The Broadcasting Authority has been closely involved
of the bids received, and has made
assessment
recommendations.
40
,
its
Other non-government bodies have not been involved in the assessment process because the bids were submitted in confidence to Government and contain a great deal of commercially sensitive information that the bidders do not want released to the general public.
However, the public and the press have taken the initiative to send in views on the future CTV system.
These views have been taken into account by the BA and the Administration.
PUBLIC REACTION
41
There has been some criticism in the past that the licensing process was taking too long, and that Government should hold public hearings on the bids.
The media, particularly the English language press, have been closely following the battle among the four bidders for the right to operate the first cable television system in Hong Kong. Indeed, the media have already speculated that WI'S and Supertech have failed in their bids and that HCV is most likely to win the bid. The public at large are less interested in the identity of the successful tenderer than when CTV services will be available what variety programmes are to be offered and at what cost to consumers.
of
PUBLICITY
42
There will be no publicity immediately following this paper. Given the sensitivity of the material, no Legislative Council brief will be issued.
If, after negotiations and upon enactment of the necessary legislation, the licences are awarded to either HCV
HCV or HKCC, a
release will be issued.
press
(The Secretary
for
TSAO
Administrative Services and Information Mr P.K.Y.
the Secretary for Economic Services, Mrs A. CHAN, the Postmaster General, Mr G. SIU Deputy Postmaster General, Mr F.H. WISE, Principal Assistant Secretary for Administrative Services and Information, Mr S. SELBY Assistant Financial Secretary,
>
Mr P.
P. CHOK, Assistant Financial Secretary, Mr P.C. LIM, and Senior Crown Counsel, Mr C. SHINE, will attend for this item.)
14 July 1989
(ASIB/I 1/1243C(89) Pt.6)