I-CABLE HOY
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Hong Kong commercial free-to-air television broadcaster operating the HOY channel family.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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History
I-CABLE HOY Limited was established in 2009 as Fantastic Television Limited, with the aim of developing a commercial television service in Hong Kong. The company received its broadcasting licence from the Hong Kong Government on 31 May 2016. Its development took place within the broader history of I-CABLE Communications and Hong Kong Cable Television, although its principal identity became that of a television broadcaster rather than a cable subscription service. The first channel began broadcasting on 14 May 2017. It was a Cantonese general-interest service initially associated with Fantastic TV. The channel was later renamed Hong Kong Open TV and subsequently adopted the HOY TV identity before becoming HOY 77. Its programming has covered general entertainment, news, information and other locally relevant television content. A second channel followed on 30 July 2018. Although initially considered as an English-language Fantastic TV service, it was launched as the Hong Kong International Business Channel, commonly abbreviated as HKIBC. The channel combined English and Putonghua business programming with international news and financial content. Its schedule included substantial Bloomberg Television simulcasts, morning relays of CGTN and locally produced English-language news bulletins, together with other programming required by its licence. In October 2023, it was renamed the HOY International Business Channel and linked to the HOY 76 channel identity. The broadcaster added a third service on 21 November 2022. Known initially as HOY Infotainment, the Cantonese channel expanded the company's portfolio with information and entertainment programming and became associated with channel 78. The principal channel family consequently consisted of HOY 77, HOY 76 and HOY 78. Distribution was another important stage in the company's development. Before 1 April 2022, the channels were carried through Cable TV's network and were not available through Hong Kong's free-to-air terrestrial television platform. The transition to terrestrial availability widened the technical distribution of the services and changed the broadcaster's competitive position in the local television market. The company is owned by CTF Media and Entertainment. Its evolution from Fantastic Television to I-CABLE HOY reflects a shift from a licence-holding television venture connected to the cable ecosystem toward a recognizable multi-channel commercial broadcaster under the HOY brand. Its service mix combines Cantonese general-interest television, business and international news in English and Putonghua, and Cantonese information-entertainment programming.
- 2023
HOY International Business Channel name introduced
[1]The former HKIBC service adopted the HOY International Business Channel name and the HOY 76 identity.
- 2022
HOY Infotainment launches
[1]The third channel, initially branded HOY Infotainment, launched on 21 November 2022 and became associated with HOY 78.
- 2018
HKIBC launches
[1]The English and Putonghua business-oriented channel began broadcasting on 30 July 2018.
- 2017
First channel begins broadcasting
[1]The company's Cantonese channel began broadcasting on 14 May 2017, beginning the service later associated with HOY 77.
- 2016
Commercial broadcasting licence granted
[1]The Hong Kong Government granted the company's commercial television broadcasting licence on 31 May 2016.
- 2009
Company established
[1]Fantastic Television Limited, the predecessor of I-CABLE HOY, was established in Hong Kong.
Products and positioning
A Hong Kong commercial television broadcaster positioned around free-to-air Cantonese programming, business and international news, and information-entertainment content.
Cantonese free-to-air television channel · 2017
HOY 77
HOY 77 is the broadcaster's principal Cantonese general-interest channel. It began service on 14 May 2017 under the Fantastic TV identity, later became Hong Kong Open TV and HOY TV, and was subsequently identified as HOY 77. Its schedule is centered on Cantonese television programming across news, information, entertainment and other general-interest categories.
English and Putonghua business television channel · 2018
HOY 76
HOY 76 is the channel family’s business and international news service. It launched on 30 July 2018 as the Hong Kong International Business Channel, or HKIBC, and later became the HOY International Business Channel. The service carries English-language news, business and financial programming, including Bloomberg Television simulcasts for much of the day, CGTN programming in designated morning hours, and locally produced bulletins.
Cantonese information and entertainment television channel · 2022
HOY 78
HOY 78 is a Cantonese information-and-entertainment service. It began broadcasting on 21 November 2022 under the HOY Infotainment name and expanded the company's channel portfolio beyond its established general-interest and business-news services.
Brand decisions
2022
Expansion to terrestrial distributionStrategyBackground
Before 1 April 2022, the company's channels were distributed through the Cable TV network and were not available through Hong Kong free-to-air terrestrial television.
Action taken
The services moved into free-to-air terrestrial distribution.
Aftermath
The change broadened the potential reach of the HOY services and strengthened the company's position as a commercial terrestrial broadcaster.
2018
Launch of an English and Putonghua business channelProduct launchBackground
The company planned a second service after launching its first Cantonese channel, with a focus on business and international programming.
Action taken
It launched the Hong Kong International Business Channel on 30 July 2018.
Aftermath
The channel became the group's principal English- and Putonghua-oriented business and international news service and was later rebranded within the HOY family.
2016
Pursuit of a commercial television licenceStrategyBackground
The company was established to develop a commercial television service in Hong Kong and required regulatory authorization before launching its channels.
Action taken
The Hong Kong Government granted the company a commercial broadcasting licence on 31 May 2016.
Aftermath
The licence enabled the subsequent launch of the company's Cantonese, business and information-entertainment channels.
Recent events
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