Hong Kong Free-to-Air TV Guide 2026
Last updated: 2026-10-29
Free TV in Hong Kong comes from four broadcasters: TVB (Jade, TVB News, TVB Plus), HK Television Entertainment (ViuTV), HOY (formerly Cable TV) and RTHK. Locally you can watch free via DTMB terrestrial broadcast or each network’s official app; overseas, platforms such as hktv.my carry the live streams.
At a glance
| Free broadcasters | TVB, HK Television Entertainment (ViuTV), HOY, RTHK |
|---|---|
| How to watch | DTMB terrestrial (free), official apps, web streams |
| Main Chinese channels | Jade (81), ViuTV (99), HOY TV (77), RTHK TV 31 |
| Main English channels | Pearl (84), ViuTVsix (96), HOY 76 |
| Official live platform | hktv.my Hong Kong TV live |
| Full digital switch | Analogue shutdown completed on 30 November 2020 |
The four free broadcasters at a glance
Free TV in Hong Kong is provided by four broadcasters. Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) is the longest-running commercial free station, with Jade, TVB News Channel and TVB Plus covering news, variety and drama. HK Television Entertainment operates ViuTV, a free station launched in 2016 known for original variety shows and sports. HOY TV comes from i-CABLE: it launched as Fantastic TV in 2017, was renamed Hong Kong Open TV in 2018 and became HOY TV in 2023. RTHK is the public broadcaster, running channels RTHK TV 31/32/33.
All four broadcast free over the air via DTMB digital terrestrial television. Viewers only need a DTMB-capable TV or set-top box — no subscription required.
How to watch in Hong Kong
The easiest free option is a DTMB-capable TV or set-top box — a channel scan picks up all free channels. If you prefer not to use an antenna, each network also offers official apps and web streams: myTV SUPER (TVB), the ViuTV app and the HOY app, all available on phones, tablets and smart TVs.
For a full channel list and today’s schedules in one place, the hktv.my live TV page gathers every channel’s EPG with one-tap watch links.
Watching Hong Kong TV from overseas
Overseas and mainland China viewers may find some official apps geo-restricted. Aggregator platforms such as hktv.my carry live Hong Kong free channels, and selected dramas and news clips are also posted on official YouTube channels. Streaming quality depends on your network — a stable broadband or VPN is recommended.
Note: streaming rights vary by region; the exact playable line-up is subject to what each platform offers at the time.
Where to watch
| Option | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|
| DTMB terrestrial | Free terrestrial | Visit |
| hktv.my live | Web / app live | Visit |
| myTV SUPER | TVB official | Visit |
| ViuTV app | ViuTV official | Visit |
| HOY app | HOY official | Visit |
FAQ
Do I need to pay for free TV in Hong Kong?
No. Watching via DTMB broadcast or the networks’ free official apps costs nothing; only some on-demand content on platforms like myTV SUPER requires a subscription.
Can I watch without a TV antenna?
Yes. Use myTV SUPER, the ViuTV app, the HOY app or sites like hktv.my on a phone, computer or smart TV.
Can I watch Hong Kong free channels overseas?
Partly. Aggregators like hktv.my offer live streams; some official apps are geo-restricted, so a stable network or VPN helps.
How many free channels are there in Hong Kong?
The four broadcasters run more than a dozen free digital channels today, mainly on 31–35 (RTHK), 76–78 (HOY), 81–85 (TVB) and 96, 99 (ViuTV).
Official sources
Links above point to each organisation’s official site for reference only; actual availability and regional rights are subject to the official publishers.