Mrs Saunders
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Hus 3011
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Media(133
FROM: A D Harris
Information Department
tmenieto
DATE : 28 August 1991
CC : Mr Kerr
Hong Kong Department
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO THE FAR EAST : 2-5 SEPTEMBER 1991 :
HUTCHVISION AND BBC WSTV
1.
\༩༣
Your minute of 21 August to Mr Kerr asked for a short
background brief on the latest state of play on Hutchvision and BBC
WSTV. The news is good.
2.
The BBC signed the deal with Hutchvision about a week ago, but BBC WSTV have not yet 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.
3.
Hutchvision seem happy. They are prepared to go ahead while maintaining their lobbying of the Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority (HKBA). The deal does permit extra transmission facilities for
World Service radio.
4. 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 end (eg by building the necessary 11 metre dish) otherwise the introduction of the service will slip to November.
А Anthony Hann
A D Harris
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