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THE MEDIA
Imported programmes from many parts of the world have a wide following and are broadcast either in their original language or dubbed into Cantonese. However, the most popular programmes are the locally-produced drama and variety series. Because of this preference in local tastes, the stations produce from their own resources a remarkable quantity and variety of entertainment programming, ranging from spectacular costumed historical dramas to elaborate variety shows competing for the attention of viewers. It is now common practice by the stations to send production crews to many parts of the world to obtain footage for inclusion in these programmes or to film complete programmes overseas for local screening.
The television stations are licensed to operate under the provisions of the Television Ordinance, which is administered by the Government Television Authority. This office is vested in the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing, who is responsible for the regulation of station licences and the enforcement of the pro- gramme, advertising and technical standards required of the licensees.
In addition to its major function as a source of entertainment, television also plays an important role in Hong Kong in the sphere of education. The Government Educa- tional Television Service (ETV), which utilises the transmission facilities of the com- mercial licensees, is watched by 500,000 children in both primary and secondary schools. The programmes are written by specialist Education Department staff, who provide schools with the associated programme literature and follow-up work. The programmes are produced by the government station, Radio Television Hong Kong, and are made in colour using film animation, drama and documentary techniques. During the year, secondary school ETV was extended to Form II and received and recorded on video cassette machines by more than 300 schools.
Further educational programming is provided by CTV. It broadcasts a two-hour period of special instructional programmes each week night, during which commercial advertising is excluded. Subjects covered during the year were commercial design, office practice, foreign languages and Chinese painting and calligraphy.
The government also is active in the area of public affairs programming and all three stations are required to provide air time for government-produced programmes. The Government Information Services produces topical features and public service information messages, but the majority of government programmes are produced by the television production unit of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). In 1977, the output of this unit remained at about four hours a week, taking up eight hours of time on the five commercial channels. There were, however, significant changes in that the quality of output was upgraded and greater emphasis was placed on programmes for youth. The highly-successful Below the Lion Rock drama series, which had been running for five years, was replaced by a weekly play about children living in the new town of Sha Tin. Within weeks, the new series had become one of the most popular local programmes.
The Youth Call programme aimed at children up to early teens was doubled in length to include Urban Council sports and recreation activities. The Junior Police Call programme, which now has a club membership of more than 200,000, celebrated its third birthday.
The programme duration of the RTHK English-language series on weekday even- ings was doubled, with greater emphasis on programmes that explained to expatriate audiences local social problems and attitudes to events.