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THE MEDIA
English channels, while CTV--which opened in September 1975-operates a single Chinese channel.
All three stations maintain large and well equipped studio and office complexes, using the latest production and transmission techniques. The UHF 625-line PAL colour system is standard and the majority of the transmissions are in colour.
Between them the stations broadcast about 59 hours of programmes each day, reaching an estimated three million viewers. Present estimates are that 805,000 house- holds now have one or more television sets. This represents 89 per cent of all house- holds. An estimated 184,000 colour sets are now in use.
The most popular programmes are the locally-produced variety and drama series and these often have audiences of more than two million viewers. High viewer ratings are also achieved by the stations' news programmes, which provide comprehensive coverage of both local and international events. Imported programmes from many parts of the world are shown, either in the original language or dubbed into Cantonese.
Good use is also made of television in the field of education. In addition to documentaries shown as part of their normal programmes, the stations provide transmission facilities for the schools programmes produced by the educational televi- sion division (ETV) of the Education Department. This important section of the local educational system-which is now in its fifth year-produces programmes on a wide range of educational subjects which are transmitted to schools five days a week between 8 am and 6 pm.
CTV under the terms of its licence also provides two hours of special instructional programmes each weekday. Commercial advertising is excluded from this segment of its programming. Subjects taught so far include English language, interior design, automobile mechanics and bookkeeping. The lessons are supported by a system of external tutorials and examinations.
The provisions of the Television Ordinance are administered by the Television Authority. The Commissioner for Television and Films is responsible for the regula- tion of the stations' licences and the issue and enforcement of the programme, advertising and technical standards required of the licencees.
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The Television Ordinance also requires all stations to provide air-time for govern- ment-produced programmes. These include topical features and public service informa- tion messages supplied by the Government Information Services, but the majority of government programmes come from the television production unit of the government radio station, Radio Hong Kong.
In 1975 the television output of RHK TV increased to more than three hours a week, taking up a total of around eight hours a week on the five channels. Many of the programmes feature current affairs, with studio audiences taking part in dis- cussions. A new series in Cantonese was introduced during the year. The programme features panels chosen from among leading members of the community-including members of the Executive and Legislative Councils-who answer questions from the studio audience and from viewers who telephone during the show. The programme, 'A Matter of Concern', goes out live on RTV's Chinese channel. Another discussion