CONFIDENTIAL
· 7
機密
XCC(72)92
Both tenders to be open to all qualified applicants
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The question has been raised as to whether one applicant can apply for both franchises. Since competition is one of the primary aims of the new television policy it is not likely that both licences would be awarded to one applicant and this will be made clear to prospective tenderers. However, there would be advantages in permitting one applicant to apply for both licences provided he was made to state his preference. This should give a wider choice in awarding each licence to the best available applicant. It might otherwise happen that all the most promising companies applied for one licence, leaving the other to a choice of less satisfactory tenderers. Moreover on the timetable envisaged the second licence will have been awarded before tenders for the third close, giving unsuccessful tenderers for the second a further opportunity to apply for the third. It is therefore recommended that applicants should not be restricted from applying for more than one licence.
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(a)
(b)
(c)
Honourable Members will be asked to advise:
whether the present pattern of weather programmes on commercial television should be maintained pending further consideration of the Working Party's recommendations about
(Paragraph 3);
them.
whether the draft Television (Amendment) Bill 1973 at Annex G should be introduced into the Legislative Council and whether the draft licence together with its Schedules at Annex I should be approved. (Paragraph 4);
whether the revised outline timetable in paragraphs 5-7 of this paper be approved;
whether the approved frequency plan for television broadcasting should stand.
(Paragraphs 8-12);
(d)
(e)
whether they reaffirm their earlier acceptance of the proposal that all three licensees should share aerial masts.
(Paragraph 16);
(f)
whether a new licence should be issued to TVB under the amended Television Ordinance.
(Paragraph 17);
(g)
(h)
whether the tender for the third licence and for any special services associated with it should permit applicants to propose educational and cultural, as well as strictly vocational, subscription programmes; and whether no commercial advertising should be permitted as part of any Pay-TV service. (Paragraphs 21-22);
whether television companies licensed under the amended Television Ordinance should be prevented from holding controlling interests in businesses not directly associated with television and whether TVB should be required within 4 years of the grant of a new licence, to divest itself of any such interests. (Paragraphs 24-25);
CONFIDENTIAL
機密