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HONG KONG - Television Broadcasts (TVB), Hong Kong's commercial broadcaster, is to launch a news and interactive channel that will be carried on the territory's expanding digital terrestrial airwaves.

The iNews channel will provide 24-hour news and information services, including stock prices and weather forecasts. TVB has begun trials and net is expected to be rolled out officially in early 2009.

"TVB is proud to be the first to introduce interactive data television services on free TV in Hong Kong," S K Cheong (second ref: Cheong), TVB's general manager for broadcasting, said. "These value added services will be a driving force for DTT adoption."

The government has hailed the successful of DTT which began in January this year. Some 75% of the city has coverage and approximately 25% of households in the zone have taken up the services, which are free of charge but require modifications to receiving equipment.