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3. The Hong Kong Government position is that Hutchvision know when they accepted their licence last December that there was a restriction on their transmitting in Cantonese
before October 1993. This was done to preserve the
viability of existing TV channels in Hong Kong (TVB and
which had accepted their licences on terms which did
not include competition in Cantonese. The Hong Kong Government is currently reviewing their policy on
subscription TV.
ATV),
Recent Developments
4.
The BBC signed the deal with Hutchvision about a week
ago, but BBC WSTV have not yest made this public. The formal position is that the Hong Kong authorities have made no concessions to permit either broadcasting in Cantonese, or subscription TV, but privately the BBC are optimistic
that there may be some relaxation later this year.
Hutchvision seem happy. They are prepared to go ahead while maintaining their lobbying of the Hong Kong
5.
Broadcasting Authority (HKBA). The deal does permit extra transmission facilities for World Service radio.
6.
BBC WSTV are actively preparing for the launch on
14 October (though this too has not been announced). They hope that the service will be inaugurated by the Princess Royal, who has provisionally agreed to take part. WSTV are anxious that their Hong Kong partners should press ahead with arrangements their and (eg by building the necessary 11 metre dish), otherwise the introduction of the service will slip to November.
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