited exceptions, this ordinance requires employers in any case use such capitalHong Kong to repay Renminbi loansenroll employees in a Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme (that is, a retirement scheme), to which the employer and employee must make certain contributions. Foreign nationals are exempt if they haveare posted in Hong Kong to work for a period not used the proceedsexceeding 13 months or belong to a retirement scheme outside of such loans.

Income tax

Hong Kong. In January 2008, the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law took effect. The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law appliescertain cases, a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, unless tax incentives are granted to special industries and projects. Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation regulations, dividends generated from the businessHong Kong national working outside of a PRC subsidiary after January 1, 2008 and payable to its foreign investorHong Kong may still be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%this ordinance if the PRC tax authorities determine thatemployment has sufficient connection with Hong Kong.

Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance. This ordinance imposes a duty on all employers, as far as is reasonably practical, to ensure the safety and health in the workplace of its employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance covers most industrial and non-industrial workplaces in Hong Kong.

Employees’ Compensation Ordinance. If an employee suffers injury arising out of and in the course of employment in Hong Kong (or overseas, if the travel is authorized by the employer), the employer is usually liable to compensate the employee under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance. Eligible family members of an employee killed in an accident at work may also be entitled to compensation. If an employer carries on business in Hong Kong, its employees are protected under the ordinance. (To be covered, an employee can work outside Hong Kong but his employment contract must have been entered into in Hong Kong.) All employers are required to maintain valid employees’ compensation insurance policies to cover their liabilities under the ordinance and at common law.

Companies Ordinance. The Companies Ordinance protects employees of a Hong Kong company (including a Hong Kong subsidiary of a foreign investorcompany) in relation to wages and other entitlements if the company is a non-resident enterprise, unless there is a tax treaty with China thatwound up. Under the Companies Ordinance, the employees become preferential creditors in the winding-up.

Sex Discrimination Ordinance, Disability Discrimination Ordinance, Family Status Discrimination Ordinance and Race Discrimination Ordinance. All four of these ordinances legislate against various forms of discrimination.

Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance. This legislation safeguards certain rights of individuals, although both of these have limited application in the context of employment law.

Labour Tribunal Ordinance. This ordinance empowers the Labour Tribunal to hear and resolve disputes relating to employment contracts as well as alleged breaches of the Employment Ordinance. It potentially covers disputes involving foreign nationals or Hong Kong residents working abroad.

Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO). The POBO provides for a preferential withholding tax rate. Distributions of earnings generated before January 1, 2008 are exempt from PRC withholding tax.

Labor and work safety in China

The Labor Law of the PRC, or the Labor Law, which was effective on January 1, 1995, provides basic protections for employees, e.g. employment contracts shall be concluded if labor relationships are to be established between employers and employees; employers cannot compel employees to work beyond the time limit and shall provide wages which are not lower than local standards on minimum wages to the employees punctually; employers shall establish and improve their systems for labor safety and sanitation and strictly abide by applicable PRC rules and standards on labor safety and sanitation; and female employees and juvenile employees are given special protection.

On June 29, 2007, the National People’s Congress of China enacted the Labor Contract Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. On September 18, 2008, the State Council further promulgated the Regulations on Implementation of the Labor Contract Law. Compared to the Labor Law, the Labor Contract Law and its implementing regulations impose more restrictions on employers and have been deemed to potentially increase labor costs for employers to terminate employment relationship with employees. Such restrictions include specific provisions related to fixed term employment contracts, temporary employment, probation, consultation with the labor union and employee assembly, employment without a contract, dismissal of employees, compensation upon termination and overtime work, and collective bargaining. According to the Labor Contract Law and its implementing regulations, an employer is obliged to sign an unlimited term employment contract withoffenses where an employee if the employer intends to renew employment relationship with such employee after two consecutive fixed term employment contracts. The employer also has to pay a compensation fee to the employee if the employer terminates the unlimited term labor contract, unlessaccepts or solicits advantages from third parties (for example, an employee refuseswho receives an inducement from a supplier of goods in return for placing orders with that supplier) or who offers advantages to extend an expired employment contract under terms which are the samepublic servants or more favorable than those in the expired contract. Compensation isconnection with contracts with public bodies. In some cases, employees may also required when the labor contract expires. Further, under the Regulations on Paid Annual Leave for Employees, which became effective on January 1, 2008, employees who have worked more than one year for an employer are entitledbe subject to a paid vacation ranging from 5 to 15 days, depending on their length of service. Employees who waive such vacation time at the request of employers shall be compensated for three times their normal salaries for each waived vacation day.

anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions.

TheOther laws and regulations governingaffecting our business

Competition

Hong Kong’s first cross-sector competition legislation, the labor relations and work safety also include:

the Work Safety LawCompetition Ordinance (Chapter 619 of the PRC (2002);Laws of Hong Kong), was enacted on June 14, 2012 and has been implemented in phases since January 18, 2013.

The main features of the RegulationCompetition Ordinance are to: (i) prohibit restrictive agreements and concerted practices; (ii) prohibit the abuse of a substantial degree of market power; (iii) prohibit anti-competitive mergers in the telecommunications sector; (iv) establish a Competition Commission and a Competition Tribunal; and (v) provide for incidental and connected matters.

The two sector-specific competition regimes that apply to the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors under the Telecommunications Ordinance and the Broadcasting Ordinance will be replaced upon implementation of the Competition Ordinance in phases.

Pursuant to the Competition Ordinance, both the CA and the Competition Commission are competent regulators and have concurrent jurisdiction on Occupational Injury Insurance (2004);

competition matters relating to telecommunications and broadcasting. The Competition Ordinance also provides a mechanism whereby such telecommunications and broadcasting related competition matters may be transferred between the Interim Measures ConcerningCA and the Maternity Insurance (1995);

Competition Commission. It is envisaged that in addition to the Interim Regulationsvarious codes and guidelines on competition related matters issued by the CA, new guidelines will be issued by the Competition Commission on the Collectioninterpretation of the conduct rules. the CA and Paymentthe Competition Commission will enter into a Memorandum of Social Insurance Premiums (1999) and its interim measures (1999); and

the RegulationUnderstanding to provide more clarity on the Administrationoperation of Housing Fund (2002).

the competition regime in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.

D.Organizational structure
C. Organizational structure

The following chart sets forth our principal subsidiaries as of December 13, 2011:April 29, 2015:

 

LOGO

LOGO

Notes:

(1)The other immediate subsidiary of City Telecom (H.K.) Limited is Golden Trinity Holdings Limited. Its immediate subsidiary is Attitude Holdings Limited.

(2)Our Company has only registered its Chinese name. The English name is an unregistered translation.

(3)The other immediate subsidiaries of Automedia Holdings Limited are CTI International Limited, BBTV Company Limited, City Telecom (U.S.A.) Inc., City Telecom (Vancouver) Inc. and City Telecom (Toronto) Inc.

(4)The immediate subsidiaries of Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited are Excel Billion Profits Limited, Hong Kong Television Network Limited, Hong Kong Broadband Television Company Limited, Hong Kong Broadband Phone Limited and Hong Kong Broadband Digital TV Limited.

(5)The immediate subsidiary of Hong Kong Media Production Company Limited is Leader Artiste Management Company Limited.

The jurisdiction of incorporation and our ownership percentage of each these subsidiaries as of December 13, 2011April 29, 2015 were as follows:

 

Name

Jurisdiction of
incorporation

Percentage of interest
held by HKTV
      

Percentage of interest

held by City Telecom

Name

Jurisdiction of

incorporation

Direct

%

  

Indirect

%

963673 Ontario Limited

Canada—  100 

Attitude Holdings Limited

  British Virgin Islands   —      100% 

Automedia HoldingsBest Intellect Limited

  British Virgin Islands   100%   —    

BBTV CompanyCity Telecom (H.K.) Limited

  Hong Kong   —      100% 

Best IntellectCosmo True Limited

  British Virgin Islands   100%   —  

City Telecom (B.C.) Inc.

Canada—  100

City Telecom (Canada) Inc.

Canada—  100

City Telecom (Toronto) Inc.

Canada—  100

City Telecom (U.S.A.) Inc.

United States of America—  100

City Telecom (Vancouver) Inc.

Canada—  100

City Telecom Inc.

Canada—  100

City Telecom International Limited

British Virgin Islands100—  

Credibility Holdings Limited

British Virgin Islands100—  

CTI Guangzhou Customer Services Co. Ltd. (note)

People’s Republic of China100—  

CTI International Limited

Hong Kong—  100

CTI Marketing Company Limited

Hong Kong—  100  

Excel Billion Profits Limited

  Hong Kong   —      100% 

Golden Trinity Holdings Limited

  British Virgin Islands   100%   —  

HKTV Japan Company Limited

Japan—  100% 

Hong Kong Broadband Digital TV Limited

  Hong Kong   —      100

Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited

Hong Kong—  100

Hong Kong Broadband Phone Limited

Hong Kong—  100% 

Hong Kong Broadband Television Company Limited

  Hong Kong   —      100% 

Hong Kong Media Production Company Limited (formerly known as Global Courier Company Limited)

  Hong Kong   —      100% 

Hong Kong Mobile Television Network Limited

  Hong Kong   —      100% 

IDD1600Hong Kong Mobile Television (Leasing) Limited

Hong Kong—  100

Hong Kong Music Network Limited

Hong Kong—  100

Hong Kong TV Shopping Network Company Limited

  Hong Kong   —      100% 

Leader Artiste Management Company Limited

  Hong Kong   —      51100

Multi Talent Enterprise Limited

British Virgin Islands100—  

Talent Ascent Limited

British Virgin Islands100—    

D. Property, plant and equipment

As of December 31, 2014, we owned premises with an aggregate area of 51,000 square feet, all of which were in Hong Kong, for our own use. We also had an aggregate of 126,000 square feet of investment properties for rental income or capital appreciation. In addition, we leased office and warehouse properties in Hong Kong.

Note: Our Company has only registered its Chinese name. The English name is an unregistered translation.During fiscal 2014, we invested HK$68.7 million on capital expenditure mainly for the set-up of the HKTV Mall, including computer system for OTT and online shopping platform, motor vehicles and equipment for logistics function, etc.

 

E.ITEM 4AProperty, plant and equipmentUNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

For the provision of fixed telecommunication network services, we own, or control through long-term leases, equipment consisting of switching, transmission and power equipment and connecting lines comprised of in-building wiring, fiber-based backbone, wireless and leased wire-line backbone and other support structures, conduits and similar items that comprise our Next Generation Network. The majority of the fiber-based backbone connecting our services is under public road, highways and streets. In Hong Kong, we owned an aggregate of 161,000 square feet predominately for self use as of August 31, 2011.None

For the provision of international telecommunications services, we own two switching systems in Hong Kong and two in Canada (one in Vancouver and the other in Toronto). We have invested and have rights to dedicated capacity in two undersea cables, the Japan-U.S. cable and the APCN 2 cable, for use as international transmission facilities, both of which were completed and have been operational since May 2002.

ITEM 5OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

In addition, we have leased properties for 16 retail shops in Hong Kong and for a 3,500 square feet customer service center in Mongkok, Hong Kong.

We rely on suppliers to provide equipment, underground cables and other necessary components for the construction and upgrade of our Next Generation Network, and for our VoIP equipment. In order for new subscribers to be able to access our IP-TV services, we must install an IP set-top box in their homes. We must have an adequate supply of such installation equipment on hand to respond to new customer subscriptions in a timely manner. We purchase all of our IP set-top boxes and other equipment from our suppliers on a purchase order basis and have no long-term contracts. If our suppliers are unable to supply us with these products in a timely manner or the costs of these products increase due to unforeseen causes, this could negatively impact our operating results, especially if we are unable to acquire new subscribers or effectively appropriate our costs on to our customers.

ITEM 5

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

You should read the following discussion together with the rest of this annual report, including the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. The results discussed belowfollowing discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Such statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained herein that are not necessarily indicativestatements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. For example, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 3 “Risk Factors” above and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below. All forward-looking statements in this annual report are based on information available to us as of the date of this annual report and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

Pursuant to a resolution of the Board dated August 29, 2014, the Company’s financial year end date has been changed from August 31 to December 31 in order to unify the financial year end dates of the Company and its subsidiaries and align with the business cycle of the Group’s potential customers in the e-commerce retail industry and the multimedia advertising industry. As a result of this change, the Company’s fiscal 2014 results include consolidated financial statements for the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014, with comparative figures for the twelve months ended August 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012 for fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively, and the fiscal 2014 results are accordingly not fully comparable to be expectedthe prior fiscal year results. For further information, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in any future periods.this annual report.

A.

A. Operating results

Overview

We are a provider ofOverview

Prior to May 2012, we principally engaged in providing residential and corporate fixed telecommunications network services in Hong Kong. We offer our customers an integrated suite of broadband Internet access, local VoIP, IP-TVservice and corporate datainternational telecommunications services through our self-owned Next Generation Network. Our network covered 1.94 million residential homes pass as of August 31, 2011, representing more than 80% of the total households in Hong Kong and is concentrated in Hong Kong’s most densely populated areas, which reducesCanada. We derived our costrevenue from two business segments: the FTNS Business and the IDD Business. In March and April 2012, we entered into the Telecom Group Agreement and the Guangzhou Agreement and in May 2012, we disposed of network deployment per home pass. Asthe entire FTNS Business and IDD Business. Since then, the Multimedia Business has become our principal focus. The Multimedia Business includes the production, sale and distribution of August 31, 2011,television drama series, variety and infotainment programs locally and internationally, and the online shopping business. It also includes artiste management services and multimedia content production. The operating results of the disposed Telecom Business and the Multimedia Business have been presented, as discontinued operations and continuing operations, respectively, in our FTNS business had a subscription base of approximately 1,247,000 subscriptions. In addition, we offer a variety of international telecommunications services, including direct dial services, international calling cards and mobile call forwarding services, in Hong Kong. As of August 31, 2011, our IDD business had a subscription base of approximately 2.5 million registered accounts.consolidated financial statements.

Factors affecting our results of continuing operations

Our revenuesturnover

Our revenues are derivedIn fiscal 2014, our turnover represented income from two business segments: our FTNS businessprogram content broadcasting and our IDD business. Our FTNS business primarily consists of broadband Internet access, local VoIP, IP-TV and corporate data services, while our IDD business primarily consists of direct dial services, international calling cards and mobile call forwarding services.

FTNS business. Revenueslicensing, income from our FTNS business primarily consist of monthly service charges payable by our subscribersartiste management functions, income from independent content production, and interconnection charges payable by other telecommunications operators.

Monthly service charges. We charge our subscribers a monthly service charge, which generally varies by the number and nature of the fixed telecommunications network services subscribed. Our strategy is to market additional services to our subscribers by leveraging our broadband Internet access subscription base of 590,000 as of August 31, 2011 and the scalability of our Next Generation Network.

Interconnection charges. We offer fixed telecommunications network services through our self-owned Next Generation Network. Under the terms of HKBN’s fixed telecommunications network services license, we are required to provide interconnection services to other network operators, including mobile network operators.

IDD business. Substantially all of revenues from our IDD business consist of tariffs, which generally varies by the destination of the call and the calling prefix, with discounts depending on the time of the day or day of the week when the call is placed.

e-commerce related income.

Our operating expenses

Our operating expenses consist of network costs and costscost of sales and other operating expenses.

 

Network costs and costsCost of sales. NetworkCost of sales refers to programme costs vary accordingcharged to either our network capacity or our traffic volume. Suchprofit and loss over the showing period and talent costs mainly include leased line rentals, program fees and other production costs for our IP-TV serviceswhich are directly attributable to the turnover generated from the licensing of program rights, program production and interconnection charges payable to other local fixed network operators and international bandwidth providers. Network costs do not include depreciation charge, which is included in other operating expenses.

the provision of artiste management services.

 

Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses mainly consist of Talentsalaries and related costs for Talents which are not capitalized as programme costs, costs relating to our e-commerce operations, costs of corporate functions, uncapitalized depreciation of fixed assets, amortization of intangible assets, advertising and marketing expenses, depreciationwrite-offs of owned fixed assets.

artiste prepayment, provision for committed artiste payment, auditors’ remuneration and operating lease charges in respect of land and buildings.

Talent costs. Salaries and related costs incurred for services rendered by Talents.

Advertising and marketing expenses. Due to our efforts in promoting our FTNS services, our advertising and marketing expenses incurred in connection with subscription acquisition activities have been relatively high. We expect that we will be required to continue to invest significant financial and human resources in our sales and marketing efforts as we strive to build our subscription base and enhance our brand value.

Depreciation. Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets less their estimated residual value, if any, using straight line method over their estimated useful lives. We expect that we will continue to invest in our Next Generation Network to expand our network coverage. In addition, any technological advancement or obsolescence might affect the estimated useful lives of our fixed assets.

Critical accounting policies

The following discussion and analysis is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in note 1 to our consolidated financial statements.statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRSsIFRS requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenuesrevenue and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We continually evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to fixed assets, provision for doubtful accounts,intangible assets, programme costs, investment properties, available-for-sale securities and deferred taxes, USC charges and certain revenue items.taxes. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. This forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates as facts, circumstances and conditions change. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is changed if the change affects only that period or in the period of the change and future periods if the change affects both current and future periods.

Our accounting policies have been developed over many years as the telecommunications industry and generally accepted accounting principles have evolved. As our financial statements are prepared under IFRSs, our accounting policies are necessarily compliant with all aspects of IFRSs. IFRSs are based on a “substance over form” conceptual framework that requires us to look through the legal interpretation of an arrangement or transaction to its underlying purpose and to reflect it in our consolidated financial statements on that basis.

The following are the most significant accounting estimates and judgments we apply in preparing our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue recognition

Revenue for the provision of telecommunications services is recognized when an arrangement exists, service is rendered, fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable. Revenue received in advance is deferred and recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the stated period of time in the subscriber agreement.

A portion of revenue from our FTNS business is derived from network interconnection charges. Network interconnection charges are recorded as revenue based on usage of our fixed telecommunications network by the fixed telecommunications network operators. The determination of the rates on mobile interconnection charges at which revenue is recognized involved significant estimates by management. Significant changes in management estimates may result in material revenue adjustments.

Prior to April 27, 2009, mobile network operators were obliged to pay interconnection charges to us in accordance with the charging principles promulgated by OFTA. As certain local mobile network operators disagreed with the level of charges computed by us in the past, we recognize revenue related to mobile interconnection charges at amounts we believe to be realizable after consideration of the uncertainty regarding the timing and amount of the ultimate collection of amounts due. Specifically:

In August 2004, we requested OFTA to make a determination (the “2004 Determination”) on the level of mobile interconnection charges payable by one of the mobile network operators to us and the effective date of the determined mobile interconnection charges. The amount recognized in fiscal 2008 was based also on the 2004 Determination issued by OFTA in June 2007. In February 2008, we requested OFTA to make a new determination with four mobile operators on the rates of mobile interconnection charge and interest thereon. We subsequently entered into contractual agreements with some of these mobile operators, which agreed to pay mobile interconnection charges based on the 2004 Determination for the period from April 1, 2002 to August 31, 2004 and with respect to the period after August 31, 2004 at the interim rates stated in the agreements, which will be adjusted based on further determination to be issued by OFTA.

The amount recognized in fiscal 2009 and before was based on the 2004 Determination issued by OFTA in June 2007 which set out the rates of mobile interconnection charge payable by the mobile operators under dispute for interconnection services provided by us for the period from April 1, 2002 to August 31, 2004. In September 2008, OFTA indicated that it accepted our request for determination on the rate of mobile interconnection charge for the period from April 1, 2002 to April 26, 2009 payable by the mobile operators that have not reached contractual agreements with us, and the rate for period from September 1, 2004 to April 26, 2009 payable by those mobile operators that have reached contractual agreements with us and the interest thereon (the “2008 Determination”). On November 25, 2009, OFTA issued a Preliminary Analysis in relation to the 2008 Determination for the parties’ comments.

In May 2010, OFTA issued its decision on the 2008 Determination, which set out the rates of mobile interconnection charges payable by the mobile operators involved in the dispute. Based on such decision on the 2008 Determination, we reversed approximately HK$19.7 million revenue related to mobile interconnection charges and recognized approximately HK$10.1 million interest income in fiscal 2010.

For a discussion of our revenue recognition of mobile interconnection charges, please refer to note 2(b) to our consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts realized could be different from our estimate.

Useful lives of fixed assets

We estimate the useful lives of fixed assets in order to determine the amount of depreciation expense to be recorded. The useful life of an asset is estimated at the time the asset is acquired based on historical experience, the expected usage, and wear and tear of the asset, as well as technical obsolescence arising from changes in the market demandsdemand or service output of the asset. Changes in technology or industry conditions may cause the estimated period of use or the value of these assets to change. We perform periodic reviews to confirm the appropriateness of estimated economic useful lives for each class of fixed assets. For the three years ended August 31, 2011,fiscal 2012, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014, there were no changes in the useful lives of our fixed assets.

Intangible assets

Upon the completion of the disposal of the Telecom Business in May 2012 and as part of the consideration received from the disposal, we were granted the indefeasible right of use of the telecommunications capacity of the Telecom Business for a term of 20 years and the right to use the telecommunications services from the Telecom Business for a term of 10 years. The fair value of these intangible assets as of the completion date of the disposal was determined with reference to comparable market transactions.

During fiscal 2014, we acquired a wholly-owned subsidiary and recorded an intangible asset relating to our acquisition of Mobile TV Spectrum for the provision of broadcast-type mobile television services for a period of about 12 years.

Intangible assets acquired by us are stated at cost less accumulated amortization (where the estimated useful life is finite) and impairment losses.

Amortization of intangible assets with finite useful lives is charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the assets’ estimated useful lives.

Both the period and method of amortization are reviewed annually.

Impairment of fixed assets

Under IFRSs,IFRS, if a triggering event occurs indicating that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, a new assessment of the carrying amount of that asset is required. Triggering events include significant adverse changes in the market value of an asset, changes in the business or regulatory environment, or certain legal events. The interpretation of such events requires judgment from the management with respect to whether such an event has occurred and whether management feelsconsiders that reassessment of the carrying value of the asset is required. If an event occurs that could affect the carrying value of the asset and management does not identify it as a triggering event and identify the asset as impaired, future operations could be adversely affected if this asset is subsequently written off or sold for less than its carrying value due to sudden downturns in the business environment.

Upon the occurrence of triggering events, the carrying amounts of fixed assets are reviewed to assess whether their recoverable amounts have declined below their carrying amounts. Under IFRSs,IFRS, the recoverable amount is the greater of its fair value less costs of sales and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of time value of money and the risks specific to the assets. Where the asset does not generate cash inflows largely independent of those from other assets, the recoverable amount is determined for the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows independently (i.e. cash-generating-unit)that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets (such smallest identifiable groups being referred to as a cash-generating unit or “CGU”). Where the recoverable amount of fixed and other long-lived assets is less than their carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized to write down the assets to their recoverable amount, which is based on the fair value less costs to sell or value in use.

Estimation of cash flows arising from future use of the asset requires careful analysis regarding what we expect to recover from its future use. This includes consideration of our target market share and subscription base,viewership, market competition, future changes to our cost structure and technological change. In addition, the residual value of the asset on disposal requires judgment, as the estimated fair value of the asset at the time of disposal could change in response to market conditions and changes in expected use of the asset prior to disposal. Changes in the estimate of cash flows arising from expected future use of the asset or its residual value on disposal — based on changes in market conditions, changes in the use of assets, changes to our management plan,plans, and foreseeable technological changes or otherwise — could significantly change the calculation of the fair value or recoverable amount of the asset and the resulting impairment loss. This in turn could significantly affect theour results of our operations.

ForOur Multimedia Business comprises two CGUs, namely our “Media” CGU, which includes the three years ended August 31, 2011, nomultimedia, drama production and content distribution business, and our “E-commerce” CGU, which includes our online shopping business. During fiscal 2014, we recognized impairment loss on fixed assets, intangible assets and programme costs and wrote off certain construction in progress with an aggregated amount of HK$32.0 million. We have identified indications of impairment of our Media CGU assets, primarily as a result of the uncertainty related to the legal and technical feasibility in the provision of mobile television services. The recoverable amounts of these assets, which include primarily programme costs, certain fixed assets has been recognized.

Accounts receivable

Under IFRSs, provision is made against accounts receivable toand intangible assets, were assessed based on their value-in-use at the extent they are consideredMedia CGU level as well as our Multimedia Business as a whole and were determined by discounting the estimated cash flows to be doubtful. This provision requires judgment regardinggenerated from the collectabilityuse of certain receivables boththese assets at pre-tax discount rates of 13.40% at the Media CGU level and 15.25% at the overall Multimedia Business level. Key assumptions used in the estimation of value in use included discount rate, projected revenue of the Media CGU and projected revenue of our E-commerce CGU.

Any change in the assumptions adopted in the cash flow forecasts would significantly affect our impairment testing and hence our results of operations.

Fair value measurement of investment properties

Investment properties are stated at fair value. Any gain or loss arising from the change in fair value or from the retirement or disposal of an investment property is recognized in profit or loss.

Valuations of investment properties are carried out by an independent firm of surveyors. The fair value of our investment properties are determined by using the direct comparison approach by reference to recent sales prices of comparable properties.

Fair value measurement of available-for-sale securities

Our investments in debt and equity securities are classified as theyavailable-for-sale securities, which are incurredinitially stated at fair value, which is their transaction price unless it is determined that the fair value at initial recognition differs from the transaction price and as they age. We assess bad debt provisionthat fair value is evidenced by type of customers, namely residential, corporate and carrier,a quoted price in an active market for an identical asset or liability or based on past experiencea valuation technique that uses only data from observable markets.

At the balance sheet date, the fair value is remeasured, with any resultant gain or loss being recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated separately in equity in the fair value reserve. When the investments are derecognized or impaired, the cumulative gain or loss recognized in equity is reclassified to profit or loss.

The fair value of recovery of old receivables,available-for-sale securities are based on quoted market prices for identical financial instruments at the aging ofbalance sheet date.

Programme costs

Programme costs are stated at cost less amounts expensed and any provision considered necessary by management. Programme costs are charged to profit or loss based on the accounts receivable balance and historical write-off experience. Certain receivables may be initially identified as collectible, yet subsequently become uncollectible and result in a subsequent write-offbroadcasting schedule of the related receivable toprogram reflecting the consolidated income statement. Changes in the collectabilitypattern of accounts receivableconsumption of their economic benefits.

- Self-produced programs

Self-produced programs consist primarily of drama, infotainment and variety programs. The cost of self-produced programs comprises direct production costs and an appropriate proportion of production overheads.

- Purchased programs

Purchased programs consist of film rights acquired for which provisions are not made could affectshowing on our future resultstelevision platforms. Cost of operations.purchased programs comprises cost of purchase, cost of conversion and an appropriate proportion of production overheads.

Included in the accounts receivable balance (net of allowance for doubtful debts) were receivables for mobile interconnection charges of HK$68.8 million, HK$39.8 million and less than HK$0.1 million as of August 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The balance represented mobile interconnection charges we billed to the local mobile network operators, and some of these charges had not been collected.

Changes in the allowance for doubtful debts consist of:

   For the year ended August 31, 
   

2009

HK$

  

2010

HK$

  

2011

HK$

  

2011

US$

 
   (Amounts in thousands) 

Balance at beginning of the year

   11,944    3,160    5,823    748  

Additions charged to expense

   12,103    14,742    13,636    1,751  

Write-off

   (20,887   (12,079   (12,929   (1,660 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at the end of the year

   3,160    5,823    6,530    839  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Deferred taxation

We recognized deferred tax assets for all deductible temporary differences and operating loss carry forwardscarry-forwards to the extent it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the assetassets can be utilized. The recognition of deferred tax assets requires judgment regarding the results of future operations, including the assumption that there will be sufficient future operations to allow us to utilize the related deferred tax assets. Our management projects future taxable income by considering all available information, including projected future taxable profit by taking into consideration of the effect of our capital expendituresexpenditure and other plans (such as the existing network capacity, technological changes and future market trends and projected fixed network coverage)trends), tax planning strategies, historical taxable incomes, and the expiration period of the unused tax losses carry forwardsloss carry-forwards of the Company and each of our Company andits subsidiaries.

As of August 31, 20102013 and 2011,December 31, 2014, we had not recognized deferred tax assets in respect of unused tax losses of HK$8.2204.9 million and HK$8.1566.0 million respectively, because it was not probable that future taxable profits could be generated to utilize the tax losses. All tax losses are subject to agreement with local tax authorities. Any changes in the estimate of future operations could change the recognition of our deferred tax assets, which could significantly affect our results of operations.

USC charges

Our management makes their best estimates for the USC, payable to PCCW-HKT in order to fund the network development costs incurred by PCCW-HKT in remote areas in Hong Kong. Such estimated costs are included as part of our costs of rendering services. The estimate is made based on the provisional rates announced by OFTA and is effective up to the date of the release of our consolidated financial statements. OFTA periodically reviews the actual costs incurred by PCCW-HKT in the development and adjusts the amounts owed to PCCW-HKT, or to be refunded by it, to the respective USC contributing parties, including us. Accordingly, the estimate made by our management for a financial year is subject to changes based on the revisions published by OFTA up to the date prior to the release of our consolidated financial statements. We adjust such differences as an addition to, or reduction of, the corresponding costs of services in that particular reporting period.

Any sum received in advance from PCCW-HKT as an estimated refund of USC on a provisional basis, which is subject to the final confirmation and determination of OFTA, is recorded in other payables and accrued charges in our balance sheet.

Operating Results

The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, a summary of our results of operations.

 

   For the year ended August 31, 
   2009  2010  2011  2011 
   HK$  HK$  HK$  US$ 
   (Amounts in thousands) 

Revenue

     

FTNS business

   1,230,880    1,356,098    1,484,324    190,601  

IDD business

   247,359    218,589    197,134    25,314  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   1,478,239    1,574,687    1,681,458    215,915  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Network costs and costs of sales

   (175,129  (195,292  (212,315  (27,263

Other operating expenses

   (1,037,964  (1,105,604  (1,097,164  (140,886

Other income, net

   41,540    7,989    7,249    931  

Finance costs

   (55,127  (22,235  (6,359  (817
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

   251,559    259,545    372,869    47,880  

Income taxes expense

   (38,730  (42,679  (58,954  (7,570
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income

   212,829    216,866    313,915    40,310  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2012

(Fiscal 2012)
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2013

(Fiscal 2013)
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2014
  Four
months
ended
December 31,
2014
  Sixteen
months
ended
December 31,
2014

(Fiscal 2014)
  Sixteen
months
ended
December 31,
2014

(Fiscal 2014)
 
   HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  US$ 
         (in thousands)       

Continuing operations:

        

Turnover

   3,762    7,802    1,391    21,636    23,027    2,970  

Cost of sales

   (6,006  (15,706  (560  (27,207  (27,767  (3,581

Valuation gains on investment properties

   18,200    43,400    1,800    2,100    3,900    503  

Other operating expenses

   (104,960  (201,514  (245,581  (98,218  (343,799  (44,344

Other income/(loss), net

   19,920    128,909    117,702    29,907    147,609    19,038  

Finance costs, net

   (2,455  (4,860  (5,751  (2,016  (7,767  (1,002

Impairment losses/ write off of assets

   —      —      (32,000  —      (32,000  (4,127
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

 (71,539 (41,969 (162,999 (73,798 (236,797 (30,543

Income tax (expenses)/credit

 (2,281 1,659   (145 (60 (205 (26
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations

 (73,820 (40,310 (163,144 (73,858 (237,002 (30,569
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

Profit from discontinued operations (net of tax)

 3,771,694   —     —     —     —     —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(Loss)/profit for the period

 3,697,874   (40,310 (163,144 (73,858 (237,002 (30,569
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
          

 

 

  

 

 

         

Note:

(1)Following the disposal of our Telecom Business in May 2012, the Telecom Business was reclassified as discontinued operations for fiscal 2012.

Fiscal 20112014 Compared to Fiscal 20102013

The following discussion compares fiscal 2013 (the twelve months ended August 31, 2013) with fiscal 2014 (the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014). For a comparison of fiscal 2013 results with results for the unaudited twelve months ended August 31, 2014, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” set forth in the Company’s Second Interim Report of 2014, which the Company furnished on a Form 6-K dated October 28, 2014.

Revenues.Turnover. Revenues increased by 6.8% toWe recorded turnover of HK$1,681.523.0 million in fiscal 2011 from2014, as compared to HK$1,574.77.8 million in fiscal 2010, reflecting2013, primarily comprising program content broadcasting and licensing, content production, provision of artiste management services and e-commerce related income. The increase of HK$15.2 million was mainly due to an increase in revenue fromprogram content broadcasting and in licensing income as a result of our FTNS business,launch of HKTV Mall on November 19, 2014, all of which was partially offset by the effectsexpiration of the news content license agreement on September 1, 2013 in relation to our discontinued operations. Of the HK$23.0 million of turnover in fiscal 2014, we recorded HK$21.6 million during the four months ended December 31, 2014 and HK$1.4 million during the twelve months ended August 31, 2014.

Cost of sales. We recorded cost of sales of HK$27.8 million for fiscal 2014 (all but HK$0.6 million of which arose in the four months ended December 31, 2014), as compared to HK$15.7 million for fiscal 2013. In both periods, our cost of sales mainly comprised programme costs charged to profit and loss over the showing period, talent, and other production costs for content production for third-party customers. The increase of HK$12.1 million was mainly due to the showing of program content during the period net of the decrease due to the expiration of the license agreement on September 1, 2013 for the distribution of news content.

Valuation gains on investment properties. Valuation gains on investment properties were HK$3.9 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to HK$43.4 million in fiscal 2013, based on the valuation carried out by an independent firm of surveyors.

Other operating expenses. We recorded operating expenses of HK$343.8 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to HK$201.5 million in fiscal 2013, representing an increase of HK$142.3 million. This increase was mainly driven by the following:

Uncapitalized talent costs increased by HK$62.2 million as a result of an additional four months of expenses, amounting to HK$40.7 million, incurred for the current period, as well as an increase in the size of our workforce to scale up our HKTV Mall operations and a reduction in capitalization due to our slowdown and suspension of program production, all of which were partially offset by a decreasethe savings in revenuesalary and compensation and other talent costs resulting from our IDD business. Revenue contribution from our FTNS businessthe redundancies we made in October 2013 and April 2014.

Amortization of intangible assets and uncapitalized depreciation of fixed assets increased to 88.3%by HK$19.7 million and HK$15.3 million, respectively in fiscal 2011 from 86.1% in fiscal 2010.

FTNS business. Revenues from our FTNS business increased by 9.5% to HK$1,484.3 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$1,356.1 million in fiscal 2010. The increase was primarily caused by an increase of 12.3% of our FTNS subscription base to 1,247,000 as of August 31, 2011 from 1,110,000 as of August 31, 2010.

Broadband Internet access. The subscription base for our Internet access services increased by 12.2%, to 590,000 as of August 31, 2011 from 526,000 as of August 31, 2010. During fiscal 2011, despite competitive market environment, we were able to maintain our growth while harvesting the record high broadband subscription growth that we achieved in fiscal 2010 pursuant to the “Member-Get-Member” marketing campaign.

Local VoIP. The subscription base for our local VoIP services increased by 10.4%, to 476,000 as of August 31, 2011 from 431,000 as of August 31, 2010, mainly due to improved branding that allowed us to increase sales of our VoIP services to subscribers of our Internet access services.

IP-TV. The subscription base for our IP-TV services increased by 18.3% to 181,000 subscriptions as of August 31, 2011 from 153,000 as of August 31, 2010 because we remained focused on offering mass value. We continued to enhance our channel variety so as to increase the content value to our customers. We currently offer more than 110 channels to our customers.

IDD business. Revenues from our IDD business decreased by 9.8% to HK$197.1 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$218.6 million in fiscal 2010. The decrease was primarily2014, due to the reduction in IDD traffic volumeadditional four months of expenses, amounting to HK$11.0 million and HK$9.7 million, respectively; the decrease inadditional amortization arose from the tariff rate we charged toMobile TV Spectrum obtained through our customers. Competition during fiscal 2011 intensified as someacquisition of our competitors offered international direct dial minutes for free or at significantly lower rates as a marketing incentive to gain local fixed lineHKMTV, and mobile market shares. Further, technology from global VoIP providers such as Skype, which offer free PC-to-PC based international calls, was also becoming more prevalent in Hong Kong.

Network costs and costs of sales. Network costs and costs of sales increased by 8.7% to HK$212.3 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$195.3 million in fiscal 2010 mainly due to the increase in the cost of purchasing international bandwidth asuncapitalized depreciation was a result of the combined effectour slowdown and suspension of the record growth in broadband subscription and the increasing demand of bandwidth from customers as well as theprogram production.

An increase in program feeswrite-offs of artiste prepayments and provision for IP-TV services to enhance the value of content to customers.

Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses decreased by 0.8% tocommitted artiste payments, together totaling HK$1,097.217.5 million, in fiscal 2011 from HK$1,105.6 million in fiscal 2010 mainly due to under-utilization during the following:

period, and a provision made for onerous commitments which we did not expect to be utilized because of our slowdown and suspension of program production.

Set forth below is a table summarizing the details of our other operating expenses in fiscal 20102013 and 2011:2014:

 

  For the year ended August 31, 
  2010 2011 2011   Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2013

(Fiscal 2013)
   Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2014
   Four
months
ended
December 31,
2014
  Sixteen
months
ended
December 31,
2014

(Fiscal 2014)
   Sixteen
months
ended
December 31,
2014

(Fiscal 2014)
 
  HK$ HK$ US$   HK$   HK$   HK$  HK$   US$ 
  (Amounts in thousands)       (in thousands)        

Talent costs

   (301,760  (311,355  (39,981   84,303     105,814     40,688   146,502     18,896  

Advertising and marketing expenses

   (372,727  (344,136  (44,190   8,595     839     9,231   10,070     1,299  

Depreciation

   (199,029  (218,197  (28,018   19,107     24,690     9,680   34,370     4,433  

Amortization of intangible assets

   20,360     29,075     10,992   40,067     5,168  

Write off/provision of artiste prepayment

   16,852     24,975     3,353   28,328     3,654  

Provision for committed artiste payment

   —       10,863     (4,860 6,003     774  

Others

   (232,088  (223,476  (28,697   52,297     49,325     29,134   78,459     10,120  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Other operating expenses

   (1,105,604  (1,097,164  (140,886 201,514   245,581   98,218   343,799   44,344  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 
      

 

   

 

       

Talent costs. Talent costs increased by 3.2% to HK$311.4 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$301.8 million in fiscal 2010.

Advertising and marketing expenses. Advertising and marketing expenses decreased by 7.7% to HK$344.1 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$372.7 million in fiscal 2010 due to a decrease in the scale of marketing campaign, especially lower mass media advertising costs after the cessation of the Member-Get-Member campaign in fiscal 2010.

Depreciation. Depreciation increased by 9.6% to HK$218.2 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$199.0 million in fiscal 2010 because of our acceleration in the expansion of our Next Generation Network.

Other income, net. OtherWe recorded other income, net, decreased toof HK$7.2147.6 million in fiscal 2011 from2014, as compared to HK$8.0128.9 million in fiscal 2010.

Finance costs. Finance costs decreased by 71.6% to2013. The increase of HK$6.318.7 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$22.2 million in fiscal 2010. The decrease was mainly due to full year impactan increase of the finance cost savings through repurchase and redemption of our 10-year senior notes in fiscal 2010.

Income tax expense. We recorded an income tax expense of HK$59.0 million, which included a non-cash deferred tax expenses of HK$55.356.3 million in fiscal 2011, comparedinvestment return (which included an additional four months of investment return, amounting to an income tax expense of HK$42.735.5 million, in fiscal 2010, which included a non-cash deferred tax expensesthe current period) and an additional four months of HK$40.1 million.

Net income. For the foregoing reasons, netrental income increasedfrom investment properties, amounting to HK$313.93.8 million, in fiscal 2011 from HK$216.9 million in fiscal 2010. Net margin increased to 18.7% in fiscal 2011 from 13.8% in fiscal 2010.

Fiscal 2010 Compared to Fiscal 2009

Revenues. Revenues increased by 6.5% to HK$1,574.7 million in fiscal 2010 from HK$1,478.2 million in fiscal 2009, reflecting an increase in revenue from our FTNS business, the effectsboth of which were partially offset by a HK$41.4 million decrease in revenue from our IDD business andexchange gain mainly caused by the change in the regulatory regimedepreciation of mobile interconnection charges summarized below. Revenue contribution from our FTNS business increasedRenminbi (including an additional four months of net exchange loss amounting to 86.1% in fiscal 2010 from 83.3% in fiscal 2009.

FTNS business. Revenues from our FTNS business increased by 10.2% to HK$1,356.1 million in fiscal 2010 from HK$1,230.9 million in fiscal 2009. The increase was primarily caused by an increase of 17.7% of our FTNS subscription base to 1,110,000 as of August 31, 2010 from 943,000 as of August 31, 2009.

Broadband Internet access. The subscription base for our Internet access services increased by 34.5%, to 526,000 as of August 31, 2010 from 391,000 as of August 31, 2009. During fiscal 2010, we were able to have a record growth of 135,000 net additions through our Member-Get-Member marketing campaigns which reduced the price of our symmetric 100 Mbps broadband services by half to HK$99 per month if a customer introduces a new customer at HK$99 per month. Such marketing campaigns essentially allowed us to increase our revenues by converting one subscriber at HK$182 per month to two subscribers at a minimum rate of HK$99 per month.

Local VoIP. The subscription base for our local VoIP services increased by 12.8%, to 431,000 as of August 31, 2010 from 382,000 as of August 31, 2009, mainly due to improved branding that allowed us to increase sales of our VoIP services to subscribers of our Internet access services.

IP-TV. The subscription base for our IP-TV services decreased by 10.0% to 153,000 subscriptions as of August 31, 2010 from 170,000 as of August 31, 2009 because we proactively dropped certain free or low paying IP-TV subscribers and redeployed the set-top boxes to higher yielding customers. We continued to enhance our channel variety so as to increase the content value to our customers.

As a result of OFTA’s decision on the 2008 Determination in May 2010 as stated above, revenue of HK$19.7 million related to mobile interconnection charges was reversed in fiscal 2010. In addition, prior to April 26, 2009, the mobile network operators were required to pay interconnection charges for all calls originating to and from the mobile users. After April 26, 2009, the chargeability of interconnection charges is subject to commercial negotiation. With the withdrawal of regulatory guidance on FMIC in favor of mobile network operators on April 27, 2009, only an insignificant amount of revenue related to mobile interconnection charges was recognized.

IDD business. Revenues from our IDD business decreased by 11.6% to HK$218.69.5 million in fiscal 20102014). In fiscal 2014, our other income, net, mainly comprised interest income from available-for-sale securities, bank interest income, rental income from investment properties and net exchange losses. Our investment income is affected by many factors beyond our control. For example, our interest income is affected by changes in interest rates, which are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policy and domestic and international economic and political conditions. Deterioration in the credit of the securities in which we have invested and general economic conditions may also materially and adversely affect our investment income.

Finance costs, net. We recorded finance costs of HK$247.47.8 million in fiscal 2009. The decrease was primarily due2014, as compared to the reduction in IDD traffic volume and the decrease in the tariff rate we charged to our customers. Competition during fiscal 2010 intensified as some of our competitors offered international direct dial minutes for free or at significantly lower rates as a marketing incentive to gain local fixed line and mobile market shares. Further, technology from global VoIP providers such as Skype, which offer free PC-to-PC based international calls, was becoming more prevalent.

Network costs. Network costs increased by 11.5% to HK$195.34.9 million in fiscal 2010 from2013. The increase of HK$175.12.9 million is mainly due to a HK$4.6 million increase in interest on bank loans for investment yield enhancement purposes (including an additional four months of interest on bank loans, amounting to HK$2.0 million in fiscal 20092014), partially reduced by a decrease of HK$2.0 million in bank charges.

Impairment losses/write off of assets.We recognized impairment losses and wrote off certain Multimedia Business related assets of HK$32.0 million for fiscal 2014 in our profit and loss.

Income tax credit/(expenses). We recorded income tax expenses of HK$0.2 million in fiscal 2014, which included a non-cash deferred tax charge of HK$0.6 million and a HK$0.4 million over-provision of current tax for the prior year, compared to an income tax credit of HK$1.7 million in fiscal 2013, which mainly was composed of a non-cash deferred tax credit of HK$1.1 million and a HK$0.5 million over-provision of current tax for prior year.

Net loss. For the foregoing reasons, net loss of HK$237.0 million was incurred in fiscal 2014 as compared to HK$40.3 million in fiscal 2013.

Fiscal 2013 Compared to Fiscal 2012

Turnover. Our turnover from the Multimedia Business primarily consists of licensing fees, independent content production and artiste management fees. We recorded turnover of HK$7.8 million in fiscal 2013, primarily reflecting the licensing fees received from the Telecom Business to broadcast news content produced by our news production operation unit, the income from independent content production and the income received from our artiste management functions. We had HK$3.8 million of turnover in fiscal 2012 generated from our Multimedia Business.

Cost of sales. Cost of sales in fiscal 2013 was HK$15.7 million, primarily consisting of talent costs and other production costs which are directly attributable to the turnover generated from licensing of program rights, independent content production and the provision of artiste management services. Our cost of sales in fiscal 2012 was HK$6.0 million incurred. The increase between these two periods was mainly due to the increasefull-year impact of the license agreement for news content in fiscal 2013, as this license revenue started in April 2012. The license agreement for news content in relation to our discontinued operations expired on August 31, 2013.

Valuation gains on investment properties. Valuation gains on investment properties were HK$43.4 million in fiscal 2013 as compared to HK$18.2 million in fiscal 2012. These valuation gains consisted of the changes in the cost of purchasing international bandwidth as a resultfair value of the combined effect of the record growth in broadband subscription and the increasing demand of bandwidth from customers as well as the increase in program fees for IP-TV services to enhance the value of content to customers.investment properties held by us.

Other operating expenses. OtherOur other operating expenses increased by 6.5% to HK$1,105.6201.5 million in fiscal 20102013 from HK$1,038.0105.0 million in fiscal 20092012. This increase was mainly driven by the following:

Amortization of intangible assets and uncapitalized depreciation on fixed assets increased by HK$29.6 million mainly due to the following:full-year impact in fiscal 2013 versus five months of effect in fiscal 2012 arised from the grant of the indefeasible right of use of the telecommunications capacity of the Telecom Business for a term of 20 years and the right to use the telecommunications services from the Telecom Business for a term of 10 years, and the purchase of fixed assets mainly on broadcasting and production equipment during fiscal 2012.

Uncapitalized talent costs increased by HK$28.3 million mainly due to the full-year impact in fiscal 2013 on (a) the full range of corporate functions which were previously shared with discontinued operations and (b) uncapitalized production talent costs which were expensed to profit and loss before the resources were fully deployed to production during the year.

Write-off or provision of artiste prepayment amounted to HK$16.9 million due to under-utilization during fiscal 2013.

Advertising and marketing expenses increased by HK$8.4 million for promotional and marketing activities in program preview and corporate events.

Set forth below is a table summarizing the details of our other operating expenses in fiscal 20092012 and 2010:2013:

 

  For the year ended August 31,  Twelve
months
ended

August 31,
2012

(Fiscal 2012)
 Twelve
months

ended
August 31,
2013

(Fiscal 2013)
 
  2009 2010 2010 
  HK$ HK$ US$ 
  (Amounts in thousands) 
(in thousands) HK$ HK$ 

Talent costs

   (302,279  (301,760  (38,796 55,971   84,303  

Advertising and marketing expenses

   (299,794  (372,727  (47,920 214   8,595  

Depreciation

   (206,241  (199,029  (25,588 4,636   19,107  

Amortization of intangible assets

 5,217   20,360  

Write off/provision of artiste prepayment

 697   16,852  

Others

   (229,650  (232,088  (29,839 38,225   52,297  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Other operating expenses

   (1,037,964  (1,105,604  (142,143 104,960   201,514  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Talent costs. Talent costs decreased by 0.2% to HK$301.8 million in fiscal 2010 from HK$302.3 million in fiscal 2009.

Advertising and marketing expenses. Advertising and marketing expenses increased by 24.3% to HK$372.7 million in fiscal 2010 from HK$299.8 million in fiscal 2009. Our salaries and commissions for our sales and marketing Talents increased by HK$28.5 million due to our growth in broadband subscription base. Moreover, our marketing campaigns resulted in an increase in mass media advertising costs of HK$21.6 million and other advertising costs of HK$14.9 million. In addition, the expansion of our sales channels through opening new shops resulted in an increase of advertising and marketing related expenses of HK$7.9 million.

Depreciation. Depreciation decreased by 3.5% to HK$199.0 million in fiscal 2010 from HK$206.2 million in fiscal 2009. Notwithstanding our purchase of additional fixed assets for our network infrastructure as we increased the scale of operations in our FTNS business, a portion of our owned fixed assets were fully depreciated. As a result, we incurred lower depreciation expenses.

Other income, net. Other income, net, decreasedincreased to HK$8.0128.9 million in fiscal 20102013, from HK$41.519.9 million in fiscal 2009. The decrease2012, mainly due to an increase in return driven by the investment of surplus cash retained from the proceeds of the sale of the Telecom Business. Other income, net, was mainly contributed by the loss on extinguishmentcomposed of our 10-year senior notes ofinvestment income generated from available-for-sale securities, bank interest income, net exchange gain and rental income from investment properties.

Finance costs, net. Finance costs, net, increased to HK$9.74.9 million in fiscal 2010 compared to the gain on extinguishment of our 10-year senior notes of2013 from HK$31.42.5 million in fiscal 2009. The effect of which was partially offset by2012, primarily due to an increase in interest on bank loans and bank charges incurred for investments in available-for-sale securities.

Income tax credit/(expenses). We recorded income tax credit of HK$10.1 million recognized in relation to mobile interconnection charges in fiscal 2010.

Finance costs. Finance costs decreased by 59.7% to HK$22.21.7 million in fiscal 2010 from2013, which included a HK$55.11.1 million non-cash deferred tax credit and a HK$0.5 million over-provision of current tax for the prior year. In fiscal 2012, we incurred HK$2.3 million in fiscal 2009. The decrease was mainly due to finance cost savings through repurchase and redemption of our 10-year senior notes and interest bearing bank borrowings at a lower interest rate. The effect of which was partially offset by the change in fair value of derivative financial instrument that we did not have in fiscal 2009.

Income tax expense. We recorded an income tax expenseexpenses, mainly composed of HK$42.71.3 million which included ain non-cash deferred tax expenses ofand a HK$40.10.9 million in fiscal 2010, compared to an income tax expense of HK$38.7 million in fiscal 2009, which included a non-cash deferred tax expenses of HK$37.1 million.provision for current tax.

Net income.loss. For the foregoing reasons, we recorded net income increased toloss of HK$216.940.3 million in fiscal 2010 from2013 as compared to HK$212.873.8 million in fiscal 2009. Net margin decreased2012.

Discontinued operations. The disposal of the Telecom Business was completed on May 30, 2012. The operating results of the disposed Telecom Business up to 13.8%the disposal date have been presented as discontinued operations in fiscal 2010 from 14.4% in fiscal 2009. The slight decrease in net margin was primarily duethis annual report. For a detailed discussion of discontinued operations, see Item 18: Financial Statements—Notes to a higher cost in acquiring new customers.Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 3.

Recent accounting pronouncements

RecentRecently issued but not yet effective accounting pronouncements under IFRSsIFRS have been included in note 31 to our consolidated financial statements.

B. Liquidity and capital resources

B.Liquidity and capital resources

We expect cash flow from operating activities to continue to be our principal source of liquidity. As of AugustDecember 31, 2011, we2014, the Group had a total cash and bank balancesposition of HK$409.0 million. Our day-to-day operations are also supported by819.2 million representing our cash at bank and in hand, as compared to HK$38.9690.5 million banking facilities, of which HK$6.9 million was utilized as of August 31, 2011.2013 representing our term deposits and cash at bank and in hand. Our outstanding borrowings were HK$802.2 million as of December 31, 2014, as compared to HK$532.0 million as of August 31, 2013. The increase in total cash position was mainly due to the additional net bank loan of HK$270.3 million drawn for investment yield enhancement purposes, net proceeds from disposal or maturity of available-for-sale securities of HK$203.7 million and net interest received of HK$146.8 million, which was partially offset by cash outflow of HK$142.3 million for the acquisition of HKMTV and the assets therein, purchases of certain fixed assets for HK$61.3 million and the utilization of resources for program production and other operating costs. As of December 31, 2014, we had utilized HK$802.2 million (HK$531.9 million as of August 31, 2013) uncommitted banking facilities, mainly for investment purpose, leaving HK$1,508.8 million (HK$2,011.8 million as of August 31, 2013) uncommitted banking facilities available for future utilization.

We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and cash flow from operationsterm deposits on hand, together with the unutilized banking facilities, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including working capital requirements, capital expenditures,expenditure, repayment of our indebtedness when fall due and various contractual obligations, for at least the next 12twelve months. Our cash flows from operations, however, may decrease due to lower customer demand resulting from rapid technological changes, increasing competition resulting from new local and foreign entrants into the market, or our failure to obtain or renew the necessary telecommunication licenses. A decrease in our operating cash flow could adversely affect our ability to make planned capital expenditures, to comply with our obligations under various operating and capital leases and to repay amounts due under banking facilities.

Cash flow

The following table summarizes our cash flows for each of fiscal 2009, 20102012, 2013 and 2011:2014:

 

   For the year ended August 31, 
   2009  2010  2011  2011 
   HK$  HK$  HK$  US$ 
   (Amounts in thousands) 

Net cash inflow from operating activities

   536,771    485,340    585,899    75,235  

Net cash outflow from investing activities

   (176,488  (306,254  (414,189  (53,186

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities

   (561,292  178,307    (343,112  (44,059
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (201,009  357,393    (171,402  (22,010

Cash and cash equivalents, at the beginning of year

   421,610    221,052    578,175    74,243  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

   451    (270  1,358    174  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, at the end of the year

   221,052    578,175    408,131    52,407  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Analysis of the balances of cash and cash equivalents

     

Cash at bank and in hand

   226,416    588,665    408,976    52,516  

Bank overdrafts — unsecured

   (5,364  (10,490  (845  (109
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   221,052    578,175    408,131    52,407  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

   Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2012

(Fiscal 2012)
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2013

(Fiscal 2013)
  Twelve
months
ended
August 31,
2014
  Four
months
ended
December 31,
2014
  Sixteen
months
ended
December 31,
2014

(Fiscal 2014)
  Sixteen
months
ended
December 31,
2014

(Fiscal 2014)
 
   HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  HK$  US$ 
         (in thousands)       

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities

   181,924    (356,804  (241,404  (49,662  (291,066  (37,542

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities

   3,681,791    (1,781,342  (120,577  627,835    507,258    65,426  

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities

   (2,191,749  403,762    322,129    (65,116  257,013    33,150  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 1,671,966   (1,734,384 (39,852 513,057   473,205   61,034  

Cash and cash equivalents, at the beginning of period

 408,131   2,080,053   347,849   305,221   347,849   44,866  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

 (44 2,180   (2,776 908   (1,868 (241
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, at the end of the period

 2,080,053   347,849   305,221   819,186   819,186   105,659  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Analysis of the balances of cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash at bank and in hand

 2,083,079   347,849   305,221   819,186   819,186   105,659  

Bank overdrafts – unsecured

 (3,026 —     —     —     —     —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
 2,080,053   347,849   305,221   819,186   819,186   105,659  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
          

 

 

  

 

 

         

Operating activities

Our principal sourceIn fiscal 2014, we incurred a net cash outflow from operating activities of HK$291.1 million, as compared to a net cash outflow of HK$356.8 million in 2013. The decrease was mainly due to the slow-down and suspension of our production and a cash-advance received for program content licensing and advertising.

In fiscal 2013, we incurred a net cash generatedoutflow from our FTNS business. Netoperating activities of HK$356.8 million, as compared to HK$181.9 million net cash inflow in fiscal 2012. The decrease was mainly due to nil contribution from the disposed Telecom Business during the year, an increase in programme costs and the costs for maintaining full spectrum of corporate overheads for the Multimedia Business.

Investing activities

In fiscal 2014, we incurred a net cash inflow from operatinginvesting activities decreased by 9.6%of HK$507.3 million, mainly representing decrease in term deposit of HK$335.3 million, net proceeds from the maturity, disposal and investment in available-for-sales securities of HK$536.8203.7 million, interest income received from investment in fiscal 2009 toavailable-for-sale securities and bank deposits of HK$485.3160.1 million, in fiscal 2010, which was a reflectionnet of cash outflow for the acquisition of a slight increase in our profit before taxation offsetting by lower cash receiptsubsidiary of receivables. Net cash inflow from operating activities increased 20.7% from HK$485.3142.3 million in fiscal 2010 to HK$585.9 million in fiscal 2011, primarily reflecting the increase in our profit before taxation resulting from the continued expansion of our subscription base.

Investing activities

Netand cash outflow from investing activities in fiscal 2011 was HK$414.2 million. The net cash outflow was mainly due tofor the purchase of fixed assets of HK$397.9 million for the development of our Next Generation Network and the purchase of land premium of HK$48.0 million for constructing61.3 million. In fiscal 2013, we incurred a multimedia production and distribution centre.

Netnet cash outflow from investing activities in fiscal 2010 was HK$306.3 million. The net cash outflow was mainly due to our purchase of fixed assets in the amount of HK$349.1 million.

Net cash outflow from investing activities1,781.3 million, mainly representing the investment in fiscal 2009 wasavailable-for-sale securities of HK$176.5 million. The net cash outflow was mainly due to our2,181.3 million and purchase of fixed assets of HK$289.939.4 million, the effectnet of which were partially offset by an decrease in pledgedterm deposits of HK$211.7 million, proceeds from disposal of certain available-for-sale securities of HK$155.9 million and interest income from investment in available-for-sale securities and bank deposits of HK$72.370.7 million.

In fiscal 2012, we incurred as net cash inflow from investing activities of HK$3,681.8 million, mainly representing the proceeds from the disposal of the Telecom Business (net of cash disposed of), net of increase in term deposits of HK$544.0 million and net proceeds from maturitypurchase of investment in debt securitiesfixed assets of HK$28.1467.8 million.

Financing activities

Net cash outflow from financing activities inIn fiscal 2011 was HK$343.1 million. The2014, we recorded net cash outflow was mainly due to our repayment of our bank loan of HK$125 million and payment of cash dividends of HK$219.3 million.

Net cash inflow from financing activities inof HK$257.0 million, mainly due to proceeds from bank loans of HK$270.4 million.

In fiscal 2010 was2013, we recorded net cash inflow from financing activities of HK$178.3403.8 million. The net cash inflow was mainly due to the proceeds from the offering of new ordinary shares in the amount of HK$396.4 million and the proceeds from new bank loans of HK$163.4531.8 million which were partially offset by the repurchase and redemptionnet of our 10-year senior notes of HK$172.4 million andfinal dividend paid for fiscal 2012 during the year of HK$158.4121.4 million.

NetIn fiscal 2012, we recorded net cash outflow from financing activities in fiscal 2009 was HK$561.3 million. The net cash outflow was mainly due to our repurchase of 10-year senior notes for an aggregate consideration of HK$485.82,191.7 million, (including transaction costs), payment of interest onmainly attributable to the 10-year senior notes of HK$52.7 million and payment of cash dividends of HK$23.02,257.8 million.

Long-term Indebtedness

As of AugustDecember 31, 2011,2014, we had outstanding debt of HK$1.2802.2 million. See Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for additional information concerning our outstanding debt.

Banking facilities

As of AugustDecember 31, 2011, we had available2014, the Group has utilized HK$802.2 million of its banking facilities, and revolving loan facility ofmainly for investment purposes, leaving HK$38.91,508.8 million of which HK$6.9 million was utilized.uncommitted banking facilities available for future utilization. The Group’s loans are secured by an equivalent amount of available-for-sale securities. See Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for additional information concerning our banking facilities.

Capital expendituresexpenditure

In order to further develop our Next Generation Network and continue to increasefiscal 2014, the scaleCompany recorded HK$68.7 million of operations of our FTNS business, we plan to make a total capital expenditure rangingas compared to HK$37.7 million for fiscal 2013. The fiscal 2014 capital expenditure mainly related to the set-up of the HKTV Mall, including computer system for OTT and online shopping platform, motor vehicles and equipment for logistics function. Moreover, the Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired 100% of the equity interests of HKMTV for HK$157.5 million on December 20, 2013, however, its service launch was suspended due to the dispute on the transmission standard for mobile TV services.

With regard to future capital expenditure requirements for the Multimedia Business, the Company will remain cautious and it expects to fund its requirements with the consideration received from approximately HK$320 million to HK$350 million inthe disposal of the Telecom Business during fiscal 2012 to further increaseand banking facilities within the coverage of our Next Generation Network. In addition, we plan to invest HK$600 million for a multimedia productionGroup.

C. Research and distribution centre within three years.development, patents and licenses

C.Research and development, patents and licenses

We commit considerable resources to our research and development departmentteam in order to continuously improve our services and improve our market position.to better position ourselves in the multimedia market. As of August 31, 2011,April 27, 2015, our research and development teamdepartment in Hong Kong consisted of approximately 2527 Talents experienced in systems design, engineering, telecommunicationsmobile technology and computer programming. Our research and development departmentteam is primarily responsible for assessing and adapting the technology that we employexpect to deploy in upgradingMultimedia Business, such as through the Internet. In particular, our research and expanding our Next Generation Network.development team has been discussing and evaluating with prospective applications developers the different technical solutions available for the deployment and enhancement of the OTT and online shopping platform and services. To identify and develop new market opportunities theand product advancement, our research and development team assessesevaluates new services offered by telecommunications and Internet companiestechnology under development in the United States and elsewhere and works closely with our sales and marketing department. Our research and development expenditures were approximately HK$10.8 million, HK$11.2 million and HK$11.8 milliondepartment for fiscal 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.product development.

D. Trend information

D.Trend information

Revenue from our IDD business decreased by 9.8% to HK$197.2 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$218.6 million in fiscal 2010. The principal reason for this decrease was the intense competition, as our key competitors introduced highly aggressive price cuts. Partly as a result, the traffic volume of our IDD business decreased by 11.2% to 412.0 million minutes in fiscal 2011 from 464.0 million minutes in fiscal 2010. We expect competition will continue to increase in the future, creating further pressure on our volume and pricing.

Revenue from our FTNS business grew by 9.5% to HK$1,484.3 million in fiscal 2011 from HK$1,356.1 million in fiscal 2010. The principal reason for this increase was due to the broadband subscription growth of 12.2% to 590,000 subscription accounts as of August 31, 2011 from 526,000 subscription accounts as of August 31, 2010.

The global economic downturn has had a dampening effect on consumer sentiment and business activities across the globe in late 2008 and 2009 and the global economy continues to experience continued market volatility. The impact of the downturn on our operations has been limited because our FTNS and IDD services are “semi-utility” services. However, if the global economic downturn continues to experience significant volatility, demand for our services may be adversely affected.

E.Off-balance sheet arrangements

Other than as describeddisclosed elsewhere in note 27this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the period from September 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements, we haverevenue, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the disclosed financial information to be not entered into anynecessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.

E. Off-balance sheet arrangements

As of December 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013, the Group had no material contingent liabilities or off-balance-sheet arrangements with any entities or individuals.obligations.

F.Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations

F. Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations

The following table sets forth information regarding our aggregate payment obligations in future years of the contractual obligations and commercial commitments that we had as of AugustDecember 31, 2011.2014.

 

  Payments due by period 
Contractual obligations  

Total

HK$

   

Within

1 year
HK$

   

More than

1 year

but within
3 years
HK$

   

More than

3 years
but within
5 years
HK$

   More than
5 years
HK$
   Total
HK$
   Within
1 year
HK$
   More than
1 year
but within
3 years
HK$
   More than
3 years
but within
5 years
HK$
 
  (Amounts in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Capital expenditure items

   141,432     141,432     —       —       —       19,087     19,087     —      —   

Operating leases

   131,935     90,979     33,315     4,430     3,211     5,976     3,585     2,391     —   

Obligation under finance leases

   435     125     238     72     —    

Other current liabilities

   257,099     257,099     —       —       —    

Programming fees (IP-TV)

   52,974     25,777     27,194     3     —    
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Other current liabilities(1)

   882,450     882,450     —      —   

Program fee

   13,955     11,350     2,605     —   

Total

   583,875     515,412     60,747     4,505     3,211     921,468     916,472     4,996     —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Note:

 

Note:

(1)The other current liabilities of HK$257.1882.5 million was comprised of bank overdrafts — loans—unsecured liabilities of HK$0.8802.2 million, accounts payable of HK$17.44.5 million, other payables and accrued charges of HK$209.673.9 million and deposits received of HK$27.0 million and tax payable of HK$2.31.9 million. A detailed explanation of the nature of accounts payable and other payables and accrued charges is contained in Note 1721 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in this Form
20-F.annual report.

G. Safe Harbor

G.Safe Harbor

See “Note regarding forward-looking statements”.

ITEM 6 DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEESstatements.”

 

A.ITEM 6Directors and senior managementDIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A. Directors and senior management

Our board of directors consists of eightseven directors, three of whom, Mr. Lee Hon Ying, John, Dr. Chan Kin Man and Mr. Peh Jefferson Tun Lu and Mr. Mak Wing Sum, Alvin, are independent non-executive directors and one of whom, Dr. Cheng Mo Chi, Moses, is a non-executive director. The remaining four,directors. Mr. Wong Wai Kay, Ricky, Mr. Cheung Chi Kin, Paul, Mr. Yeung Chu Kwong, WilliamMs. To Wai Bing and Mr.Ms. Wong Nga Lai, Ni Quiaque,Alice, are executive directors. Every director, including non-executive and independent non-executive directors, is subject to retirement by rotation at least once every three years. One-third of the directors must retire from office at each annual general meeting and their re-election is subject to the approval of shareholders of the Company. Mr. Wong Wai Kay, Ricky, Mr. Cheung Chi Kin, Paul and Ms. Wong Nga Lai, Alice will retire from office by rotation at the forthcoming annual general meeting and, being eligible, will offer themselves for re-election at the forthcoming annual general meeting.

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our directors and senior management as of December 13, 2011.April 27, 2015.

 

          

Date

joined

City

 
Name  Age   Position  Telecom 

Board of directors:

      

WONG Wai Kay, Ricky

   50    Executive Director and Chairman   1992  

CHEUNG Chi Kin, Paul

   54    Executive Director and Vice Chairman   1992  

YEUNG Chu Kwong, William

   51    Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer   2005  

LAI Ni Quiaque

   42    Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary and Head of Talent Engagement   2004  

CHENG Mo Chi, Moses

   61    Non-Executive Director   1997  

LEE Hon Ying, John

   65    Independent Non-Executive Director   1997  

CHAN Kin Man

   52    Independent Non-Executive Director   1997  

Name

  Age  

Position

  Date joined HKTV
Board of directors:      
WONG Wai Kay, Ricky  53  Executive Director and Chairman  1992
CHEUNG Chi Kin, Paul  57  Executive Director and Vice Chairman  1992
TO Wai Bing  53  Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer  2007
WONG Nga Lai, Alice  40  Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary  2003
LEE Hon Ying, John  68  Independent Non-Executive Director  1997
PEH Jefferson Tun Lu  55  Independent Non-Executive Director  2004
MAK Wing Sum, Alvin  62  Independent Non-Executive Director  2013

PEH Jefferson Tun Lu

   52    Independent Non-Executive Director   2004  

Senior management:

      

CHONG Kin Chun, John

   49    Managing Director of Corporate Division   1996  

LO Sui Lun

   47    Chief Technology Officer   1998  

TO Wai Bing

   49    Managing Director of Business Development   2007  

Executive directors

Mr. WONG Wai Kay, Ricky, aged 50,53, is the co-founder and Chairman of the Group and is also a director of certain subsidiaries of the Group. HeMr. Wong is responsible for our overall strategic planning and management.management of the Group. Mr. Wong has over 26 years’extensive experience in the telecommunications and computer industries.industries as well as in corporate management. He had worked at a major US-listed computer company as a marketing representative and was responsible for marketing and distribution of computer products in Hong Kong from 1985 to 1989. He was also a co-founder and director of a company principally engaged in import and distribution of computer systems in Canada prior to co-founding of the Group. Mr. Wong holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and a Master of Business Administration Degree (Executive MBA Program)Programme) from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is a first cousin of Mr. Cheung Chi Kin, Paul, the Vice Chairman of the Group. Currently, Mr. Wong is a member of Zhejiang Committee, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a member of the Board of Trustees, United College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and a member of the executive committee of the Digital Solidarity Fund of Hong Kong Council of Social Service.Kong.

Mr. CHEUNG Chi Kin, Paul, aged 54,57, is the co-founder and Vice Chairman of the Group and is also a director of certain subsidiaries of the Group. Mr. Cheung is responsible for overall strategic planning and management of the Group. Prior to that, Mr. Cheung was appointed aspreviously the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and was responsible for our day-to-day operations and technological research, development and support activities. Mr. Cheung has more than 30 years’extensive experience in the telecommunications and computer industries.industries as well as in corporate management. He had worked in several companies engaged in application software development and computer consultancy prior to co-founding of the Group. Mr. Cheung graduated with a Diploma of Advanced Programming and System Concepts Design from Herzing Institute, Canada. Mr. Cheung is a first cousin of Mr. Wong Wai Kay, Ricky, the Chairman of the Group.

Mr. YEUNG Chu Kwong, William,Ms. TO Wai Bing, aged 51,53, was appointed as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Group in November 2008 withMay 2012. Ms. To is a director of certain subsidiaries of the responsibilitiesGroup, the Chief Operating Officer of Hong Kong Media Production Company Limited and the Chief Executive Officer of Leader Artiste Management Company Limited. Ms. To is responsible for developing corporate strategies and overseeing the operationsday-to-day management of the Group’s business. Prior to that, Ms. To was the Managing Director of Business Development of the Group. Before that, Mr. Yeung joined the Group as Chief Operating OfficerMs. To has a Diploma in October 2005. He wasElectronic Engineering and a Higher Certificate in charge of the Customer Engagement Department overseeing customer relationship management and was also in charge of the Network Development Department. Mr. Yeung has more than 20 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Yeung was the Director of Customers Division in SmarTone-Vodafone, and was an Inspector of Police in theElectronic Engineering from The Hong Kong Police Force. Mr. Yeung holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hong Kong Baptist University, a Master of Business Administration Degree from University of Strathclyde, U.K. and a Master of Science Degree in Electronic Commerce and Internet Computing from The University of Hong Kong. Mr. Yeung is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Program of the Columbia University Graduate School of Business in New York. In 2010, Mr. Yeung was awarded the “Champion of Human Resources” by the HRM Awards.

Mr. LAI Ni Quiaque, aged 42, is Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary and Head of Talent Engagement. Mr. Lai joinedPolytechnic University. Ms. To re-joined the Group in May 2004 and has over 20 years of experience in telecommunications industry, research and finance. Prior2007 after her previous service with the Group from September 1998 to July 2006. Before joining the Group, Mr.Ms. To had worked at Hong Kong Telecom International Limited for 16 years.

Ms. WONG Nga Lai, Alice, aged 40, was appointed as the Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of the Group in May 2012 and is also a highly rated analyst as Directordirector of certain subsidiaries of the Group. Ms. Wong has extensive experience in financial management, financial reporting and Headcorporate finance. She has overall responsibility for the Group’s finance, treasury, procurement and investor engagement functions. Prior to that, Ms. Wong was the Financial Controller of Asia Telecom Research for Credit Suisse and was involved in numerous global fund raisings for a wide range of Asian Telecom carriers such as China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, SK Telecom, PCCW, Telekom Malaysia, etc. Before that, Mr. Lai held positions with Hongkong Telecom (now known as PCCW) and Kleinwort Benson Securities (Asia). Mr. Laithe Group. Ms. Wong holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia and an ExecutiveQueensland, a Master of Business Administration Degreedegree from Kellogg-HKUST. Mr. Laithe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance. She is a Fellowqualified member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants or HKICPA(HKICPA) and CPA Australia and is a MemberAssociation of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors. In 2009, Mr. Lai was awarded the “Champion of Human Resources” by the HRM Awards, and in 2011 he was selected by Global Telecom Business Magazine as one of the Top 50 CFOs in the industry to watch. Mr. LaiChartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). She has also been appointed as a member of the Remuneration CommitteeStudent Affairs Sub-committee of the Company.

Non-executive director

Dr. CHENG Mo Chi, Moses, aged 61, was appointed as an Independent Non-executive Director ofACCA Hong Kong since 2010. Before joining the Group, on June 17, 1997 and has been re-designated as a Non-executive Director of the Group with effect from September 30, 2004. Dr. Cheng has also been appointed as a member of the Remuneration Committee of the Company. Dr. Cheng is a practicing solicitor and the senior partner of Messrs. P.C. Woo & Co. and was a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. He is the Founder Chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors of which he is now the Honorary President and Chairman Emeritus. Dr. Cheng currently holds directorships in K. Wah International Holdings Limited, China Mobile Limited, China Resources Enterprise, Limited, Towngas China Company Limited, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Kader Holdings Company Limited, Liu Chong Hing Investment Limited, Guangdong Investment Limited and Tian An China Investments Company Limited, all of which are publicly listed companies in Hong Kong. Dr. Cheng is also an independent non-executive director of ARA Asset Management Limited, a company whose shares are listed on Singapore Exchange Limited. His other directorships in publicly listed companies in the last three years include China COSCO Holdings Company Limited and Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited, both of which are public listed companiesMs. Wong had worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Hong Kong and ARA Asset Management (Fortune) Limited which manages Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust, a real estate investment trust listedprimarily focusing on the Singapore Stock Exchange.technology, info-communications and entertainment sectors.

Independent non-executive directors

Mr. LEE Hon Ying, John, aged 65,68, is the managing director of Cyber Networks Consultants Company in Hong Kong. He was the Regional Director, Asia Pacific of Northrop Grumman-Canada, Ltd. He was previously the director of network services of Digital Equipment (HK) Limited and prior to that, worked for Cable and Wireless (HK) Limited and Hong Kong Telecom. He is a chartered engineer and a member of Institution of Engineering and Technology, the United Kingdom, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Hong Kong Computer Society. He received a Master’s Degree in Information System from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1992. In addition, he is the Vice President, International Structure covering 150 countries worldwide and Board Member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council General, which is an international charity body with its head office in Paris, France. He is the Commission memberVice President of Catholic DioceseParish Council of St. Anthony Church in Hong Kong Diocesan for Hospital Pastoral Care.Kong. Mr. Lee has been a Director of the Group since June 1997. Mr. Lee has also been appointed as the chairman of the Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee of the Company.

Dr. CHAN Kin Man, aged 52, is Director of Centre for Civil Society Studies, Associate Director of Center for Entrepreneurship and Associate Professor of the Department of Sociology of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He received a Bachelor of Social Science Degree from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1983 and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Yale University in the U.S. in 1995. Dr. Chan has been a Director of the Group since June 1997. Dr. Chan has also been appointed as a member of the Audit Committee and RemunerationNomination Committee of the Company.

Mr. PEH Jefferson Tun Lu, aged 52,55, is a Certified Public Accountant of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a Certified Practicing Accountant of CPA Australia. Mr. Peh holds a Master Degree in Business from the University of Technology, Sydney. He has over 2932 years of experience in finance, accounting and management from listed and private companies in Hong Kong and Australia. Mr. Peh has been a Director of the Group since September 2004. Mr. Peh has also been appointed as a member of the Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee as well as the chairman of the Nomination Committee of the Company.

Senior management

Mr. CHONG Kin Chun, John,MAK Wing Sum, Alvin, aged 49, is the Managing62, was appointed as an Independent Non-executive Director of the Corporate DivisionGroup on September 1, 2013. Mr. Mak has also been appointed as a member of the Group.Audit Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee of the Company. He is responsible for sales, servicinga Chartered Accountant and network expansion developmentis a member of the Group’s international telecommunications servicesCanadian Institute of Chartered Accountants as well as a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Mak is currently an independent non-executive director of Goldpac Group Limited, I.T Limited, Lai Fung Holdings Limited and fixed telecommunications network services for business, corporate and carrier customers. Mr. Chong joined the Group in February 1996 and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts fromLuk Fook Holdings (International) Limited, all four companies are listed on The UniversityStock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. After working in Citibank for over 26 years, Mr. Mak retired in May 2012. He last served as the Head of Markets and a Master of Business Administration Degree (Executive MBA Program) from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Mr. Chong worked as a general manager overseeing product management and the sales force of a listed telecommunications products company inBanking for Citibank Hong Kong, from 1987 to 1996.

Mr. LO Sui Lun, aged 47, was appointed asbeing the Chief Technology Officercountry business manager for corporate and investment banking business. At Citibank, he had held various senior positions including Head of the Group in April 2011. He isGlobal Banking responsible for managing all the Group’s network, information system development and operations including broadband networking, wireless applications, VoIP networks, Pay TV operation and product development. He is also responsible for regulatory and carrier relations matters of the Group. Currently, he is in-charge of the Multimedia Production and Distribution Centre Project. Mr. Lo joined the Group in September 1998.coverage bankers. Prior to that, he also managed the Hong Kong corporate finance business, regional asset management business and was the Chief Financial Officer of North Asia. Before joining Citibank in 1985, Mr. LoMak was an audit group manager at Coopers & Lybrand (now known as PricewaterhouseCoopers). He worked for PCCW (formerly known as “Hong Kong Telecom”)Coopers & Lybrand for nineeight years, gaining experiencefive of which was in network planning and undersea cable investment. Mr. Lo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sciences in Electronics from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and a Master’s Degree in Business AdministrationToronto, Canada. He graduated from University of Strathclyde, U.K.Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1976.

Ms. TO Wai Bing, aged 49, is the Managing DirectorSenior management

Our Executive Directors are also members of Business Development of the Group. Ms. To is also in charge of International Business Department, Carrier Business Department and Pay TV Department. She is responsible for the control of cost of services, sales of carrier business, development of Pay TV business, explore and secure business partnerships to strengthen the Group’s business operations and development. Before joining the Group, Ms. To had worked in the Hong Kong Telecom Group for 16 years after graduating from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University with a Diploma in Electronic Engineering and subsequently a Higher Certificate in Electronic Engineering. Ms. To rejoined the Group in May 2007 after her previous service with the Group from September 1998 to July 2006.our senior management.

B. Compensation

Directors’ and senior management’s compensation

Our directors and senior management receive compensation in the form of salaries, housing allowances, discretionary bonuses, other allowances and benefits in kind, including our contribution to the pension schemes for such individuals. We also granted share options to various directors and members of our senior management. For more information regarding share options granted to directors and members of our senior management, see Item 6 “Directors, senior management and employees — employees—Share ownership” below in this annual report.

Our senior management and Talents are entitled to receive an annual discretionary bonus based on their individual performance and our financial performance during the year in question.under review.

The aggregate amount of salaries or other compensation, housing allowances, other allowances and benefits in kind paid by us to our directors and senior management was approximately HK$40.626.5 million for fiscal 2011,2014, compared with HK$46.120.6 million for fiscal 2010.2013. The aggregate amount of contribution that we made to the retirement or similar benefits for our directors and members of our senior management was HK$2.62.4 million for fiscal 2011,2014, compared with HK$2.71.8 million for fiscal 2010.2013.

Except as discussed herein, no other payments have been paid or are payable, in respect of fiscal 2011,2014, by us or any of our subsidiaries to our directors and senior management.

C. Board practices

C.Board practices

Service contracts

We entered into service agreements with our four executive directors, Messrs.Mr. Wong Wai Kay, Ricky, Mr. Cheung Chi Kin, Paul, Yeung Chu Kwong, WilliamMs. To Wai Bing and Ms. Wong Nga Lai, Ni Quiaque,Alice, respectively. These service agreements include non-competition clauses under which our executive directors agree not to compete with us in accordance with the terms and conditions therein and shall continue to be effective unless and until terminated by either party of the respective service agreements. None of the agreements provide for any benefits or compensation upon termination of employment.

“Controlled company” exemption

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5615(c) and IM-5615-5. More than 50.0% of the voting power for the election of our directors is held by a group consisting of Top Group International Limited, Mr. Wong Wai Kay, Ricky and Mr. Cheung Chi Kin, Paul. Mr. Wong and Mr. Cheung are the controlling shareholders of Top Group International Limited and have entered into a voting agreement pursuant to which they agreed to vote all of the shares held by Top Group International Limited, representing 43.98%42.00% of the voting power, all of the shares held by Mr. Wong individually, representing 0.93%1.88% of the voting power, and all of the shares held by Mr. Cheung individually, representing 5.73%6.23% of the voting power, collectively as a group.

We have elected to rely on the exemption from the majority independent board requirement, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5615(b), except for the requirements of subsection (b)(2), which pertain to executive sessions of independent directors, and from the requirement for independent director oversight of executive officer compensation and director nominations, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rules 5605(d) and 5605(e).

In accordance with the laws of Hong Kong, the nomination and remuneration of our directors are governed by our ArticlesArticles. Pursuant to our Articles, our directors are appointed by our shareholders in the annual general meeting, and our directors’ fees are recommended by the remuneration committee of our board of directors and determined by our shareholders at the annual general meeting.

Audit committee

Our board of directors established an audit committee in March 1999 to ensure the impartial supervision of our accounting and business operations. The audit committee is comprised of three independent non-executive directors, namely, Mr. Lee Hon Ying, John (the Chairman of the audit committee), Dr. Chan Kin Man and Mr. Peh Jefferson Tun Lu.Lu and Mr. Mak Wing Sum, Alvin. Mr. Peh was appointed to the audit committee on September 1, 2004 and is aMr. Mak was appointed to the audit committee on September 1, 2013. Both are “financial expert”experts” within the meaning of, and as required by, the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.Act.

The audit committee is governed by an audit committee charter, which was adopted by our board of directors in August 2004 and updated in November 2010. ItMarch 2015. The audit committee is responsible for the following:

 

overseeing the accounting and financial reporting process of the Company and the audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements on behalf of the board of directors; and

 

the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the Company’s independent auditors (including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditors regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company.

As provided in our audit committee charter, the audit committee is required to meet in person or telephonically at least twice a year and has the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities as required by law, including the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors as the audit committee deems necessary to carry out its duties.

The audit committee met fourfive times in fiscal 2011.2014. The major works performed by the committee from September 1, 20102013 to AugustDecember 31, 20112014 included the following:

 

Reviewed our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010 and2013, for the six months ended February 28, 2011;

2014 and for the twelve months ended August 31, 2014;

 

Reviewed the internal audit progress, including procedures required for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

Reviewed the external auditor’s reportreports on the reviewreviews of our interim financial report for the six months ended February 28, 20112014 and our auditedsecond interim financial report for the twelve months ended August 31, 2014 and the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended August 31, 2010;2013; and

 

Pre-approved the audit and non-audit services provided by KPMG, our external auditor.

Remuneration committee

Our board of directors established a remuneration committee in August 2001 to oversee the Company’s remuneration packages for executive directors. Among others, each of our executive directors is entitled to receive an annualthe discretionary performance bonus of such amount as determined by the board of directors upon recommendation and approval by the remuneration committee. The remuneration committee is comprised of sixfour members with three independent non-executive directors, Mr. Lee Hon Ying, John, Dr. Chan Kin Man and Mr. Peh Jefferson Tun Lu; the non-executive director, Dr. Cheng Mo Chi, Moses;Lu, Mr. Lai Ni Quiaque, the executive director, Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary and Head of Talent EngagementMak Wing Sum, Alvin and Ms. Choy Mei Yuk, Mimi, Director of Talent Management. Mr. Lee Hon Ying, John is the chairman of the remuneration committee. The remuneration committee’s objectives are set out as follows:

 

Establish formal, fair and transparent procedures for developing policy and structure of all remuneration of directors and senior management;

 

Review and consider the Company’s policy for remuneration of directors and senior management;

 

Determine the remuneration packages of executive directors and senior management; and

 

Recommend the remuneration packages of non-executive directors (including independent non-executive directors).

The remuneration committee held one meeting during fiscal 2011.2014. The major works performed by the committee from September 1, 20102013 to AugustDecember 31, 20112014 included the following:

 

Reviewed and approved the discretionary performance bonus for the management committee members;

executive directors; and

 

Reviewed and approved the remuneration packages for management committee members; and

Reviewed and approved the remuneration packages for the directors.

Nomination committee

Our board of directors established a nomination committee in February 2012. The nomination committee comprises three members, namely, Mr. Lee Hon Ying, John, Mr. Peh Jefferson Tun Lu, Mr. Mak Wing Sum, Alvin. Mr. Peh Jefferson Tun Lu is the chairman of the nomination committee. The nomination committee’s objectives are as follows:

Review the structure, size and diversity of the Board and make recommendations on any proposed changes to the Board to implement our corporate strategy;

D.Employees

Identify qualified individuals to become members of the Board and select or make recommendations to the Board on the selection of individuals nominated for directorship;

Assess the independence of independent non-executive Directors; and

Make recommendations to the Board on the appointment or re-appointment of Directors and succession planning for Directors, in particular the Chairman and chief executive.

The nomination committee held one meeting during fiscal 2014. The major works performed by the committee from September 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 included the following:

Reviewed the structure, size and composition of the Board and made recommendations to the Board;

Reviewed the independence of independent non-executive Directors;

Made recommendation to the Board regarding the retirement and re-appointment of Directors by rotation at the forthcoming annual general meeting for the Company;

Assessed the composition of the Nomination Committee;

Assessed and selected potential candidates for the nomination of an independent Non-executive Director to fill vacancy and made recommendations to the Board; and

Made recommendation to the Board regarding the adoption of the Board Diversity Policy and the revised terms of reference of the Nomination Committee.

D. Employees

The following table sets forth the number of our Talents by functional area as of August 31, 2011.2013 and December 31, 2014.

 

Talents
  As of August 31,
2013
  As of December 31,
2014
 

Talents

  

Information technology and engineering

  41    35  

Sales and marketing

  6    10  

HKTV Mall operation

  —      241  

General administration and others

  82    55  

Creative and production

  398    53  
 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

 527   394  
 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Information technology and engineering

357

Sales and marketing, customer service and special duty unit (SDU)

2,365

General administration and others

358

Total

3,080

The following table sets forth the number of our Talents by geographical region as of August 31, 2011.2013 and December 31, 2014.

 

Talents

Hong Kong

1,529

Guangzhou

1,532

Canada

19

Total

3,080

   As of August 31,
2013
   As of December 31,
2014
 

Talents

    

Hong Kong

   527     394  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

 527   394  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

AsThe decrease in headcount was mainly due to the suspension of August 31, 2010the program production in light of the Chief Executive in Council’s decision against our application for a free TV license and 2011, we had 3,232 and 3,080 Talents, respectively.the unfavorable reply from the CA on the adoption of DRMB transmission standard for the provision of mobile television service, which was partially offset by the new hiring for the operation of HKTV Mall.

E. Share ownership

E.

Share ownership

Share ownership

The following table sets forth the share ownership of our directors and senior management as of December 13, 2011.April 27, 2015.

 

Title of class  

Identity of person

or Group

     

Number

of shares

beneficially

owned

(note 3)

   

Percentage

of shares

beneficially

owned (note 2)

%

   

Outstanding

share

options

 

Ordinary shares

  Wong Wai Kay, Ricky     

 

391,245,732

(note 1

  

   50.64     8,091,604  

Ordinary shares

  Cheung Chi Kin, Paul     

 

391,245,732

(note 1

  

   50.64     6,091,604  

Ordinary shares

  Yeung Chu Kwong, William     2,306,000     Less than 1.0     11,542,956  

Ordinary shares

  Lai Ni Quiaque     12,415,405     1.61     6,044,791  

Ordinary shares

  Chong Kin Chun, John     2,199,089     Less than 1.0     2,022,900  

Ordinary shares

  Lo Sui Lun     175     Less than 1.0     0  

Ordinary shares

  To Wai Bing     Nil     Nil     302,239  

Title of class

  

Identity of person or group

  Number of shares
beneficially
owned(1)
  Percentage of
shares beneficially
owned(2)
  

Outstanding
share options

Ordinary shares

  Wong Wai Kay, Ricky   405,428,940(3)   50.11 0        

Ordinary shares

  Cheung Chi Kin, Paul   405,428,940(3)   50.11 0        

Ordinary shares

  To Wai Bing   95,239    Less than 1.0 0        

Ordinary shares

  Wong Nga Lai, Alice   50,000    Less than 1.0 0        

Ordinary shares

  Lee Hong Ying, John   0    0 0        

Ordinary shares

  Peh Jefferon Tun Lu   0    0 0        

Ordinary shares

  Mak Wing Sum, Alvin   0    0 0        

 

Notes:

 

(1)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

(2)Percentage ownership is based on 809,016,643 shares issued as of April 27, 2015.

(3)The 391,245,732405,428,940 shares are held by a group consisting of Top Group International Limited, Mr. Wong Wai Kay, Ricky, our chairman, and Mr. Cheung Chi Kin, Paul, our vice chairman. Top Group International Limited is a special purpose vehicle incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Its board of directors consists of Mr. Wong and Mr. Cheung. Mr. Wong and Mr. Cheung have entered into a voting agreement pursuant to which they agreed to vote the 339,814,284 shares held by Top Group International Limited, the 7,145,28915,236,893 shares held by Mr. Wong individually, and the 44,286,15950,377,763 shares held by Mr. Cheung individually, collectively as a group. The registered address of Top Group International Limited is Akara Bldg, 24 De Castro Street, Wickhams Cay I, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Top Group International Limited has four shareholders: Mr. Wong, Mr. Cheung, Mr. Leung Ka Pak, and Mr. Yau Ming Yan, Andrew, and their equity interests are 42.12%, 27.06%, 21.00% and 9.82%, respectively.
(2)Percentage ownership is based on 772,673,022 shares issued as of December 13, 2011.
(3)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

As at December 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013, there were no options outstanding.

Share Option Scheme

The following table sets forth theCompany operates a share options for the details of the share options heldoption scheme (the “Share Option Scheme”) which was adopted by the directors and senior managementshareholders of the Company on December 31, 2012 which the directors may, at their discretion, invite eligible participants to take up options to subscribe for shares subject to the terms and conditions stipulated therein. The Share Option Scheme is summarized as of December 13, 2011:

Directors  

Date of

grant

  

Exercise

price

HK$

   

Balance

as of

December 14,

2010

   

Options

granted

during

the

period

   

Exercise

period

  

Options

exercised

during

the

period

   

Options

cancelled/

lapsed

during

the period

   

Balance

as of

December 13,

2011

 

Mr. Wong Wai Kay, Ricky

  January 5, 2005   1.5224     8,091,604     —      January 5, 2005 to October 20, 2014   —       —       8,091,604  

Mr. Cheung Chi Kin, Paul

  January 5, 2005   1.5224     8,091,604     —      January 5, 2005 to October 20, 2014   2,000,000     —       6,091,604  

Mr. Yeung Chu Kwong, William

  May 22, 2006   0.6523     165     —      May 22, 2007 to May 21, 2016   —       —       165  
  February 6, 2008   1.7568     5,542,791     —      (note 1)   —       —       5,542,791  
  February 5, 2010   4.2400     6,000,000     —      (note 2)   —       —       6,000,000  

Mr. Lai Ni Quiaque

  February 11, 2008   1.8660     6,044,791     —      (note 3)   —       —       6,044,791  

Senior management

                

Mr. Chong Kin Chun, John

  October 21, 2004   1.5224     2,022,900     —      January 1, 2005 to October 20, 2014   —       —       2,022,900  

Mr. Lo Sui Lun

  October 21, 2004   1.5224     505,726     —      January 1, 2005 to October 20, 2014   505,726     —       —    
  May 22, 2006   0.6523     1,133,175     —      May 22, 2007 to May 21, 2016   1,133,175     —       —    

Ms. To Wai Bing

  February 15, 2008   1.7568     302,239     —      (note 4)   —       —       302,239  

Notes:follows:

 

(1)The exercise of the options is subject to certain conditions that must be achieved by the grantee. A modification to the expiry date of the options granted to the grantee was approved by shareholders of the Company on December 21, 2010, upon which such options must be exercised not later than February 5, 2018.Purpose

To grant share options to the eligible participants as incentives and rewards for their contribution to the Company or its subsidiaries.

(2)The exercise of the options is subject to certain conditions that must be achieved by the grantee, including such options must be exercised not later than February 4, 2020.
(3)The exercise of the options is subject to the performance of the Company’s share and certain conditions that must be achieved by the grantee. A modification to the expiry date of the options granted to the grantee was approved by shareholders of the Company on December 21, 2010, upon which such options must be exercise not later than February 10, 2018.
(4)The exercise of the options is subject to certain conditions that must be advanced by the grantees, including such options must be exercised not later than December 23, 2012.Eligible participants

All shareholders own ordinary sharesEligible participants include employee, executives or officers (including executive, non-executive and enjoy the same voting rights with respect to each share.

Share Option Schemes

We adopted a second share option scheme, which we refer to as the 2002 Share Option Scheme, on December 23, 2002 and terminated the share option scheme adopted on July 12, 1997, which we refer to as the 1997 Share Option Scheme. Upon termination of the 1997 Share Option Scheme, no further options can be granted under the 1997 Share Option Scheme. Options granted under the 1997 Share Option Scheme that are not exercised lapsed automatically on July 12, 2007. Under the terms of the 2002 Share Option Scheme, our board of directors may, in its discretion from time to time, and subject to such conditions as the board may determine, within ten years beginning on December 23, 2002, grant any Talent or executive or officerindependent non-executive directors) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (including executive, non-executivesuppliers and independent non-executive directors of eachprofessional advisers of the abovementioned companies) and any suppliers or professional advisers who will or have provided services to the Company and/or its subsidiaries to subscribe for our ordinary shares.Group.

(3)The total number of shares available for issue

The maximumtotal number of ordinary shares which may be issued upon exercise of all options to be granted under our 2002 Share Option Scheme and any of our other share option scheme(s) mustthe scheme shall not exceed 10% of the ordinary shares in issue as ofat the date of approval or adoption of the scheme by the shareholdersShare Option Scheme on December 23, 2002. Ordinary shares which would have been issuable pursuant to options which have lapsed in accordance with the terms of such share option schemes will not be counted for the purpose of the 10% limit. Such limit may be refreshed upon approval by shareholders and compliance with all requirements under the HKSE Listing Rules. Pursuant thereto, such limit was refreshed with the approval of our shareholders in our annual general meetings held on December 29, 2004 and December 24, 2007 respectively up to a maximum limit equal to 10% of our total number of issued shares as of31, 2012 (i.e., 80,901,664 shares). As at the date of the said general meetings. Notwithstanding the foregoing,this annual report, the number of ordinaryshares available for issue in respect thereof is 80,901,664 shares, representing approximately 10% of the issued share capital of the Company. The shares which may be issued upon exercise of all outstanding options to be granted and yet to be exercised under our 2002the Share Option Scheme and any of our other share option scheme(s) of the Company at any time shall not exceed 30% of the total number of ordinary shares in issue from time to time. No options shall be granted under any scheme(s) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries if this will result in the 30% limit being exceeded.

(4)The maximum entitlement of each participant under the Share Option Scheme

The total number of ordinary shares issued and which may fall to be issued upon exercise in full of the options granted under our 2002the Share Option Scheme and any of our other share option scheme(s) of the Company (including exercised, cancelled and outstanding options) to each eligible participant in any 12-month periodtwelve months up to and including the date of grant shall not exceed 1% of the outstanding ordinary shares in issue as ofat the date of grant. Any further grant of options in excess of this 1% limit mustshall be approvedsubject to the issue of a circular by shareholders.

The subscription price for an ordinary share payable by a participant upon the exercise of any option granted underCompany and the 2002 Share Option Scheme will be determined by our board of directors in its absolute discretion, except that such price will not be less than the highest of (a) the closing priceapproval of the ordinary shares as stated in The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited’s daily quotations sheet on the date of grant, which must be a business day; (b) the averageshareholders of the closing prices of the ordinary shares as statedCompany in The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited’s daily quotations sheets for the five business days immediately preceding the date of grant;general meeting with such grantee and (c) the nominal value of an ordinary share.

Any grant of options to any of our directors, chief executives or substantial shareholders or any of their respectivehis associates (as defined in the HKSE Listing Rules) is required to be approved by our non-grantee independent non-executive directors. If we propose to grant options to a substantial shareholder abstaining from voting and/or any of its independent non-executive directors, or their respective associates, which will result in the number of ordinary shares issued and to be issued upon exercise of options granted and to be granted under our 2002 Share Option Scheme and any of our other share option scheme(s) (including options exercised, cancelled and outstanding) to such person in the 12-month period up to and including the date of such grant (a) representing in aggregate over 0.1% of the outstanding ordinary shares; and (b) having an aggregate value in excess of HK$5 million, based on the closing price of the ordinary shares at the date of each grant, such further grant of options will be subject to approval by shareholders and all requirements prescribed under the HKSE Listing Rules.Rules from time to time.

A grant of options may not be made after a price sensitive event has occurred or a price sensitive matter has been the subject of a decision until such price sensitive information, including annual and interim results, has been made public.

(5)The period within which the shares must be taken up under an option

The period during which an option may be exercised will be determined by our board of directors inthe Board at its absolute discretion, exceptsave that no option may be exercised latermore than ten10 years from the date of grant. No option may be granted more than ten years after December 23, 2002. Subject to our earlier termination, the 2002 Share Option Scheme shall be valid and effective for a period of ten years after the date of adoption, that is, until December 23, 2012. In addition and to the extent not already exercised, an option will automatically lapse and not be exercisable upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

 (a)(6)the expiry date relevant to that option;The minimum period for which an option must be held before it can be exercised

The Board is empowered to impose, at its discretion, any minimum period that an option must be held at the time of the grant of any particular option.

 

 (b)(7)one month following the date a grantee ceases to be an eligible participant for any reason other than deathThe amount payable on application or termination of his relationship with us (or the relevant subsidiary, as the case may be) on anyacceptance of the grounds specified in (g) below;option and the period within which payments or calls must or may be made or loans for such purposes must be paid

Acceptance of the option must be made within 30 days after the date of offer and HK$1.00 must be paid as a consideration for the grant of option.

 

 (c)(8)12 months, or such longer period as our boardThe basis of directors may determine, followingdetermining the death of a grantee whose relationship with us (or the relevant subsidiary, as the case may be) would not have been terminated on any of the grounds specified in (g) below;exercise price

The Board shall determine the exercise price of each option granted but in any event shall not be less than the highest of: (a) the closing price of the shares of the Company as stated in the Stock Exchange’s daily quotation sheet on the date of grant; and (b) the average of the closing price of the shares of the Company as stated in the Stock Exchange’s daily quotation sheet for the five business days immediately preceding the date of grant.

 

 (d)(9)21 days followingThe remaining life of the date an effective resolution is passed for our voluntary winding-up;Share Option Scheme

(e)subject to (d) above, the date of commencement of such winding-up;

(f)the date on which any compromise or arrangement between us and our members or creditors in connection with a scheme for our reconstruction or our amalgamation with any other company or companies becomes effective;

(g)the date on which the grantee ceases to be an eligible participant by reason of the termination of his or her relationship with us or the relevant subsidiary on any one or more of the grounds of serious misconduct or breach, bankruptcy, insolvency, composition with his or her creditors or conviction of any criminal offence involving his or her integrity or honesty or, in the case of a grantee-Talent and if so determined by our board of directors, on any other common law, statutory or contractual ground on which an employer would be entitled to terminate such grantee’s employment;
The Share Option Scheme will remain in force for a period of 10 years commencing on December 31, 2012 up to December 30, 2022.

(h)14 days following the date a general offer (which has been made to shareholders by way of take-over offer,During the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014, no share repurchase offer or scheme of arrangement or otherwise in like manner) becomes, or is declared unconstitutional; and

(i)the date on which we cancel the options by reason that the grantee in any way sells, transfers, charges, mortgages, encumbers or creates any interest in favor of any third party over or in relation to any of his or her options or attempt to do so.

As of December 13, 2011, a total number of 96,247,857 options were granted 45,371,325 options were exercised, 14,532,018 options were lapsed and 36,344,514 options remain outstanding and unexercised. Total number of 45,249,001 options are available for issue as of December 13, 2011.under the Share Option Scheme by the Company.

ITEM 7 MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

A.ITEM 7Major shareholdersMAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

A. Major shareholders

The following table sets forth certain information regarding ownership of our ordinary shares as of December 13, 2011April 27, 2015 by all persons who are known to us to own beneficially 5% or more of our ordinary shares.

 

Title of class

Identity of person

or Group

  

beneficially

owned

(note 3)Identity of person or group

  

Percentages

Number of shares
beneficially owned(1)

Percentage

Beneficiallyof shares

beneficially
owned

(note 1)

%(2)

 

Ordinary shares

  Wong Wai Kay, Ricky  391,245,732 (note 2)405,428,940(3)  50.6450.11

Ordinary shares

  Cheung Chi Kin, Paul  391,245,732 (note 2)405,428,940(3)  50.6450.11

Ordinary shares

  Top Group International Limited  391,245,732 (note 2)405,428,940(3)  50.6450.11

Ordinary shares

  Leung Ka Pak  339,814,284 (note 3)(4)  43.9842.00

Ordinary shares

  Yau Ming Yan, Andrew  339,814,284 (note 3)(4)  43.9842.00

Ordinary shares

Jennison Associates LLC62,123,760 (note 4)8.04

Ordinary shares

Prudential Financial, Inc.62,123,760 (note 5)8.04% 

 

Notes:

 

(1)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

(2)Percentage ownership is based on 772,673,022809,016,643 shares issued as of December 13, 2011.April 27, 2015.

(2)(3)The 391,245,732405,428,940 shares are held by a group consisting of Top Group International Limited, Mr. Wong Wai Kay, Ricky, our chairman, and Mr. Cheung Chi Kin, Paul, our vice chairman,chairman. Top Group International Limited is a special purpose vehicle incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and its board of directors consists of Mr. Wong and Mr. Cheung. Mr. Wong and Mr. Cheung have entered into a voting agreement pursuant to which they agreed to vote the 339,814,284 shares held by Top Group International Limited, the 7,145,28915,236,893 shares held by Mr. Wong individually, and the 44,286,15950,377,763 shares held by Mr. Cheung individually, collectively as a group. The registered address of Top Group International Limited is Akara Bldg, 24 De Castro Street, Wickhams Cay I, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Top Group International Limited has four shareholders: Mr. Wong, Mr. Cheung, Mr. Leung Ka Pak, and Mr. Yau Ming Yan, Andrew(See Note (3) below),Andrew, and their equity interests are 42.12%, 27.06%, 21.00% and 9.82%, respectively.

(3)(4)Mr. Leung Ka Pak and Mr. Yau Ming Yan, Andrew may be deemed to have beneficial ownership in the 339,814,284 shares held by Top Group International Limited. Each of them expressly disclaims any beneficial ownership in such shares except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest therein. Mr. Leung was a director and the president of all of our subsidiaries in Canada (other than City Telecom (Canada) Inc.) and resigned as a director and president in October 2005. After Mr. Leung’s resignation, Mr. Yau became a director and the president of all of our subsidiaries in Canada (other than City Telecom (Canada) Inc.). He resigned as a director and president in July 2006.
(4)Beneficial ownership calculation is based solely on a review of Form 2 filing made with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on June 13, 2011.
(5)Prudential Financial, Inc. indirectly owns 100% equity interests of Jennison Associates LLC, and therefore may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Jennison Associates LLC.
(6)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

As of December 13, 2011,April 27, 2015, there were 1425 registered holders of 9,742,8661,962,380 American Depositary Shares in the United States, consisting of 25.22%comprising 4.85% of our outstanding shares.

All shareholders own ordinary shares and enjoy the same voting rights with respect to each share.

Except as disclosed above, we are not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any other person, corporation or foreign government.

We are not aware of any arrangement the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of City Telecom.HKTV.

B. Related party transactions

B.Related party transactions

For the period since the beginning of our preceding three financial years up to the date of this document, we were a party to the following related party transactions.

Contracts with our directors and senior management

All of our directors and senior management have employment service agreements with us. Certain of our directors and senior management receive housing allowances, pensions, bonuses and commissions. In addition, some of our directors are also senior management of City TelecomHKTV and these persons may also have the ability to make significant business decisions effectingaffecting our operations. See Item 6 “Directors and senior management” above of this annual report for details concerning these arrangements.

C. Interests of experts and counsel

C.Interests of experts and counsel

Not applicable.

ITEM 8 FINANCIAL INFORMATIONapplicable

 

A.ITEM 8Consolidated statements and other financial informationFINANCIAL INFORMATION

A. Consolidated statements and other financial information

Financial statements

See pages F-1 — F-60to F-55 following Item 19.

Legal and regulatory proceedings

AsOn January 6, 2014, we filed an application for leave to apply for judicial review against the Chief Executive in Council’s decision to reject our application dated December 31, 2009 under the Broadcasting Ordinance for a free TV license. The application for leave was granted by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on January 9, 2014. The substantive hearing was conducted from August 31, 2011, there were no legal or arbitration proceedings 27 to 29, 2014. On April 24, 2015, the Court of First Instance of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region quashed the Chief Executive in Council’s decision and remitted it to the Chief Executive in Council for reconsideration. The court further ordered the government to pay for the costs associated with the judicial review (making an ordernisithat have hadcosts of the judicial review be to the Company, to be taxed (meaning that the court will decide the amount) if not agreed).

On April 11, 2014, the Company filed an application for leave to apply for judicial review in respect of the recent past, orOffice of Communication Authority’s decision on March 11, 2014 that HKMTV would not be entitled to our knowledge, may have, significant effects on our financial position or profitability.commence operations if HKMTV adopted the DTMB transmission standard for its proposed mobile television service unless a domestic free/pay television programme service licence was first obtained by HKMTV. On May 20, 2014, the High Court granted HKMTV leave to apply for judicial review. The substantive hearing was conducted from November 26 to 27, 2014, and the judgment was reserved to be handed down at a later date.

Dividends

Unless the relevant provisions of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance require otherwise, we may by ordinary resolution (being a resolution passed by a majority of our shareholders who attend and vote at a meeting of shareholders) from time to time declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Our Articles contain provisions on apportioning dividends where shares are not or were not fully paid for during the period covered by the dividend.

Unless the relevant provisions of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance require otherwise, our board of directors may pay such interim dividends as appears to them to be justified by our financial position and pay any dividend payable at a fixed rate at intervals decided upon by our board of directors, whatever our financial position, if the board of directors feels that this payment is justified.

Any dividend not claimed by a shareholder after a period of six years from the date when it was first due to be paid shall be forfeited and shall revert to us. The payment by our board of directors of any unclaimed dividend, interest or other sum payable on or in respect of a share into a separate account shall not make us responsible as a trustee for such sums.

For fiscal 2011, anNo interim or final dividend was declared at 15 Hong Kong cents per ordinary share. The total amount of HK$115,604,051.70 was paid as cash dividend on May 31, 2011.during fiscal 2014.

A final dividend of 15 Hong Kong cents per ordinary share was proposed on November 8, 2011, which will be approved by shareholders in the annual general meeting to be held on December 16, 2011. The 2011 final dividend will be paid on or about January 10, 2012.B. Significant changes

None

 

B.ITEM 9Significant changesTHE OFFER AND LISTING

None.

ITEM 9 THE OFFER AND LISTINGA. Offer and listing details

A.Offer and listing details

Our ordinary shares have been listed under the number “1137” on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, or the HKSE since August 4, 1997. Our American depositary shares, each representing 20 ordinary shares, havehad been listed under the symbol “CTEL” on Nasdaq since November 3, 1999. Our 10-year senior notes were listed under the ISIN codes of US178677AA871999 before we changed our name to “Hong Kong Television Network Limited” and USY16599AA30our symbol on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited, or SGX-ST,Nasdaq to “HKTV” on January 24, 2005. The 10-year senior notes were subsequently exchanged for registered notes with ISIN code US178677AB60 pursuant to a registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 on June 24, 2005.28, 2013.

On December 4, 2009, we repurchased a portion of the 10-year senior notes with a cumulative principal amount of HK$11.6 million (US$1.5 million) from the open market. We paid a total consideration, including accrued interest, of approximately HK$12.1 million (US$1.6 million). On February 1, 2010, we redeemed the then outstanding 10-year senior notes with a cumulative principal amount of HK$153.9 million (US$19.9 million) at the redemption price equal to 104.375% of the principal amount. We paid a total consideration, including accrued interest, of approximately HK$167.6 million (US$21.6 million). As of August 31, 2010, all the 10-year senior notes has been repurchased and redeemed.

In April 2010, we offered an aggregate of 4,025,000 ADSs representing 80,500,000 ordinary shares at the offer price of US$13.00 per ADS. The proceeds we received, after deduction of underwriters’ discount but before deduction of offering expenses, amounted to US$49.8 million.

The price of our ordinary shares on the HKSE as of its close of trading on December 13, 2011April 27, 2015 was HK$4.1903.470 per share. The table below shows the high and low closing prices of the shares on the HKSE since listing.for the periods indicated below.

 

  Price       Price 
   High       Low    High   Low 
    (In HK$)      (in HK$) 

Annual Date

      

2006

   0.830       0.570  

2007

   3.670       0.830  

2008

   2.170       0.750  

2009

   3.950       0.840  

Calendar Year Data

    

2010

   6.770       3.690     6.770     3.690  
        
      
      

2011

   6.200     3.520  

2012

   5.240     1.370  

2013

   4.460     1.880  

2014

   5.000     2.120  

2015 (through April 27, 2015)

   3.890     2.530  

Quarterly Data

          

2009

      

2012

    

September to December

   2.770     1.570  

2013

    

January to March

   1.140       0.840     2.820     2.100  

April to June

   1.780       1.100     2.950     2.180  

July to September

   2.630       1.630     2.580     2.280  

October to December

   3.950       2.500     4.460     1.880  

2010

      

2014

    

January to March

   6.210       3.800     3.760     2.150  

April to June

   6.770       4.420     2.540     2.120  

July to September

   5.200       3.690     3.150     2.270  

October to December

   6.200       4.800     5.000     2.240  

2011

      

2015

    

January to March

   6.200       5.350     3.890     2.530  

April to June

   6.080       4.410  

July to September

   4.850       3.520  

October to December (through December 13, 2011)

   4.340       3.520  

Monthly Data

    

2014

    

October

   3.200     2.240  

November

   5.000     3.140  

December

   4.250     3.320  

2015

    

January

   3.890     3.070  

February

   3.480     2.810  

March

   3.240     2.530  

April (through April 27, 2015)

   3.820     2.690  

       Price    
   High      Low 
       (In HK$)    

Monthly Data

      

2011

      

June

   5.670       4.410  

July

   4.850       4.420  

August

   4.400       3.740  

September

   3.840       3.520  

October

   3.780       3.520  

November

   4.340       3.700  

December (through December 13, 2011)

   4.340       4.180  

The price of our American depositary shares on Nasdaq as of its close of trading on December 13, 2011April 27, 2015 was US$10.6708.40 per American depositary share. The table below shows the high and low closing prices of the American depositary shares on Nasdaq since listing.for the periods indicated below.

 

      Price      Price 
  High      Low   High   Low 
      (In US$)      (in US$) 

Annual Date

      

2006

   2.009       1.380  

2007

   10.750       2.010  

2008

   5.750       1.915  

2009

   10.300       2.000  

Calendar Year Data

    

2010

   17.330       9.670     17.33     9.67  

2011

   15.78     9.08  

2012

   13.48     3.91  

2013

   9.88     4.96  

2014

   11.83     5.00  

2015 (through April 27, 2015)

   10.94     6.46  

Quarterly Data

          

2009

      

2012

    

September to December

   6.89     3.88  

2013

    

January to March

   2.870       2.000     6.97     5.40  

April to June

   4.650       2.870     7.43     5.50  

July to September

   7.023       4.050     6.40     5.75  

October to December

   10.300       6.610     9.88     4.96  

2010

      

2014

    

January to March

   16.180       10.150     9.26     5.65  

April to June

   17.330       11.340     6.30     5.00  

July to September

   13.500       9.670     7.74     5.85  

October to December

   15.980       12.500     11.83     5.75  

2011

      

2015

    

January to March

   15.780       13.730     10.94     6.46  

April to June

   15.300       11.360  

July to September

   12.040       9.220  

October to December(through December 13, 2011)

   11.170       9.080  

Monthly Data

          

2011

      

June

   14.260       11.360  

July

   12.040       11.000  

August

   11.180       9.450  

September

   9.720       9.220  

2014

    

October

   9.670       9.080     7.88     5.75  

November

   11.170       9.370     11.83     8.42  

December (through December 13, 2011)

   10.800       10.620  

December

   10.69     8.55  

2015

    

January

   9.77     8.32  

February

   8.62     7.26  

March

   10.94     6.46  

April (through April 27, 2015)

   9.72     7.20  

B. Plan of distribution

B.Plan of distribution

Not applicable.applicable

C. Markets

C.Markets

See Item 9A above.

D. Selling shareholders

Not applicable

E. Dilution

Not applicable

F. Expenses of the issue

Not applicable

D.ITEM 10Selling shareholdersADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Not applicable.A. Share capital

E.Dilution

Not applicable.applicable

F.Expenses of the issue

Not applicable.

ITEM 10 ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONB. Memorandum and Articles of Association

A.Share capital

Not applicable.

B.Memorandum and Articles of Association

Described below is a summary of certain provisions of our existing Articles and, where relevant, the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance. As this is a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. You should therefore read our complete Articles if you would like additional information, which were filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC as an exhibit 1 to the annual report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2005 and isare incorporated by reference herein.

General

City TelecomHKTV was incorporated in Hong Kong on May 19, 1992 under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance. Clause 3 of the Memorandum of Association states that the Company’s objects are to carry on, the business of telecommunications services in addition to various other relatedspecific types of business activities, any types of business as may be lawfully undertaken and unrelated business activities.carried on. Pursuant to the special resolution passed at the extraordinary general meeting of the Company held on December 31, 2012, the name of the Company was changed from “City Telecom (H.K.) Limited” to “Hong Kong Television Network Limited.” The Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong issued the Certificate of Change of Name on January 10, 2013.

Directors’ interests

A director shall not vote on, or be counted in the quorum in relation to, any resolution of our board of directors in respect of any contract, arrangement or other proposal whatsoever in which the director or any of his associate(s) (within the meaning of the HKSE Listing Rules) has aany material interest. This prohibition shall not apply to the following:following (assuming there is no material interest other than indicated below):

 

(a)the giving of any security or indemnity to him or his associates(s) in respect of money lent or obligations incurred or undertaken by him or any of them at the request of or for the benefit of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

 

(b)the giving of any security or indemnity to a third party in respect of a debt or obligation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries for which he or his associate(s) has himself/themselves assumed responsibility in whole or in part and whether alone or jointly under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security;

 

(c)any proposal concerning an offer of shares, debentures or other securities of or by the Company or any other company which the Company may promote or be interested in for subscription or purchase in which offer he or his associate(s) is/are or is/are to be interested as a participant in the underwriting or sub-underwriting thereof;

 

(d)any proposal concerning any other company in which he or his associate(s) is/are interested only, whether directly or indirectly, as an officer, executive or shareholder or in which he or his associate(s) is/are beneficially interested in shares of that Company,company, provided that he and any of his associate(s) are not in aggregate beneficially interested in five per cent or more of the issued shares of any class of such Companycompany (or of any third company through which his interest or that of his associate(s) is derived) or of the voting rights;

(e)any proposal or arrangement concerning the benefit of Talents of the Company or its subsidiaries, including the adoption, modification or operation of any Talents’ share scheme or any share incentive or share option scheme under which the director or his associate(s) may benefit;

 

(f)any proposal or arrangement concerning the benefit of Talents of the Company or its subsidiaries, including the adoption, modification or operation of a pension fund or retirement, death or disability benefits scheme which relates both to directors (or his associate(s)) and Talents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and does not provide in respect of any director or his associate(s), as such any privilege or advantage not generally accorded to the class of persons to which such scheme or fund relates; and

 

(g)any contract or arrangement in which he or his associate(s) is/are interested in the same manner as other holders of shares or debentures or other securities of the Company by virtue only of his/their interest in shares or debentures or other securities of the Company.

Additionally, there is no shareholding qualification required to be a director.

Dividends

In accordance with our Articles, we may by ordinary resolution (being a resolution passed at a general meeting by a simple majority of thosethe votes cast by thethose shareholders who attendpresent and entitled to vote at a general meeting)in person or by proxy) from time to time declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Our Articles contain provisions on apportioning dividends according to the amounts paid up on the shares in respect of which dividend is paid underon a pro rata basis during the period covered by the dividend.

In accordance with our Articles, subject to the requirements under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, our board of directors may pay such interim dividends that appear to be justified by our financial position and may also pay any dividend payable at a fixed rate at intervals decided upon by our board of directors, whenever our financial position, in the opinion of our board of directors, justifies the payment.

In respect of any dividend proposed to be paid or declared, our board of directors may further propose and announce prior to or at the same time as the payment or declaration of such dividend either that:

 

(a)such dividend be satisfied in whole or in part in the form of an allotment of shares to the shareholders, credited as being fully paid up, provided that all the shareholders entitled to receive the dividend will also be entitled to choose to receive the dividend (or a part of it) in cash;cash instead of such allotment; or

 

(b)the shareholders entitled to such dividend are entitled to elect to receive an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up instead of the whole or part of the cash dividend our board of directors may decide upon.

Any general meeting declaring a dividend may, upon the recommendation of our board of directors, by ordinary resolution, direct that the dividend shall be met, wholly or partly, by the distribution of our assets.

Any dividend not claimed by a shareholder after a period of six years from the date when it was first due to be paid shall be forfeited and shall revert to us. The payment by our board of directors of any unclaimed dividend, interest or other sum payable on or in respect of a share into a separate account shall not create any trustee relationship in respect of such sums.

Liquidation

Subject to the requirements under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, inIn the event of a members’ winding up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Company:Company and any other sanction required by the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance:

 

(a)divide among the shareholders in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and set such value as the liquidator deems fair upon any property to be divided and determine how the division shall be carried out between the shareholders; or

 

(b)vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the contributories as the liquidator shall think fit, but no shareholder shall be compelled to accept any shares or other assets upon which there is any liability.

Annual and extraordinary general meeting of shareholders

The Hong Kong Companies Ordinance requires our board of directors to hold an annual general meeting of our shareholders once every year and not more than 15 months after our previous annual general meeting. The annual general meeting is held at such time (within a period of not more than 15 months, or such longer period as the Registrar of Companies of Hong Kong may authorize in writing after the holding of the previous annual general meeting). Pursuant to our Articles, the annual general meeting and any other general meeting of our shareholder held for the passing of a special resolution (being a resolution passed at a general meeting by not less than 75% of thosethe votes cast by thethose shareholders who attendpresent and entitled to vote at a general meeting)in person or by proxy) should be convened by not less than 21 clear days’ notice in writing. The HKSE Listing Rules further requires a notice period of at least 20 clear business days for annual general meetings. The notice shall specify the place, date and time of meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted. An annual general meeting may be called by not less than 20 clear business days’shorter notice if it is agreed by all shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. The business of the annual general meeting willusually include:

 

(a)the declaration and sanctioning of dividends;

 

(b)the consideration and adoption of the accounts, balance sheet and reports of the directors and auditors and other documents required to be attached to the financial statements;

 

(c)the appointment of directors in place of those retiring (by rotation or otherwise);

 

(d)the appointment of auditors; and

(e)the fixing of, or the determining of the method of fixing, the remuneration of the directors and of the auditors.

Our board of directors may convene an extraordinary general meeting (which is any general meeting of the shareholders other than the annual general meeting) whenever it thinks fit and must do so upon the request in writing of shareholders holding not less than one-twentieth5% of our paid-up capitalthe total voting rights of all shareholders of the Company and carrying the right to voteof voting at a general meeting. AllPursuant to our Articles, all extraordinary general meetings (other than those convened for the passing of a special resolution referred to above) should be convened by at not less than 1014 clear business days’ notice in writing. The HKSE Listing Rules further requires a notice period of at least 10 clear business days for extraordinary general meetings. Extraordinary general meetings may be called by less than 10 clear business days’shorter notice by a majority in number of the shareholders having the right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less thanrepresenting at least 95% in nominal value of the shares giving that right.total voting rights at the meeting of all shareholders of the Company.

Except as otherwise provided by our Articles, two shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall be a quorum for all purposes. Whilst no business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present when the meeting proceeds to business, the absence of a quorum shall not preclude the choice or appointment of a chairman which shall not be treated as part of the business of the meeting.

The Nasdaq marketplace rules also provideOn August 29, 2014, our board of directors resolved to change our financial year-end date from August 31 to December 31 in order to unify our financial year-end date with the year-end dates of our subsidiaries and bring us in line with the business cycle of our potential clients.

Our 2013 annual general meeting was held on December 30, 2013. As a result of the change of our financial year-end date, our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries were not ready for approval on or before December 31, 2014 as would have been required if the financial year-end date had not been changed. We published our annual results for the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014 pursuant to the HKSE Listing Rules on March 26, 2015. Upon our application to change our financial year-end date, the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong directed that a foreign private issuer such asthe holding of an annual general meeting by us may be granted an exemption from such requirements if it followsin calendar year 2014 was not required. We will hold our annual general meeting for the practice of its home country.calendar year 2015 on May 20, 2015.

Restrictions on ownership of shares

There are no restrictions, either pursuant to our Articles or to the laws of Hong Kong, on the rights of non-residents of Hong Kong or foreign persons to hold or exercise voting rights with respect to our ordinary shares.

Voting rights

Any decisions that are made by the shareholders in a general meeting require the passing of either an ordinary or a special resolution at such meeting. The type of resolution required to be passed depends upon the provisions ofrequirements under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and our Articles as certain matters may only be decided by the passing of a special resolutions.

Unless any shares have special terms as to voting, on a show of hands every shareholder who is present in person at a general meeting, shall have one vote irrespective of the number of shares he holds and on a poll every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every share of which he is the holder. Our Articles set out the circumstances in which a poll can be demanded.

Pursuant to Rule 13.39(4) of the HKSE Listing Rules, which became effective on January 1, 2009, any votes of the Shareholdersshareholders at a general meeting must be taken by poll.

Any shareholder that is a recognized clearing house within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance of Hong Kong may authorize such person or persons as it thinks fit to act as its representative (or representatives) at any general meeting or at any separate meeting of any class of shareholders (if relevant). However, if more than one person is authorized, the authorization must specify the number and class of shares in respect of which each person is in fact authorized. The authorized person will be entitled to exercise the same power on behalf of the recognized clearing house as that clearing house (or its nominees) could exercise if it were an individual shareholder of the Company.

Issue of shares

Under the Companies Ordinance, our board of directors may, without the prior approval of the shareholders, offer to issue new shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their current shareholdings. Our board of directors may not issue new shares in any other way without the prior approval of the shareholders. Any such approval to issue new shares given in a general meeting shall continue in force until the earlier of: (1) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting; or (2) the expiration of the period within which the next annual general meeting is required by law to be held; or (3) when revoked or varied by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders in a general meeting. Where such shareholders’ approval is given, subject to the HKSE Listing Rules and any conditions attached to such approval, our unissued shares may be at the disposal of our board of directors, which may offer, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times and for such consideration and upon such terms and conditions as the directors may decide.

Subject to the provisions of our Articles, any shareholder may transfer all or any of his shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in such other form as our board of directors may accept and may approve. Such instrument may be signed by hand or, if the buyer or seller is a clearing house or its nominee(s), signed by hand or by a machine imprinted signature or by such other manner as our board of directors may approve from time to time.

The instrument of transfer of a share shall be executed by or on behalf of both the buyer and the seller of that share provided that our board of directors may dispense with the signing of the instrument of transfer by the buyer in any case which it thinks fit in its discretion to do so. Except as provided in the paragraph above, our board of directors may also decide, either generally or in any particular case, upon request by either the buyer or seller of shares to accept mechanically signed transfers. The seller shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of the buyer is entered into our register in respect of that share. All instruments of transfer, when registered, may be retained by us. Nothing in our Articles prevents our board of directors from recognizing a renunciation of the allotment or provisional allotment of any share by the person to whom the shares were to be allotted in favor of some other person.

Our board of directors may in its absolute discretion and without giving any reason, decline to register any transfer of any share which is not a fully paid share.

Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer unless:

 

(a)the instrument of transfer, duly stamped, is lodged with us accompanied by the certificate for the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the seller to make the transfer;

 

(b)such fee, not more than the maximum amount allowed by The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limitedthe HKSE from time to time, as our board of directors may from time to time require is paid to us in respect of it;

 

(c)the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of share;

 

(d)in the case of a transfer of a share jointly held by two or more holders, the number of joint holders to whom the share is to be transferred does not exceed four; and

 

(e)the shares concerned are free of any lien in favor of us.

If our board of directors declines to register a transfer of any share, it shall, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to the buyer notice of the refusal.

Shareholders

In accordance with our Articles, only persons who are registered in our register of members are recognized by us as shareholders and absolute owners of the shares. The register of members may be closed by our board of directors at such times and for such periods as it may from time to time decide by giving notice in accordance with the HKSE Listing Rules, but the register shall be closed in any year for not more than 30 days (excluding Sundays and public holidays) unless extended by ordinary resolution.resolution and the book closure period shall not be extended beyond 60 days in any year.

Variations of Rights of Shares

Subject to the Companies Ordinance, all or any of the rights for the time being attached to any class of shares for the time being issued may from time to time (whether or not the Company is being wound up) be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than three-fourths in nominal value of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of such shares.

C. Material contracts

C.Material contracts

Other than such contracts entered into the ordinary course of business as are described in our disclosure in Item 7 “Major shareholders and related party transactions — related party transactions”,4 “Information on the Company,” we have not entered into any material contracts outside the ordinary course of our business within the two years preceding the date of this annual report.

D. Exchange controls

D.Exchange controls

The Basic Law of Hong Kong provides that the Hong Kong dollar will remain the legal tender in Hong Kong after July 1, 1997. The Basic Law also provides that no foreign exchange control policies will be applied in Hong Kong and that the Hong Kong dollar will be freely convertible. During the Asia regional economic crisis in 1998, however, the Hong Kong government intervened on several occasions in the foreign exchange market by purchasing the Hong Kong dollar and selling the U.S. dollar to support the value of the Hong Kong dollar.

There are no restrictions, either pursuant to our Articles, or pursuant to the laws of Hong Kong, on the rights of non-residents of Hong Kong or foreign persons to hold or exercise voting rights with respect to our ordinary shares, or export or import capital.

E. Taxation

E.Taxation

The following provides a general outline of the material tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to own or dispose of our American depositary shares or shares but does not purport to deal with the tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors. Prospective investors should consult their own professional advisers on the Hong Kong, United States and overall tax implications of investing, holding or disposing the American depositary shares or shares under the laws of the countries in which they are liable to taxation. The discussion below is applicable to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens as an investor.

Hong Kong Taxation

Tax on dividends

No tax is payable in Hong Kong by withholding or otherwise in respect of dividends paid by City Telecom.HKTV.

Profits tax

No tax is imposed in Hong Kong in respect of gains from the sale of our shares and American depositary shares, unless all the following factors are present:

 

(i)such profits are derived from or arise in Hong Kong;

 

(ii)such profits are attributable to a trade, profession or business carried on in Hong Kong; and

 

(iii)the property in question, such as shares and American depositary shares, are not capital assets of that trade, profession or business.

Taxable profits are subject to Hong Kong profits tax on corporations at the rate of 16.5% and on unincorporated businesses or individuals at the rate of 15%.

Profits from the sales of our shares, which are effected on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange,HKSE, will be considered to be derived from or arising in Hong Kong. Such profits are taxable if the shares are not held as capital assets and the profits are attributable to a business, trade or profession carried out in Hong Kong.

Profits from the sales of our American depositary shares will be considered to be derived from or arising in Hong Kong if the relevant purchase or sales contracts are effected in Hong Kong. In the event that those persons dealing or trading in the American depositary shares are doing so as part of their trade, profession or business that is being carried out in Hong Kong and the shares are not capital assets of such trade of business, then such profits will be subject to Hong Kong profits tax. In any case of an exchange of any American depositary receipts evidencing American depositary shares for certificates representing shares, any profit gained on subsequent disposition of such shares will be the difference between the initial price of American depositary shares and the market value of such shares at the date of disposition.

Stamp duty

The sale and purchase of shares is subject to Hong Kong stamp duty which is payable by both the seller and purchase.the purchaser. Both seller and purchaser must pay stamp duty at a rate of 0.1% each, totaling 0.2%, of the total value of the greater of (i) the consideration paid or (ii) the market value of the shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange,HKSE, or otherwise, on the date the contract note for the sale or purchase is executed. If, inWhere one of the caseparties to a transfer of a sale or purchase ofthe shares effected by a person who is not resident in Hong Kong and the stamp duty on either or both of the contract notes is not paid, the transfereeduty not paid will be liable to stampassessed on the instrument of transfer (if any) and pay stamp duty onwill be payable by the instrument in an amount equal to the unpaid duty.transferee. If the instrument is not stamped before or within the time for stamping such instrument, a penalty of up to ten10 times the duty payable may be imposed. In addition, a fixed duty of HK$5.00 is currently payable on any instrument of transfer of shares.

In addition to the depositary’s charges, if any, the withdrawal of the shares upon the surrender of American depositary receipts evidencing American depositary shares, and the issuance of American depositary receipts evidencing American depositary shares upon the deposit of the shares, will be subject to Hong Kong stamp duty at the rate described above for sale and purchase transactions. In the event the withdrawal or deposit does not result in a change in the beneficial ownership of the shares under Hong Kong law, only the nominal fixed duty of HK$5.00 will be payable. Investors are not liable for stamp duty on the issuance of the American depositary shares upon the initial deposit of shares issued directly to the depositary or for the account of the depositary. No Hong Kong stamp duty is payable upon the transfer of American depositary receipts evidencing our American depositary shares if such American depositary receipts are not maintained on a register in Hong Kong.

Tax treaty

There is currently no reciprocal tax treaty between Hong Kong and the U.S. regarding withholding.

United States Taxation

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation

The following is a summary ofdiscussion describes certain United StatesU.S. federal income tax considerations that are anticipatedconsequences to be material to the purchase, ownership, and dispositionU.S. Holders (as defined below) under present law of an investment in our American depository shares or American depositary shares byordinary shares. This discussion applies only to U.S. Holders that hold the American depository shares or ordinary shares as defined below. This summary is based oncapital assets within the U.S.meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), its legislative history, existing(generally, property held for investment) and proposedthat have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. This discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States as of the date of this annual report and on U.S. Treasury regulations published rulings and court decisions, all as in effect onor, in some cases, proposed as of the date hereof. These lawsof this annual report, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are all subject to change, or different interpretation, possibly on a retroactive basis. This summary does not discusswhich change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below.

The following discussion neither deals with the tax consequences to any particular investor nor describes all aspects of United States federal income taxation which may be importantthe tax consequences applicable to particular investorspersons in light of their individual investment circumstances, such as investors subject to special tax rules including: partnerships,situations such as:

banks;

certain financial institutions, institutions;

insurance companies, companies;

regulated investment companies, companies;

real estate investment trusts, trusts;

broker-dealers or other dealers or traders in securities;

traders that elect to mark to market;

U.S. expatriates;

tax-exempt organizations,entities, “individual retirement accounts” and except as described below, non-U.S. Holders,“Roth IRAs”;

persons liable for alternative minimum tax;

persons holding an American depository share or to persons that will hold our shares or American depositary sharesordinary share as part of a straddle, hedge,wash sale, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale transaction forwith respect to the American depository shares or ordinary shares;

persons that directly, indirectly or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock;

persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

persons holding American depository shares or ordinary shares in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the United StatesStates;

persons who acquired American depository shares or ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as compensation; or

partnerships or pass-through entities, or persons holding American depository shares or ordinary shares through such entities.

INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITORY SHARES OR ORDINARY SHARES.

The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax purposes or that have a functional currency other thanconsequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to you if you are the United States dollar, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized below. In addition, this summary does not discuss any foreign, state, or local tax considerations. This summary assumes that investors will hold our shares or American depositary shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the Code.

Each prospective investor is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax considerations of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our shares or American depositary shares.

For purposes of this summary, a U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our American depository shares or American depositaryordinary shares that isand you are, for United StatesU.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

a corporation or(or other entity that is taxabletreated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created in or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof or political subdivision thereof;

the District of Columbia;

 

an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for United Statessubject to U.S. federal income tax purposestaxation regardless of its source;

or

 

a trust the administration of whichthat (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States court and which hasthe control of one or more United StatesU.S. persons who have the authority to controlfor all substantial decisions of the trust; or

(2) has a trust that wasvalid election in existence on August 20, 1996, waseffect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person, for United States federal income tax purposes, on the previous day, and elected to continue to be so treated.

U.S. person.

If you are a partner in a partnership or other entity or arrangement treatedtaxable as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposesthat holds ourAmerican depository shares or American depositary receipts, theordinary shares, your tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon theon your status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A U.S. Holder that isIf you are a partner in such a partnership, holding ouryou should consult your tax advisor.

The discussion below assumes the representations contained in the deposit agreement are true and the obligations in the deposit agreement and any related agreement have been and will be complied with in accordance with their terms. If you own American depository shares, oryou should be treated as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares represented by those American depositary receipts is urged to consult its own tax advisor concerning the United Statesdepository shares for U.S. federal income tax consequencespurposes.

The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that intermediaries in the chain of purchasing, owningownership between the holder of an American depository share and disposingthe issuer of the security underlying the American depository share may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the beneficial ownership of the underlying security (for example, pre-releasing American depository shares to persons that do not have the beneficial ownership of the securities underlying the American depository shares). Accordingly, the creditability of any foreign taxes and the availability of the reduced tax rate for any dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders (as discussed below), could be affected by actions taken by intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holders of American depository shares and our Company if as a result of such actions the holders of American depository shares are not properly treated as beneficial owners of underlying ordinary shares.

Passive Foreign Investment Company

Based on the market price of our American depository shares, or American depositary receipts by the partnership.

A beneficial ownervalue of our sharesassets, and the composition of our income and assets, we believe we were a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. A non-U.S. corporation will be a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either:

at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income, or American depositary shares

at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that is not a U.S. Holder is referred to herein as a “Non-U.S. Holder.”

produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income.

A foreign corporationFor this purpose, we will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock.

A separate determination must be made after the close of each taxable year as to whether we were a “passive foreign investment company”,PFIC for that year. Because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test will generally be determined by reference to the market price of our American depository shares and ordinary shares, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of our American depository shares and ordinary shares, which may fluctuate significantly. Based on the market price of our American depository shares and ordinary shares, and the composition of our assets during the taxable year ended December 31, 2014, we believe we were a PFIC for such year. In addition, we believe there is a significant risk we will be a PFIC for the taxable year ending December 31, 2015 and for future taxable years, unless the market price of our American depositary shares increases or “PFIC”,we reduce the amount of cash and other passive assets we hold relative to the amount of non-passive assets we hold. If we are a PFIC for United States federalany taxable year during which you hold American depository shares or ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to you for all succeeding years during which you hold American depository shares or ordinary shares, unless we cease to be a PFIC and you make a “deemed sale” election with respect to the American depository shares or ordinary shares. If such election is made, you will be deemed to have sold American depository shares or ordinary shares you hold at their fair market value on the last day of the last taxable year in which we qualified as a PFIC, and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the consequences described in the following two paragraphs. After the deemed sale election, your American depository shares or ordinary shares with respect to which the deemed sale election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC, and you would not be subject to the rules described below with respect to any “excess distribution” you receive from us or any gain from an actual sale or other disposition of the American depositary shares or ordinary shares, unless we subsequently become a PFIC.The rules dealing with deemed sale elections are complex. You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor as to the possibility and consequences of making a deemed sale election if we cease to be treated as a PFIC and such election becomes available to you.

For each taxable year that we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” you receive and any gain you recognize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the American depository shares or ordinary shares, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the American depository shares or ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:

the excess distribution or recognized gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the American depository shares or ordinary shares,

the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable years in your holding period prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and

the amount allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to the highest tax purposes,rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as applicable, for each such year, and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.

The tax liability for amounts allocated to taxable years prior to the year of disposition or excess distribution cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale or other disposition of our American depository shares or ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if 75%you hold the American depository shares or moreordinary shares as capital assets.

If we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you for any taxable year, to the extent any of its grossour subsidiaries are also PFICs or we make direct or indirect equity investments in other entities that are PFICs, you may be deemed to own shares in such lower-tier PFICs that are directly or indirectly owned by us in that proportion which the value of the American depository shares or ordinary shares you own bears to the value of all of our American depository shares and ordinary shares, and you may be subject to the adverse tax consequences described in the preceding two paragraphs with respect to the shares of such lower-tier PFICs that you would be deemed to own. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.

Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election for such stock to elect out of the PFIC rules described above regarding excess distributions and recognized gains. If you make a mark-to-market election for our American depository shares or ordinary shares, you will include in income consists of certain types of “passive” income or 50% or morefor each year we are a PFIC an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its assets are “passive”the American depository shares or ordinary shares as of the close of your taxable year over your adjusted basis in such American depository shares or ordinary shares. You will be allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the American depository shares or ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. BasedHowever, deductions will be allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on our currentthe American depository shares or ordinary shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the American depository shares or ordinary shares, will be treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment will also apply to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on the American depository shares or ordinary shares, as well as to any loss realized on the actual sale or other disposition of the American depository shares or ordinary shares, to the extent the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such American depository shares or ordinary shares. Your basis in the American depository shares or ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a mark-to-market election, any distributions we make would generally be subject to the rules discussed below under “—Dividends and projectedOther Distributions on the American Depository Shares or Ordinary Shares,” except the lower rate applicable to qualified dividend income assets,would not apply.

The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. Our American depository shares are listed on the Nasdaq, which is a qualified exchange or other market for these purposes. Consequently, if the American depository shares continue to be listed on the Nasdaq and activities,are regularly traded, and you are a holder of American depository shares, we presently believeexpect the mark-to-market election would be available to you if we were to become a PFIC. Because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for equity interests in any lower-tier PFICs that we are notown, a PFIC in the current taxable year and do not anticipate becoming a PFIC in the future. The PFIC status of a foreign corporation for any taxable year, however, will notU.S. Holder may continue to be determinable until after the end of that taxable year. Because the classification of certain of our assets for United States federal income tax purposes is uncertain,subject to the PFIC rules are subjectwith respect to administrative interpretation, and the relevant facts may changeits indirect interest in the future, however, no assurance can be givenany investments held by us that we are not or will not be treated as a PFIC. The discussion below under “U.S. Holders-Dividends” and “U.S. Holders-Sale or Other Disposition of Shares or American depositary shares,” assumes that we will not be subject to treatment asan equity interest in a PFIC for United StatesU.S. federal income tax purposes. You should consult your tax advisor as to the availability and desirability of a mark-to-market election, as well as the impact of such election on interests in any lower-tier PFICs.

If we were currently or were to becomea non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC, U.S. Holders would be subject to special rules and a varietyholder of potentially adverse tax consequencesshares in that corporation may avoid taxation under the Code. See “PFIC Considerations” below.PFIC rules described above regarding excess distributions and recognized gains by making a “qualified electing fund” election to include in income its share of the corporation’s income on a current basis. However, you may make a qualified electing fund election with respect to your American depository shares or ordinary shares only if we agree to furnish you annually with certain tax information, and we currently do not intend to prepare or provide such information.

Unless otherwise provided by the U.S. Treasury, each U.S. Holder of a PFIC is required to file an annual report containing such information as the U.S. Treasury may require. You should consult your tax advisor regarding any reporting requirements that may apply to you.

You are strongly urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in American depository shares or ordinary shares.

Dividends.Dividends and Other Distributions on the American Depository Shares or Ordinary Shares Any cash

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, the gross amount of any distributions paid by us outwe make to you (including the amount of any taxes withheld) with respect to our earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax rules, will be subject to tax asAmerican depository shares or ordinary dividend income andshares generally will be includible in theyour gross income as dividend income on the date of a U.S. Holder upon actualreceipt by the depositary, in the case of American depository shares, or constructive receipt. Cash distributionsby you, in the case of ordinary shares, but only to the extent the distribution is paid by us in excessout of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Any such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations. To the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), such excess amount will be treated first as a tax-free return of capitalyour tax basis in your American depository shares or ordinary shares, and then, to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s adjustedsuch excess amount exceeds your tax basis in ouryour American depository shares or ordinary shares, as capital gain. We currently do not, and we do not intend to, calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will generally be reported as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.

With respect to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, dividends may be taxed at the lower capital gains rate applicable to “qualified dividend income,” provided (1) the American depositarydepository shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. Dividends paidordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in Hong Kong dollars will be includible in income in a United States dollar amount based on the United States, dollar(2) we are neither a PFIC nor treated as such with respect to Hong Kong dollar “spot” exchange rate prevailing at the time of receipt of such dividends by the depositary, in the case of American depositary shares, or by the U.S. Holder, in the case of shares held directly by such U.S. Holder. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the United States federal income tax treatment of any foreign currency gain or loss recognized on the subsequent conversion of Hong Kong dollars received as dividends to United States dollars. Dividends received on shares or American depositary shares will not be eligibleyou (as discussed above) for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations.

Under current law, “qualifiedtaxable year in which the dividend income” received by an individual prior to January 1, 2013 is subject to United States federal income tax rates lower than those applicable to ordinary income. The maximum federal income tax rate on such qualifying dividends received by an individual is 15%. Based upon our existing and anticipated future operations and current assets,was paid and the anticipation that ourpreceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. Under U.S. Internal Revenue Service authority, American depository shares are andconsidered for purposes of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on Nasdaq, as are our American depository shares. However, based on existing guidance, it is not entirely clear whether dividends you receive with respect to the ordinary shares will be taxed as qualified dividend income, because the ordinary shares are not themselves listed on the NASDAQ,a U.S. exchange. As discussed above in “—Passive Foreign Investment Company,” we believe that we arewere a “qualified foreign corporation” and that ourPFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2014. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of the lower capital gains rate applicable to qualified dividend income for any dividends paid to U.S. Holders who are individuals will be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income”, provided that such Holders satisfy applicable holding period requirements with respect to the American depositary shares and other application requirements. Dividends paid by foreign corporations that are classified as PFICs are not “qualified dividend income”. See “PFIC Considerations” below.

Dividends received ondepository shares or American depositary shares generallyordinary shares.

Any dividends will be treated, for United States federal income tax purposes, as income from non-U.S. sources. Such non-U.S.constitute foreign source income generally will be “passive category income”for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If the dividends are taxed as qualified dividend income (as discussed above), or in certain cases “general category income”, which is treated separately from other typesthe amount of incomethe dividend taken into account for purposes of computingcalculating the U.S. foreign tax credit. A U.S. Holder may be eligible, subject to a number of complex limitations, to claim a foreign tax credit limitation will in general be limited to the gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income and divided by the highest tax rate normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of any foreign withholding taxes imposed onincome. For this purpose, dividends received ondistributed by us with respect to our American depository shares or American depositary shares.ordinary shares will generally constitute “passive category income” but could, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, who do not elect to claim a U.S. foreign tax credit for foreign income tax withheld may instead claim a deduction, for United States federal income tax purposes, in respect of such withholdings, but only for a year in which the U.S. Holder elects to do so for all creditable foreign income taxes.constitute “general category income.”

In addition, the United States Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom depositary shares are pre-released may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of U.S. foreign tax credits by the holdersDisposition of American depositary shares. The analysis of the creditability of foreign withholding taxes could be affected by future actions that may be taken by the United States Treasury.

Sale or Other Disposition ofDepository Shares or American depositary shares. A U.S. HolderOrdinary Shares

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, you will recognize capitaltaxable gain or loss upon theon any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of sharesan American depository share or American depositary shares in an amountordinary share equal to the difference between the amount realized uponfor the dispositionAmerican depository share or ordinary share and the U.S. Holder’s adjustedyour tax basis in such sharesthe American depository share or American depositary shares, as each is determined in U.S. dollars. Any suchordinary share. The gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss will be long-term ifloss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, that has held the sharesAmerican depository share or American depositary shares have been heldordinary share for more than one year, andyou may be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss you recognize on a disposition of American depository shares or ordinary shares will generally be United Statestreated as U.S. source gainincome or loss. Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) may qualify for preferential rates of United States federal income taxation in respect of long-term capital gains for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013. The claim of a deduction in respect of a capital loss for United States federal incomeforeign tax purposes, may be subjectcredit limitation purposes.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Any dividend payments with respect to limitations. If a U.S. Holder receives Hong Kong dollars for any such disposition, such U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the United States federal income tax treatment of any foreign currency gain or loss recognized on the subsequent conversion of the Hong Kong dollars to United States dollars.

Medicare Tax

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a United States person that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, is subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the United States person’s “net investment income” for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the United States person’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between US$125,000 and US$250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A holder’s net investment income will generally include its gross dividend income and its net gains from the disposition of ADSs, unless such dividends or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). If you are a United States person that is an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the ADSs.

PFIC considerations

If we were to be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to special rules generally intended to reduce or eliminate any benefits from the deferral of United States federal income tax that a U.S. Holder could derive from investing in a foreign company that does not distribute all of its earnings on a current basis. In such event, a U.S. Holder of theAmerican depository shares or American depositary shares may be subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates on (i) any gain recognized on the sales of the shares or American depositary shares and (ii) any “excess distribution” paid on the shares or American depositary shares (generally, a distribution in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions paid by us in the three preceding taxable years). In addition, a U.S. Holder may be subject to an interest charge on such gain or excess distribution. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential tax consequences to them if we are or do become a PFIC, as well as certain elections that may be available to them to mitigate such consequences.

Non-U.S. Holders

An investment in shares or American depositary shares by a Non-U.S. Holder will not give rise to any United States federal income tax consequences unless:

the dividends received or gain recognized on the sale of the shares or American depositary shares by such person is treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by such person in the United States as determined under United States federal income tax law, and the dividends are attributable to a permanent establishment (or in the case of an individual, a fixed place of business) that you maintain in the United States if that is required by an applicable income tax treaty as a condition for subjecting you to U.S. taxation on a net income basis. In such cases you generally will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. holder. If you are a corporate non-U.S. Holder, “effectively connected” dividends may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or a lower rate if you are eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty that provides for a lower rate, or

in the case of gains recognized on a sale of shares or American depositary shares by an individual, such individual is present in the United States for 183 days or more and certain other conditions are met. The non-U.S. Holder will be subject to United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% on the amount by which the U.S. — source capital gains exceed non-U.S. — source capital losses.

Backup withholding and information reporting

In general, information reporting requirements will apply to dividends on or the proceeds received onfrom the sale, exchange or redemption of American depository shares or American depositaryordinary shares paid withinmay be subject to information reporting to the United States (and, in certain cases, outside the United States)U.S. Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder that furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification or that is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders other than certainthat are required to establish their exempt recipients,status generally must provide such as corporations,certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisor regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding tax may apply to such amounts if the U.S. Holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number (or otherwise establishes, in the manner provided by law, an exemption from backup withholding) or to report dividends required to be shown on the U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax returns.rules.

Backup withholding is not an additional income tax, and the amount of anytax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding from a payment to amay be credited against your U.S. Holder will be allowed as credit against the U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability, provided thatand you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate returnsclaim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information in a timely manner.

Additional Reporting Requirements

Certain U.S. Holders who are filed.

A non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status to the payer, under penalties of perjury, on IRS Form W-8BEN.

Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets

Under recently enacted legislation, individuals that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of US$50,000 in taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010 will generally be required to filereport information relating to an information report with respectinterest in our American depository shares or ordinary shares, subject to such assets with their tax returns. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts maintained by foreign financial institutions, as well as any of the following, but only if they are notcertain exceptions (including an exception for American depository shares or ordinary shares held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions: (i) stocks and securities issued by non-U.S. persons, (ii) financial instruments and contracts held for investment that have non-U.S. issuers or counterparties and (iii) interests in foreign entities.institutions). U.S. holders that are individuals are urged toHolders should consult their tax advisors regarding the applicationeffect, if any, of this legislation tothese rules on their ownership and disposition of ADSs.the American depository shares and ordinary shares.

THE ABOVE DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE POTENTIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO OUR SHARES OR AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS TAX ADVICE. ACCORDINGLY, PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR SHARES OR AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR NON-UNITED STATES TAX LAWS, AND OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAW.F. Dividends and paying agents

F.Dividends and paying agents

Not applicable.applicable

G. Statement by experts

G.Statement by experts

Not applicable.applicable

H. Documents on display

H.Documents on display

We filed with Securities and Exchange Commissionthe SEC in Washington, D.C. a registration statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-11012) under the Securities Act in connection with our global offering of American depositary shares in November 1999. The registration statement contains exhibits and schedules. For further information with respect to City TelecomHKTV and the American depositary shares, please refer to the registration statement and to the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. In addition, whenever a reference is made in this annual report to a contract or other document of City Telecom,HKTV, you should be aware that such reference is not necessarily complete and that you should refer to the exhibits and schedules that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document.

The Company’s registration statements may be inspected and copied, including exhibits and schedules, and the reports and other information as filed with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 at the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC at 100F100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material may also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC at 100F100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Information may be obtained regarding the Washington D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or by contacting the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC over the Internet at its website at http://www.sec.gov/.www.sec.gov.

I. Subsidiary information

Not applicable

 

I.ITEM 11Subsidiary informationQUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

ITEM 11 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk have been included in note 2427 to our consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 12 DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

 

A.ITEM 12Debt securitiesDESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

Not applicable.A. Debt securities

B.Warrants and rights

Not applicable.applicable

B. Warrants and rights

C.Other securities

Not applicable.applicable

C. Other securities

D.American depositary shares

Not applicable

D. American depositary shares

Fees and Expenses

 

Persons depositing ordinary shares or ADR holders must pay:

  

For:

US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)  

•       Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property

US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)  

•       Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates

US$0.02 (or less) per ADS  

•       Any cash distribution to our ADR holders

A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to our ADR holders had been ordinary shares and the ordinary shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs  

•       Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the depositary to ADR holders

Registration or transfer fees  

•       Transfer and registration of ordinary shares on our ordinary share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when our ADR holders deposit or withdraw ordinary shares

Expenses of the depositary in converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars  

•       Whenever the depositary or the custodian receives foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into U.S. dollars and the resulting U.S. dollars transferred to the United States

Expenses of the depositary  

•       Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)

Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian have to pay on any ADR or ordinary share underlying an ADR, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes  As necessary
Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities  As necessary

Payment of Taxes

The ADR holder is required to pay all taxes and other governmental charges that may be payable in respect of any their ADSs, or the shares or other securities underlying their ADSs. The depositary may refuse to effect a transfer of any ADRs or refuse to effect the withdrawal of any securities underlying the ADRs while any such taxes and charges are outstanding. The depositary may deduct the amount of any taxes owed from any payments to our ADR holders. It may also sell deposited securities, by public or private sale, to pay any taxes owed. Our ADR holders will remain liable if the proceeds of the sale are not enough to pay the taxes. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to our ADR holders any proceeds, or send to our ADR holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.

Fees and Payments from the Depositary to Us

In fiscal year 2011,2014, the Company haddid not receivedreceive any payment from the depositary.

PART II

ITEM 13 DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.

ITEM 14 MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 15 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

A.ITEM 13Disclosure controls and proceduresDEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None

ITEM 14MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

ITEM 15CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

A. Disclosure and procedures

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this annual report, based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures arewere effective to provide reasonable assurance that information the Company iswas required to disclose in reports that the Company filesfiled or submitssubmitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 iswas recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information iswas accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. Subsequent to the date of their evaluation, there have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls.

B. Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting

B.Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934, as amended. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purpose in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Under Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, of 2002, our management is required to include its assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control procedures over financial reporting in ourthis annual report on Form 20-F beginning in the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.report. With the assistance of the Company’s internal audit department, and external consultants, our management organized and conducted a comprehensivean assessment of internal control over financial reporting based on the control criteria in COSO framework.COSO’s 2013 Internal Control Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, the Directors believeour management has concluded that, as of AugustDecember 31, 2011, the2014, our internal control over financial reporting iswas effective.

KPMG has issued an attestation report on our management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting.

C.Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
C. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited:

We have audited City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited’s internal control over financial reporting as of AugustDecember 31, 2011,2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). TheHong Kong Television Network Limited’s management of City Telecom (H.K.) Limited is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Reportreport on Internal Controlinternal control over Financial Reporting.financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of AugustDecember 31, 2011,2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and August 31, 2011 and 2010,2013, and the related consolidated income statements, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in equity and consolidated cash flow statements for each of the years insixteen months ended December 31, 2014 and the three-year periodtwelve months ended August 31, 2011,2013 and 2012, and our report dated December 19, 2011April 29, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG

/s/ KPMG
Hong Kong, China
December 19, 2011

Hong Kong, China

D.Changes in internal control over financial reporting

April 29, 2015

D. Changes in internal control over financial reporting

During fiscal 2011, the period covered by this annual report, except for the new control procedures introduced for the OTT platform and online shopping platform, which were launched in November 2014 and on trial run in December 2014 respectively, there have been no change has occurredmaterial changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that hashave materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controlscontrol over financial reporting.

ITEM 16A Audit committee financial expert

ITEM 16AAUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Our board of directors established an audit committee to ensure the impartial supervision of our accounting and business operations. The audit committee is comprised of three independent non-executive directors, namely, Mr. Lee Hon Ying, John, Dr. Chan Kin Man and Mr. Peh Jefferson Tun Lu.Lu and Mr. Mak Wing Sum, Alvin. Mr. Peh was appointed to the audit committee on September 1, 2004 and is aMr. Mak was appointed to the audit committee on September 1, 2013. Both are “financial expert”experts” within the meaning of, and as required by, the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Act.

ITEM 16B Code of ethics

ITEM 16BCODE OF ETHICS

All of our Talents, officers and directors are bound by our code of business ethics and conduct. We adopted our code of ethics and modified it following the passage of, and to comply with, the U.S. Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Copies of our code of ethics are available for viewing on our website at http://www.ctigroup.com.hkwww.hktv.com.hk and free of charge upon request made to our company secretary. We have never granted a waiver for non-compliance with the policies and procedures set forth in the code of ethics for any Talent of our Company or any of our subsidiaries.

ITEM 16C Principal accountant fees and services

ITEM 16CPRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table sets forth the remuneration that we paid to KPMG, our independent auditor in each of our previous two fiscal years.

 

  Fiscal 2013   Fiscal 2014 
  (in millions) 
  HK$   HK$ 
Nature of the service  2011
HK$
million
   2010
HK$
million
     
Audit fees   2.3     2.3     1.4     2.1  
Audit-related fees   0.2     0.2  
Non-audit services fees   —       0.3  
  

 

   

 

 

Audit related fees

   0.1     0.3  
Total   2.5     2.8     1.5     2.4  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Audit fees

Audit fees are the aggregate fees billed by our independent auditors for the annual financial statement audit, subsidiary audits and other procedures required to be performed for the auditors to form an opinion on our consolidated financial statements.

Audit-related fees

Audit-related fees in fiscal 2013 and 2014 are the aggregate fees billed by our independent auditors mainly for the review of our interim financial statements and review of reports for compliance with telecommunications regulations and debt obligations.statements.

Non-audit services fees

Non-audit services fees are the aggregate fees billed by our independent auditors for the services provided for the ADS offering in April 2010.

Pre-approval polices

The engagement of KPMG and the services provided pursuant to such engagement were approved by our audit committee in accordance with paragraph (c)(7)(i) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. The fees for all such services have been pre-approved by our audit committee. Our audit committee has satisfied itself that the provision of the above-stated non-audit services has not impaired the independence of KPMG.

ITEM 16D Exemptions from the listing standards for audit committees

ITEM 16DEXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

Not applicable.

ITEM 16E Purchase of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers

ITEM 16EPURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

By way of a general mandate granted to our directors, the maximum aggregate nominal amount of shares that may be purchased pursuant to a mandate corresponds to 10% of the aggregate nominal amount of our issued share capital at the date the mandate was granted. During the yearsixteen months ended AugustDecember 31, 2011,2014, we had not repurchased any of the ordinary shares on the HKSE.

ITEM 16F Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

ITEM 16FCHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Not applicable.

ITEM 16G Corporate Governance

ITEM 16GCORPORATE GOVERNANCE

As our ordinary shares are listed on the HKSE and American depositary shares representing our ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, we are subject to applicable Hong Kong laws and regulations, including the HKSE Listing Rules, and the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, as well as applicable U.S. federal securities laws, including the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, we are subject to the corporate governance requirements imposed by Nasdaq to the extent they apply to foreign private issuers. Under Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5615(a)(3), a foreign private issuer such as us may follow its home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules corporate governance requirements. Our current corporate governance practices differ from Nasdaq corporate governance requirements for U.S. companies in certain respects, as summarized below:

 

Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(b)(1) requires a Nasdaq listed company to have a board of directors consisting of a majority of independent members,members. In this regard we have elected to adopt the practices of our home country,country. As a listed company in Hong Kong, we are subject to the requirement under the HKSE Listing Rules that at least three members of our board of directors be independent as determined under the HKSE Listing Rules. In compliance with our home country practices, we currently have three independent directors out of a total of eightseven directors. The standards for establishing independence under the HKSE Listing Rules also differ from those set forth in the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules.

 

Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(b)(2) requires a Nasdaq listed company to schedule regular executive sessions in which non-management directors meet without management participation. In this regard we have elected to adopt the practices of our home country. Under the applicable Hong Kong law, our board of directors is required to meet regularly and at least four times a year and we are required to ensure that there is active participation by a majority of the directors and afford all directors an opportunity to include matters on the agenda. In addition, when a board meeting considers a matter in which a substantial shareholder or a director has a conflict of interest, the independent directors with no material interest in such matter must be present. In complianceAs a listed company in Hong Kong, we are subject to the requirement under the HKSE Listing Rules that our Chairman should hold meetings at least annually with our home country practices, we do not organize exclusive meetings for ourthe non-executive directors (including independent non-executive directors on a regular basis.

directors) without the presence of the executive directors.

 

Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(d)(1) requires a Nasdaq listed company to have the compensation of the chief executive officer and the other executive officers be determined, or recommended to the its board of directors for determination, by a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors. In this regard we have elected to adopt the practices of our home country. Under the HKSE Listing Rules, listed companies are required to establish a remuneration committee with a majority of independent non-executive directors. The compensation of our executive officers is determined by a remuneration committee consisting of six directors,four members, three of whom are independent non-executive directors.

Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(e)(1)5620 requires a Nasdaq listed company to have a nominations committee consisting solelyhold an annual general meeting of independent directorsshareholders no later than one year after the end of the company’s fiscal year end, solicit proxies and provide proxy statements for all meetings of shareholders and provide copies of such proxy solicitation to select or recommend for selection director nominees.Nasdaq. In this regardrespect of fiscal 2014, we have elected to adopt the practicespractice of our home country and do notin this respect. We have a nominations committee consisting solelyobtained direction from the Registrar of independent directors. UnderCompanies in Hong Kong that the HKSE Listing Rules, listed companies are recommended but not required to establish a nomination committee consistingholding of the independent non-executive directors with majority vote. Our director nominees are selectedan annual general meeting by or recommended for selection by our board of directors. Our current practiceus in calendar year 2014 is not inconsistent with our home country practices.

required. Our annual general meeting for calendar year 2015 will be held on May 20, 2015. For details, see Item 10 “Additional Information — Annual and extraordinary general meeting of shareholders.”

Other than the above, we have followed and intend to continue to follow the applicable Nasdaq corporate governance standards.

ITEM 16HMINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 17 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 17FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.

ITEM 18 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 18FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

See pages F-1 to F-60F-55 following Item 19.

ITEM 19 EXHIBITS

 

(a)ITEM 19Exhibit 3.1 — Deed of Covenant.EXHIBITS

 

(b)

Exhibit
Number

Description of Document

1.1Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company (filed as Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F on January 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.1Deed of Covenant, dated as of March 15, 2011, by and among Top Group International Limited, Wong Wai Kay, Ricky, and Cheung Chi Kin, Paul (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F on December 21, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
8.1Subsidiaries of the Company.
12.1Section 302 Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer.

(c)Exhibit 
12.2Section 302 Certifications of the Chief Financial Officer.

(d)Exhibit 
13Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Index to Consolidated Financial StatementsINDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

  Pages 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-1  

Consolidated Income Statements

   F-2  

Consolidated StatementStatements of Comprehensive Income

   F-3  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   F-4  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

   F-5  

Consolidated Cash Flow Statements

   F-7F-8  

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-8F-10  


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) as of December 31, 2014 and August 31, 2011 and 2010,2013, and the related consolidated income statements, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in equity and the consolidated cash flow statements for the each of years insixteen months ended December 31, 2014 and the three-year periodtwelve months ended August 31, 2011.2013 and 2012. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and August 31, 2011 and 2010,2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years insixteen months ended December 31, 2014 and the three-year periodtwelve months ended August 31, 2011,2013 and 2012, in conformity with the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited’s internal control over financial reporting as of AugustDecember 31, 2011,2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated December 19, 2011April 29, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting of City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries.

/s/ KPMG

/s/ KPMG
Hong Kong, China
December 19, 2011

Hong Kong, China

April 29, 2015

City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries

Consolidated income statements

(Expressed in Hong Kong dollars)

 

      For the year ended August 31,    
      2011  2010  2009 
   Note  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK $’000 

Turnover

   2    1,681,458    1,574,687    1,478,239  

Network costs and costs of sales

   3    (212,315  (195,292  (175,129

Other operating expenses

   (a)   (1,097,164  (1,105,604  (1,037,964

Other income, net

   (b)   7,249    7,989    41,540  

Finance costs

   (c)   (6,359  (22,235  (55,127
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

   4    372,869    259,545    251,559  

Income tax expense

   5    (58,954  (42,679  (38,730
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Profit attributable to shareholders

    313,915    216,866    212,829  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   7    HK40.8 cents    HK30.7 cents   HK32.4 cents  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   7    HK39.6 cents    HK29.4 cents    HK31.8 cents  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
  Note 

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
    (Note 1)  (Note 1)  (Note 1)       
       (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

Continuing operations

       

Turnover

 4  23,027    21,636    1,391    7,802    3,762  

Cost of sales

 5  (27,767  (27,207  (560  (15,706  (6,006

Valuation gains on investment properties

   3,900    2,100    1,800    43,400    18,200  

Other operating expenses

 6(a)  (343,799  (98,218  (245,581  (201,514  (104,960

Other income, net

 6(b)  147,609    29,907    117,702    128,909    19,920  

Finance costs, net

 6(c)  (7,767  (2,016  (5,751  (4,860  (2,455

Impairment losses/ write off of assets

 7  (32,000  —      (32,000  —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

   (236,797  (73,798  (162,999  (41,969  (71,539

Income tax (expense)/credit

 8  (205  (60  (145  1,659    (2,281
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations

   (237,002  (73,858  (163,144  (40,310  (73,820
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

       

Profit from discontinued operations (net of tax)

 3  —      —      —      —      3,771,694  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(Loss)/profit for the period

   (237,002  (73,858  (163,144  (40,310  3,697,874  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Attributable to:

       

Equity shareholders of the Company

       

- Continuing operations

   (237,002  (73,858  (163,144  (40,310  (71,406

- Discontinued operations

   —      —      —      —      3,771,694  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   (237,002  (73,858  (163,144  (40,310  3,700,288  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

       

- Continuing operations

   —      —      —      —      (2,414

- Discontinued operations

   —      —      —      —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   —      —      —      —      (2,414
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(Loss)/profit for the period

   (237,002  (73,858  (163,144  (40,310  3,697,874  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basis (loss)/earnings per share

 11      

- Continuing operations

   HK(29.3) cents    HK(9.1) cents    HK(20.2) cents    HK(5.0) cents    HK(9.0) cents  

- Discontinued operations

   —      —      —      —      HK480.9 cents  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   HK(29.3) cents    HK(9.1) cents    HK(20.2) cents    HK(5.0) cents    HK471.9 cents  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

 11      

- Continuing operations

   HK(29.3) cents    HK(9.1) cents    HK(20.2) cents    HK(5.0) cents    HK(9.0) cents  

- Discontinued operations

   —      —      —      —      HK474.1 cents  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   HK(29.3) cents    HK(9.1) cents    HK(20.2) cents    HK(5.0) cents    HK465.1 cents  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
            

The accompany notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries

Consolidated statementstatements of comprehensive income

(Expressed in Hong Kong dollars)

 

   For the year ended August 31, 
   2011   2010  2009 
   HK$’000   HK$’000  HK$’000 

Profit for the year

   313,915     216,866    212,829  

Other comprehensive income

     

Exchange differences on translation of financial statements of overseas subsidiaries

   2,383     (97  70  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year

   316,298     216,769    212,899  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   Note  

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
      (Note 1)  (Note 1)  (Note 1)       
         (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

(Loss)/profit for the period

     (237,002  (73,858  (163,144  (40,310  3,697,874  

Other comprehensive income

  10       

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

         

- Available-for-sale securities: net movement in fair value reserve

     41,540    (38,277  79,817    (71,109  —    

- Exchange differences on translation of financial statements of subsidiaries outside Hong Kong

     1    1    —      —      (265

- Exchange reserve realized upon disposal of Telecom Business

     —      —      —      —      (4,881
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

     (195,461  (112,134  (83,327  (111,419  3,692,728  
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Attributable to:

         

Equity shareholders of the Company

     (195,461  (112,134  (83,327  (111,419  3,695,142  

Non-controlling interest

     —      —      —      —      (2,414
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

     (195,461  (112,134  (83,327  (111,419  3,692,728  
    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
              

The accompany notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries

Consolidated balance sheets

(Expressed in Hong Kong dollars)

 

  As at August 31,   Note December 31,
2014
HK$’000
   

August 31,

2014
HK$’000

   

August 31,

2013
HK$’000

 
      2011   2010        (Note 1)     
  Note   HK$’000   HK$’000        (Unaudited)     

Non-current assets

             

Goodwill

   11     1,066     1,066  

Fixed assets

   12     1,642,701     1,431,813    15  550,159     519,820     531,277  

Intangible assets

  16  391,198     395,328     291,366  

Long term receivable and prepayment

     4,101     5,174      285     44     133  

Deferred expenditure

   14     15,323     6,626  

Other financial assets

  18  1,490,420     1,633,396     1,620,277  
    

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

 
     1,663,191     1,444,679      2,432,062     2,548,588     2,443,053  
    

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

 

Current assets

             

Accounts receivable

   15     71,999     99,729    19  7,688     370     1,325  

Other receivables, deposits and prepayments

   15     90,984     89,490    19  40,752     50,202     66,688  

Deferred expenditure

   14     29,312     28,986  

Programme costs

    344,088     363,323     289,781  

Inventories

    718     357     357  

Other current financial assets

  18  293,943     257,152     341,337  

Term deposits

  20(a)  —       573,043     342,657  

Cash at bank and in hand

   16     408,976     588,665    20(b)  819,186     305,221     347,849  
   

 

   

 

   

 

 
    

 

   

 

     1,506,375     1,549,668     1,389,994  
     601,271     806,870     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Current liabilities

             

Bank overdrafts — unsecured

     845     10,490  

Accounts payable

   17     17,419     35,128    21  4,504     4,087     4,074  

Other payables and accrued charges

   17     209,585     195,931    21  73,876     59,921     38,600  

Deposits received

     26,969     21,822      1,905     1,905     1,905  

Current portion — Deferred service revenue

   18     85,895     97,248  

Bank loans

  22  802,165     862,941     531,883  

Tax payable

     2,281     1,533      —       285     395  

Current portion — obligations under finance leases

   22     105     212  

Derivative financial instrument

  25  —       1,340     —    

Current portion - obligations under finance leases

    —       —       90  
    

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

 
     343,099     362,364      882,450     930,479     576,947  
    

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net current assets

     258,172     444,506      623,925     619,189     813,047  
    

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total assets less current liabilities

     1,921,363     1,889,185      3,055,987     3,167,777     3,256,100  
    

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

 

Non-current liabilities

             

Deferred tax liabilities

   20     111,138     55,843    24  826     482     227  

Long-term deferred service revenue

     992     9,550  

Derivative financial instrument

   21     11,564     11,293    25  —       —       5,181  

Long-term debt and other liabilities

   22     288     123,960  

Obligations under finance leases

    —       —       70  
   

 

   

 

   

 

 
    826     482     5,478  
    

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net assets

     1,797,381     1,688,539      3,055,161     3,167,295     3,250,622  
    

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

 

Capital and reserves

        23     

Share capital

   19     77,191     76,500  

Reserves

   19     1,720,190     1,612,039  

Share capital: nominal value

    —       —       80,902  

Other statutory capital reserves

    —       —       1,188,012  
    

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

     1,797,381     1,688,539  

Share capital and other statutory reserves

    1,268,914     1,268,914     1,268,914  

Other reserves

    1,786,247     1,898,381     1,981,708  
    

 

   

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total equity

    3,055,161     3,167,295     3,250,622  
   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The accompany notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of changes in equity

For the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014

(Expressed in Hong Kong dollars)

 

   Note   Share
capital
HK$’000
   Share
premium
HK$’000
   Capital
reserve
HK$’000
  Capital
redemption
reserve
HK$’000
   Retained
profits
HK$’000
  Exchange
reserve
HK$’000
  Total
HK$’000
 

At September 1, 2010

     76,500     1,074,997     21,064    7     513,208    2,763    1,688,539  

Total comprehensive income for the year

     —       —       —      —       313,915    2,383    316,298  

Dividend paid in respect of previous year

   6     —       —       —      —       (103,735  —      (103,735

Dividend paid in respect of current year

   6     —       —       —      —       (115,605  —      (115,605

Shares issued upon exercise of share option

     691     8,498     (1,957  —       —      —      7,232  

Equity settled share-based transactions

     —       —       4,652    —       —      —      4,652  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2011

     77,191     1,083,495     23,759    7     607,783    5,146    1,797,381  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   Note   Share
capital
HK$’000
   Share
premium
HK$’000
   Capital
reserve
HK$’000
  Capital
redemption
reserve
HK$’000
   Retained
profits
HK$’000
  Exchange
reserve
HK$’000
  Total
HK$’000
 

At September 1, 2009

     66,418     681,208     23,232    7     454,802    2,860    1,228,527  

Total comprehensive income for the year

     —       —       —      —       216,866    (97  216,769  

Dividend paid in respect of previous year

   6     —       —       —      —       (108,735  —      (108,735

Dividend paid in respect of current year

   6     —       —       —      —       (49,725  —      (49,725

Shares issued upon exercise of share option

     2,032     22,227     (7,515  —       —      —      16,744  

Equity settled share-based transactions

     —       —       5,347    —       —      —      5,347  

Shares issued upon placement

     8,050     371,562     —      —       —      —      379,612  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2010

     76,500     1,074,997     21,064    7     513,208    2,763    1,688,539  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
    Attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company       
  Note 

Share

capital

HK$’000

  

Share

premium

HK$’000

  

Capital

redemption

reserve

HK$’000

  

Retained

profits

HK$’000

  

Revaluation

reserve

HK$’000

  

Fair value

reserve

HK$’000

  

Exchange
reserve

HK$’000

  

Other

reserve

HK$’000

  

Total

HK$’000

  

Non-controlling

interest

HK$’000

  

Total

equity

HK$’000

 

At September 1, 2013

   80,902    1,188,005    7    1,889,487    165,156    (71,109  —      (1,826  3,250,622    —      3,250,622  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss for the period

   —      —      —      (237,002  —      —      —      —      (237,002  —      (237,002

Other comprehensive income

 10  —      —      —      —      —      41,540    1    —      41,541    —      41,541  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

   —      —      —      (237,002  —      41,540    1    —      (195,461  —      (195,461

Transition to no-par value regime on March 3, 2014

 23(a)  1,188,012   (1,188,005  (7  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —    

Revaluation reserve realized upon disposal of an investment property

 15(c)  —      —      —      5,397    (5,397  —      —      —      —      —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

   1,268,914    —      —      1,657,882    159,759    (29,569  1    (1,826  3,055,161    —      3,055,161  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of changes in equity (continued)(Continued)

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2014 and the four months ended December 31, 2014 - unaudited

(Expressed in Hong Kong dollars)

    Attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company       
  Note 

Share

capital

HK$’000

  

Share

premium

HK$’000

  

Capital

redemption

reserve

HK$’000

  

Retained

profits

HK$’000

  

Revaluation

reserve

HK$’000

  

Fair value

reserve

HK$’000

  

Exchange
reserve

HK$’000

  

Other

reserve

HK$’000

  

Total

HK$’000

  

Non-controlling

interest

HK$’000

  

Total

equity

HK$’000

 

At September 1, 2013

   80,902    1,188,005    7    1,889,487    165,156    (71,109  —      (1,826  3,250,622    —      3,250,622  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss for the period

   —      —      —      (163,144  —      —      —      —      (163,144  —      (163,144

Other comprehensive income

 10  —      —      —      —      —      79,817    —      —      79,817    —      79,817  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

   —      —      —      (163,144  —      79,817    —      —      (83,327  —      (83,327

Transition to no-par value regime on March 3, 2014

 23(a)  1,188,012   (1,188,005  (7  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —    

Revaluation reserve realized upon disposal of an investment property

 15(c)  —      —      —      5,397    (5,397  —      —      —      —      —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2014/ September 1, 2014

   1,268,914    —      —      1,731,740    159,759    8,708    —      (1,826  3,167,295    —      3,167,295  

Loss for the period

   —      —      —      (73,858  —      —      —      —      (73,858  —      (73,858

Other comprehensive income

 10  —      —      —      —      —      (38,277  1    —      (38,276  —      (38,276
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

   —      —      —      (73,858  —      (38,277  1    —      (112,134  —      (112,134
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

   1,268,914    —      —      1,657,882    159,759    (29,569  1    (1,826  3,055,161    —      3,055,161  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of changes in equity (Continued)

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2013 and 2012

(Expressed in Hong Kong dollars)

 

   Note   Share
capital
HK$’000
  Share
premium
HK$’000
   Capital
reserve
HK$’000
  Capital
redemption
reserve
HK$’000
   Retained
profits
HK$’000
  Exchange
reserve
HK$’000
   Total
HK$’000
 

At September 1, 2008

     65,062    670,717     19,013    —    ��  275,025    2,790     1,032,607  

Total comprehensive income for the year

     —      —       —      —       212,829    70     212,899  

Dividend paid in respect of previous year

   6     —      —       —      —       (3,108  —       (3,108

Shares issued in respect of scrip dividend of previous year

   6     1,221    8,685     —      —       (9,906  —       —    

Dividend paid in respect of current year

     —      —       —      —       (19,904  —       (19,904

Shares issued upon exercise of share option

     142    1,806     (549  —       —      —       1,399  

Equity settled share-based transactions

     —      —       4,768    —       —      —       4,768  

Repurchase and cancellation of ordinary shares

     (7  —       —      7     (134  —       (134
    

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At August 31, 2009

     66,418    681,208     23,232    7     454,802    2,860     1,228,527  
    

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
    Attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company       
  Note 

Share

capital

HK$’000

  

Share

premium

HK$’000

  

Capital

reserve

HK$’000

  

Capital

redemption

reserve

HK$’000

  

Retained

profits

HK$’000

  

Revaluation

reserve

HK$’000

  

Fair value

reserve

HK$’000

  

Other

reserve

HK$’000

  

Total

HK$’000

  

Non-controlling

interest

HK$’000

  

Total

equity

HK$’000

 

At September 1, 2012

   80,902    1,188,005    —      7    2,051,149    165,156    —      (1,826  3,483,393    —      3,483,393  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss for the period

   —      —      —      —      (40,310  —      —      —      (40,310  —      (40,310

Other comprehensive income

 10  —      —      —      —      —      —      (71,109  —      (71,109  —      (71,109
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

   —      —      —      —      (40,310  —      (71,109  —      (111,419  —      (111,419

Final dividend paid in respect of previous period

 9(b)  —      —      —      —      (121,352  —      —      —      (121,352  —      (121,352
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2013

   80,902    1,188,005    —      7    1,889,487    165,156    (71,109  (1,826  3,250,622    —      3,250,622  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
    Attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company       
  Note 

Share

capital

HK$’000

  

Share

premium

HK$’000

  

Capital

reserve

HK$’000

  

Capital

redemption

reserve

HK$’000

  

Retained

profits

HK$’000

  

Exchange

reserve

HK$’000

  

Revaluation

reserve

HK$’000

  

Other

reserve

HK$’000

  

Total

HK$’000

  

Non-controlling

interest

HK$’000

  

Total

equity

HK$’000

 

At September 1, 2011

   77,191    1,083,495    23,759    7    607,783    5,146    —      —      1,797,381    —      1,797,381  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Profit for the period

   —      —      —      —      3,700,288    —      —      —      3,700,288    (2,414  3,697,874  

Other comprehensive income

 10  —      —      —      —      —      (5,146  —      —      (5,146  —      (5,146
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

   —      —      —      —      3,700,288    (5,146  —      —      3,695,142    (2,414  3,692,728  

Final dividend paid in respect of previous period

 9(b)  —      —      —      —      (115,901  —      —      —      (115,901  —      (115,901

Special dividend paid in respect of current period

 9(a)  —      —      —      —      (2,022,542  —      —      —      (2,022,542  —      (2,022,542

Interim dividend paid in respect of current period

 9(a)  —      —      —      —      (119,674  —      —      —      (119,674  —      (119,674

Shares issued upon exercise of share options

   3,711    104,510    (33,044  —      —      —      —      —      75,177    —      75,177  

Equity settled share-based transactions

 6(d)  —      —      10,480    —      —      —      —      —      10,480    —      10,480  

Share options lapsed

   —      —      (1,195  —      1,195    —      —      —      —      —      —    

Revaluation of investment properties

   —      —      —      —      —      —      165,156    —      165,156    —      165,156  

Contributions from non-controlling interest

   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      2,450    2,450  

Acquisition of non-controlling interest

   —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (1,826  (1,826  (36  (1,862
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2012

   80,902    1,188,005    —      7    2,051,149    —      165,156    (1,826  3,483,393    —      3,483,393  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompany notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries

Consolidated cash flow statements

(Expressed in Hong Kong dollars)

   Note 

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
     (Note 1)  (Note 1)  (Note 1)       
        (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities

  26  (291,066  (49,662  (241,404  (356,804  184,927  

Overseas tax paid

    —      —      —      —      (3,003
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities

    (291,066  (49,662  (241,404  (356,804  181,924  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Investing activities

        

Additions of available-for-sale securities

    (632,697  (172,350  (460,347  (2,181,277  —    

Proceeds from disposal of available-for-sale securities

    244,437    30,470    213,967    155,939    —    

Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities

    591,983    203,672    388,311    —      —    

Acquisition of a subsidiary

    (142,343  —      (142,343  —      —    

Decrease/(increase) in term deposits

    335,329    567,908    (232,579  211,659    (544,040

Dividend received

    1,825    336    1,489    895    —    

Interest received

    160,071    41,289    118,782    70,749    14,282  

Proceeds from disposal of Telecom Business (net of cash disposed of)

  3(d)  —      —      —      —      4,655,367  

Purchases of fixed assets

    (61,347  (43,509  (17,838  (39,394  (467,840

Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets

    10,000    19    9,981    87    24,022  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities

    507,258    627,835    (120,577  (1,781,342  3,681,791  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing activities

    216,192    578,173    (361,981  (2,138,146  3,863,715  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Financing activities

        

Proceeds from issuance of new shares

    —      —      —      —      75,177  

Net proceeds from/ (repayment of) bank loans

    270,425    (61,317  331,742    531,847    —    

Repayment of capital element of finance leases

    (160  —      (160  (85  (99

Interest element of finance leases

    (3  —      (3  (9  (19

Interest paid on bank loans

    (7,232  (2,043  (5,189  (2,402  —    

Other borrowing cost paid

    (6,017  (1,756  (4,261  (4,235  (7,134

Acquisition of non-controlling interest

    —      —      —      —      (1,862

Dividends paid

    —      —      —      (121,354  (2,257,812
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities

    257,013    (65,116  322,129    403,762    (2,191,749
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
             

Hong Kong Television Network Limited and its subsidiaries

Consolidated cash flow statements

(Expressed in Hong Kong dollars)

 

      For the year ended August 31, 
   Note  

2011

HK$’000

  

2010

HK$’000

  

2009

HK$’000

 

Net cash inflow from operations

   23(a)   588,911    488,353    538,503  

Hong Kong profits tax paid

    —      (456  —    

Overseas tax paid

    (3,012  (2,557  (1,732
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash inflow from operating activities

    585,899    485,340    536,771  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Investing activities

     

Decrease in pledged bank deposits

    —      15,038    72,281  

Interest received

    3,059    11,372    4,869  

Purchases of fixed assets

    (437,477  (349,076  (289,938

Net proceeds from maturity of investment in debt securities

    —      —      28,051  

Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets

    20,229    16,412    8,249  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash outflow from investing activities

    (414,189  (306,254  (176,488
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash inflow before financing activities

    171,710    179,086    360,283  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Financing activities

     

Repurchase of ordinary shares

    —      —      (134

Proceeds from issuance of new shares

   23(b)   7,232    396,356    1,399  

Proceeds from new bank loans

    —      163,375    —    

Repayment of bank loan

    (125,000  (40,000  —    

Repayment of capital element of finance leases

   23(b)   (212  (217  (138

Interest element of finance leases

    (30  (42  (27

Interest paid on bank loans

    (1,152  (1,166  —    

Other borrowing costs paid

    (4,638  (3,260  (885

Interest paid on 10-year senior notes

    —      (5,881  (52,670

Repurchase of 10-year senior notes

   23(b)   —      (172,423  (485,829

Dividends paid

    (219,312  (158,435  (23,008
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities

    (343,112  178,307    (561,292
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalent

    (171,402  357,393    (201,009

Cash and cash equivalent at September 1

    578,175    221,052    421,610  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

    1,358    (270  451  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalent at August 31

    408,131    578,175    221,052  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Analysis of the balances of cash and cash equivalents

     

Cash at bank and in hand

    408,976    588,665    226,416  

Bank overdrafts — unsecured

    (845  (10,490  (5,364
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
    408,131    578,175    221,052  
   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   Note 

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
     (Note 1)  (Note 1)   (Note 1)       
        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)       

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    473,205    513,057     (39,852  (1,734,384  1,671,966  

Cash and cash equivalent at the beginning of the period

    347,849    305,221     347,849    2,080,053    408,131  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

    (1,868  908     (2,776  2,180    (44
   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalent at the end of the period

    819,186    819,186     305,221    347,849    2,080,053  
   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Analysis of the balances of cash and cash equivalents

         

Cash at bank and in hand

  20(b)  819,186    819,186     305,221    347,849    2,083,079  

Bank overdrafts - unsecured

    —      —       —      —      (3,026
   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
    819,186    819,186     305,221    347,849    2,080,053  
   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
       

 

 

   

 

 

         

The accompany notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1Significant accounting policiesChange of financial year end date

(a)Statement of compliance

City Telecom (H.K.)Hong Kong Television Network Limited (the “Company”) was incorporated in Hong Kong on May 19, 1992 under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance. City Telecom (H.K.Pursuant to a resolution of the Board dated August 29, 2014, the Company’s financial year end date has been changed from August 31 to December 31 in order to unify the financial year end dates of the Company and its subsidiaries and align with the business cycle of the Group’s potential customers in the e-commerce retail industry and the multimedia advertising industry. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements for the current financial period cover a period of sixteen months from September 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. The figures presented for the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated cash flow statement and related notes cover the financial year from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013 (“Fiscal 2013”) Limitedand financial year from September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012 (“Fiscal 2012”). As the Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 figures are not directly comparable with those of current financial period, financial information for the twelve months ended August 31, 2014 and the four months ended December 31, 2014 (“Supplementary financial information”), prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, has been disclosed to enhance comparability. The Supplementary financial information has not been audited.

2Significant accounting policies

(a)Statement of compliance

The Company and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Group”) are engaged in the provision of international telecommunicationsmultimedia business, including but not limited to the offer of free TV programme through Over-The-Top (“OTT”) platform, multimedia and drama productions, content distribution, online shopping mall operation and other related services and fixed telecommunications network services to customers in Hong Kong and Canada.(“Multimedia Business”).

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with all applicable International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), which collective term includes all applicable individual International Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting Standards (“IASs”) and Interpretations issued by the IASB.

The IASB has issued a number acertain new orand revised IFRSs that are first effective or available for early adoption for the current accounting period of the Group and the Company. None of theseGroup.

Note 2(c) provides information on any changes in accounting policies would have a material impact onresulting from initial application of those developments to the Group’sextent that they are relevant to the Group for the current and prior accounting periods reflected in these financial statements.

The Group has not applied any new standard or interpretation that is not yet effective for the current accounting period (see note 31).

Theaccompanying consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on December 19, 2011.April 29, 2015.

 

(b)Basis of preparation of the financial statements

The measurement basis used in the preparation of the financial statements is the historical cost basis except that investments in available-for-sale securities, investment properties and certain financial assets and liabilities are stated at their fair values or amortized costs as explained in the accounting policies set out below (see notes 1(j)2(f), 1(l)2(g), 1(q)2(l), 2(n), 2(s) and 1(r)2(t)).

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances but are inherently uncertain and unpredictable, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Judgments made by management in the application of IFRSs that have significant effect on the financial statements and major sources of estimation uncertainty are discussed in note 30.notes 7, 15 and 27.

 

(c)Change in accounting policies

The IASB has issued a number of new IFRSs, which term collectively includes all applicable individual IFRSs, IASs and Interpretations and amendments to IFRSs, that are first effective for the current accounting period of the Group. Of these, the following developments are relevant to the Group’s financial statements:

IFRS 13, Fair value measurement

Amendments to IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures – Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

The Group has not applied any new standard or interpretation that is not yet effective for the current accounting period.

IFRS 13, Fair value measurement

IFRS 13 replaces existing guidance in individual IFRSs with a single source of fair value measurement guidance. IFRS 13 also contains extensive disclosure requirements about fair value measurements for both financial instruments and non-financial instruments. The Group has provided those disclosures in notes 15 and 27. The adoption of IFRS 13 does not have any material impact on the fair value measurements of the Group’s assets and liabilities.

Amendments to IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures –Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

The amendments introduce new disclosures in respect of offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities. Those new disclosures are required for all recognized financial instruments that are set off in accordance with IAS 32, Financial instruments: Presentation and those that are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement that covers similar financial instruments and transactions, irrespective of whether the financial instruments are set off in accordance with IAS 32.

The adoption of the amendments does not have an impact on the Group’s financial statements because the Group has not offset financial instruments, nor has it entered into any master netting arrangement or similar agreement which is subject to the disclosure requirements of IFRS 7.

(d)Subsidiaries and controlled entities

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. Control existsThe Group controls an entity when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. When assessing whether the Group has power, only substantive rights (held by the power to govern the financialGroup and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, potential voting rights that presentlyother parties) are exercisable are taken into account.

1Significant accounting policies (continued)
considered.

 

(d)(e)Group accounting

 

(i)Consolidation

An investment in a subsidiary is consolidated into the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Intra-group balances and transactions and cash flows and any unrealized profits arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated in full in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Unrealized losses resulting from intra-group transactions are eliminated in the same way as unrealized gains but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

Non-controlling interests represent the equity in a subsidiary not attributable directly or indirectly to the Company, and in respect of which the Group has not agreed any additional terms with the holders of those interests which would result in the Group as a whole having a contractual obligation in respect of those interests that meets the definition of a financial liability.

Non-controlling interests are presented in the consolidated balance sheets within equity, separately from equity attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company. Non-controlling interests in the results of the Group are presented on the face of the consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as an allocation of the total profit or loss and total comprehensive income for the year between non-controlling interests and the equity shareholders of the Company.

Changes in the Group’s interests in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions, whereby adjustments are made to the amounts of controlling and non-controlling interests within consolidated equity to reflect the change in relative interests and no gain or loss is recognized.

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, it is accounted for as a disposal of the entire interest in that subsidiary, with a resulting gain or loss being recognized in profit or loss. Any interest retained in that former subsidiary at the date when control is lost is recognized at fair value and this amount is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition of a financial asset or, when appropriate, the cost on initial recognized of an investment in an associate or jointly venture.

 

(ii)Translation of foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at exchange rates ruling at the transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising in these cases are dealt with in profit or loss.

For consolidation purposes, the balance sheetsThe results of subsidiaries denominated in foreign currenciesoperations are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date whilst the income statement is translatedinto Hong Kong dollars at an average rate for the year. ExchangeBalance sheet items are translated into Hong Kong dollars at the closing foreign exchange rates at the balance sheet date. The resulting exchange differences are dealt with as a movementrecognized in reserves.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presentedother comprehensive income and accumulated separately in Hong Kong Dollars, which isequity in the Group’s functional currency. All financial information have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

(e)Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of

(i)the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration transferred; over

(ii)the net fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable assets and liabilities measured as at the acquisition date.

When (ii) is greater than (i), then this excess is recognized immediately in profit or loss as a gain on a bargain purchase.

Goodwill is stated at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill arising on a business combination is allocated to each cash-generating unit, or groups of cash-generating units, that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination and is tested annually for impairment (see note 1(i)).exchange reserve.

On disposal of a cash-generating unit duringforeign operation, the year, any attributablecumulative amount of purchased goodwillthe exchange differences relative to that foreign operation is included in the calculation ofreclassified from equity to profit or loss when the profit or loss on disposal.disposal is recognized.

(f)Investments in debt and equity securities

The Group’s policies for investments in debt and equity securities, are as follows:

Investments in debt and equity securities are initially stated at fair value, which is their transaction price unless it is determined that the fair value at initial recognition differs from the transaction price and that fair value is evidenced by a quoted price in an active market for an identical asset or liability or based on a valuation technique that uses only data from observable markets. Cost includes attributable transaction costs, except where indicated otherwise below. These investments are subsequently accounted for as follows, depending on their classification:

Investments in securities held for trading are classified as current assets. Any attributable transaction costs are recognized in profit or loss as incurred. At the balance sheet date the fair value is remeasured, with any resultant gain or loss being recognized in profit or loss. The net gain or loss recognized in profit or loss does not include any dividends or interest earned on these investments as these are recognized in accordance with the policies set out in notes 2(u)(v) and 2(u)(vii).

Dated debt securities that the Group and/or the Company have the positive ability and intention to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities. Held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost less impairment losses (see note 2(k)).

Investments in securities which do not fall into any of the above categories are classified as available-for-sale securities. At the balance sheet date the fair value is remeasured, with any resultant gain or loss being recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated separately in equity in the fair value reserve. As an exception to this, investments in equity securities that do not have a quoted price in an active market for an identical instrument and whose fair value cannot otherwise be reliably measured are recognized in the balance sheet at cost less impairment losses (see note 2(k)). Dividend income from equity securities and interest income from debt securities calculated using the effective interest method are recognized in profit or loss in accordance with the policies set out in notes 2(u)(v) and 2(u)(vii) respectively. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from changes in the amortized cost of debt securities are also recognized in profit or loss.

When the investments are derecognized or impaired (see note 2(k)), the cumulative gain or loss recognized in equity is reclassified to profit or loss. Investments are recognized/derecognized on the date the Group commits to purchase /sell the investments or they expire.

(g)Investment property

Investment properties are land and/or buildings which are owned and held to earn rental income and/or for capital appreciation.

Investment properties are stated at fair value, unless they are still in the course of construction or development at the balance sheet date and their fair value cannot be reliably measured at cost less accumulated depreciation (see note 1(g)) and impairment losses (see note 1(i)) if any.that time. Any gain or loss arising from a change in fair value or from the retirement or disposal of an investment property is recognized in the income statement.profit or loss. Rental income from investment properties is accounted for as described in note 2(u)(vi).

When the Group holds a property interest under an operating lease to earn rental income and/or for capital appreciation, the interest is classified and accounted for as an investment property on a property-by-property basis. Any such property interest which has been classified as an investment property is accounted for in accordance withas if it were held under a finance lease (see note 2(j)), and the same accounting policypolicies are applied to that interest as set outare applied to other investment properties leased under finance leases. Lease payments are accounted for as described in note 1(s)(v)2(j).

1Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(g)(h)Fixed assets

 

 (i)Construction in progress

Construction in progress was carried at cost, which includes development and construction expenditure incurred and interest and direct costs attributable to the development less any accumulated impairment loss (note 1(i)(see note 2(k)) as considered necessary by the directors. No depreciation wasis provided for construction in progress. OnUpon completion, the associated costs wereare transferred to leasehold land and building.buildings.

 

 (ii)Other fixed assets

Other fixed assets, comprising building,buildings, leasehold improvements, telecommunications,broadcasting and production equipment, network, computer and office equipment, furniture, fixtures and fittings and motor vehicles, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses (note 1(i)(see note 2(k)).

Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of items of property, plant and equipment,fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, if any, using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:

 

Buildings situated on leasehold land are depreciated over the shorter of the unexpired term of lease and their estimated useful lives of 50 years

•        Buildings situated on leasehold land are depreciated over the shorter of the unexpired term of lease and their estimated useful lives of 50 years

•        Furniture, fixtures and fittings

   4 years  

•        Telecommunications,Broadcasting and production equipment

2 - 10 years

•        Network, computer and office equipment

   years — 20- 15 years  

•        Motor vehicles

   4 years  

•        Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the unexpired term of the leases and their estimated useful lives

•        Leasehold land classified as held under finance leases is depreciated over the unexpired term of leases

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the unexpired term of the leases and their estimated useful lives

Leasehold land classified as held under finance leases is depreciated over the unexpired term of leases

Investment properties situated on leasehold land are depreciated over the shorter of the unexpired term of lease and their estimated useful lives of 50 years

Where the parts of an item of property, plant and equipmentfixed assets have different useful lives, the cost of the item is allocated on a reasonable basis between the parts and each part is depreciated separately. Both the useful life of an asset and its residual value, if any, are reviewed annually.

Major costs incurred in restoring fixed assets to their normal working condition are charged to profit or loss. Major improvements are capitalized and depreciated over their expected useful lives to the Group.

The gain or loss on disposal of a fixed asset is the difference between the net salesdisposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the relevant asset, and is recognized in profit or loss on the date of disposal.

1(i)Significant accounting policies (continued)Intangible assets

Intangible assets that are acquired by the Group are stated at cost less accumulated amortization (where the estimated useful life is finite) and impairment losses (see note 2(k)).

Amortization of intangible assets with finite useful lives is charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the assets’ estimated useful lives. The following intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized from the date they are available for use and their estimated useful lives are as follows:

•       Indefeasible right of use (“IRU”) of telecommunications capacity

20 years

•       Right to use of telecommunications services

10 years

•       Mobile television broadcast spectrum

12 years

Both the period and method of amortization are reviewed annually.

 

(h)(j)Assets held under leases

An arrangement, comprising a transaction or a series of transactions, is or contains a lease if the Group determines that the arrangement conveys a right to use a specific asset or assets for an agreed period of time in return for a payment or a series of payments. Such a determination is made based on an evaluation of the substance of the arrangement and is regardless of whether the arrangement takes the legal form of a lease.

 

(i)Classification of assets leased to the Group

Assets that are held by the Group under leases which transfer to the Group substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as being held under finance leases. Leases which do not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the Group are classified as operating leases.leases, with the following exceptions:

Land held for own use under an operating lease for which its fair value cannot be measured separately from the fair value of a building situated thereon at the inception of the lease, is accounted for as being held under a finance lease, unless the building is also clearly held under an operating lease (see note 1(h)(iii)).

-property held under operating leases that would otherwise meet the definition of an investment property is classified as investment property on a property-by-property basis and, if classified as investment property, is accounted for as if held under a finance lease (see note 2(g)); and

-land held for own use under an operating lease for which its fair value cannot be measured separately from the fair value of a building situated thereon at the inception of the lease, is accounted for as being held under a finance lease, unless the building is also clearly held under an operating lease. For these purposes, the inception of the lease is the time that the lease was first entered into by the Group, or taken over from the previous lessee.

 

(ii)Finance leases

Where the Group acquiredacquires the use of assets under finance leases, the amounts representing the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments of such assets, are included in fixed assets with the corresponding liabilities, net of finance charges, are recorded as obligations under finance leases. Depreciation and impairment losses are accounted for in accordance with the accounting policy as set out in note 1(g)2(h) and note 1(i)2(k). Finance charges implicit in the lease payments are charged to profit or loss over the period of the leases so as to produce an approximately constant periodic rate of charge on the remaining balance of the obligations for each accounting period.

(iii)Operating leases

Leases where substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of assets remain with the lessor are accounted for as operating leases. Receipts and payments made under operating leases net of any incentives received by/from the lessor are credited/charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease periods.

 

(i)(k)Impairment of assets

 

(i)Impairment of investments in debt and equity securities and accounts and other receivables

Investments in debt and equity securities and other current and non-current receivables that are stated at cost or amortized cost or are classified as available-for-sale securities are reviewed at the end of each reporting periodbalance sheet date to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment. Objective evidence of impairment includes observable data that comes to the attention of the Group about one or more of the following loss events:

 

significant financial difficulty of the debtor;

 

a breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in interest or principal payments;

 

it becoming probable that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganization;

 

significant changes in the technological, market, economic or legal environment that have an adverse effect on the debtor; and

 

a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of an investment in an equity instrument below its cost.

1Significant accounting policies (continued)

(i)Impairment of assets (continued)

(i)Impairment of investments in debt and equity securities and accounts and other receivables (continued)

If any such evidence exists, any impairment loss is determined and recognized as follows:

 

For trade and other current receivables and other financial assets carried at amortized cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate (i.e. the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition of these assetsassets), where the effect of discounting is material).material. This assessment is made collectively where financial assets carried at amortized cost share similar risk characteristics, such as similar past due status, and have not been individually assessed as impaired. Future cash flows for financial assets which are assessed for impairment collectively are based on historical loss experience for assets with credit risk characteristics similar to the collective group.

If in a subsequent period the amount of an impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be linked objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognized, the impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss. A reversal of an impairment loss shall not result in the asset’s carrying amount exceeding that which would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized in prior years.

 

For available-for-sale securities, the cumulative loss that has been recognized in the fair value reserve is classified to profit or loss. The amount of the cumulative loss that is recognized in profit or loss is the difference between the acquisition cost (net of any principal repayment and amortization) and current fair value, less any impairment loss on that asset previously recognized in profit or loss.

Impairment losses recognized in profit or loss in respect of available-for-sale equity securities are not reversed through profit or loss. Any subsequent increase in the fair value of such assets is recognized directly in other comprehensive income.

Impairment losses in respect of available-for-sale debt securities are reversed if the subsequent increase in fair value can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognized. Reversals of impairment losses in such circumstances are recognized in profit and loss.

Impairment losses are written off against the corresponding assets directly, except for impairment losses recognized in respect of accounts receivable,trade debtors, whose recovery is considered doubtful but not remote. In this case, the impairment losses for doubtful debts are recorded using an allowance account. When the Group is satisfied that recovery is remote, the amount considered irrecoverable is written off against accounts receivabletrade debtors directly and any amounts held in the allowance account relating to that debt are reversed. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously charged to the allowance account are reversed against the allowance account. Other changes in the allowance account and subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off directly are recognized in profit or loss.

 

(ii)Impairment of other assets

Internal and external sources of information are reviewed at the end of each reporting periodbalance sheet date to identify indications that the following assets may be impaired or, except in the case of goodwill, an impairment loss previously recognized no longer exists or may have decreased:

 

fixed assets;

investment property; and

goodwill.intangible assets.

If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. In addition, for goodwill, the recoverable amount is estimated annually whether or not there is any indication of impairment.

1Significant accounting policies (continued)

(i)Impairment of assets (continued)

(ii)Impairment of other assets (continued)

 

Calculation of recoverable amount

The recoverable amount of an asset is the greater of its fair value less costs to sellof disposal and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Where an asset does not generate cash inflows largely independent of those from other assets, the recoverable amount is determined for the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows independently (i.e. a cash-generating unit).

 

Recognition of impairment losses

An impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss whenever the carrying amount of an asset, or the cash-generating unit to which it belongs, exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the cash-generating unit (or group of units) and then, to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the unit (or group of units) on a pro rata basis, except that the carrying value of an asset will not be reduced below its individual fair value less costs to sell,disposal (if measurable) or value in use if determinable.(if determinable).

 

Reversals of impairment losses

In respect of assets other than goodwill, anAn impairment loss is reversed if there has been a favorable change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed.

A reversal of an impairment loss is limited to the asset’s carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized in prior years. Reversals of impairment losses are credited to profit or loss in the year in which the reversals are recognized.

 

(iii)Interim financial reporting and impairment

Under the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, the Group is required to prepare an interim financial report in compliance with IAS 34/HKAS 34,Interim financial reporting , in respect of the first six months and twelve months of the financial year. At the end of the interim period,periods, the Group applies the same impairment testing, recognition and reversal criteria as it would at the end of the financial yearperiod (see note 1(i)notes 2(k)(i) and 1(i)2(k)(ii)).

Impairment losses recognized in an interim period in respect of goodwill, available-for-sale equity securities and unquoted equity securities carried at costscost are not reversed in a subsequent period. This is the case even if no loss, or a smaller loss, would have been recognized had the impairment been assessed only at the end of the financial year to which the interim period relates. Consequently, if the fair value of an available-for-sale equity security increases in the remainder of the annual period, or in any other period subsequently, the increase is recognized in other comprehensive income and not profit or losses.

 

(j)(l)Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments are recognized initially at fair value. At each balance sheet date, the fair value is remeasured. The gain or loss on remeasurement to fair value is recognized immediately in profit or loss, except where the derivatives qualify for cash flow hedge accounting or hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, in which case recognition of any resultant gain or loss depends on the nature of the item being hedged. For the years presented in the consolidated financial statements, none of the Group’s derivative financial instruments qualify as hedges or hedge accounting.

 

(k)(m)Deferred expenditureProgramme costs

Deferred expenditure represents customer acquisition costs incurred for successful acquisition or origination of a service subscription agreement with a customer. SuchProgramme costs are deferredstated at cost less amounts expensed and amortizedany provision considered necessary by management. Programme costs are charged to the profit or loss based on a straight-line basis over the periodbroadcasting schedule of the underlying service subscription agreements.programme reflecting the pattern of consumption of their economic benefits.

1Significant accounting policies (continued)

Self-produced programmes

Self-produced programmes consist primarily of drama, infotainment and variety programmes. Cost of self-produced programmes comprises direct production cost and an appropriate proportion of production overheads.

Purchased programmes

Purchased programmes consist film rights acquired for showing on the Group’s television platform. Cost of purchased programme comprises cost of purchase, cost of conversion and an appropriate proportion of production overheads.

 

(l)(n)Accounts receivablereceivables

Trade and other receivables are initially recognized at fair value and thereafter stated at amortized cost less allowance for impairment of doubtful debts (see note 1(i)2(k)(i)), except where the receivables are interest-free loans made to related parties without any fixed repayment terms or the effect of discounting would be immaterial. In such cases, the receivables are stated at cost less impairment of doubtful debts (see note 1(i)2(k)(i)).

(m)(o)Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and on hand, demand deposits with banks and other financial institutions, and short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, having been within three months of maturity at acquisition. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are also included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the consolidated cash flow statement.

 

(n)(p)Financial guarantees issued, provisions and contingent liabilities

 

(i)Financial guarantees issued

Financial guarantees are contracts that require the issuer (i.e. the guarantor) to make specified payments to reimburse the beneficiary of the guarantee (the “holder”) for a loss the holder incurs because a specified debtor fails to make payment when due in accordance with the terms of a debt instrument.

Where the Group issues a financial guarantee, the fair value of the guarantee (being the transaction price, unless the fair value can otherwise be reliably estimated) is initially recognized as deferred income within trade and other payables. The fair value of financial guarantees issued at the time of issuance is determined by reference to fees charged in an arm’s length transaction for similar services. When such information is obtainable, or is otherwise estimated by reference to interest rate differentials, by comparing the actual rates charged by lenders when the guarantee is made available with the estimated rates that lenders would have charged, had the guarantees not been available, where reliable estimates of such information can be made. Where consideration is received or receivable for the issuance of the guarantee, the consideration is recognized in accordance with the Group’s policies applicable to that category of asset. Where no such consideration is received or receivable, an immediate expense is recognized in profit or loss on initial recognition of any deferred income. The amount of the guarantee initially recognized as deferred income is amortized in profit or loss over the term of the guarantee as income from financial guarantees issued. In addition, provisions are recognized in accordance with note 1(n)2(p)(ii) if and when (i) it becomes probable that the holder of the guarantee will call upon the Group under the guarantee, and (ii) the amount of that claim on the Group is expected to exceed the amount currently carried in trade and other payables in respect of that guarantee i.e. the amount initially recognized, less accumulated amortization.

 

(ii)Other provisions and contingent liabilities

Provisions are recognized for other liabilities of uncertain timing or amount when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation arising as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made. Where the time value of money is material, provisions are stated at the present value of the expenditure expected to settle the obligation.

Where it is not probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required, or the amount cannot be estimated reliably, the obligation is disclosed as a contingent liability, unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote. Possible obligations, whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more future events are also disclosed as contingent liabilities unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote.

1Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(o)(q)Talent benefits

 

(i)Leave entitlements

Entitlements to annual leave and long service leave are recognized when they accrue to individuals employed by the Group hereinafter (referred to as “Talents”), including directors of the Company. A provision is made for the estimated liability for annual leave and long-service leave as a result of services rendered by Talents up to the balance sheet date. Entitlements to sick leave and maternity or paternity leave are not recognized until the time of leave.

 

(ii)Profit sharing and bonus plans

Provisions for profit sharing and bonus plans are recognized when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of services rendered by Talents and a reliable estimate of the obligation can be made.

 

(iii)Retirement benefit costs

The Group contributes to defined contribution retirement schemes which are available to certain Talents. Contributions to the schemes by the Group are calculated as a percentage of Talents’ basic salaries and charged to profit or loss. The Group’s contributions are reduced by contributions forfeited by those Talents who leave the scheme prior to vesting fully in the contributions.

The assets of the scheme are held in an independently administered fund that is separated from the Group’s assets.

(iv)Share-based payments

The fair value of share options granted to Talents or directors is recognized as an Talent cost with a corresponding increase in capital reserve within equity. The fair value is measured at grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model or Monte Carlo model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. Where the Talents have to meet vesting conditions before becoming unconditionally entitled to the share options, the total estimated fair value of the share options is spread over the vesting period, taking into account the probability that the options will vest.

During the vesting period, the number of share options that is expected to vest is reviewed. Any adjustment to the cumulative fair value recognized in prior years is charged/credited to profit or loss, with a corresponding adjustment to the capital reserve. On vesting date, the amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest (with a corresponding adjustment to the capital reserve) except where forfeiture is only due to not achieving vesting conditions that relate to the market price of the Company’s shares. The amount related to share options expense is recorded in the capital reserve until either the option is exercised or the option expires.

 

(p)(r)Income tax

Income tax for the year comprises current tax and movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Current tax and movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that they relate to business combinations, or items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the relevant amounts of tax are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from deductible and taxable temporary differences respectively, being the differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets also arise from unused tax losses and unused tax credits.

1Significant accounting policies (continued)

(p)Income tax (continued)

Apart from certain limited exceptions, all deferred tax liabilities, and all deferred tax assets to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilized, are recognized. Future taxable profits that may support the recognition of deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences include those that will arise from the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, provided those differences relate to the same taxation authority and the same taxable entity, and are expected to reverse either in the same period as the expected reversal of the deductible temporary difference or in periods into which a tax loss arising from the deferred tax asset can be carried back or forward. The same criteria are adopted when determining whether existing taxable temporary differences support the recognition of deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses and credits, that is, those differences are taken into account if they relate to the same taxation authority and the same taxable entity, and are expected to reverse in a period, or periods, in which the tax loss or credit can be utilized.

The limited exceptions to recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities are those temporary differences arising from goodwill not deductible for tax purposes, the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit (provided they are not part of a business combination), and temporary differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that, in the case of taxable differences, the Group controls the timing of the reversal and it is probable that the differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future, or in the case of deductible differences, unless it is probable that they will reverse in the future.

TheWhere investment properties are carried at their fair value in accordance with the accounting policy set out in note 2(g), the amount of deferred tax recognized is measured using the tax rates that would apply on sale of those assets at their carrying value at the balance sheet date unless the property is depreciable and is held within a business model whose objective is to consume substantially all of the economic benefits embodied in the property over time, rather than through sale. In all other cases, the amount of deferred tax recognized is measured based on the expected manner of realization or settlement of the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted.

The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reviewed at each balance sheet date and is reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow the related tax benefit to be utilized. Any such reduction is reversed to the extent that it becomes probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available.

Current tax balances and deferred tax balances, and movements therein, are presented separately from each other and are not offset. Current tax assets are offset against current tax liabilities, and deferred tax assets against deferred tax liabilities, if the Company or the Group has the legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the following additional conditions are met:

 

in the case of current tax assets and liabilities, the Company or the Group intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously; or

in the case of deferred tax assets and liabilities, if they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either:

 

the same taxable entity; or

 

different taxable entities, which, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered, intend to realize the current tax assets and settle the current tax liabilities on a net basis or realize and settle simultaneously.

 

(q)(s)Interest-bearing borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are recognized initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, the interest-bearing borrowings are stated at amortized cost with the difference between amortized cost and redemption value recognized in profit or loss over the period of borrowings using the effective interest method.

1Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(r)(t)Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are initially recognized at fair value. Except for financial guarantee liabilities measured in accordance with note 1(n)2(p), trade and other payables are subsequently stated at amortized cost unless the effect of discounting would be immaterial, in which case they are stated at cost.

 

(s)(u)Revenue recognition

 

(i)Advertising income, net of agency deductions, is recognized when the advertisements are delivered through the Group’s OTT platform.

(ii)Revenue for licensing of programme rights is recognized over the contract period or upon delivery of the programmes concerned in accordance with the terms of the contracts.

(iii)Artiste management fee income is recognized when the services are rendered.

(iv)E-commerce income primarily comprised of commission income and revenue from merchandise sales. Commission income are recognized for transactions where the Group is not the primary obligor, is not subject to inventory risk, and does not have latitude in establishing prices and selecting suppliers. Commission income are recognized on a net basis which is based on a fixed percentage of the sales amount. Revenue from merchandise sales and related costs are recognized on a gross basis when the Group acts as a principal.

Commission income and revenue from merchandise sales are recognized when the customer has accepted the goods and the related risks and rewards of ownership.

(v)Interest income is recognized as it accrues using the effective interest method.

(vi)Rental income receivable under operating leases is recognized in profit or loss in equal instalments over the periods covered by the lease term, except where an alternative basis is more representative of the platform of benefits to be derived from the leased assets. Lease incentives granted are recognized in profit or loss as an integral part of the aggregate net lease payments receivable.

(vii)Dividend income from unlisted investments is recognized when the shareholder’s right to receive payment is established. Dividend income from listed investments is recognized when the share price of the investment goes ex-dividend.

(viii)Revenue for the provision of international telecommunicationstelecommunication and fixed telecommunications network services isare recognized, when an arrangement exists, service is rendered, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectibilitycollectability is probable.

 

(ii)(ix)Tariff-free period granted to subscribers of fixed telecommunications networkcommunications networks services are recognized in profit or loss ratably over the respective term of the serviceservices subscription agreement.

 

(iii)(x)Amount received in advance for the provision of fixed telecommunications network services is deferred and included under deferred service revenue, and subsequently recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the related service period.

(iv)Interest income is recognized as it accrues using the effective interest method.

(v)Rental income receivable under operating leases is recognized in profit or loss in equal installments over the periods covered by the lease term. Lease incentives granted are recognized in profit or loss as an integral part of the aggregate net lease payments receivable.

(t)(v)Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale are capitalized as part of the cost of that asset.

All other borrowing costs are charged to profit or loss in the year in which they are incurred.

 

(u)(w)Discontinued operations

A discontinued operation is a component of the Group’s business, the operations and cash flows of which can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the Group and which represents a separate major line of business. Classification as a discontinued operation occurs upon disposal.

Where an operation is classified as discontinued, a single amount is presented on the face of the income statement, which comprises:

the post-tax profit or loss of the discontinued operation; and

the post-tax gain or loss recognized on the disposal of the assets or disposal group constituting the discontinued operation.

(x)Segment reporting

Operating segments, and the amounts of each segment item reported in the financial statements, are identified from the financial information provided regularly to the Group’s most senior executive management for the purposes of allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of, the Group’s two lines of business.

Geographical information is not presented as the majority of the Group’s revenue is attributed to customersoperations are conducted in Hong Kong and the majority of the assets are located in Hong Kong.

 

(v)(y)Accounting for barter transactions

When goods or services are exchanged for goods or services which are of a similar nature and value, the exchange is not regarded as a revenue generating transaction.

When goods are sold or services are rendered in exchange for dissimilar goods or services, the exchange is regarded as a transaction which generates revenue. The revenue is measured at the fair value of the goods or services received, adjusted by the amount of any cash or cash equivalents transferred. When the fair value of the goods or services received cannot be measured reliably, the revenue is measured at the fair value of the goods or services rendered, adjusted by the amount of any cash or cash equivalents transferred.

1Significant accounting policies (continued)

(w)Related parties

For the purposes of these financial statements, a party is considered to be related to the Group if:

(a)A person, or a close member of that person’s family, is related to the Group if that person:

 

 (i)the party has the ability, directlycontrol or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, to control the Group or exercise significant influence over the Group in making financial and operating policy decisions, or has joint control over the Group;

 

 (ii)has significant influence over the Group and the party are subject to common control;Group; or

 

 (iii)the party is an associate of the Group or a joint venture in which the Group is a venturer;

(iv)the party is a member of the key management personnel of the Group or the Group’s parent.

(b)An entity is related to the Group if any of the following conditions applies:

(i)The entity and the Group are members of the same group (which means that each parent, subsidiary and fellow subsidiary is related to the others).

(ii)One entity is an associate or joint venture of the other entity (or an associate or joint venture of a close family member of such an individual, ora group of which the other entity is a member).

(iii)Both entities are joint ventures of the same third party.

(iv)One entity is a joint venture of a third entity and the other entity is an entity underassociate of the control, joint control or significant influence of such individuals;third entity.

 

 (v)the partyThe entity is a close family memberpost-employment benefit plan for the benefit of a party referred to in (i)employees of either the Group or is an entity underrelated to the control, joint control or significant influence of such individuals; orGroup.

 

 (vi)The entity is controlled or jointly controlled by a person identified in (a).

(vii)A person identified in (a)(i) has significant influence over the partyentity or is a post-employment benefit plan which is for the benefit of Talentsmember of the Group or of any entity that is a related partykey management personnel of the Group.entity (or of a parent of the entity).

Close family members of an individualthe family of a person are those family members who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, that individualperson in their dealings with the entity.

3Discontinued operations

On March 31, 2012, the Group entered into a Sales and Purchase Agreement with a third party (the “Purchaser”) to dispose of the Group’s International Telecommunications Services and Fixed Telecommunications Network Service businesses (the “Telecom Business”) (the “Disposal”). The consideration for the Disposal comprised of cash consideration of HK$4,873,649,000 on a cash-free, debt-free basis. As part and parcel of the Disposal, the Telecom Business grant an intangible asset, including indefeasible right of use (“IRU”) of the telecommunications capacity and right to use of telecommunications services to the Group upon the completion of Disposal. The Disposal was completed on May 30, 2012. The operating results of the disposed Telecom Business up to the disposal date have been presented as discontinued operations in the twelve months ended August 31, 2012.

 

2(a)The results of the discontinued operations included in the consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended August 31, 2012 are as follows:

     

Twelve months

ended

August 31, 2012

 
   Note HK$’000 

Turnover

  4  1,433,775  

Network costs and cost of sales

  5  (277,028

Other operating expenses

  6(a)  (860,946

Other income, net

  6(b)  3,638  

Finance costs, net

  6(c)  574  
   

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

    300,013  

Income tax expense

  8  (48,407
   

 

 

 

Profit after taxation

    251,606  

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

  3(c)  3,520,088  
   

 

 

 

Profit from discontinued operations

    3,771,694  
   

 

 

 

(b)The cash flows of the discontinued operations for the twelve months ended August 31, 2012 are as follows:

Twelve months

ended

August 31, 2012

HK$’000

Net cash inflow from operating activities

414,695

Net cash inflow from investing activities

4,336,661

Net cash outflow from financing activities

(211,887

Net cash inflow from discontinued operations

4,539,469

(c)Effect of Disposal on the financial position of the Group:

      

Twelve months

ended

August 31, 2012

 
   Note  HK$’000 

Net assets disposed of:

    

Goodwill

     1,066  

Fixed assets

     1,601,528  

Long term receivable and prepayment

     4,533  

Deferred expenditure

     36,978  

Accounts receivable

     75,481  

Other receivables, deposits and prepayments

     165,161  

Cash at bank and in hand

     42,357  

Bank overdrafts - unsecured

     (7,529

Accounts payable

     (19,221

Other payables and accrued charges

     (147,364

Deposits received

     (20,946

Tax payable

     (1,721

Deferred tax liabilities

     (157,102

Deferred services revenue

     (81,241

Obligations under finance leases

     (49
    

 

 

 
     1,491,931  
    

 

 

 

Satisfied by:

    

Cash consideration

     (4,873,649

Grant of intangible assets including IRU of the telecommunications capacity and right to use of telecommunications services

     (316,943

Exchange reserve realized upon disposal of Telecom Business

  10   (4,881

Transaction costs

     183,454  
    

 

 

 

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

     (3,520,088
    

 

 

 

No provision for Hong Kong Profits Tax has been made for the gain on sale of discontinued operations.

(d)Analysis of the net cash inflow in respect of the Disposal:

Twelve months

ended

August 31, 2012

HK$’000

Cash consideration

4,873,649

Transaction costs

(183,454

Cash and cash equivalents disposed of

(34,828

Net cash inflow

4,655,367

4Turnover and segment information

The Group is principally engaged in the provision of multimedia business, including but not limited to the offer of free TV programming through OTT platform, multimedia and drama productions, contents distribution, online shopping mall operation and other related services.

Prior to the Disposal, the Group was also engaged in the provision of international telecommunications services and fixed telecommunications network services to customers in Hong Kong and Canada. RevenuesCanada which have been classified as discontinued operations in the twelve months ended August 31, 2012.

Turnover

The amount of each significant category of revenue recognized in turnover during the year areperiods is as follows:

 

   2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
   2009
HK$’000
 

Turnover

      

International telecommunications services

   197,134     218,589     247,359  

Fixed telecommunications network services (note 2(b))

   1,484,324     1,356,098     1,230,880  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,681,458     1,574,687     1,478,239  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)         

Continuing operations

           

Licensing of programme rights and net advertising income

   20,612     20,542     70     6,745     3,762  

Artiste Management services

   924     318     606     277     —    

Others (Note)

   1,491     776     715     780     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   23,027     21,636     1,391     7,802     3,762  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

           

International telecommunications services

   —       —       —       —       134,645  

Fixed telecommunications network services

   —       —       —       —       1,299,130  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   —       —       —       —       1,433,775  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   23,027     21,636     1,391     7,802     1,437,537  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                

2Turnover and segment information (continued)
Note: Others include income from programme production and e-commerce income.

Segmental Information

For the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014, four months ended December 31, 2014, twelve months ended August 31, 2014 and 2013

In a manner consistent with the way in which information is reported internally to the Group’s chief operating decision maker for purposes of resource allocation and performance assessment, the Group has only identified one business segment i.e. Multimedia Business. In addition, the majority of the Group’s operations are conducted in Hong Kong and majority of the assets are located in Hong Kong. Accordingly, no operating or geographical segment information is presented.

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2012

Prior to the Disposal, the Group had two reportable business segments – international telecommunication services and fixed telecommunications network services. As a result of the Disposal, the Group has one reportable business segment – Multimedia Business.

 

(a)Segmental information

The Group is organized on a worldwide basis into two business segments:

•      Continuing operations:

Multimedia services and others:provision of multimedia production and distribution and other multimedia related activities
Discontinued operations:
International telecommunications

  :  provision of international long distance calls services

•      

Fixed telecommunications network

  :  provision of dial up and broadband Internet access services, , local voice-over-IP (VoIP) services, IP-TV services and corporate data services

The Group’s inter-segment transactions mainly consistconsisted of provision of leased lines services.services and licensing of programme right. These transactions were entered into on similar terms as those contracted with third parties.

 

  Twelve months ended August 31, 2012 
  2011   Continuing
operations
 Discontinued operations       
  

International

tele-

communications

services
HK$’000

   

Fixed

tele-

communications

network services

HK$’000

   Elimination
HK$’000
 Group
HK$’000
   

Multimedia

services

and others

HK$’000

 

International

telecommunications

services

HK$’000

   

Fixed

telecommunications

network services

HK$’000

   

Elimination

HK$’000

 

Group

HK$’000

 

Turnover

               

- External sales

   197,134     1,484,324     —      1,681,458     3,762    134,645     1,299,130     —     1,437,537  

- Inter-segment sales

   3,814     14,837     (18,651  —       1,100    698     10,530     (12,328  —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 
   200,948     1,499,161     (18,651  1,681,458     4,862    135,343     1,309,660     (12,328  1,437,537  
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Segment results

   65,832     306,147      371,979     (107,204  32,555     263,246      188,597  
  

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

   

 

    

Other net income, excluding interest income

        3,883  

Interest income

        3,366  

Finance costs

        (6,359

Other net income

         6,317  

Valuation gains on investment properties

         18,200  

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

         3,520,088  

Bank interest income

         17,241  

Finance costs, net

         (1,881
       

 

         

 

 

Profit before taxation

        372,869           3,748,562  

Income tax expense

        (58,954         (50,688
       

 

         

 

 

Net profit

        313,915  

Profit for the year

         3,697,874  
       

 

         

 

 

2Turnover and segment information (continued)

   August 31, 2012 
   Continuing
operations
   Discontinued operations     
   

Multimedia

services

and others

HK$’000

   

International

telecommunications

services

HK$’000

   

Fixed

telecommunications

network services

HK$’000

   

Group

HK$’000

 

Segment assets

   2,755,116     —       —       2,755,116  

Term deposits

         544,040  

Investment properties

         238,200  
        

 

 

 

Total assets

         3,537,356  
        

 

 

 

Segment liabilities

   51,682     —       —       51,682  

Tax payable

         935  

Deferred tax liabilities

         1,346  
        

 

 

 

Total liabilities

         53,963  
        

 

 

 

Capital expenditure incurred during the year

   178,750     3,665     279,978     462,393  

Depreciation for the year

   4,636     7,021     174,248     185,905  

 

(a)Segmental information (continued)

   2010 
   

International

tele-

communications

services

HK$’000

   

Fixed

tele-

communications

network services

HK$’000

   

Elimination

HK$’000

  

Group

HK$’000

 

Turnover

       

- External sales

   218,589     1,356,098     —      1,574,687  

- Inter-segment sales

   5,673     16,673     (22,346  —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   224,262     1,372,771     (22,346  1,574,687  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Segment results

   54,173     219,618      273,791  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

Other net income, excluding interest income

        (3,383

Interest income

        11,372  

Finance costs

        (22,235
       

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

        259,545  

Income tax expense

        (42,679
       

 

 

 

Net profit

        216,866  
       

 

 

 

   2009 
   International
tele-
communications
services
HK$’000
   

Fixed

tele-

communications

network services

HK$’000

   

Elimination

HK$’000

  

Group

HK$’000

 

Turnover

       

- External sales

   247,359     1,230,880     —      1,478,239  

- Inter-segment sales

   5,669     19,784     (25,453  —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   253,028     1,250,664     (25,453  1,478,239  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Segment results

   61,631     203,515      265,146  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

Other net income, excluding interest income

        36,671  

Interest income

        4,869  

Finance costs

        (55,127
       

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

        251,559  

Income tax expense

        (38,730
       

 

 

 

Net profit

        212,829  
       

 

 

 

2Turnover and segment information (continued)

(a)Segmental information (continued)

   2011 
   

International

tele-

communications

services

HK$’000

   

Fixed

tele-

communications

network services

HK$’000

   

Group

HK$’000

 

Segment assets

   432,716     1,831,746     2,264,462  
      

 

 

 

Segment liabilities

   79,459     274,203     353,662  

Tax payable

       2,281  

Deferred tax liabilities

       111,138  
      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       467,081  
      

 

 

 

Capital expenditure incurred during the year

   1,631     447,565     449,196  

Depreciation for the year

   11,499     206,698     218,197  

   2010 
   

International

tele-

communications

services

HK$’000

   

Fixed

tele-

communications

network services

HK$’000

   

Group

HK$’000

 

Segment assets

   590,888     1,660,661     2,251,549  
      

 

 

 

Segment liabilities

   92,982     289,085     382,067  

Tax payable

       1,533  

Deferred tax liabilities

       55,843  

Long-term bank loan

       123,567  
      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       563,010  
      

 

 

 

Capital expenditure incurred during the year

   5,223     339,621     344,844  

Depreciation for the year

   12,637     186,392     199,029  

2Turnover and segment information (continued)

(b)Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (“HKBN”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is a Fixed Telecommunications Network Services (“FTNS”) licensee and provides interconnection services to enable delivery of telecommunications service to customers of different operators. Since the FTNS license was granted by the Telecommunication Authority (“TA”) and interconnection services have been provided, HKBN has been billing mobile operators for the interconnection services provided to them and recognizing revenue (“mobile interconnection charges”) based on management’s best estimate of the amounts to be collected. In prior years, majority of the mobile operators rejected HKBN’s demand for payment of the mobile interconnection charges. As a result of non-payment by certain mobile operators, in 2004, the Group requested the TA to make a determination (the “2004 Determination”) on the level of mobile interconnection charges payable by one of the mobile operators (“mobile operator under dispute”) to HKBN; and the effective date of the determined mobile interconnection charges.

In June 2007, the TA issued the 2004 Determination which set out the rates of mobile interconnection charge payable by the mobile operator under dispute for interconnection services provided by HKBN for the period from April 1, 2002 to August 31, 2004 and the mobile operator under dispute paid mobile interconnection charge for the relevant period accordingly.

Subsequent to June 2007, HKBN entered into contractual agreements with several mobile operators which agreed to pay mobile interconnection charges based on the 2004 Determination for the period from April 1, 2002 to August 31, 2004 and with respect to the period after August 31, 2004 at the interim rate stated in the contractual agreements. The interim rate was subject to adjustment based on further determination to be issued by the TA.

In February 2008, since certain mobile operators had still not yet settled their mobile interconnection charges for interconnection services provided by HKBN, HKBN requested TA to make a new determination on the rate of mobile interconnection charge and interest thereon with the four mobile operators.

In September 2008, the TA accepted HKBN’s request for determination on the rate of mobile interconnection charges for the period from April 1, 2002 to April 26, 2009 payable by the mobile operators that had not reached contractual agreements with HKBN, and the rate for the period from September 1, 2004 to April 26, 2009 payable by those mobile operators that have reached contractual agreements with HKBN, and the interest rate thereon (the “2008 Determination”).

In May 2010, the TA issued its decision on the 2008 Determination which set out the rates of mobile interconnection charges payable by the mobile operators under dispute.

Based on the 2008 determination, the Group reversed approximately HK$19,706,000 revenue related to mobile interconnection charges and recognized approximately HK$10,053,000 interest income during the year ended August 31, 2010.

Included in the accounts receivable balance as at August 31, 2011 were receivable relating to mobile interconnection charges of HK$23,000 (August 31, 2010: HK$39,763,000).

35Network costs and costscost of sales

Continuing operations:

Cost of sales mainly include programme costs charged to the profit or loss over the showing period and talent costs and other production costs which are directly attributable to the revenue generated from licensing of programme rights, programme production and provision of artiste management services.

Discontinued operations:

Network costs and costscost of sales mainly include interconnection charges paid to local and overseas carriers, leased line rentals, programprogramme fees, and production costs for the IP-TV service, and do not include depreciation charge which is included in other operating expenses.

46Profit(Loss)/profit before taxation

Profit(Loss)/profit before taxation is arrived at after charging/(crediting)crediting the following:

 

 (a)Other operating expenses

 

   2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
  2009
HK$’000
 

Advertising and marketing expenses

   344,136     372,727    299,794  

Amortization of deferred expenditure (note 14)

   37,873     48,621    53,160  

Auditors’ remuneration

   2,777     2,910    3,455  

Depreciation of owned fixed assets

   217,790     198,323    205,624  

Depreciation of fixed assets held under finance lease

   407     706    617  

Operating lease charges in respect of land and buildings

   28,426     22,669    17,010  

Operating lease charges in respect of equipment

   —       39    42  

Provision for doubtful debts (note 15(b))

   13,636     14,742    12,103  

Impairment loss on other receivable

   1,587     —      —    

Loss / (gain) on disposal of fixed assets

   1,008     (1,375  1,016  

Talent costs (note 4(d))

   311,355     301,760    302,279  

Others

   138,169     144,482    142,864  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   1,097,164     1,105,604    1,037,964  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
      (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

Continuing operations

       

Depreciation

   37,773    10,188    27,585    26,622    6,268  

Less: depreciation capitalized as programme costs

   (3,403  (508  (2,895  (7,515  (1,632
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   34,370    9,680    24,690    19,107    4,636  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Advertising and marketing expenses

   10,070    9,231    839    8,595    214  

Auditor’s remuneration

   2,395    1,331    1,064    1,500    1,630  

Operating lease charges in respect of

       

- land and building

   11,652    4,414    7,238    4,796    2,827  

- equipments

   1,701    1,074    627    —      —    

Loss/(gain) on disposal of fixed assets

   208    (3  211    263    675  

Talent costs (note 6(d))

   146,502    40,688    105,814    84,303    55,971  

Amortization of intangible assets (note 16)

   40,067    10,992    29,075    20,360    5,217  

Impairment of accounts receivable

   —      —      —      100    —    

Write off of artiste prepayment

   28,328    3,353    24,975    16,852    697  

Provision for committed artiste payment

   6,003    (4,860  10,863    —      —    

Others

   62,503    22,318    40,185    45,638    33,093  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   343,799    98,218    245,581    201,514    104,960  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

       

Depreciation

   —      —      —      —      181,269  

Advertising and marketing expenses

   —      —      —      —      271,532  

Auditor’s remuneration

   —      —      —      —      1,071  

Operating lease charges in respect of land and buildings

   —      —      —      —      26,910  

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

   —      —      —      —      (2,674

Talent costs (note 6(d))

   —      —      —      —      233,814  

Amortization of deferred expenditure

   —      —      —      —      29,902  

Others

   —      —      —      —      119,122  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   —      —      —      —      860,946  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   343,799    98,218    245,581    201,514    965,906  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
            

 (b)Other income, net

 

  2011
HK$’000
 2010
HK$’000
 2009
HK$’000
   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

 

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
     (Unaudited) (Unaudited)        

Continuing operations

        

Bank interest income

   23,017    5,292    17,725    27,051     16,167  

Dividend income from available-for-sale equity securities

   1,825    336    1,489    895     —    

Interest income from available-for-sale debt securities

   120,353    29,407    90,946    61,406     —    

Gain on disposal of available-for-sale securities

   4,946    504    4,442    4,508     —    

Rentals from investment properties

   15,306    3,809    11,497    11,765     3,388  

Net exchange (loss)/gain

   (18,425  (9,469  (8,956  23,007     229  

Others

   587    28    559    277     136  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 
   147,609    29,907    117,702    128,909     19,920  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Discontinued operations

        

Interest income

   (3,366  (11,372  (4,869   —      —      —      —       1,074  

Loss/(gain) on extinguishment of 10-year senior notes

   —      9,650    (31,371

Net exchange gain

   (995  (324  (3,038   —      —      —      —       408  

Others

   (2,888  (5,943  (2,262   —      —      —      —       2,156  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 
   (7,249  (7,989  (41,540   —      —      —      —       3,638  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 
   147,609    29,907    117,702    128,909     23,558  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 
          

 

 (c)Finance costs, net

 

   2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
   2009
HK$’000
 

Interest element of finance leases

   30     42     27  

Interest on 10-year senior notes

   —       5,881     52,670  

Amortization of incidental issuance costs

   —       188     1,545  

Interest on bank borrowings

   1,152     1,379     —    

Amortization of upfront costs on long-term bank loan

   182     192     —    

Change in fair value of derivative financial instrument

   271     11,293     —    

Write-off of upfront costs upon settlement of long-term bank loan

   1,251     —       —    

Other borrowing costs

   3,473     3,260     885  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   6,359     22,235     55,127  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
      (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

Continuing operations

       

Interest element of finance leases

   3    —      3    9    15  

Bank charges

   178    61    117    2,150    —    

Interest on bank loans

   7,169    1,952    5,217    2,530    —    

Change in fair value of derivative financial instrument

   (5,181  (1,340  (3,841  (4,482  (1,901

Other borrowing costs

   5,598    1,343    4,255    4,653    4,341  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   7,767    2,016    5,751    4,860    2,455  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

       

Interest element of finance leases

   —      —      —      —      4  

Others

   —      —      —      —      (578
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   —      —      —      —      (574
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   7,767    2,016    5,751    4,860    1,881  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

4Profit before taxation (continued)

 (d)Talent costs

 

   

2011

HK$’000

  

2010

HK$’000

  

2009

HK$’000

 

Wages and salaries

   517,609    518,380    506,638  

Provision for annual leave

   612    561    613  

Equity settled share-based transaction

   4,652    5,347    4,768  

Retirement benefit costs — defined contribution plans (note 8)

   43,872    38,820    34,614  

Less: Talent costs capitalized as fixed assets

   (22,206  (20,851  (16,621

Talent costs incurred in network costs and costs of sales

   (10,843  (11,098  (13,461

Talent cost incurred in advertising and marketing expenses

   (222,341  (229,399  (214,272
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   311,355    301,760    302,279  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
      (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

Continuing operations

       

Wages and salaries

   200,103    43,494    156,609    208,264    104,411  

Retirement benefit costs - defined contribution plans (note 12)

   9,004    1,866    7,138    9,876    3,993  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   209,107    45,360    163,747    218,140    108,404  

Less: Talent costs capitalized as programme costs

   (62,605  (4,672  (57,933  (121,207  (47,140

Talent costs included in cost of sales

   —      —      —      (12,630  (5,293
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   146,502    40,688    105,814    84,303    55,971  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

       

Wages and salaries

   —      —      —      —      396,008  

Equity settled share-based transaction

   —      —      —      —      10,480  

Retirement benefit costs - defined contribution plans (note 12)

   —      —      —      —      38,074  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   —      —      —      —      444,562  

Less: Talent costs capitalized as fixed assets

   —      —      —      —      (17,671

Talent costs included in network costs and cost of sales

   —      —      —      —      (6,247

Talent costs included in advertising and marketing expenses

   —      —      —      —      (186,830
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   —      —      —      —      233,814  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   146,502    40,688    105,814    84,303    289,785  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
            

Talent costs include all compensation and benefits paid to and accrued for all individuals employed by the Group, including directors.

 

7(e)Other itemsImpairment losses/ write off of assets

The Group’s Multimedia Business comprised of two cash generating units (“CGU”), namely “Media”, which operates the multimedia and drama production and contents distribution business, and “E-commerce”, which operates the online shopping business of the Group.

2011

The Group recognized impairment loss on fixed assets, intangible assets and programme costs and wrote off certain construction in progress with an aggregated amount of HK$32,000,000 during the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014.

The Group has identified indications of impairment of its Media CGU assets, primarily as a result of the uncertainty in the legal and technical feasibility in the provision of mobile television services. The recoverable amounts of these assets, which include primarily programme costs and certain fixed assets and intangible assets, were assessed based on their value in use at the Media CGU level as well as the Group’s Multimedia Business as a whole, and determined by discounting the estimated cashflows to be generated from the use of these assets at pre-tax discount rates of 13.40% at the Media CGU level and 15.25% at the overall Multimedia Business level. Key assumptions used in the estimation of value in use included discount rate, projected revenue of the Media CGU and projected revenue of E-commerce CGU.

HK$’000

2010

HK$’000

2009

HK$’000

Realized and unrealized gain on other financial assets

—  —  (189

58Income tax expense(expense)/credit

Hong Kong Profits Tax rate is 16.5%. There was no provision for Hong Kong Profits Tax for 2009, 2010 and 2011 as the Group’s Hong Kong subsidiaries which were subject to Hong Kong Profits Tax sustained tax losses. The statutory income tax rate in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) is 25%. CTI Guangzhou Customer Services Co., Ltd., a former wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, being a recognized Advanced Technology Service Enterprise, is subject to income tax at a reduced rate of 15% from calendar years 2010 to 2012. The provision of PRC income tax was calculated at 25% for calendar year 2009. Non-Hong Kong current taxation is mainly related to the PRC income tax.

The amount of income tax expense(expense)/credit in the consolidated income statement represents:

 

   2011
HK$’000
  2010
HK$’000
  2009
HK$’000
 

Current taxation:

    

Hong Kong

    

- Over-provision in prior years

   —      40    —    

Non-Hong Kong

    

- Provision for the year

   (3,524  (2,585  (1,622

- Under-provision in prior years

   (135  —      —    

Deferred taxation:

    

- Origination and reversal of temporary differences (note 20)

   (55,295  (40,134  (37,108

- Recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses (note 20)

   —      —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   (58,954  (42,679  (38,730
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
      (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)        

Continuing operations

        

Current taxation

        

Hong Kong

        

- Provision for the year

   —      —      —      —       (935

- Over-provision in respect of prior year

   394    284    110    540     —    

Deferred taxation

        

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

   (599  (344  (255  1,119     (1,346
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (205  (60  (145  1,659     (2,281
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

        

Current taxation

        

Non-Hong Kong

        

- Provision for the year

   —      —      —      —       (2,443

Deferred taxation

        

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

   —      —      —      —       (45,964
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   —      —      —      —       (48,407
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (205  (60  (145  1,659     (50,688
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
             

5Income tax expense (continued)

The Group’s income tax expense(expense)/credit differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the profits(loss)/profit before taxation at applicable tax rates as follows:

 

   2011
HK$’000
  2010
HK$’000
  2009
HK$’000
 

Profit before taxation

   372,869    259,545    251,559  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Notional tax on profit before taxation, calculated at the prevailing tax rates applicable to profit in the jurisdictions concerned

   (63,606  (43,781  (42,240

Effect of non-taxable income

   535    4,692    1,466  

Effect of (loss)/gain on extinguishment of 10-year senior notes not subject to taxation

   —      (1,592  5,176  

Effect of non-deductible expenses

   (4,975  (2,367  (3,648

(Under)/over-provision in prior years

   (135  40    —    

Utilization of tax loss related to prior years

   6,872    —      —    

PRC income tax concession

   2,406    —      —    

Others

   (51  329    516  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   (58,954  (42,679  (38,730
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
      (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

(Loss)/profit before taxation

   (236,797  (73,798  (162,999  (41,969  3,748,562  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Notional tax on (loss)/profit before taxation, calculated at the prevailing tax rates applicable to profit in the jurisdiction concerned

   39,072   12,178   26,894   6,925    (619,401

Effect of non-taxable income

   21,577    6,399    15,178    22,691    4,662  

Effect of non-deductible expenses

   (8,705  470    (9,175  (4,886  (3,627

Over-provision in respect of prior years

   394    284    110    540    —    

Effect of unused tax losses not recognized

   (53,200  (18,772  (34,428  (23,952  (9,693

Effect of disposal of Telecom Business

   —      —      —      —      577,383  

Others

   657    (619  1,276    341    (12
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income tax (expense) /credit

   (205  (60  (145  1,659    (50,688
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Representing by

       

- Continuing operations

   (205  (60  (145  1,659    (2,281

- Discontinued operations

   —      —      —      —      (48,407
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   (205  (60  (145  1,659    (50,688
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
            

 

69Dividends

 

(a)Dividends payable to equity shareholders of the Company attributable to the yearperiod

 

   2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
   2009
HK$’000
 

Interim dividend declared and paid of HK15 cents per ordinary share (2010: HK6.5 cents per ordinary share , 2009: HK3 cents per ordinary share)

   115,605     49,725     19,904  

Final dividend proposed after the balance sheet date, of HK15 cents per ordinary share (2010: HK13.5 cents per ordinary share, 2009: HK16 cents per ordinary share)

   115,787     103,275     106,269  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   231,392     153,000     126,173  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

(Unaudited)(Unaudited)

Special dividend declared and paid of HK$2.5 per ordinary share

—  —  —  —  2,022,542

Interim dividend declared and paid of HK15 cents per ordinary share

—  —  —  —  119,674

Final dividend proposed after the August 31, 2012 of HK15 cents per ordinary share

—  —  —  —  121,352

—  —  —  —  2,263,568

The Board has resolved not to declare any final dividend for the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014 and the twelve months ended August 31, 2013.

The final dividend proposed after the balance sheet date has not been recognized as a liability at the balance sheet date.

(b)Dividends attributable to the previous financial year, approved and paid during the year:period:

 

   2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
   2009
HK$’000
 

Final dividend in respect of the financial year ended August 31, 2010, approved and paid of HK13.5 cents per ordinary share (2010: HK16 cents per ordinary share in respect of financial year ended August 31, 2009, 2009: HK2 cents per ordinary share in respect of financial year ended August 31, 2008)

   103,735     108,735     13,014  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)         

Final dividend in respect of the twelve months ended August 31, 2012, approved and paid of HK15 cents per ordinary share (2012: HK15 cents per ordinary share in respect of twelve months ended August 31, 2011)

   —       —       —       121,352    115,901  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                

During

10Other comprehensive income

Tax effects relating to each component of other comprehensive income

   Sixteen months ended December 31, 2014 
   

Before-tax

amount

HK$’000

   

Tax expense

HK$’000

   

Net-of-tax
amount

HK$’000

 

Exchange difference on translation of financial statements of an overseas subsidiary

   1     —       1  

Available-for-sale securities: net movement in fair value reserve

   41,540     —       41,540  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   41,541     —       41,541  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Four months ended December 31, 2014 (Unaudited) 
   

Before-tax

amount

HK$’000

   

Tax expense

HK$’000

   

Net-of-tax
amount

HK$’000

 

Exchange difference on translation of financial statements of an overseas subsidiary

   1     —       1  

Available-for-sale securities: net movement in fair value reserve

   (38,277   —       (38,277
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (38,276   —       (38,276
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Twelve months ended August 31, 2014 (Unaudited) 
   

Before-tax

amount

HK$’000

   

Tax expense

HK$’000

   

Net-of-tax

amount

HK$’000

 

Exchange difference on translation of financial statements of an overseas subsidiary

   —       —       —    

Available-for-sale securities: net movement in fair value reserve

   79,817     —       79,817  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   79,817     —       79,817  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Twelve months ended August 31, 2013 
   

Before-tax

amount

HK$’000

   

Tax expense

HK$’000

   

Net-of-tax
amount

HK$’000

 

Exchange difference on translation of financial statements of an overseas subsidiary

   —       —       —    

Available-for-sale securities: net movement in fair value reserve

   (71,109   —       (71,109
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (71,109   —       (71,109
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

   Twelve months ended August 31, 2012 
   

Before-tax

amount

HK$’000

   

Tax
expense

HK$’000

   

Net-of-tax
amount

HK$’000

 

Exchange difference on translation of financial statements of overseas subsidiaries

   (265   —       (265

Exchange reserve realized upon disposal of Telecom business

   (4,881   —       (4,881
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (5,146   —       (5,146
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments

  

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
     (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

Available-for-sale securities: net movement in fair value reserve

      

Changes in fair value recognized during the period

  46,486    (37,773  84,259    (66,601  —    

Reclassified to profit or loss upon disposal

  (4,946  (504  (4,442  (4,508  —    
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
  41,540    (38,277  79,817    (71,109  —    
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
           

11     (Loss)/earnings per share

        

  
  

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
     (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

(Loss)/profit attributable to equity shareholders

  (237,002  (73,858  (163,144  (40,310  3,700,288  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
           

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

  

  
  

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
     (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

Issued ordinary shares at the beginning of the period

  809,017   809,017   809,017   809,017   771,912  

Effect of share options exercised

  —      —      —      —      12,164  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares at the end of the period (basic)

  809,017   809,017   809,017   809,017   784,076  

Incremental shares from assumed exercise of share options

  —      —      —      —      11,511  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares at the end of the period (diluted)

  809,017   809,017   809,017   809,017    795,587  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share

  HK(29.3)cents    HK(9.1)cents   HK(20.2)cents    HK(5.0) cents    HK471.9 cents  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

  HK(29.3)cents    HK(9.1)cents   HK(20.2)cents    HK(5.0) cents    HK465.1 cents  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
           

The diluted loss per share for the yearsixteen months ended December 31, 2014, four months ended December 31, 2014, twelve months ended August 31, 2009, a scrip dividend option was offered to all shareholders of2014 and 2013 are the Company, excluding shareholders with registered addresses outside Hong Kong, whosame as the basic loss per share as no potential ordinary share were entitled to the final dividend in respect of the financial year ended August 31, 2008. 12,212,142 shares were issuedoutstanding during the year ended August 31, 2009 to the shareholders of the Company who had elected to receive all or part of their entitlement to dividends in the form of scrip.respective periods.

7Earnings per share

   2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
   2009
HK$’000
 

Profit attributable to shareholders

   313,915     216,866     212,829  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

   

2011
Number

of shares
‘000

  

2010
Number

of shares
‘000

  

2009
Number

of shares
‘000

 

Issued ordinary shares at the beginning of the year

   764,997    664,180    650,622  

Effect of scrip dividend issued

   —      —      6,256  

Effect of share options exercised

   3,810    14,856    329  

Effect of placement

   —      27,569    —    

Effect of shares repurchased and cancelled

   —      —      (6
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares at the end of the year (basic)

   768,807    706,605    657,201  

Incremental shares from assumed exercise of share options

   23,992    30,011    11,183  

Weighted average number of ordinary shares at the end of the year (diluted)

   792,799    736,616    668,384  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   HK40.8 cents   HK30.7 cents   HK32.4 cents 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   HK39.6 cents   HK29.4 cents   HK31.8 cents 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

812Retirement benefit costs

The Group contributes to an Occupational Retirement Scheme (the “ORSO Scheme”), a defined contribution retirement scheme, which is available to some of its Talents in Hong Kong. Under the ORSO Scheme, the Talents are required to contribute 5% of their monthly salaries, while the Group’sGroups contributions are calculated at 10% and 5% of the monthly salaries of senior management Talents and all other Talents respectively. The Talents are entitled to 100% of the employer’s contributions after 10 years of completed service, or at a reduced scale after completion of 3 to 9 years’ service. Contributions to the ORSO Scheme are reduced by contributions forfeited by those Talents who leave the ORSO Scheme prior to vesting fully in the Groups contributions. The Talents are entitled to 100% of the employer’s contributions after 10 years of completed service, or at a reduced scale after completion of 3 to 9 years’ service. Contributions to the ORSO Scheme are reduced by contributions forfeited by those Talents who leave the ORSO Scheme prior to vesting fully in the Group’s contributions.

A mandatory provident fund scheme (the “MPF Scheme”) has been established under the Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme Ordinance in December 2000. The then existing Talents of the Group in Hong Kong could elect to join the MPF Scheme, while all new Talents joining the Group in Hong Kong from then onwards are required to join the MPF Scheme. Both the Group and the Talents are required to contribute 5% of each individual’s relevant income with a maximum amount of HK$1,000 per month before June 1, 2012, HK$1,250 per month before June 1, 2014, and commenced from June 1, 2014, the maximum amount has been increased to HK$1,500, as a mandatory contribution. Employer’s mandatory contributions are 100% vested in the Talents as soon as they are paid to the MPF Scheme. Senior Talents may also elect to join a Mutual Voluntary Plan (the “Mutual Plan”) in which both the Group and the Talent, on top of the MPF Scheme mandatory contributions, make a voluntary contribution to the extent of contributions that would have been made under the ORSO Scheme.

PursuantDuring the twelve months ended August 31, 2012, pursuant to the relevant regulations in the PRC, the Group contributescontributed to a defined contribution retirement scheme organized by the local social security bureau for each Talent of the former subsidiary in the PRC at the rate of 20% of a standard salary base as determined by the local social security bureau. The Group has no other obligation to make payments in respect of retirement benefits of these Talents.

The retirement schemes for Talents of the Group in other countries follow the local statutory requirements of the respective countries.

The aggregate employer’s contributions, net of forfeited contributions, which have been dealt with in the consolidated income statement during the year are as follows:

 

   2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
   2009
HK$’000
 

Gross contributions

   43,872     38,820     34,614  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
     (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

Gross contributions

      

- Continuing operations

  9,004    1,866    7,138    9,876    3,993  

- Discontinued operations

  —      —      —      —      38,074  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
  9,004    1,866    7,138    9,876    42,067  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
           

At AugustDecember 31, 2011,2014, there was no forfeited contribution available to offset future contributions by the Group to the ORSO Scheme (2010(August 31, 2013 and 2009:2012: Nil).

913Directors’ and senior management’s emoluments

 

(a)Directors’ remuneration

The remuneration of each director forFor the yearsixteen months ended December 31, 2014:

Name of director  

Fee

HK$’000

   

Salary

HK$’000

   

Discretionary

bonuses

HK$’000

   

Share-
based

payment

HK$’000

   

Employer’s

contribution

to defined

contribution

scheme

HK$’000

   

Total

HK$’000

 

Wong Wai Kay, Ricky

   —       8,941     559     —       893     10,393  

Cheung Chi Kin, Paul

   —       8,941     559     —       893     10,393  

To Wai Bing

   —       3,010     188     —       301     3,499  

Wong Nga Lai, Alice

   —       3,010     188     —       300     3,498  

Cheng Mo Chi, Moses (note (a))

   202     —       —       —       —       202  

Lee Hon Ying, John

   297     —       —       —       —       297  

Peh Jefferson Tun Lu

   278     —       —       —       —       278  

Mak Wing Sum, Alvin (note (b))

   278     —       —       —       —       278  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   1,055     23,902     1,494     —       2,387     28,838  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the four months ended December 31, 2014 (Unaudited):

Name of director  

Fee

HK$’000

   

Salary

HK$’000

   

Discretionary

bonuses

HK$’000

   

Share-
based

payment

HK$’000

   

Employer’s

contribution

to defined

contribution

scheme

HK$’000

   

Total

HK$’000

 

Wong Wai Kay, Ricky

   —       2,235     —       —       223     2,458  

Cheung Chi Kin, Paul

   —       2,235     —       —       223     2,458  

To Wai Bing

   —       752     —       —       75     827  

Wong Nga Lai, Alice

   —       752     —       —       75     827  

Cheng Mo Chi, Moses (note (a))

   —       —       —       —       —       —    

Lee Hon Ying, John

   74     —       —       —       —       74  

Peh Jefferson Tun Lu

   69     —       —       —       —       69  

Mak Wing Sum, Alvin (note (b))

   69     —       —       —       —       69  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   212     5,974     —       —       596     6,782  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2011 is set out below:2014 (Unaudited):

 

Name of director  Fee
HK$’000
   Salary
HK$’000
   

Discretionary

bonuses
HK$’000

   Share-based
payment
HK$’000
   Employer’s
contribution
to defined
contribution
scheme
HK$’000
   Total
HK$’000
   

Fee

HK$’000

   

Salary

HK$’000

   

Discretionary

bonuses

HK$’000

   

Share-
based

payment

HK$’000

   

Employer’s

contribution

to defined

contribution

scheme

HK$’000

   

Total

HK$’000

 

Wong Wai Kay, Ricky

   —       6,704     1,000     —       670     8,374     —       6,706     559     —       670     7,935  

Cheung Chi Kin, Paul

   —       6,706     1,000     —       670     8,376     —       6,706     559     —       670     7,935  

Yeung Chu Kwong, William

   —       9,733     1,310     3,006     456     14,505  

Lai Ni Quiaque

   —       2,762     635     1,906     276     5,579  

Cheng Mo Chi, Moses

   176     —       —       —       —       176  

To Wai Bing

   —       2,258     188     —       226     2,672  

Wong Nga Lai, Alice

   —       2,258     188     —       225     2,671  

Cheng Mo Chi, Moses (note (a))

   202     —       —       —       —       202  

Lee Hon Ying, John

   195     —       —       —       —       195     223     —       —       —       —       223  

Chan Kin Man

   182     —       —       —       —       182  

Peh Jefferson Tun Lu

   182     —       —       —       —       182     209     —       —       —       —       209  

Mak Wing Sum, Alvin (note (b))

   209     —       —       —       —       209  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   735     25,905     3,945     4,912     2,072     37,569     843     17,928     1,494    —       1,791     22,056  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

9 Directors’ and senior management’s emoluments (continued)For the twelve months ended August 31, 2013:

Name of director  

Fee

HK$’000

   

Salary

HK$’000

   

Discretionary

bonuses

HK$’000

   

Share-
based

payment

HK$’000

   

Employer’s

contribution

to defined

contribution

scheme

HK$’000

   

Total

HK$’000

 

Wong Wai Kay, Ricky

   —      6,706     —      —      670     7,376  

Cheung Chi Kin, Paul

   —      6,706     —      —      670     7,376  

To Wai Bing

   —      2,326     564     —      226     3,116  

Wong Nga Lai, Alice

   —      2,273     1,276     —      226     3,775  

Cheng Mo Chi, Moses

   193     —      —      —      —      193  

Lee Hon Ying, John

   212     —      —      —      —      212  

Chan Kin Man (note (c))

   152     —      —      —      —      152  

Peh Jefferson Tun Lu

   199     —      —      —      —      199  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   756     18,011     1,840     —      1,792     22,399  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2012:

Name of director  

Fee

HK$’000

   

Salary

HK$’000

   

Discretionary

bonuses

HK$’000

   

Share-
based

payment

HK$’000

   

Employer’s

contribution

to defined

contribution

scheme

HK$’000

   

Total

HK$’000

 

Wong Wai Kay, Ricky

   —      6,707     1,050     —      670     8,427  

Cheung Chi Kin, Paul

   —      6,707     1,050     —      670     8,427  

Yeung Chu Kwong, William (note (d))

   —      7,477     66,163     8,901     342     82,883  

Lai Ni Quiaque (note (d))

   —      2,070     59,915     120     207     62,312  

To Wai Bing (note (e))

   —      6,199     4,200     —      192     10,591  

Wong Nga Lai, Alice (note (e))

   —      1,659     1,839     —      166     3,664  

Cheng Mo Chi, Moses

   183     —      —      —      —      183  

Lee Hon Ying, John

   202     —      —      —      —      202  

Chan Kin Man

   190     —      —      —      —      190  

Peh Jefferson Tun Lu

   190     —      —      —      —      190  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   765     30,819     134,217     9,021     2,247     177,069  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Notes:

 

(a)Directors’ remuneration (continued)Dr. Cheng Mo Chi, Moses resigned as the Non-executive Director with effect from August 31, 2014.

The remuneration of each director for the year ended August 31, 2010 is set out below:

Name of director  Fee
HK$’000
   Salary
HK$’000
   

Discretionary

bonuses
HK$’000

   Share-based
payment
HK$’000
   Employer’s
contribution
to defined
contribution
scheme
HK$’000
   Total
HK$’000
 

Wong Wai Kay, Ricky

   —       6,707     1,800     —       670     9,177  

Cheung Chi Kin, Paul

   —       6,709     1,800     —       670     9,179  

Yeung Chu Kwong, William

   —       8,264     2,400     2,526     456     13,646  

Lai Ni Quiaque

   —       2,642     750     2,455     264     6,111  

Cheng Mo Chi, Moses

   168     —       —       —       —       168  

Lee Hon Ying, John

   185     —       —       —       —       185  

Chan Kin Man

   174     —       —       —       —       174  

Peh Jefferson Tun Lu

   174     —       —       —       —       174  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   701     24,322     6,750     4,981     2,060     38,814  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
(b)Mr. Mak Wing Sum, Alvin was appointed as Independent Non-executive Director with effect from September 1, 2013.
(c)Dr. Chan Kin Man resigned as the Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from June 7, 2013.
(d)Mr. Yeung Chu Kwong, William and Mr. Lai Ni Quiaque resigned as Executive Directors with effect from May 30, 2012.
(e)Ms. To Wai Bing and Ms. Wong Nga Lai, Alice were appointed as Executive Directors with effect from May 30, 2012.

No Directordirector waived any emoluments in respect of the yearssixteen months ended December 31, 2014, and twelve months ended August 31, 20102014, 2013 and 2011.2012.

The share-based payment represents the expenses determined based on the fair value of share options granted to certain directors under the Company’s share option scheme. Fair value of share options is estimated in accordance with the Group’s significant accounting policies in note 1. The details of the share-based payment are disclosed in note 10.2.

(b)Five highest paid individuals

The five individuals whose emoluments were the highest in the Group for the yearsixteen months ended December 31, 2014 include four (2010: four)(four months ended December 31, 2014, twelve months ended August 31, 2014 and 2013: four; twelve months ended August 31, 2012: five) directors whose emoluments are reflected in the analysis presented above. The emoluments payable to the remaining one (2010: one) individual during the yearrespective periods are as follows:

 

   2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
 

Basic salaries, other allowances and benefits in kind

   2,523     2,492  

Discretionary bonuses

   300     300  

Retirement benefit costs — defined contribution plans

   181     181  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   3,004     2,973  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The emoluments fell within the following band:

   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)     

Basic salaries, other allowances and benefits in kind

   1,370     303     1,067     1,558  

Discretionary bonuses

   118     —      118     100  

Retirement benefit costs – defined contribution plans

   65     13     52     78  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,553     316     1,237     1,736  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Number of individual
20112010

HK$2,500,001 — HK$3,000,000

—  1

HK$3,000,001 — HK$3,500,000

1—  

1014Equity settled share-based transactions

The Company operates a share option scheme (the “2002“2012 Share Option Scheme”) which was adopted by shareholders of the Company on December 23, 200231, 2012 whereby the directors may, at their discretion, invite eligible participants to receive options to subscribe for shares subject to the terms and conditions stipulated therein.

Under the 20022012 Share Option Scheme, the Company may grant options to Talents (including executive, non-executive and independent non-executive directors), suppliers and professional advisers to subscribe for shares of the Company. The maximum number of options authorized under the 20022012 Share Option Scheme may not, when aggregated with any shares subject to any other executive and Talenttalent share option scheme, exceed 10% of the Company’s issued share capital on the date of adoption. The exercise price of the option is determined by the Company’s boardBoard of directorsDirectors at a price not less than the highest of (a) the par value of a share; (b) the average closing price of the Company’s shares for five trading days preceding the grant date; and (c)(b) the closing price of the Company’s shares on the date of grant. The 20022012 Share Option Scheme is valid and effective for a ten year period up to December 22, 201230, 2022 subject to earlier termination by the Company by resolution in general meeting or by the boardBoard of directors.Directors. The period during which the option may be exercised will be determined by the boardBoard of directorsDirectors at its discretion, save that no option may be exercised after more than ten years from the date of grant.

During the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014 and twelve months ended August 31, 2013, no share options have been granted under the 2012 Share Option Scheme by the Company.

The Company also operated an old share option scheme (the “2002 Share Option Scheme”) which was adopted by shareholders of the Company on December 23, 2002 and expired on December 22, 2012.

During the twelve months ended August 31, 2012 and in connection with the Disposal, certain conditions imposed on the share options granted under the 2002 Share Option Scheme were waived and all unvested outstanding share options become vested and exercisable immediately. The unamortized original grant date fair value amounting to HK$8,328,000 was fully recognized to profit or loss as share-based payment expenses at the date of modification.

As at December 31, 2014, August 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no options outstanding.

15Fixed assets

   

Construction

in progress

  

Investment

properties

  

Leasehold

land and

buildings

   

Leasehold

improvements

  

Furniture,

fixtures

and fittings

  

Network,

computer

and office

equipment

  

Motor

vehicles

  Broadcasting
and
production
equipment
  Total 
   HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000   HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000 

Cost and valuation:

           

At September 1, 2013

   150,210    234,200    57,866     20,051    2,739    30,851    6,950    64,302    567,169  

Additions

   6,055    —     —      169    21    4,019    —     8,357    18,621  

Acquisition of a subsidiary

   —     —     —      —     —     13,645    —     —     13,645  

Disposals (note 15(c))

   —     (9,200  —      —     (3  (29  (1,894  (6  (11,132

Fair value adjustment

   —     1,800    —      —     —     —     —     —     1,800  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2014/ September 1, 2014 (Unaudited)

   156,265    226,800    57,866     20,220    2,757    48,486    5,056    72,653    590,103  

Additions

   6,433    —     —      1,813    548    25,997    5,187    10,118    50,096  

Disposals

   —     —     —      —     —     (16  —     —     (16

Write off

   (17,978  —     —      —     —     —     —     —     (17,978

Fair value adjustment

   —     2,100    —      —     —     —     —     —     2,100  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

   144,720    228,900    57,866     22,033    3,305    74,467    10,243    82,771    624,305  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Representing:

           

Cost

   156,265    —     57,866     20,220    2,757    48,486    5,056    72,653    363,303  

Valuation

   —     226,800    —      —     —     —     —     —     226,800  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2014/ September 1, 2014 (Unaudited)

   156,265    226,800    57,866     20,220    2,757    48,486    5,056    72,653    590,103  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cost

   144,720    —     57,866     22,033    3,305    74,467    10,243    82,771    395,405  

Valuation

   —     228,900    —      —     —     —     —     —     228,900  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

   144,720    228,900    57,866     22,033    3,305    74,467    10,243    82,771    624,305  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation:

           

At September 1, 2013

   —     —     1,319     9,947    1,408    9,486    2,260    11,472    35,892  

Charge for the period

   —     —     1,967     3,495    518    8,340    1,584    11,681    27,585  

Impairment loss

   4,830   —     —      243    28    975    126    1,544    7,746  

Disposals

   —     —     —      —     (3  (23  (908  (6  (940
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2014/ September 1, 2014 (Unaudited)

   4,830   —     3,286     13,685    1,951    18,778    3,062    24,691    70,283  

Charge for the period

   —     —     554     366    190    4,397    579    4,102    10,188  

Reclassification of impairment loss/ write off

   (4,343)  —     —      (243  (28  (837  (126  (748  (6,325
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

   487    —     3,840     13,808    2,113    22,338    3,515    28,045    74,146  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net book value:

           

At August 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

   151,435    226,800    54,580     6,535    806    29,708    1,994    47,962    519,820  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

   144,233    228,900    54,026     8,225    1,192    52,129    6,728    54,726    550,159  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

Construction

in progress

   

Investment

properties

  

Leasehold

land and

buildings

   

Leasehold

improvements

  

Furniture,

fixtures

and fittings

  

Network,

computer

and office

equipment

  

Motor

vehicles

  Broadcasting
and
production
equipment
  Total 
   HK$’000   HK$’000  HK$’000   HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000 

Cost and valuation:

            

At September 1, 2012

   134,797     238,200    10,466     19,662    3,849    44,854    5,157    53,433    510,418  

Additions

   15,413     —     —      612    152    7,615    2,875    11,041    37,708  

Disposals

   —      —     —      (11  —     (1,503  —     (172  (1,686

Fair value adjustment

   —      43,400    —      —     —     —     —     —     43,400  

Write off

   —      —     —      (212  (1,262  (20,115  (1,082  —     (22,671

Transfer from investment properties
(note 15(d))

   —      (47,400  47,400     —     —     —     —     —     —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2013

   150,210     234,200    57,866     20,051    2,739    30,851    6,950    64,302    567,169  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Representing:

            

Cost

   150,210     —     57,866     20,051    2,739    30,851    6,950    64,302    332,969  

Valuation

   —      234,200    —      —     —     —     —     —     234,200  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   150,210     234,200    57,866     20,051    2,739    30,851    6,950    64,302    567,169  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation:

            

At September 1, 2012

   —      —     188     3,166    2,162    23,118    2,167    2,476    33,277  

Charge for the period

   —      —     1,131     7,000    508    7,765    1,175    9,043    26,622  

Disposals

   —      —     —      (7  —     (1,282  —     (47  (1,336

Write off

   —      —     —      (212  (1,262  (20,115  (1,082  —     (22,671
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2013

   —      —     1,319     9,947    1,408    9,486    2,260    11,472    35,892  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net book value:

            

At August 31, 2013

   150,210     234,200    56,547     10,104    1,331    21,365    4,690    52,830    531,277  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(a)The terms and conditionsFair value measurement of the options

Options that existed during the year ended August 31, 2011 are as follows, whereby all options are settled by physical delivery of shares:

Number

of option

Vesting
conditions

Exercisable

period

2002 Share Option Scheme

Options granted to directors:

-January 5, 2005

16,183,208Condition 1
On or prior to
October 20, 2014

-May 22, 2006

2,023,064Condition 1
On or prior to
May 21, 2016

-February 6, 2008

5,542,791Condition 3 /6
On or prior to
February 5, 2018

-February 11, 2008

6,044,791Condition 2 /6
On or prior to
February 10, 2018

-February 5, 2010

6,000,000Condition 4
On or prior to
February 4, 2020

Options granted to Talents excluding Directors:

-October 21, 2004

4,158,680Condition 1
On or prior to
October 20, 2014

-May 22, 2006

3,160,379Condition 1
On or prior to
May 21, 2016

-February 15, 2008

604,479Condition 5
On or prior to
December 23, 2012

-May 2, 2008

932,465Condition 5 /6
On or prior to
May 1, 2018

Total share options

44,649,857

10Equity settled share-based transactions (continued)investment properties

 

(a)(i)The terms and conditions of the options (continued)

Options that existed during the year ended August 31, 2010 are as follows, whereby all options are settled by physical delivery of shares:

Number

of option

Vesting

conditions

Exercisable

period

2002 Share Option Scheme

Options granted to directors:
-January 5, 200516,183,208Condition 1

On or prior to

October 20, 2014

-May 22, 200615,178,466Condition 1

On or prior to

May 21, 2016

-February 6, 20086,044,791Condition 3

On or prior to

December 23, 2012

-February 11, 20086,044,791Condition 2

On or prior to

December 23, 2012

-February 5, 20106,000,000Condition 4

On or prior to

February 4, 2020

Options granted to Talents excluding Directors:
-October 21, 20046,909,527Condition 1

On or prior to

October 20, 2014

-May 22, 20066,414,433Condition 1

On or prior to

May 21, 2016

-August 3, 200640,540Condition 1

On or prior to

August 2, 2016

-November 22, 2006136,545Condition 1

On or prior to

November 14, 2016

-February 15, 20081,007,465Condition 5

On or prior to

December 23, 2012

-May 2, 20081,007,465Condition 5

On or prior to

December 23, 2012

Total share options

64,967,231

10Equity settled share-based transactions (continued)

(a)The terms and conditions of the options (continued)Fair value hierarchy

The vesting conditions of the respective share option grant are as follows:

Condition 1

Options granted are vested in one year or evenly vested over a period of two to three years. Options are awarded without performance conditions and are exercisable provided the participants have remained employed by the end of respective vesting periods.

Condition 2

Vesting of the options is conditional upon the performance of the Company’s shares over the period from the close of trading in Hong Kong on November 22, 2007 to November 21, 2010.

Upon fulfillment of the market conditions, certain options granted vest immediately, while other options affected by the same market conditions vest evenly over a period of three years.

During the year ended August 31, 2010, one of the market conditions in the option agreement has been replaced and the vesting of certain options is now conditional upon the Company reaching a non-market performance condition. Upon fulfillment of this non-market performance condition, a portion of the options affected by this condition vest immediately, while other options affected by this condition vest evenly over a period of three years.

The Group has accounted for the modification in accordance with IFRS/HKFRS 2 “Share-based payment” by measuring the incremental fair value which is the difference betweenfollowing table presents the fair value of the modified share optionscompany’s investment properties measured at balance sheet date on a recurring basis, categorized into the three-level fair value hierarchy as defined in IFRS 13, Fair value measurement. The level into which a fair value measurement is classified as determined with reference to the observability and thatsignificance of the original share options, both estimatedinputs used in the valuation technique as follows:

Level 1 valuations: Fair value measured using only Level 1 inputs i.e. unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date

Level 2 valuations: Fair value measured using Level 2 inputs i.e. observable inputs which fail to meet Level 1, and not using significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs are inputs for which market data are not available

Level 3 valuations: Fair value measured using significant unobservable inputs

   Fair value measurements categorized into 
   

Fair
value

HK$’000

   

Level 1

HK$’000

   

Level 2

HK$’000

   

Level 3

HK$’000

 

Recurring fair value measurements

        

Investments properties:

        

- December 31, 2014

   228,900     —      228,900     —   

- August 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

   226,800     —      226,800     —   

During the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, or transfers into or out of Level 3. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers between levels of fair value hierarchy as at the balance sheet date in which they occur.

All of the modification,Group’s investment properties were revalued as at August 31, 2014 and recognizingDecember 31, 2014. The valuations were carried out by an independent firm of surveyors, RHL Appraisal Limited, who have among their staff Fellows of the incremental fair value overHong Kong Institute of Surveyors with recent experience in the period fromlocation and category of property being valued. Management has discussion with the modification date untilsurveyors on the datevaluation assumptions and valuation results when the modified share options vest. The balance of the original grant-date fair value asvaluation is performed at the date of modification continues to be recognized over remaining original vesting period. The total incremental fair value arisen from this modification amounts to HK$4,278,000.each period end date.

Condition 3

(ii)Valuation techniques and inputs used in Level 2 fair value measurements

Vesting of the options is conditional upon the performance of the participants. Options granted are vested over a period of three to four years from the date of fulfillment of certain key performance indicators.

During the year ended August 31, 2010, one of the performance conditions has been modified. Such modification does not result in any incremental fair value, and therefore, there is no financial impact in the financial statements.

Condition 4

Vesting of the options is conditional upon the performance of the participants. Options granted are vested immediately from the date of fulfillment of the certain key performance indicators.

Condition 5

Vesting of the options is conditional upon the performance of the participants. Options granted are vested over a period of three to four years from the date of fulfillment of certain key performance indicators.

Condition 6

During the year ended August 31, 2011, one of the clauses in the option agreement has been modified. As a result of this modification, the expiry period of the share option has been extended to 10 years from the grant date of share options. The Group has accounted for the modification in accordance with IFRS/HKFRS 2 “Share-based payment” by measuring the incremental fair value which is the difference between the fair value of investment properties located in Hong Kong is determined using direct comparison approach by reference to recent sales price of comparable properties.

Fair value adjustment of investment properties is recognized in the modified share options and thatline item “valuation gains on investment properties” on the face of the original share options, both estimated as at the date of the modification, and recognizing the incremental fair value over the period from the modification date until the date when the modified share options vest. If the modification occurs after vesting date, the incremental fair value granted is recognized immediately. The balance of the original grant-date fair value as at the date of modification continues to be recognized over the remaining original vesting period. The total incremental fair value arisen from this modification amounts to HK$276,000.consolidated income statement.

10Equity settled share-based transactions (continued)

(b)The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options are as follows:

   2011  2010 
   

Weighted

average

exercise

price

HK$

   

Number of

options

  

Weighted

average

exercise

price

HK$

   Number of
options
 

2002 Share Option Scheme

       

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

   1.87     44,649,857    1.27     58,967,231  

Granted during the year

   —       —      4.24     6,000,000  

Exercised during the year

   1.05     (6,914,509  0.82     (20,317,374

Forfeited during the year

   1.79     (629,665  —       —    
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at the end of the year

   2.03     37,105,683    1.87     44,649,857  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable at the end of the year

   1.47     19,217,594    1.35     25,603,183  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for the share options exercised during the year was HK$5.63 (2010: HK$3.85).

The options outstanding at August 31, 2011 had a weighted exercise price of HK$2.03 (2010: HK$1.87) and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3 years (2010: 4 years).

(c)Fair value of share options and assumptions

In determining the value of the share options granted during the year ended August 31, 2010 and share option modified during the year ended August 31, 2011 and August 31, 2010, the Black-Scholes option pricing model (the “Black-Scholes Model”) and Monte Carlo option pricing model (“Monte Carlo Model”) have been used. Both models are among the most generally accepted methodologies used to calculate the value of options. The variables of the models include expected life of the options, risk-free interest rate, expected volatility and expected dividend yield of the shares of the Company.

In determining the value of the share options granted during the year ended August 31, 2010, the following variables have been applied to the Black-Scholes Model:

Measurement date

February

5, 2010

Variables
-Expected life8 years
-Risk-free rate2.33
-Expected volatility61.49
-Expected dividend yield2.99

10Equity settled share-based transactions (continued)

(c)Fair value of share options and assumptions (continued)

The above variables were determined as follows:

(i)The expected life is estimated to be 8 years from the date of grant (the “Date of grant”).

(ii)The risk-fee rate represents the yield of the Hong Kong Exchange Fund Notes corresponding to the expected life of the options as at the Date of grant.

(iii)The expected volatility represents the annualized standard deviation of the return on the daily share price of the Company over the period commensurate to the expected life of the options (taking into account the remaining contractual life of the option and the effect of the expected early exercise of the option).

(iv)The expected dividend yield was based on the historical dividend yield over the last eight years.

The fair value of the options granted was estimated as below:

Date of grant

February 5, 2010

Fair value per share option

HK$1.94

In determining the value of the share options modified during the year ended August 31, 2010, the Black-Scholes Model and Monte Carlo Model had been used.

The following variables of original share option and modified share option had been applied to the Monte Carlo Model and Black-Scholes Model respectively:

Measurement date  January 20, 2010 
   

Original share

option

  

Modified share

option

 

Variables

   

-Expected life

   3 years    3 years  

-Risk-free rate

   0.96  0.96

-Expected volatility

   74.73   74.73 

-Expected dividend yield

   6.09  6.09

The above variables were determined as follows:

(i)The expected life was estimated to be 3 years from the date of modification (the “Modification Date 1”).

(ii)The risk-fee rate represented the yield of the Hong Kong Exchange Fund Notes corresponding to the expected life of the options as at the Modification Date 1.

(iii)The expected volatility represented the annualized standard deviation of the return on the daily share price of the Company over the period commensurate to the expected life of the options (taking into account the remaining contractual life of the option and the effect of the expected early exercise of the option).

(iv)The expected dividend yield was based on the historical dividend yield over the last three years.

The fair value of the options modified was estimated as below:

Modification Date 1

January 20, 2010
Incremental fair value per share optionHK$2.123

10Equity settled share-based transactions (continued)

(c)Fair value of share options and assumptions (continued)

In determining the value of the share options modified during the year ended August 31, 2011, the Black-Scholes Model had been used.

The following variables had been applied to the Black-Scholes Model:

Measurement date  December 21, 2010 
   Original share
option
  Modified share
option
 

Variables

   

-Expected life

   2 years    4 years  

-Risk-free rate

   0.56  1.18

-Expected volatility

   51.20  66.85

-Expected dividend yield

   6.94  5.90

The above variables were determined as follows:

(i)The expected life is estimated to be 2 years/4 years from the date of modification (the “Modification Date 2”).

(ii)The risk-fee rate represents the yield of the Hong Kong Exchange Fund Notes corresponding to the expected life of the options as at the Modification Date 2.

(iii)The expected volatility represents the annualized standard deviation of the return on the daily share price of the Company over the period commensurate to the expected life of the options (taking into account the remaining contractual life of the option and the effect of the expected early exercise of the option).

(iv)The expected dividend yield is based on the historical dividend yield over the last two years/four years.

The fair value of the options modified during the year is estimated as below:

Modification Date 2

December 21, 2010

Incremental fair value per share option

HK$0.001 —HK$0.039

The Group recognizes the fair value of granted share options and incremental fair value of modified share options as an expense in the income statement over the vesting period. The fair value of the granted share options and incremental fair value of modified share options are measured at the date of grant and date of modification respectively.

The Black-Scholes Model and Monte Carlo Model applied for the determination of the estimated value of the options granted under 2002 Share Option Scheme require input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock volatility. Changes in subjective inputs may materially affect the estimated fair value of the options granted.

11Goodwill

HK$’000

Cost and carrying amount:

At August 31, 2011/2010

1,066

Impairment tests for cash-generating units containing goodwill

Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s cash-generating units (“CGU”) identified according to business segment as follows:

   2011   2010 
   HK$’000   HK$’000 

Fixed telecommunications network service segment

   1,066     1,066  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The recoverable amount of the CGU is determined based on value-in-use calculations. These calculations use cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a five-year period. Cash flows for the five-year period are estimated based on average growth rates of 14% and a pre-tax discount rate of 16%. Cash flows beyond the five year period are assumed to remain constant. The estimated growth rates used are comparable to the growth rate for the industry.

The key assumption used in the value-in-use calculation is the annual growth rate of the turnover of the fixed telecommunications network services, which are determined based on the past performance and management’s expectation for market development. The discount rate used is pre-tax and reflects specific risks relating to the fixed telecommunications services segment.

Any adverse change in the key assumptions could reduce the recoverable amount below carrying amount.

12Fixed assets

   

Construction

in progress

   

Investment

property

  

Leasehold

land and

buildings

   

Leasehold

improvements

  

Furniture,

fixtures

and fittings

  

Telecom-

munications,

computer

and office

equipment

  

Motor

vehicles

  Total 
   HK$’000   HK$’000  HK$’000   HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000 

Cost:

           

At September 1, 2010

   —       5,197    90,911     113,286    21,191    3,130,209    12,948    3,373,742  

Additions

   51,111     —      1,576     6,851    203    388,828    627    449,196  

Disposals

   —       —      —       —      (42  (57,268  (1,356  (58,666

Exchange adjustments

   —       —      —       1,461    484    4,593    —      6,538  

Transfer of investment property

   —       (5,197  5,197     —      —      —      —      —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2011

   51,111     —      97,684     121,598    21,836    3,466,362    12,219    3,770,810  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation:

           

At September 1, 2010

   —       2,413    14,284     80,316    18,132    1,816,942    9,842    1,941,929  

Charge for the year

   —       104    1,850     10,349    1,121    203,009    1,764    218,197  

Disposals

   —       —      —       —      (42  (36,098  (1,356  (37,496

Exchange adjustments

   —       —      —       1,272    450    3,757    —      5,479  

Transfer of investment property

   —       (2,517  2,517     —      —      —      —      —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2011

   —       —      18,651     91,937    19,661    1,987,610    10,250    2,128,109  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net book value:

           

At August 31, 2011

   51,111     —      79,033     29,661    2,175    1,478,752    1,969    1,642,701  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cost:

           

At September 1, 2009

   —       5,197    90,911     100,447    19,885    2,850,444    12,773    3,079,657  

Additions

   —       —      —       12,885    1,343    330,441    175    344,844  

Disposals

   —       —      —       (212  (109  (51,906  —      (52,227

Exchange adjustments

   —       —      —       166    72    1,230    —      1,468  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2010

   —       5,197    90,911     113,286    21,191    3,130,209    12,948    3,373,742  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation:

           

At September 1, 2009

   —       2,309    12,466     69,102    17,017    1,668,160    8,223    1,777,277  

Charge for the year

   —       104    1,818     11,270    1,166    183,052    1,619    199,029  

Disposals

   —       —      —       (212  (109  (35,344  —      (35,665

Exchange adjustments

   —       —      —       156    58    1,074    —      1,288  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2010

   —       2,413    14,284     80,316    18,132    1,816,942    9,842    1,941,929  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net book value:

           

At August 31, 2010

   —       2,784    76,627     32,970    3,059    1,313,267    3,106    1,431,813  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

�� 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

12Fixed assets (continued)

(a)The Group’s total future aggregate lease income receivable under non-cancellable operating lease are as follows:

 

   2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
 

Leases in respect of investment property which are receivable:

    

- Within 1 year

   —       108  

- After 1 year but within 5 years

   —       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   —       108  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Leases in respect of telecommunications facilities and computer equipment which are receivable:

    

- Within 1 year

   3,604     2,335  

- After 1 year but within 5 years

   2,653     607  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   6,257     2,942  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   6,257     3,050  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(b)At August 31, 2011, the fair value of the investment property was HK$6,390,000 (2010: HK$5,300,000). Management estimated the fair value of the investment property based on its open market value.

During the year ended August 31, 2011, the lease of the investment property to a third party expired and the property has then been leased to a group entity for self-use. Upon this change in use, the Group transferred the investment property into leasehold land and buildings.

   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Continuing operations:

      

Leases in respect of investment properties which are receivable:

      

- Within 1 year

   11,428     11,428     11,481  

- After 1 year but within 5 years

   16,189     19,999     31,426  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   27,617     31,427     42,907  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(c)The net bookDuring the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014, the Company disposed of an investment property with carrying value of interests in leasehold land and buildings andHK$9,200,000. Proceed from the disposal of investment property situated in Hong Kong are analyzed as follows:was HK$9,200,000 with the relevant revaluation reserve of HK$5,397,000 realized and transferred to retained profits.

   2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
 

Leases of between 10 to 50 years

   130,144     79,411  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Representing:

    

Construction in progress carried at cost

   51,111     —    

Leasehold land and building carried at cost

   79,033     76,627  

Investment property carried at cost less impairment loss

   —       2,784  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   130,144     79,411  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(d)In addition toDuring the twelve months ended August 31, 2013, one of the investment properties was retained by the Group for self use. Upon the change in use, the Group transferred the investment property of carrying value of HK$47,400,000, being the fair value of the transferred investment property as at the date of such transfer, into leasehold land and buildings classified as being held under a finance lease, the Group leases telecommunications, computer and office equipment under finance leases expiring from one to five years. At the end of the lease term the Group has the option to purchase the equipment at a price deemed to be a bargain purchase option. None of the leases included contingent rental.

At August 31, 2011, the net book value of telecommunications, computer and office equipment under finance lease held by the Group amounted to HK$267,000 (2010: HK$674,000).

12Fixed assets (continued)buildings.

 

(e)The net book value of interests in construction in progress, leasehold land and buildings and investment properties situated in Hong Kong are analyzed as follows:

   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Medium term lease

   427,159     432,815     440,957  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Representing:

      

Construction in progress carried at cost less impairment loss

   144,233     151,435     150,210  

Leasehold land and buildings carried at cost

   54,026     54,580     56,547  

Investment properties stated at fair value

   228,900     226,800     234,200  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   427,159     432,815     440,957  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(f)The cost of construction in progress comprises premium paid for the land registered in Hong Kong with a lease term of about 36 years and expenditure incurred on the development of buildings not yet completed at the year-end.period end.

 

13(g)Further particulars of the Group’s leasehold land and properties interest at December 31, 2014 are as follows:

LocationUseLease termAttributable interest
of the Group

12/F,14/F, 15/F & Roof on 17/F,
Trans Asia Centre,
No. 18 Kin Hong Street,
Kwai Chung, New Territories

Leasing for rental incomeMedium term lease100

13/F and 16/F, Trans Asia Centre,
No. 18 Kin Hong Street,
Kwai Chung, New Territories

Self-useMedium term lease100

The whole of 14/F and Lorry Parking
Space No. L13 on 1/F, Mita Centre,
Nos.552-566 Castle Peak Road,
Kwai Chung, New Territories

Leasing for rental incomeMedium term lease100

The remaining portion of section S
of Tseung Kwan O Town, Lot No.
39, Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung,
New Territories

Self-useMedium term lease100

16Intangible assets

   

Mobile television
broadcast spectrum

HK$’000

   

IRU of the tele-
communications
capacity

HK$’000

   

Right to use of
telecommunications
services

HK$’000

  

Total

HK$’000

 

Cost:

       

At September 1, 2013

   —      226,700     90,243    316,943  

Additions through acquisition of a subsidiary

   146,591     —      —     146,591  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2014/December 31, 2014

   146,591     226,700     90,243    463,534  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization:

       

At September 1, 2013

   —      14,240     11,337    25,577  

Amortization for the period

   8,716     11,335     9,024    29,075  

Impairment losses

   4,594     6,589     2,371    13,554  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

   13,310     32,164     22,732    68,206  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Amortization for the period

   4,186     3,789     3,017    10,992  

Reclassification of impairment loss (note 7)

   (2,345   (3,270   (1,247  (6,862
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

   15,151     32,683     24,502    72,336  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net book value:

       

At August 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

   133,281     194,536     67,511    395,328  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

   131,440     194,017     65,741    391,198  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cost:

       

At September 1, 2012 and August 31, 2013

   —      226,700     90,243    316,943  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization:

       

At September 1, 2012

   —      2,905     2,312    5,217  

Amortization for the period

   —      11,335     9,025    20,360  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2013

   —      14,240     11,337    25,577  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net book value:

       

At August 31, 2013

   —      212,460     78,906    291,366  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

During the twelve months ended August 31, 2012, upon the completion of Disposal and as part of the consideration received from the Disposal, the Group was granted the IRU to use certain capacity of the telecommunications network of the Telecom Business for a term of 20 years and right to use of the telecommunications services from the Telecom Business for a term of 10 years.

During the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014, the Company acquired a wholly-owned subsidiary and recorded an intangible asset in the amount of HK$146,591,000 relating to the spectrum with frequency at 678–686 MHz and microwave link at the frequency range of 7910–7920 MHz (the “Spectrum”) for the provision of broadcast-type mobile television services for a period of about 12 years.

17Principal subsidiaries

The following is a list of the principal subsidiaries which principally affected the results, assets or liabilities of the Group at August 31, 2011:Group:

 

Name  

Place of

incorporation

  

Principal

activities

and place of

operations

  

Particulars

of issued

share capital

  

Percentage of
interest held

of interest
held as at
December 31,
2014

 

Attitude Holdings Limited

  British Virgin
Islands
  Inactive  Ordinary US$1   100  

Automedia HoldingsBest Intellect Limited

  British Virgin
Islands
  Investment holding in Hong Kong  Ordinary US$1   *100  

Best IntellectCity Telecom (H.K.) Limited

Hong KongInactiveOrdinary HK$2100

Cosmo True Limited

  British Virgin
Islands
  Investment holdingProperty investment in Hong
Kong
  Ordinary US$1   *100  

City Telecom (B.C.) Inc.

CanadaProvision of international telecommunications and dial-up internet access services in Canada

Common

Canadian dollar

(“CAD”)

501,000

100

City Telecom (Canada) Inc.

CanadaLeasing and maintenance of switching equipment and provision of operational services in CanadaCommon CAD100100

City Telecom Inc.

CanadaProvision of international telecommunications and dial-up internet access services in CanadaCommon CAD1,000100

City Telecom International Limited

British Virgin IslandsInvestment holding in Hong KongOrdinary US$5,294* 100

Credibility Holdings Limited

British Virgin IslandsInvestment holding in Hong KongOrdinary US$1* 100

13Principal subsidiaries (continued)

The following is a list of the principal subsidiaries which principally affected the results, assets or liabilities of the Group at August 31, 2011: (continued)

NamePlace of
incorporation

Principal

activities

and place of

operations

Particulars

of issued

share capital

Percentage of
interest held

CTI Guangzhou Customer Services Co. Ltd. (translated from the registered name in Chinese)

PRCProvision of administrative support services in the PRCPaid in capital of HK$8,000,000* 100

CTI Marketing CompanyExcel Billion Profits Limited

  Hong Kong  Inactive  Ordinary HK$10,000   100  

Golden Trinity Holdings Limited

  British Virgin
Islands
  Investment holding in Hong Kong  Ordinary US$1   *100

HKTV Japan Company Limited

JapanEngaged in trading activitiesOrdinary JPY10,000100  

Hong Kong Broadband NetworkDigital TV Limited

  Hong Kong  Provision of international telecommunications and fixed telecommunications network services in InactiveOrdinary HK$10,000100

Hong Kong Broadband Television Company Limited

Hong Kong  InactiveOrdinary HK$383,0492   100  

Hong Kong Media Production Company Limited (formerly known as Global Courier Company Limited)

  Hong Kong  Provision of ,multimedia multimedia
production and distribution
services
  Ordinary HK$10,000   100  

IDD1600Hong Kong Mobile Television Network Limited

Hong KongProvision of Mobile Television
Service
Ordinary HK$2100

Hong Kong Mobile Television (Leasing) Limited

Hong KongInactiveOrdinary HK$1100

Hong Kong Music Network Limited

Hong KongProducing, publishing and
licensing of musical works
Ordinary HK$1100

Hong Kong TV Shopping Network Company Limited

Hong KongTV programming through OTT
platform and ecommerce business
Ordinary HK$1100

Leader Artiste Management Company Limited

  Hong Kong  Provision of international telecommunicationsmanagement and
agency services to artistes
Ordinary HK$100100

Multi Talent Enterprise Limited

British Virgin
Islands
Investment holding in Hong Kong  Ordinary HK$2US$1   *100

Talent Ascent Limited

British Virgin
Islands
Investment holding in Hong KongOrdinary US$1*100  

 

*Shares held directly by the Company.

18Other financial assets

   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Available-for-sale debt securities

      

- Maturity dates within 1 year

   293,943     257,152     341,337  

- Maturity dates over 1 year

   1,450,267     1,593,674     1,581,553  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,744,210     1,850,826     1,922,890  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Available-for-sale equity securities

      

- Listed

   29,090     27,697     27,724  

- Unlisted

   11,063     12,025     11,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   40,153     39,722     38,724  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,784,363     1,890,548     1,961,614  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The available-for-sale securities were carried at fair value as at December 31, 2014, August 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

14Deferred expenditure

   2011
HK$’000
  2010
HK$’000
 

Balance as at the beginning of the year

   35,612    49,460  

Additions during the year

   46,896    34,773  

Less: amortization charge for the year (note 4(a))

   (37,873  (48,621
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   44,635    35,612  

Current portion

   (29,312  (28,986
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance as at the end of the year

   15,323    6,626  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Deferred expenditure represents costs incurred to acquire subscribers of the services offered by the Group, which is treated as customer acquisition costs and are amortized over the period of the underlying service subscription agreements.

1519Accounts receivable, other receivables, deposits and prepayments

 

  2011 2010   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
  HK$’000 HK$’000       (Unaudited)     

Accounts receivable

   78,529    105,552     7,788     470     1,425  

Less: Allowance for doubtful debts

   (6,530  (5,823

Less: allowance for doubtful debts

   (100   (100   (100
  

 

   

 

   

 

 
  

 

  

 

    7,688     370     1,325  
   71,999    99,729    

 

   

 

   

 

 

Other receivables, deposits and prepayments

   90,984    89,490     40,752     50,202     66,688  
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   162,983    189,219     48,440     50,572     68,013  
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

(a)Aging analysis

The aging analysis of accounts receivable is as follows:

 

   2011   2010 
   HK$’000   HK$’000 

Current — 30 days

   44,949     41,244  

31 — 60 days

   16,417     9,024  

61 — 90 days

   6,861     5,245  

Over 90 days

   10,302     50,039  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   78,529     105,552  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Current - 30 days

   7,036     326     743  

31 - 60 days

   460     3     554  

61 - 90 days

   12     8     —   

Over 90 days

   280     133     128  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   7,788     470     1,425  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The majority of the Group’s accounts receivable are due within 30 days from the date of billings. SubscribersCustomers with receivable that are more than 3 months overdue are requested to settle all outstanding balance before further credit is granted.

(b)Impairment of accounts receivable

Impairment losses in respect of accounts receivable are recorded using an allowance account unless the Group is satisfied that recovery of the amount is remote, in which case the impairment loss is written off against accounts receivable directly (see note 1(i)2(k)(i)).

The movement in the allowance for doubtful debts during the year including both specific and collective loss componentsperiod is as follows:

 

   2011  2010  2009 
   HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000 

Balance as at the beginning of the year

   5,823    3,160    11,944  

Impairment loss recognized

   13,636    14,742    12,103  

Uncollectible amounts written off

   (12,929  (12,079  (20,887
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance as at the end of the year

   6,530    5,823    3,160  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Balance as at the beginning of the period

   100     100     —    

Impairment loss recognized

   —       —       100  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at the end of the period

   100     100     100  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(c)Accounts receivable that are not impaired

The aging analysis of accounts receivable that are neither individually nor collectively considered to be impaired are as follows:

 

   2011   2010 
   HK$’000   HK$’000 

Neither past due nor impaired

   44,949     41,244  

0 — 30 past due

   16,417     9,024  

31 — 60 past due

   6,861     5,245  

Over 60 past due

   3,772     44,216  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   71,999     99,729  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Neither past due nor impaired

   7,036     326     743  

1 - 30 days past due

   460     3     554  

31 - 60 days past due

   12     8      

Over 60 days past due

   180     33     28  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   7,688     370     1,325  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

15Accounts receivable, other receivables deposits and prepayments (continued)

(c)Accounts receivable that are not impaired (continued)

Receivables that were neither past due nor impaired relate to a wide range of customers for whom there was no recent history of default.

The amounts over 60 days past due for the Group included receivable relating to mobile interconnection charges of HK$23,000 as at August 31, 2011 (August 31, 2010: HK$39,763,000) (see note 2(b)).

Other accounts receivable that were past due but not impaired relate to a number of independent customers that have a good track record of payment.payment or a reputable corporate with sound financial conditions. Based on past experience, management believes that no impairment allowance is necessary in respect of these balances as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the balances are still considered fully recoverable. The Group does not hold collateral over these balances.

 

(d)Other receivables, deposits and prepayments

Other receivables, deposits and prepayments consist of rental deposits, for purchase of fixed assets, rental deposit, interest receivable, unbilled revenue, prepaymentreceivables, prepayments and other receivables. All of the other receivables, except for an amount of HK$1,775,000 (August 31, 2014: HK$1,790,000; August 31, 2013: HK$1,012,000), being primarily the rental deposits, and others amounted to HK$9,026,000 (2010: HK$8,643,000), are expected to be recovered within one year.

20Bank deposits and cash

 

16(a)Term deposits

Term deposits are time deposits with banks with maturity over three months at acquisition.

(b)Cash at bank and in hand

 

   2011   2010 
   HK$’000   HK$’000 

Time deposits with banks and other financial institutions

   263,270     262,280  

Cash at bank and in hand

   145,706     326,385  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash at bank and in hand in the balance sheet

   408,976     588,665  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Time deposits with banks within three months of original maturity

   727,226     197,534     176,684  

Cash at bank and in hand

   91,960     107,687     171,165  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash at bank and in hand in the balance sheet

   819,186     305,221     347,849  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1721Accounts payable, other payables and accrued charges

 

  2011   2010   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
  HK$’000   HK$’000      (Unaudited  

Accounts payable

   17,419     35,128     4,504     4,087     4,074  

Other payables and accrued charges

   209,585     195,931     73,876     59,921     38,600  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   227,004     231,059     78,380     64,008     42,674  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

(a)The aging analysis of the accounts payable wasis as follows:

 

   2011   2010 
   HK$’000   HK$’000 

Current — 30 days

   11,719     6,838  

31 — 60 days

   245     1,982  

61 — 90 days

   733     1,647  

Over 90 days

   4,722     24,661  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   17,419     35,128  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Current - 30 days

   2,155     830     1,147  

31 - 60 days

   85     130     140  

61 - 90 days

   67     99     119  

Over 90 days past due

   2,197     3,028     2,668  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   4,504     4,087     4,074  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(b)Other payables and accrued charges

Other payables primarily consist of accrual for TalentsTalent salaries and bonus, carrier feesdeferred revenue for unearned licensing income and charges,advertising income, payable for purchase of fixed assets, advertising and promotional expenses as well as interest payable.

1822Deferred service revenueBank loans

Deferred service revenue primarily includes service fees received from customersThe bank loans were repayable as follows:

   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Within 1 year

   802,165     862,941     531,883  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014, the uncommitted banking facilities of the Company amounted to HK$2,311,010,000 (August 31, 2014: HK$2,542,065,000; August 31, 2013: HK$2,543,728,000). The facilities were utilized to the extent of bank loans of HK$802,165,000 (August 31, 2014: HK$862,941,000; August 31, 2013: HK$531,883,000).

All of the Company’s banking facilities are subject to the fulfilment of covenants as are commonly found in advance forlending arrangements with financial institutions. If the Company were to breach the covenants, the drawn down facilities would become payable on demand. The Company regularly monitors its compliance with these covenants. Further details of the Group’s management of liquidity risk are set out in note 27(b). As at December 31, 2014, and August 31, 2014 and 2013, none of the covenants relating to drawn down facilities had been breached.

At December 31, 2014, the bank loans of HK$802,165,000 bore fixed telecommunications network services. Service fees received in advance is deferredinterest rate ranged from 0.6% to 0.8% per annum (August 31, 2014: 0.6% to 0.7%; August 31, 2013: 0.6% to 0.8%).

At December 31, 2014, August 31, 2014 and recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis overAugust 31, 2013, all bank loans were secured by certain of the related contract period.Group’s available-for-sale securities with an equivalent amount to the bank loans.

 

1923Capital and reserves

 

(a)ShareAuthorized and issued share capital

 

   

2011

No. of

Shares

   

Amount

HK$’000

   

2010

No. of

shares

   

Amount

HK$’000

 

Authorized:

        

Ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each

   2,000,000,000     200,000     2,000,000,000     200,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issued and fully paid:

        

Ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each

        

At the beginning of the year

   764,997,344     76,500     664,179,970     66,418  

Shares issued upon exercise of share options (note (i))

   6,914,509     691     20,317,374     2,032  

Shares issued upon placement (note (ii))

   —       —       80,500,000     8,050  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the year

   771,911,853     77,191     764,997,344     76,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   December 31, 2014   August 31, 2014   August 31, 2013 
   

No. of

Shares

   

Amount

HK$’000

   

No. of

Shares

   

Amount

HK$’000

   

No. of

shares

   

Amount

HK$’000

 
               (Unaudited)         

Authorized: (note 1)

            

Ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each (note 2)

   —      —      —      —      2,000,000,000     200,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issued and fully paid:

            

Ordinary shares

            

At the beginning of the period

   809,016,643     1,268,914     809,016,643     80,902     809,016,643     80,902  

Transition to no-par value regime on March 3, 2014 (note 3)

   —      —      —      1,188,012     —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period

   809,016,643     1,268,914     809,016,643     1,268,914     809,016,643     80,902  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note 1:Under the new Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), which commenced operation on March 3, 2014, the concept of authorized share capital no longer exists.

Note 2:In accordance with section 135 of the new Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), the Company’s shares no longer have a par or nominal value with effect from March 3, 2014. There is no impact on the number of shares in issue or the relative entitlement of any of the members as a result of this transition.

Note 3:In accordance with the transitional provisions set out in section 37 of Schedule 11 to the new Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) on March 3, 2014 any amount standing to the credit of the share premium account and the capital redemption reserve has become part of the Company’s share capital.

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per ordinary share at meetings of the Company. All ordinary shares rank equally with regard to the Company’s residual assets.

Notes:

(i)During the year ended August 31, 2011, 6,914,509 ordinary shares (2010: 20,317,374 ordinary shares) were issued at a weighted average price of HK$1.05 per ordinary share (2010: HK$0.82 per ordinary share) to share option holders who had exercised their options. These shares so issued rank pari passu with the then existing ordinary shares in issue.

(ii)On April 28, 2010, the Company completed its public offering of 4,025,000 American Depositary Shares (ADSs). An aggregate of 80,500,000 ordinary shares (4,025,000 ADSs) were issued at a price of HK$5.0455 per ordinary share (US$13.00 per ADS) to independent professional, institutional and private investors. The Company raised net proceeds of approximately HK$379,612,000 from the ADS offering.

(iii)The movement of outstanding share options during the year was as follows:

Date of grant  

Exercise

price

per share

   

Number of

share options

outstanding at

September 1,

2010

   Granted   Exercised  Forfeited  

Number of

share options

outstanding

at August 31,

2011

 

October 21, 2004

  HK$1.5224     4,158,680     —       (350,709  —      3,807,971  

January 5, 2005

  HK$1.5224     16,183,208     —       (2,000,000  —      14,183,208  

May 22, 2006

  HK$0.6523     5,183,443     —       (3,958,760  —      1,224,683  

February 6, 2008

  HK$1.7568     5,542,791     —       —      —      5,542,791  

February 11, 2008

  HK$1.8660     6,044,791     —       —      —      6,044,791  

February 15, 2008

  HK$1.7568     604,479     —       (302,240  —      302,239  

May 2, 2008

  HK$1.7866     932,465     —       (302,800  (629,665  —    

February 5, 2010

  HK$4.2400     6,000,000     —       —      —      6,000,000  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
     44,649,857     —       (6,914,509  (629,665  37,105,683  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Each option entitles the holder to subscribe for one ordinary share of HK$0.10 each in the Company at a predetermined exercise price.

19Capital and reserves (continued)

(b)NatureShare premium and purpose ofcapital redemption reserves

(i)Share premium

ThePrior to March 3, 2014, the application of the share premium account and the capital redemption reserve was governed by sections 48B and 49H respectively of the predecessor Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32). In accordance with the transitional provisions set out in section 37 of Schedule 11 to the new Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), on 3 March 2014 any amount standing to the credit of the share premium account and the capital redemption reserve has become part of the Company’s share capital (see note 23(a)). The use of share capital as from 3 March 2014 is governed by Sections 48B of the new Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

(ii)Capital reserve

The capital reserve comprises the fair value of the actual or estimated number of unexercised share options granted to Talents of the Group that was recognized in accordance with the accounting policy adopted for share based payment in note 1(o)Ordinance (Cap. 622).

 

(iii)(c)PRC statutory reserve

In accordance with Accounting Regulations for Business Enterprises, foreign investment enterprises in the PRC are required to transfer at least 10% of their profit after taxation, as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the PRC (“PRC GAAP”) to the general reserve until the balance of the general reserve is equal to 50% of their registered capital.

For the year ended August 31, 2011, CTI Guangzhou Customer Services Co Ltd (“CTIGZ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group, made appropriation to the statutory reserve of RMB951,000 (2010: RMB597,000). The accumulated balance of the statutory reserve maintained at the CTIGZ as at August 31, 2011 was RMB2,963,000 (2010: RMB2,012,000). The statutory reserve can be used to reduce previous years’ losses and to increase the capital of the subsidiary.

(iv)Exchange reserve

The exchange reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations.operations outside Hong Kong. The reserve is dealt with in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1(d)2(e)(ii).

 

(c)(d)Fair value reserve

The fair value reserve comprises the cumulative net change in the fair value of available-for-sale securities held at the balance sheet date and is dealt with in accordance with the accounting policies in notes 2(f) and 2(k)(i).

(e)Capital management

The Group’s primary objectives when managing capital are to maintain a reasonable capital structure, safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide returns for shareholders.

The Group manages the amount of capital in proportion to risk, and makes adjustments to its capital structure through the amount of dividend payment to shareholders, issuance of scrip and new shares, and managing its debt portfolio in conjunction with cash flow requirements, taking into account its future financial obligations and commitments.

The Group monitors its capital structure by reviewing its net debt to net asset gearing ratio. For this purpose, the Group defines net debt as total loansborrowing less cash at bank and in hand and after adding back bank overdraft - unsecured.term deposits.

The net debt to net asset gearing ratio as at December 31, 2014, August 31, 20112014 and 20102013 are as follows:

 

   2011  2010 
   HK$’000  HK$’000 

Unsecured

   

- Long-term bank loan

   —      123,567  

- Obligations under finance leases

   393    605  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total loans

   393    124,172  

Less: Cash at bank and in hand

   (408,976  (588,665

Add: Bank overdrafts — unsecured

   845    10,490  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash

   (407,738  (454,003

Net asset

   1,797,381    1,688,539  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net debt to net asset gearing ratio

   —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Bank loans

   (802,165   (862,941   (531,883

Obligations under financial leases

   —       —       (160
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total borrowings

   (802,165   (862,941   (532,043

Less: Cash at bank and in hand

   819,186     305,221     347,849  

Less: Term deposits

   —       573,043     342,657  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash

   17,021     15,323     158,463  

Net assets

   3,055,161     3,167,295     3,250,622  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt to net asset gearing ratio

   N/A     N/A     N/A  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries are currently subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

2024Deferred taxation

 

(a)Deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized

 

(i)The components of deferred tax (liabilities)/assets recognized in the consolidated balance sheet and the movementmovements during the yearperiods are as follows:

 

   

Depreciation

allowances

in excess of

the related

depreciation

  

Tax losses

carried

forward

  Total 
Deferred tax arising from:  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000 

At September 1, 2008

   (126,447  147,845    21,398  

Charged to consolidate income statement

   (5,326  (31,782  (37,108

Exchange differences

   7    (6  1  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2009

   (131,766  116,057    (15,709
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At September 1, 2009

   (131,766  116,057    (15,709

Charged to consolidate income statement

   (15,027  (25,107  (40,134

Exchange differences

   (6  6    —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2010

   (146,799  90,956    (55,843
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At September 1, 2010

   (146,799  90,956    (55,843

Charged to consolidate income statement

   (21,185  (34,110  (55,295

Exchange differences

   (7  7    —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

At August 31, 2011

   (167,991  56,853    (111,138
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   

Depreciation

allowances

in excess of

the related

depreciation
HK$’000

   

Tax losses

carried

forward

HK$’000

   

Total

HK$’000

 

Deferred tax arising from:

      

At September 1, 2012

   (12,103   10,757     (1,346

(Charged)/credited to consolidated income statement

   (3,849   4,968     1,119  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At August 31, 2013

   (15,952   15,725     (227
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At September 1, 2013

   (15,952   15,725     (227

(Charged)/credited to consolidated income statement

   (4,550   4,295     (255
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At August 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

   (20,502   20,020     (482
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At September 1, 2014 (Unaudited)

   (20,502   20,020     (482

(Charged)/credited to consolidated income statement

   (5,120   4,776     (344
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014

   (25,622   24,796     (826
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(ii)Reconciliation to the consolidated balance sheet

 

   The Group 
   2011  2010 
   HK$’000  HK$’000 

Net deferred tax asset recognized in the balance sheet

   —      —    

Net deferred tax liabilities recognized in the balance sheet

   (111,138  (55,843)
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   (111,138  (55,843)
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

20Deferred taxation (continued)

   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Net deferred tax liabilities recognized in the balance sheet

   (826   (482   (227
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(b)Deferred tax assets not recognized

As at AugustDecember 31, 2011,2014, the Group did not recognize deferred tax assets in respect of unused tax losses of HK$8,087,000 (2010:566,004,000 (August 31, 2014; HK$8,242,000)404,330,000; August 31, 2013: HK$204,948,000) as it was not probable that future taxable profits against which the losses could be utilized would be available in the relevant tax jurisdictions.

   The Group 
   2011   2010 
   HK$’000   HK$’000 

Expiry in 15-20 years

   2,412     2,553  

No expiry date

   5,675     5,689  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   8,087     8,242  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(c)Deferred tax liabilities not recognized

As at August 31, 2011, The tax losses do not expire under the Group has not recognized deferredcurrent tax liabilities in respect of the 10% (or 5% if tax treaty relief is available) PRC dividend withholding tax on temporary differences relating to the undistributed profits of its PRC subsidiary amounted to HK$31,550,000 (2010: HK$12,283,000), as the Group controls the dividend policy of the subsidiary and it has been determined that it is probable that profits will not be distributed in the foreseeable future.legislation.

 

2125Derivative financial instrument

 

   2011   2010 
   HK$’000   HK$’000 

Non-current liability

    

Interest rate swap, at fair value through profit or loss

   11,564     11,293  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Interest rate swap, at fair value through profit or loss

   —       1,340     5,181  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As at August 31, 20112014 and August 31, 2010,2013, the Group hashad a 5-year interest rate swap contract with a HK$175,000,000 notional amount to hedge against interest rate risk. Under this arrangement, the Group willwould pay a fixed rate interest on the notional amount on a quarterly basis, and receive a floating interest rate at HIBOR rate. The contract iswas recognized initially at fair value and iswas remeasured at each balance sheet date. The 5-year interest swap contract was matured on December 24, 2014.

The Interestinterest rate swap doeswas not quality for hedge accounting under IAS/HKASIAS 39,Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement, and therefore changes in its fair value is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

22Long-term debt and other liabilities

   2011  2010 
   HK$’000  HK$’000 

Long-term bank loan — unsecured (note (a))

   —      123,567  

Obligations under finance leases (note (b))

   393    605  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   393    124,172  

Current portion of — obligations under finance leases

   (105  (212
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   288    123,960  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

22Long-term debt and other liabilities (continued)

At August 31, 2011, the Group’s long-term debt and other liabilities were repayable as follows:

   2011  2010 
   HK$’000  HK$’000 

Long-term debt

   

- after 2 years but within 5 years

   —      123,567  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Obligations under finance leases

   

- Within 1 year

   105    212  

- After 1 year but within 2 years

   105    105  

- After 2 years but within 5 years

   183    288  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   393    605  

Less: Current portion of obligations under finance leases

   (105   (212
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   288    393  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   288    123,960  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Notes:

(a)In March 2011, the floating interest rate bank borrowing was fully repaid. Before the borrowing was fully repaid, none of the covenants relating to drawn down facilities was breached.
(b)At August 31, 2011, the Group had obligations under finance leases repayable as follows:

   2011   2010 
   

Present

value

of the

minimum

lease

payments

   

Interest

expense

relating to

future

periods

   

Total

minimum

lease

payments

   

Present

value

of the

minimum

lease

payments

   

Interest

expense

relating to

future

periods

   

Total

minimum

lease

payments

 
   HK$’000   HK$’000   HK$’000   HK$’000   HK$’000   HK$’000 

Within 1 year

   105     20     125     212     30     242  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

After 1 year but within 2 years

   105     14     119     105     20     125  

After 2 years but within 5 years

   183     8     191     288     22     310  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   288     22     310     393     42     435  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   393     42     435     605     72     677  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2326Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement

Reconciliation of profit before taxation to net cash (outflow)/inflow generated from operations

(a)Reconciliation of profit before taxation to net cash inflow generated from operations

 

   2011
HK$’000
  2010
HK$’000
  2009
HK$’000
 

Profit before taxation

   372,869    259,545    251,559  

Depreciation of owned fixed assets

   217,790    198,323    205,624  

Depreciation of fixed assets held under finance lease

   407    706    617  

Amortization of deferred expenditure

   37,873    48,621    53,160  

Interest income

   (3,366  (11,372  (4,869

Interest element of finance lease

   30    42    27  

Loss/(gain) on disposal of fixed assets

   1,008    (1,375  1,016  

Realized and unrealized gain on other financial assets

   —      —      (189

Equity settled share-based transactions

   4,652    5,347    4,768  

Loss/(gain) on extinguishment of 10-year senior notes

   —      9,650    (31,371

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

   271    11,293    —    

Interest, amortization and exchange difference on 10-year senior notes

   —      6,069    49,214  

Other borrowings costs

   3,473    3,260    885  

Amortization of upfront cost on long-term bank loan

   182    192    —    

Interest on bank borrowings

   1,152    1,379    —    

Write-off of upfront costs upon settlement of long-term bank loan

   1,251    —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash inflow before working capital changes

   637,592    531,680    530,441  

Decrease/(increase) in long-term receivable and prepayment

   1,073    917    (505

Decrease in accounts receivable, other receivables, deposits and prepayments

   26,543    738    33,052  

Increase in deferred expenditure

   (46,896  (34,773  (46,525

(Decrease)/increase in accounts payable, other payables, accrued charges and deposits received

   (9,490  (1,937  17,419  

(Decrease)/increase in deferred service revenue

   (19,911  (8,272  4,621  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash inflow generated from operations

   588,911    488,353    538,503  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

  

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
      (unaudited)  (Unaudited)       

(Loss)/profit before taxation

   (236,797  (73,798  (162,999  (41,969  3,748,562  

Depreciation of fixed assets

   37,773    10,188    27,585    26,622    187,537  

Depreciation capitalized as programme costs

   (3,403  (508  (2,895  (7,515  (1,632

Amortization of deferred expenditure

   —      —      —      —      29,902  

Amortization of programme cost

   26,626    26,626    —      —      —    

Intangible assets written off

   —      —      —      —      2,450  

Bank interest income

   (23,017  (5,292  (17,725  (27,051  (17,241

Interest income from available-for-sale securities

   (120,353  (29,407  (90,946  (61,406  —    

Dividend income from available-for-sale securities

   (1,825  (336  (1,489  (895  —    

Gain on disposal of available-for-sale securities

   (4,946  (504  (4,442  (4,508  —    

Interest element of finance lease

   3    —      3    9    19  

Loss/(gain) on disposal of fixed assets

   208    (3  211    263    (1,999

Equity settled share-based transactions

   —      —      —      —      10,480  

Valuation gains on investment properties

   (3,900  (2,100  (1,800  (43,400  (18,200

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

   —      —      —      —      (3,520,088

Amortization of intangible assets

   40,067    10,992    29,075    20,360    5,217  

Change in fair value of derivative financial instrument

   (5,181  (1,340  (3,841  (4,482  (1,901

Other borrowing costs

   5,598    1,343    4,255    4,653    3,763  

Interest expenses on bank loans

   7,169    1,952    5,217    2,530    —    

Impairment losses/write off of assets

   32,000    —      32,000    —      —    

Exchange loss/(gain)

   18,311    9,327    8,984    (22,603  —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow before working capital changes

   (231,667  (52,860  (178,807  (159,392  426,869  

(Decrease)/increase in long-term receivable and prepayment

   (152  (241  89    151    (716

Increase/(decrease) in accounts receivable, other receivables, deposits and prepayments, and inventories

   82    (11,899  11,981    (9,886  (108,169

Increase in programme costs

   (83,439  (2,093  (81,346  (194,649  (85,985

Increase in deferred expenditure

   —      —      —      —      (22,245

Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable, other payables, accrued charges and deposits received

   24,110    17,431    6,679    6,972    (19,181

Decrease in deferred services revenue

   —      —      —      —      (5,646
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operations

   (291,066  (49,662  (241,404  (356,804  184,927  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

23Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement (continued)

(b)Analysis of financing activities during the year

   

Share capital

(including share

premium and

capital reserve)

HK$’000

  

Obligations

under finance

leases

HK$’000

  

10-year

senior notes

HK$’000

  

Long-term

bank loan

HK$’000

 

Balance at September 1, 2008

   754,792    376    683,242    —    

Share issued upon exercise of share options

   1,399    —      —      —    

Repurchase and cancellation of ordinary shares

   (7  —      —      —    

Share issued in respect of scrip dividend

   9,906    —      —      —    

Purchase of fixed assets under finance lease

   —      494    —      —    

Repayment of capital element of finance lease

   — ��    (138  —      —    

Repurchase of 10-year senior notes

   —      —      (485,829  —    

Gain on extinguishment of 10-year senior notes

   —      —      (31,371  —    

Amortization of incidental issuance costs

   —      —      1,545    —    

Equity settled share-based transactions

   4,768    —      —      —    

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

   —      —      (5,001  —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at August 31, 2009

   770,858    732    162,586    —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at September 1, 2009

   770,858    732    162,586    —    

Share issued upon exercise of share options

   16,744    —      —      —    

Shares issued upon placement

   379,612    —      —      —    

Purchase of fixed assets under finance lease

   —      90    —      —    

Repayment of capital element of finance lease

   —      (217  —      —    

Repurchase and redemption of 10-year senior notes

   —      —      (172,423  —    

Loss on extinguishment of 10-year senior notes

   —      —      9,650    —    

Amortization of incidental issuance costs

   —      —      188    —    

Net proceeds from new bank loan

   —      —      —      123,375  

Amortization of upfront costs on long-term bank loan

   —      —      —      192  

Equity settled share-based transactions

   5,347    —      —      —    

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

   —      —      (1  —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at August 31, 2010

   1,172,561    605    —      123,567  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at September 1, 2010

   1,172,561    605    —      123,567  

Share issued upon exercise of share options

   7,232    —      —      —    

Repayment of capital element of finance lease

   —      (212  —      —    

Repayment of long-term bank loan

   —      —      —      (125,000

Write-off of upfront costs upon settlement of long-term bank loan

   —      —      —      1,251  

Amortization of upfront cost of bank loan

   —      —      —      182  

Equity settled share-based transactions

   4,652    —      —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at August 31, 2011

   1,184,445    393    —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

2427Financial instruments

Exposure to credit, liquidity, interest rate and currency risks arises in the normal course of the Group’s business. These risks are limited by the Group’s financial management policies and practices described below.

 

(a)Credit risk

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to accounts receivablemainly arose from trade and other receivables.receivables, term deposits, cash at bank and available-for-sale debt securities. Management has a credit policy in place and the exposure to the credit risk is monitored on an ongoing basis.

In respect of accounts receivabletrade and other receivables, credit evaluations are performed on all customers requiring credit over a certain amount. These evaluations focus on the customer’s past history of making payments when due and current ability to pay and take into account information specific to the customer as well as pertaining to the economic environment in which the customer locates.its financial condition. These receivables are normally due within 30 days from the date of billing. SubscribersCustomers with receivables that are more than 3 months overdue are requested to settle all outstanding balances before any further credit is granted. The Group generally does not obtain collateral from customers.

The Group’s exposure to credit risk arising from accounts receivables is influenced mainly by individual characteristics of each customer.customer and further quantitative disclosures are set out in note 19. The defaultcredit risk on trade receivables is not considered significant given majority credit sales were attributable to reputable corporations.

Available-for-sale debt securities, term and other bank deposits are invested or placed with counterparties and financial institutions with sound credit quality. To mitigate the risk of non-recovery of investments in available-for-sale debt securities and their related concentration risk, the countryGroup maintains portfolio which comprises mainly of investment grade products, constituents of defined world indices and instruments issued by state owned or controlled enterprises. The Group closely monitors the credit quality and financial positions of counterparties and consider appropriate action if the market value of the securities decline by a pre-determined threshold. Investments in which customer locates also has an influence on credit risk butdebt securities related to a lesser extent. Concentrationsnumber of credit riskcounterparties with respect to accounts receivable are limited dueno history of default on interest payments to the Group. As at December 31, 2014, there was no significant concentration risk, as the portfolio of the Group’s customer base being largeavailable-for-sale debt securities was diversified and unrelated. As such, management does not expect any significant lossescomprised of accounts receivable that have not been provideda number of counterparties and no individual counterparty accounted for by waymore than 10% of allowances as disclosed in note 15.the portfolio. All deposits were placed with financial institutions with credit rating of A- (S&P) or above.

The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset after deducting any impairment allowance in the balance sheet. Except for the financial guarantee given by the Group as disclosed in note 25,At December 31, 2014, the Group does not provide any otherfinancial guarantees which expose the Group to credit risk. The maximum exposure to credit risk in respect of these financial guarantees at the balance sheet date is disclosed in note 25.

Further quantitative disclosures in respect of the Group’s exposure to credit risk arising from accounts receivable are set out in note 15.

24Financial instruments (continued)

(b)Liquidity risk

The Group has a cash management policy, which includes the short term investment of surplus cash surpluses and the raising of loans and other borrowings at acceptable costs to cover expected shortfall on cash demands. The Group’s policy is to regularly monitor current and expected liquidity requirements and its compliance with lending covenants, to ensure that it maintains sufficient free cash, and readily realizablerealisable marketable securities and adequate amount of committed credit facilities from major financial institutions to meet its liquidity requirements in the short and long term. Due to the dynamic nature

The Group determines that there is no significant liquidity risk in view of the underlying business, the Group aims to maintain flexibility in funding by maintaining committed credit lines available.our adequate funds and unutilized banking facilities.

The following table details the remaining contractual maturities at the balance sheet date of the Group’s financial liabilities, which are based on undiscounted cash flows (including interest) and the earliest date the Group arecan be required to pay.

 

  2011  2010 
  

Carrying

amount

HK$’000

  

Total

contractual

undiscounted

cash flow

HK$’000

  

Within

1 year or

on demand

HK$’000

  

More than

1 year but

less than

2 years

HK$’000

  

More than

2 years but
less than

5 years
HK$’000

  

Carrying

amount

HK$’000

  

Total

contractual

undiscounted

cash flow

HK$’000

  

Within

1 year or

on demand
HK$’000

  

More than

1 year but

less than

2 years

HK$’000

  

More than

2 years but

Less than

5 years

HK$’000

 

Current liabilities

          

Bank overdrafts - unsecured

  845    845    845    —      —      10,490    10,490    10,490    —      —    

Accounts payable

  17,419    17,419    17,419    —      —      35,128    35,128    35,128    —      —    

Other payables and accrued charges

  209,585    209,585    209,585    —      —      195,931    195,931    195,931    —      —    

Deposits received

  26,969    26,969    26,969    —      —      21,822    21,822    21,822    —      —    

Obligations under finance leases

  105    125    125    —      —      212    242    242    —      —    

Tax payable

  2,281    2,281    2,281    —      —      1,533    1,533    1,533    —      —    

Non-current liabilities

          

Long-term bank loan

  —      —      —      —      —      123,567    133,996    1,829    2,166    130,001  

Derivative financial instrument

  11,564    12,590    4,716    4,000    3,874    11,293    11,435    4,580    3,441    3,414  

Obligations under finance leases

  288    310    —      119    191    393    435    —      125    310  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
  269,056    270,124    261,940    4,119    4,065    400,369    411,012    271,555    5,732    133,725  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

24Financial instruments (continued)
   December 31, 2014 
   Carrying
Amount
HK$’000
   Total
contractual
undiscounted

cash flow
HK$’000
   Within
1 year or  on
demand

HK$’000
   More than
1 year but less
than 2 years

HK$’000
   More than
2 year but less
than 5 years

HK$’000
 

Current liabilities

          

Bank loans

   802,165     802,640     802,640     —      —   

Accounts payable

   4,504     4,504     4,504     —      —   

Other payables and accrued charges

   73,876     73,876     73,876     —      —   

Deposits received

   1,905     1,905     1,905     —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   882,450     882,925     882,925     —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   August 31, 2014 (Unaudited) 
   Carrying
Amount
HK$’000
   Total
contractual
undiscounted

cash flow
HK$’000
   Within
1 year or on
demand

HK$’000
   More than
1 year but less
than 2 years

HK$’000
   More than
2 year but less
than 5 years

HK$’000
 

Current liabilities

          

Bank loans

   862,941     863,459     863,459     —      —   

Accounts payable

   4,087     4,087     4,087     —      —   

Other payables and accrued charges

   59,921     59,921     59,921     —      —   

Deposits received

   1,905     1,905     1,905     —      —   

Derivative financial instrument

   1,340     1,341     1,341     —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   930,194     930,713     930,713     —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   August 31, 2013 
   Carrying
Amount
HK$’000
   Total
contractual
undiscounted

cash flow
HK$’000
   Within
1 year or on
demand

HK$’000
   More than
1 year but less
than 2 years

HK$’000
   More than
2 year but less
than 5 years

HK$’000
 

Current liabilities

          

Bank loans

   531,883     532,203     532,203     —      —   

Accounts payable

   4,074     4,074     4,074     —      —   

Other payables and accrued charges

   38,600     38,600     38,600     —      —   

Deposits received

   1,905     1,905     1,905     —      —   

Obligation under finance leases

   90     95     95     —      —   

Non-current liabilities

          

Derivative financial instrument

   5,181     5,600     4,115     1,485     —   

Obligation under finance leases

   70     71     —      71     —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   581,803     582,548     580,992     1,556     —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(c)Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk arose principally from available-for-sale debt securities, term deposits, bank loans and interest rate swap. Financial instruments with fixed and variable interest rates expose the Group to fair value and cash flow interest rate risk respectively due to fluctuations of market interest rates. The Group actively manages available-for-sale debt securities, term deposits and bank loans by comparing investment yields and quotations from the market, with a view to select terms which are most favorable to the Group.

Interest-bearing financial instruments of the Group were as follows:

   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Fixed rate instruments:

      

- Other financial assets: available-for-sale debt securities

   1,744,210     1,850,826     1,922,890  

- Term deposits

   —       573,043     342,657  

- Bank loans

   (802,165   (862,941   (531,883

Variable rate instruments

      

- Derivative financial instrument – interest rate swap

   —       (1,340   (5,181
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   942,045     1,559,588     1,728,483  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value sensitivity analysis for fixed rate instruments

The Group account for the investments in debt securities as available-for-sale with any change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity. With other variable held constant, a decrease or increase of 100 basis-points in interest rates at balance sheet date would have increased or decreased equity by HK$38,741,000 (August 31, 2014: HK$41,032,000; August 31, 2013: HK$54,180,000).

The Group account for the term deposits and bank loans at amortized cost, therefore a change in interest rates at balance sheet date would not affect profit or loss and equity.

Cash flow sensitivity analysis for variable rate instruments

The Group’s cash flow interest-rate risk arose mainly from the HK$125,000,000 long-term bank loan as at August 31, 2010 which bore floating interest rate. Bank loans at variable rates exposed the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. The long-term bank loan was fully repaid in the year ended August 31, 2011. The Group has a 5-year interest rate swap contract with a HK$175,000,000 notional amount as at August 31, 20112014 and 2010.2013. The Group will pay a fixed rate interest on the notional amount on a quarterly basis, and receive a floating interest rate at HIBOR rate.

(i)Interest rate profile

The following table details thecontract was recognized initially at fair value and is re-measured at each balance sheet date. The 5-year interest rate profile of the Group’s borrowingsswap contract was matured on December 24, 2014.

The Group has no variable rate instrument subject to cash flow interest rate risk as at the balance sheet date.December 31, 2014.

   2011   2010 
   

Effective

interest

rate

%

   HK$’000   

Effective

interest

rate

%

   HK$’000 

Fixed rate borrowings:

        

Obligations under finance leases

   5.6     393     5.6     605  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Floating rate borrowings:

        

Bank overdrafts — unsecured

   6.3     845     5.3     10,490  

Long-term bank loan

   —       —       1.7     123,567  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

(ii)Sensitivity analysis

The Group’s profitloss attributable to shareholders would decrease by approximately HK$1,750,000 (2010:(August 31, 2013: decrease in loss attributable to shareholder of HK$1,250,000)1,750,000) in response to a 100 basis-points increase in market interest rates applicable as at August 31, 2011,2014, with all other variables held constant. The analysis performed including the effect of the Group’s interest rate swap contract as disclosed in note 21 to the financial statements.

24Financial instruments (continued)

(d)Foreign currency risk

All the Group’s monetary assets and liabilities are primarily denominated in either Hong Kong dollars or United States dollars. Given the exchange rate of the Hong Kong dollar to the U.S. dollar has remained close to the current pegged rate of HKD7.80 = USD1.00 since 1983, management does not expect significant foreign exchange gains or losses between the two currencies.

The Group is also exposed to a certain amount of foreign exchangecurrency risk, based ondue to the fluctuations between the Hong Kong dollars and the Renminbi arising from its operationsinvestments in the PRC.Renminbi available-for-sale securities, term deposits and cash at bank. In order to limit this foreign currency risk, exposure, the Group maintainedclosely monitors Renminbi cash balance that approximates twoexposure to three months’ of operating cash flows.an acceptable level by buying or selling Renminbi at spot rates where necessary.

(i)Exposure to currency risk

The following table details the Group’s exposure at the balance sheet date to currency risk arising from recognized assets or liabilities denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity to which they relate. For presentation purposes, the amounts of the exposure are shown in HKD, translated using the spot rate at the balance sheet date.

 

   2011  2010 
   

United

States

Dollars

‘000

  

Japanese

Yen

‘000

  

Canadian

Dollars

‘000

  

United

States

Dollars

‘000

  

Japanese

Yen

‘000

   

Canadian

Dollars

‘000

 

Cash at bank and in hand

   3,240    252    526    30,443    591     435  

Bank overdrafts — unsecured

   (107  —      —      (294  —       —    

Accounts payable

   (795  (168  (5  (1,350  —       —    

Other payables and accrued charges

   (291  —      —      (1,075  —       —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Overall net exposure

   2,047    84    521    27,724    591     435  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Exposure to foreign currencies

(expressed in HKD)

December 31, 2014

   

Exposure to foreign currencies

(expressed in HKD)

August 31, 2014

   

Exposure to foreign currencies

(expressed in HKD)

August 31, 2013

 
   USD  RMB   USD  RMB   USD  RMB 
   ’000  ’000   ’000  ’000   ’000  ’000 
          (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)        

Term deposits

   —      —       310,761    262,282     177,441    165,216  

Cash at bank and in hand

   263,928    514,928     80,326    209,060     67,888    137,595  

Other financial assets

         

- Available-for-sale debt securities

   1,166,767    523,183     1,213,234    583,734     1,137,122    735,711  

- Available-for-sale equity securities

   11,063    —      12,025    —      11,000    —   

Bank loans

   (802,165  —      (862,941  —      (473,597  —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
   639,593    1,038,111     753,405    1,055,076     919,854    1,038,522  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Sensitivity analysis

(ii)Sensitivity analysis

Management determinesThe following table indicates the instantaneous change in the Group’s loss for the year and other components of equity in response to reasonably possible changes in the foreign exchange rates to which the Group has significant exposure at the balance sheet date. In this respect, it is assumed that the Group’s exposurepegged rate between the HKD and the USD would be materially unaffected by any changes in movement in value of the USD against other currencies.

   

Increase/

(decrease)

in foreign

exchange rate

HK$’000

  

Decrease/

(increase)
in loss for
the year

HK$’000

   

Increase/

(decrease)

in other
components
of equity

HK$’000

 

December 31, 2014

     

RMB

   1  10,510     (129
   (1%)   (10,510   129  

August 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

     

RMB

   1  10,579     (29
   (1%)   (10,579   29  

August 31, 2013

     

RMB

   1  10,534     (149
   (1%)   (10,534   149  

The sensitivity analysis assumes that the change in foreign exchange rates had been applied to re-measure those assets or liabilities denominated in foreign currency held by the Group which expose the Group to foreign currency risk was not significant and hence no sensitivityat the balance sheet date. The analysis is prepared.

24Financial instruments (continued)
performed on the same basis as at August 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013.

 

(e)Fair valuesEquity price risk

Financial instrument carried at fair valueThe Group is exposed to equity price changes from available-for-sale equity securities.

The following table presentsAvailable-for-sale equity securities portfolio have been chosen based on their long term growth potential and returns and are monitored regularly for performance against expectations. Assuming that the carryingmarket value of financial instrument measuredthe Group’s available-for-sale equity securities had increased/decreased by not more than 10% at fair value atDecember 31, 2014, with all other variables held constant, the balance sheet date acrossimpact on the three levelstotal equity of the fair value hierarchy definedGroup is not expected to be material. Any increase or decrease in IFRS/HKFRS 7,Financial Instruments: Disclosures , with the fairmarket value of each financial instrument categorized in its entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to that fair value measurement. The levelsGroup’s available-for-sale equity securities would not affect the Group’s loss for the year unless they are defined as follows:impaired or disposed.

Level 1 (highest level): fair values measured using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments

Level 2: fair values measured using quoted prices in active markets for similar financial instruments, or using valuation techniques in which all significant inputs are directly or indirectly based on observable market data

Level 3 (lowest level): fair values measured using valuation techniques in which any significant input is not based on observable market data

2011

   Level 1
HK$’000
   Level 2
HK$’000
   Level 3
HK$’000
   Total
HK$’000
 

Liability

        

Derivative financial instrument:

- Interest rate swap

   —       11,564     —       11,564  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2010

   Level 1
HK$’000
   Level 2
HK$’000
   Level 3
HK$’000
   Total
HK$’000
 

Liability

        

Derivative financial instrument:

- Interest rate swap

   —       11,293     —       11,293  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(f)Estimation of fairFair values

(i)Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value

The following table presents the fair value of the Group’s financial instruments measured at the balance sheet date on a recurring basis, categorized into the three-level fair value hierarchy defined in IFRS 13, Fair value measurement. The level into which a fair value measurement is classified as determined with reference to the observability and significance of financial instruments is estimatedthe inputs used in the valuation technique as follows:

 

Level 1 valuations: Fair values measured using only Level 1 inputs i.e. unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial assets or liabilities at the measurement date

Level 2 valuations: Fair values measured using Level 2 inputs i.e. observable inputs which fail to meet Level 1, and not using unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs are inputs for which market data are not available

Level 3 valuations: Fair values measured using significant unobservable inputs

December 31, 2014

   

Level 1

HK$’000

   

Level 2

HK$’000

   

Level 3

HK$’000

   

Total

HK$’000

 

Assets

        

- Available-for-sale debt securities

   —       1,744,210     —       1,744,210  

- Available-for-sale equity securities

   29,090     11,063     —       40,153  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

August 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

   

Level 1

HK$’000

   

Level 2

HK$’000

   

Level 3

HK$’000

   

Total

HK$’000

 

Assets

        

- Available-for-sale debt securities

   —       1,850,826     —       1,850,826  

- Available-for-sale equity securities

   27,697     12,025     —       39,722  

Liability

        

Derivative financial instrument:

        

- Interest rate swap

   —       (1,340   —       (1,340
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

August 31, 2013

   

Level 1

HK$’000

   

Level 2

HK$’000

   

Level 3

HK$’000

   

Total

HK$’000

 

Assets

        

- Available-for-sale debt securities

   —       1,922,890     —       1,922,890  

- Available-for-sale equity securities

   27,724     11,000     —       38,724  

Liability

        

Derivative financial instrument:

        

- Interest rate swap

   —       (5,181   —       (5,181
  

 

 

   

 

��

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the sixteen months ended December 31, 2014, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, or transfer into or out of Level 3. The Group’s policy is to recognize transfers between levels of fair value hierarchy as at the balance sheet date in which they occur.

Valuation techniques and inputs used in Level 2 fair value measurements

The fair value of available-for-sale securities are based on quoted market prices for identical financial instruments at the balance sheet date.

The fair value of the interest rate swap is determined based on the discounted cash flow technique which takes into account estimated amount that the Group would receive or pay to terminate the swap at the balance sheet date, taking into account current interest rates and the current creditworthiness of the swap counterparties. Where discounted cash flow techniques are used, estimated future cash flows are based on management’s best estimates and the discount rate is a market related rate for a similar instrument at the balance sheet date.

(ii)(i)Trade receivables less impairment provision and account payables are assumed to approximate theirFair value of financial instruments carried at other than fair values.value

(ii)The fair value of the long-term bank loan as at August 31, 2010 was estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at current market interest rate for similar financial instruments.

(iii)The fair value of the interest rate swap is determined based on the discounted cash flow technique which takes into account estimated amount that the Group would receive or pay to terminate the swap at the balance sheet date, taking into account current interest rates and the current creditworthiness of the swap counterparties. Where discounted cash flow techniques are used, estimated future cash flows are based on management’s best estimates and the discount rate is a market related rate for a similar instrument at the balance sheet date.

25Contingent liabilities

   

2011

HK$’000

   

2010

HK$’000

 

Bank guarantees provided to suppliers

   1,330     2,770  

Bank guarantee in lieu of payment of utility deposits

   5,572     5,572  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   6,902     8,342  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

AtThe carrying amounts of the Group’s other financial instruments carried at cost or amortized cost are not materially different from their fair value as at December 31, 2014, August 31, 2011, HK$6,902,000 (2010: HK$133,342,000) of the HK$38,900,000 (2010: HK$353,840,000) total banking facility was utilized by the Company2014 and the subsidiary.2013.

 

2628Commitments

 

(a)Capital commitments

 

   

2011

HK$’000

   

2010

HK$’000

 

Purchase of telecommunications, computer and office equipment - contracted but not provided for

   141,432     132,340  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Construction of multimedia production and distribution city - authorized but not provided for

   600,000     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Others - contracted but not provided for

   5,000     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 
       (Unaudited)     

Purchase of computer and office equipment

      

- contracted but not provided for

   5,038     42,716     3,465  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Construction of Multimedia Production and Distribution Center

      

- authorized but not contracted for

   823,438     831,921     845,603  

- contracted but not provided for

   14,049     13,911     7,168  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(b)Commitments under operating leases

At August 31, 2011 and 2010, theThe Group has future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

 

  

2011

HK$’000

   

2010

HK$’000

   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 

Leases in respect of land and buildings which are payable:

    
      (Unaudited)     

Land and buildings:

      

- Within 1 year

   27,679     24,873     3,585     3,416     2,172  

- After 1 year but within 5 years

   20,642     16,417     2,391     2,236     —    
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   48,321     41,290     5,976     5,652     2,172  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Leases in respect of telecommunications facilities and computer equipment which are payable

    

- Within 1 year

   63,300     63,948  

- After 1 year but within 5 years

   17,103     14,200  

- After 5 years

   3,211     4,849  
  

 

   

 

 
   83,614     82,997  
  

 

   

 

 
   131,935     124,287  
  

 

   

 

 

26Commitments (continued)

(c)Program feeProduction costs commitments

The Group entered into several long-term agreements with program content providerscertain production-related talents for the rights to use certain program contentsfuture production in the Group’s IP-TV services.Multimedia Business. Minimum amounts of program fees to be paid by the Group are analyzed as follows:

 

  2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
   

December 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2014

HK$’000

   

August 31, 2013

HK$’000

 

Program fee in respect of program rights which are payable:

    
      (Unaudited)     

Production costs which are payable:

      

- Within 1 year

   25,777     25,539     11,350     35,552     81,472  

- After 1 year but within 5 years

   27,197     48,087     2,605     3,804     31,146  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   52,974     73,626     13,955     39,356     112,618  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

27Barter transaction

During the year ended August 31, 2010, HKBN entered into an agreement with a third party (the “Contract Party”). Pursuant to the agreement, HKBN would provide network capacity to the Contract Party for a service term of 10 years commencing on May 1, 2010 or after the respective activation of the relevant network capacity, and in exchange, the Contract Party would provide HKBN the right to use telecommunications facilities for a term of 10 years commencing on May 1, 2010 or after the respective activation of the relevant network capacity. The transaction has been entered into on a barter basis with no consideration being exchange. The agreement expires on April 30, 2020.

The Directors of the Company made an assessment and determined that since the arrangement above involves exchange of services of a similar nature and value, the exchange is not regarded as a transaction which generates revenue. Accordingly, the network capacity of the Contract Party under the assessment have not been recognized as an asset and no revenue or deferred revenue have been recognized in the financial statements of the Group since inception of the arrangement.

2829Material related party transactions

In addition to the transactions and balances disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements, the Group entered into the following material related party transactions.

Key management personnel remuneration

Remuneration for key management personnel, including amounts paid to the Company’s Directorsdirectors as disclosed in note 9(a) and certain of the highest paid Talents as disclosed in note 9(b),13(a) is as follows:

 

  

Sixteen months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Four months

ended

December 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2014

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2013

HK$’000

   

Twelve months

ended

August 31,

2012

HK$’000

 
  2011
HK$’000
   2010
HK$’000
   2009
HK$’000
       (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)         

Short-term Talent benefits

   35,979     40,716     34,687     26,451     6,186     20,265     20,607     176,852  

Post-employment benefits

   2,616     2,725     2,614     2,387     596     1,791     1,792     2,488  

Equity compensation benefits

   4,652     5,347     4,071     —      —      —      —      9,546  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   43,247     48,788     41,372     28,838     6,782     22,056     22,399     188,886  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

29Reclassification of Fiscal 2010 figures

During the year, management performed a review of the classification of the Group’s deferred service revenue balance. As a result of the review, the Group’s “deferred service revenue” balance amounting to HK$9,550,000 which was previously included in the current liabilities balance at August 31, 2010 have been reclassified as a non-current liability. This change in classification had no effect on the reported results of the prior year.

30Accounting estimates and judgmentsAcquisition of a subsidiary

(a)Key sources of estimation uncertainty

Notes 10On December 20, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Hong Kong Mobile Television Network Limited (“HKMTV”, formerly known as China Mobile Hong Kong Corporation Limited) at an aggregate of cash consideration and 24 contain information aboutrelated transaction costs of HK$157,539,000. This transaction has been accounted for as an acquisition of assets and the assumptionsCompany recorded intangible assets of HK$146,591,000, fixed assets of HK$13,645,000 and risk factors relating to fair valueother payables of share options and financial instruments. Other key sourcesHK$2,697,000, as at the date of estimation uncertainty are as follows:acquisition.

 

(b)31Impairment loss for doubtful accountsNon-adjusting post balance sheet events

On October 15, 2013, the Chief Executive in Council announced that the Company’s application dated December 31, 2009 under the Broadcasting Ordinance for the grant of a domestic free television programme service licence (the “Licence”) had been rejected. On January 6, 2014, the Company filed an application for leave to apply for judicial review against the Chief Executive in Council’s decision. The Group maintains impairment lossapplication for doubtful accounts based upon evaluationleave was granted by the High Court of the recoverabilityHong Kong Special Administrative Region on January 9, 2014. The substantive hearing was conducted August 27-29, 2014. On April 24, 2015, the Court of First Instance of the accounts receivable and other receivables which takes into account the historical write-off experience and recovery rates. If the financial conditionHigh Court of the customers wereHong Kong Special Administrative Region quashed the decision and ordered to deteriorate, additional impairmentremit it back to the Chief Executive in Council for reconsideration.

Despite the Court of First Instance of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region quashed the decision and ordered to remit it back to the Chief Executive in Council for reconsideration, the final decision on the application for the Licence may continue to be required.

(c)Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated to write offprotracted by the costChief Executive in Council by way of itemslegal proceedings or administrative process and hence, the management do not consider the result of property, plant and equipment, less their estimated residual value, if any, using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. The Group reviewsjudicial review has a material impact on the estimated useful livesrecoverable amount of the assets annually in orderrelating to determine the amount of depreciation expense to be recorded during any reporting period. The useful lives are based on the Group’s historical experience with similar assets and takes into account anticipated technological changes. The depreciation expense for future periods is adjusted if there are significant changes from previous estimates.

(d)Income taxes

Determining income tax provisions involves judgment on the future tax treatment of certain transactions and interpretation of tax rules. The Group carefully evaluates tax implications of transactions and tax provisions are set up accordingly. The tax treatment of such transactions is reconsidered periodically to take into account all changes in tax legislation and practices.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for certain unused tax losses as set out in note 20. In assessing the recognition of deferred tax assets, management considers all available evidence, including available taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, historical taxable income, and the expiration periods of the tax losses. For certain subsidiaries, deferred tax assets can only be recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which they can be utilized. Management’s judgment is thus required to assess the probability of future taxable profits and this assessment is constantly reviewed and additional deferred tax assets are recognized if it becomes probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax assets to be recovered.Multimedia Business.

3132Possible impact of amendments, new standards and interpretations issued but not yet effective for the yearsixteen months ended AugustDecember 31, 20112014

Up to the date of issue of these financial statements, the IASB/HKICPAIASB has issued a number of amendments and new standards and interpretations which are not yet effective for the yearsixteen months ended AugustDecember 31, 20112014 and which have not been adopted in thesethe Group’s financial statements. These include the following which may be relevant to the Group.

 

   

Effective for

accounting periods

beginning on or
after

 
IFRSs/HKFRSs (Amendments)Improvement

Amendments to IFRSs/HKFRSs (2010)


January 1, 2011

IAS/HKAS 24 (Revised)Related party disclosuresIFRS 10, Consolidated financial statements, IFRS 12, Disclosure of interests in other entities and IAS 27, Separate financial statements – Investment in entities

   January 1, 20112014  

Amendments to IAS 32, Financial instruments: Presentation – Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

January 1, 2014

Amendments to IFRS/HKFRS 7IAS 36, Impairment of assets – Recoverable amount disclosures for non-financial assets

  Financial instruments: Disclosures — Transfer of financial assetsJanuary 1, 2014

Annual improvements to IFRSs 2010-2012 cycle

   July 1, 20112014  

Annual improvements to IFRSs 2011-2013 cycle

July 1, 2014
IFRS/HKFRS 9Financial instruments

Amendments to IAS 16, Property, plant and equipment and IAS 38, Intangible assets – Clarification of acceptable methods of depreciation and amortization

   January 1, 20132016  
IFRS/HKFRS 12Disclosure of interests in other entities

IFRS 15, Revenue from contract with customers

   January 1, 20132017  
IFRS/HKFRS 13Fair value measurement

IFRS 9, Financial instruments

   January 1, 2013
IAS/HKAS 19 (2011)Employee benefitsJanuary 1, 20132018  

The Group is in the process of making an assessment of what the impact of these amendments new standards and new interpretationsstandards is expected to be in the period of initial application. So far the Group is not yet in a position to state whether they would have a significant impact on the Group’s results of operations and financial position.

32Supplemental guarantors consolidated financial information

The 10-year senior notes mentioned above were fully, irrevocablyIn addition, the requirements of Part 9, “Accounts and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by allAudit”, of the subsidiariesnew Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) come into operation from the Company’s first financial year commencing after March 3, 2014 (i.e. the Company’s financial year which began on January 1, 2015) in accordance with section 358 of City Telecom (H.K.) Limited (collectively defined as “Guarantor Subsidiaries”), except CTI Guangzhou Customer Services Co. Ltd.that Ordinance. The Group is in the PRC (“Non-guarantor Subsidiary”).

The condensed consolidated financial information is presented below and should be readprocess of making an assessment of the expected impact of the changes in connection withthe Companies Ordinance on the consolidated financial statements in the period of City Telecom (H.K.) Limited prepared under IFRSs. Separate financial statementsinitial application of Part 9. So far it has concluded that the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented becauseimpact is unlikely to be significant and will primarily only affect the Guarantor Subsidiaries are wholly-ownedpresentation and have had fully and unconditionally guaranteeddisclosure of information in the Notes on a joint and several basis.

On February 1, 2010, the Company redeemed all the outstanding 10-year senior notes with a cumulative principal amount of HK$153.9 million (US$19.9 million) at the redemption price equal to 104.375% of the principal amount.

Since as of August 31, 2010, all the outstanding 10-year senior notes has been fully redeemed, the following condensed consolidated financial information is limited to the year ended August 31, 2009.

The following condensed consolidated financial information presents the consolidated balance sheets as of August 31, 2009 and the related consolidated income statements and cash flow statements for the years ended August 31, 2009 of (a) City Telecom (H.K.) Limited, the parent; (b) the Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis; (c) the Non-guarantor Subsidiary; (d) eliminating entries; and (e) the total consolidated amounts.statements.

32Supplemental guarantors consolidated financial information (continued)

Consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2009

   City
Telecom
(H.K.)
Limited
   Guarantor
subsidiaries
  Non-
guarantor
subsidiary
   Eliminating
entries
  Consolidated
total
 
   HK$’000   HK$’000  HK$’000   HK$’000  HK$’000 

Non-current assets

        

Investments in subsidiaries (note)

   1,258,726     228,875    —       (1,487,601  —    

Goodwill

   —       —      —       1,066    1,066  

Fixed assets

   74,688     1,221,172    6,520      1,302,380  

Long term receivable and prepayment

   —       16,573    —       (10,482  6,091  

Deferred expenditure

   —       12,786    —        12,786  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   1,333,414     1,479,406    6,520      1,322,323  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets

        

Accounts receivable

   9,220     110,972    —        120,192  

Other receivables, deposits and prepayments

   3,393     67,584    2,492     (3,704  69,765  

Deferred expenditure

   —       36,674    —        36,674  

Pledged bank deposits

   15,038     —      —        15,038  

Cash at bank and in hand

   120,315     78,665    27,436      226,416  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   147,966     293,895    29,928      468,085  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

        

Bank overdrafts — unsecured

   896     4,468    —        5,364  

Amounts due to subsidiaries/ fellow subsidiaries

   10,830     905,460    4,427     (920,717  —    

Accounts payable

   20,484     17,071    —        37,555  

Other payables and accrued charges

   23,530     172,676    10,281      206,487  

Deposits received

   7,886     8,499    —        16,385  

Deferred service revenue

   10,848     107,904    —       (3,682  115,070  

Tax payable

   356     496    1,141      1,993  

Current portion — obligation under finance leases

   193     9    —        202  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   75,023     1,216,583    15,849      383,056  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net current assets/(liabilities)

   72,943     (922,688  14,079      85,029  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

32Supplemental guarantors consolidated financial information (continued)

Consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2009 (continued)

   City
Telecom
(H.K.)
Limited
   Guarantor
subsidiaries
   Non-
guarantor
subsidiary
   Eliminating
entries
  Consolidated
total
 
   HK$’000   HK$’000   HK$’000   HK$’000  HK$’000 

Total assets less current liabilities

   1,406,357     556,718     20,599      1,407,352  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

         

Deferred tax liabilities

   7,047     8,662     —        15,709  

Long-term deferred service revenue

   10,535     —       —       (10,535  —    

Long-term debt and other liabilities

   163,108     8     —        163,116  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   180,690     8,670     —        178,825  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets

   1,225,667     548,048     20,599      1,228,527  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital and reserves

         

Share capital

   66,418     15,485     8,131     (23,616  66,418  

Reserves

   1,159,249     532,563     12,468     (542,171  1,162,109  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

   1,225,667     548,048     20,599      1,228,527  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note:The amounts of investment in subsidiaries and retained profits at City Telecom (H.K.) Limited level have included the share of net assets of its subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting.

Consolidated income statement for the year ended August 31, 2009

   City
Telecom
(H.K.)
Limited
  Guarantor
subsidiaries
  Non-
guarantor
subsidiary
  Eliminating
entries
  Consolidated
Total
 
   HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000 

Revenue

   95,386    1,390,697    142,603    (150,447  1,478,239  

Network costs

   (29,973  (177,655  —      32,499    (175,129

Other operating expenses

   (90,557  (959,960  (136,750  149,303    (1,037,964

Other income, net

   108,933    31,684    576    (99,653  41,540  

Finance costs

   (54,241  (69,017  —      68,131    (55,127

Share of net profit from subsidiaries (note)

   185,391    —      —      (185,391  —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

   214,939    215,749    6,429     251,559  

Income tax expense

   (2,110  (34,998  (1,622   (38,730
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net profit

   212,829    180,751    4,807     212,829  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note:The net profit amounts at City Telecom (H.K.) Limited level have included the share of net profit of its subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting.

32Supplemental guarantors consolidated financial information (continued)

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended August 31, 2009

   City
Telecom
(H.K.)
Limited
  Guarantor
subsidiaries
  Non-
guarantor
subsidiary
  Eliminating
entries
  Consolidated
total
 
   HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000  HK$’000 

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

   487,691    88,243    (38,930  (233  536,771  

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities

   101,605    (276,843  (1,250   (176,488

Net cash outflow from financing activities

   (560,397  (895  —       (561,292
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) in cash at bank and in hand

   28,899    (189,495  (40,180   (201,009

Cash at bank in hand at September 1, 2008

   90,386    263,386    67,838     421,610  

Effects of foreign exchange rates changes

   134    306    (222  233    451  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash at bank and in hand at August 31, 2009

   119,419    74,197    27,436     221,052  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Analysis of the balances of cash and cash equivalent:

      

Cash at bank and in hand

   120,315    78,665    27,436     226,416  

Bank overdrafts — unsecured

   (896  (4,468  —       (5,364
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   119,419    74,197    27,436     221,052  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

CITY TELECOM (H.K.)HONG KONG TELEVISION NETWORK LIMITED
By:

/s/ Yeung Chu Kwong, WilliamTo Wai Bing

Name:Name: Yeung Chu Kwong, WilliamTo Wai Bing
Title:Title:   Chief Executive Officer
By:

/s/ Wong Nga Lai, Ni QuiaqueAlice

Name:Name:Wong Nga Lai, Ni QuiaqueAlice
Title:Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Date: December 21, 2011April 29, 2015