BOCH
channels
to close
HONGKONG is to lose its two wired TV channels by the end of 1974.
Rediffusion, which has been providing wired TV for the last 15 years, has already set up a consortium to hid for the new wireless TV stations The Government plans to {license soon.
This will mean that by 1975 Hongkong will have three TV stations providing five channels instead of the Two providing four channels today
The end of the piped TV servise became apparent on Tuesday when the Government announced plans to license two new wireless stations one providing au English and a Chinese chantel and another only for Chinese service.
The Government amencement sand that Rediffusion's licence for piped 17' will be extended until the new wireless stitions go on the air, and that its life beyond that period is under consideration
A fout man pand is examining the future of wired EX A decision is expected in three months
The Government no longer takes into account wired TV while considering long-term plans like the expansion of education television.
While there is a definite plan
to raise the FIV transmission tre to 12 hours a day by 1975, the Rediftusion is kept out of the chemc.
The FTV pie will instead be divided equally among the three wireless stations in operation by
then.
Lich of them will be required to set aside fom hours a day for ETV transmissions, and an hour a day each for Government programmes.
These clearly indicate that piped TV service as an independent station will end when the new wireless stations go on the air.
But no toreign company will get the licence to set up the new stations,
Hongkong's television urdinance prohibits majority forrien ownership of local TV stations.
The ordinance clearly stipulates that the companies. That own TV stations must be formed and registered in Hongkong, and majority of thent capital, directors and principal officers must be Brith subjects living In |Hop-kong.
These chuses will prevent foreign interests from taking a controlling interest in local IV. ilus could strengthen the ()temiffusion's chances of potting the under for the new wizeless
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