Metro Broadcast operates three radio channels: Metro Finance, Metro Info, Metro Plus. The company also offered Metro Finance Digital, Metro Music Digital and Metro Life Digital until the company announced its intention to return its digital audio broadcasting license in September 2016. The digital audio broadcasting license was terminated in November that same year. Metro also offers multimedia broadcasting service through mobile phones, via the mobile phone service provider 3 Mobile. In addition, Metro offers eSHOP, an online shopping website. In 2003, the Hong Kong Government renewed Metro's broadcasting license for 12 years, with the renewal taking effect in 2004. The license was renewed for a further 12 years on March 22, 2016, with the extension taking effect on August 25 of the same year.
History
In 1990 the Hong Kong government reformed radio broadcasting regulations, allowing the introduction of a third radio station. It released the license to Metro Radio. In 1991 Metro Radio set up its headquarters in Site 11 Whampoa Garden in Hunghom, Kowloon. At that time, Metro Radio had two Chinese channels- channel FM99.7 and channel FM104 and an English channel - AM 1044. In 1994 Philip Chan Yan Kin took over as General Manager and revised many of its programs. In 1996 Metro Radio carried out a strategic shift of focus from news services to entertainment. The names of channel FM99.7 and channel FM104 were changed to Hit Radio and FM Select respectively, and Metro News became Metro Plus. In the same year, Chan Hoi-kei resigned as leader, and was replaced by Bak wan-kam. In 1997 due to an expansion, the head office of Metro Radio moved to Basement 2 Site 6 Whampoa Garden, Hunghom, Kowloon. In 1998 the company set up another broadcasting station in Central's The Center, Hong Kong Island. On 22 January 2001, it changed the name of Hit Radio to Metro Showbiz. On 5 February, FM Select was renamed Metro Finance. In 2004 Metro Radio expanded its broadcasting in the Pearl River Delta by entering into a shared programming agreement with Radio Guangdong. On 2 January 2008, Metro Showbiz was renamed to Metroinfo. Metroinfo broadcast both entertainment and financial programs. The CEO of Metro Radio was Kam Kwok-leung and the director of Metroinfo was Chu Ming-yui in the past.
Current Channels
Metro Finance (FM 104)
Metro Finance started up on 5 February 2001. The station delivers content relating to investment funds, securities, bonds, insurance and other information relating to financial markets in China and abroad. Metro Finance World also organizes investment talks throughout the year. The chief executive officers of companies and investment banks or other financial commentators are invited to make speeches. Tso, the special column writer of "Investment Diary" in the Hong Kong Economic Journal, is an event organizer as well as a keynote speaker in these talks. Market trends are discussed, as well as investment advice for the audience. The talks are later broadcast by Metro Finance and other media in China.
Every year Television Broadcast Limited, Commercial Radio, RTHK and Metro Radio present awards to outstanding singers, composers and authors for outstanding performance in the entertainment industry. Metro Radio holds the Hit Awards annually at the end of December, which is the first award among the four. The Hit Awards gives out more than 100 different awards in categories such as singers, groups, and songs. In 2007, the music label, Gold Label boycotted the ceremony due to rumours about their singers receiving only a few awards. The station has also presented the annual Metro Radio Mandarin Hits Music Awards, around July and August, since 2002.
Metro Plus (AM 1044)
Metro plus AM1044 provides international news coverage, current affairs, entertainment, music, health, cosmetic trends, jokes and conducts interviews with celebrities. The Indonesian Hour, Filipino Hour and Desi Dhamaka are international programs available in the Hong Kong area. Metro Plus was awarded "Caring Company 2002/2003" by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
Former channels
Metro Finance Digital (DAB+ 11)
Metro Finance Digital focuses on Mainland China and the worldwide financial market, with educational programmes on investment. programmes from Metro Finance and Metro Info channels are repeated in MFD as well.
Metro Music Digital (DAB+ 12)
This channel mainly focuses on music including local, British, American, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese pop music. The programming includes jazz, soul and R&D music, and musicians are invited to the music programmes as DJs. Metro Music Digital channel now broadcasts on its own for 14 hours per day, then jointly broadcasts with Metro Finance and Metro Info channels for the remaining time. The slogan of MMD is "Love Music, Love Green."
Metro Life Digital (DAB+ 13)
Metro Life Digital began broadcasting on 17 Sep2014. Its programmes mainly focus on finance, lifestyle, science, history and religion. MLD broadcasts music programme from midnight to early morning.
