PUBLICATIONS, BROADCASTING AND FILMS

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Their performances were broadcast 'live'. Special feature pro- grammes also introduced such well-known entertainers as Acker Bilk, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr, Rusty Draper, Vera Lynn, Morrie Paramor and Adam Faith. Two concerts given by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in the City Hall were broadcast in their entirety, and as in the past, the finalists of the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival were recorded and later broad- cast. The performance of the visiting Polish Symphony Orchestra was also broadcast 'live'.

The approximate weekly breakdown of programmes remained relatively unchanged although news, (including sports reports) as well as the spoken word, showed a slight increase. The breakdown is as follows: Classical music 10 per cent; spoken word 71⁄2 per cent; news 10 per cent; music other than classical 72 per cent. Public service broadcasts included all-night broadcasting during the approach of typhoons, Government and public announcements and appeals for funds by leading citizens on behalf of some of the Colony's charitable institutions.

Chinese Programme Department. The Chinese programme department is headed by a programme director with six pro- gramme assistants, and 136 full-time staff members/artists. Drama continues to be the backbone of the Chinese service. During the year, 425 plays were produced and, in addition to contributors, the services of six full-time writers were acquired. The year also marked the introduction of full-length recorded Cantonese operas, with stars of the Cantonese opera singing the leading roles in some of the productions. The policy of helping school children by a series of pre-examination lectures was continued, and a total of 951 half-hour talks were broadcast. Over 200 outside broadcasts were made.

Transcriptions were again supplied to Radio Malaysia, and the film rights of many studio productions were sold for adaptation to Cantonese films.

REDIFFUSION

Rediffusion (Hong Kong) Ltd, which provides a sound and television wired broadcasting service to the community, broke new ground in September by introducing a second television network devoted entirely to Chinese entertainment.

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