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COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
On the programme side, modern day and kung-fu mini-drama series are still popular, especially those with themes which have an accent on comedy, but long drama serials have made a comeback after many years' absence. The year also witnessed a surge of games shows. Slotted mainly into the peak hours, these have generally been very well received. Sports programmes, too, received more attention; the World Cup Soccer series, live from Spain, was a major event for several weeks. Both stations feature comprehensive news bulletins daily on their Chinese and English channels. Responding to community service needs, both stations introduced sub-titles on selected news bulletins for the benefit of deaf viewers. Locally-produced public affairs programmes are also broadcast on each channel. During the year, the Television Authority commissioned a public survey on attitudes to television viewing. Results of the survey showed that most people regard television as exercising a beneficial influence on society even to the extent of strengthening family ties. Although programme and advertising standards are considered to be generally satisfactory, more than half the viewers polled advocated a little more control on violence, triad language and advertisements for cigarettes, liquor, pharmaceutical products and Chinese medicines. The survey also revealed that although the content and amount of children's programmes are considered satisfactory, it is common practice for parents to allow children in the five-to-14 age group to watch television until at least 10 p.m.
To complement the annual surveys, the Television Authority set up television home viewing groups in 18 districts to help the Television Advisory Board keep in touch with public attitudes towards programme and advertising standards. These groups, comprising about 20 members from each district, are selected from varying income and age brackets with the assistance of the government's district offices. Group members are required to complete daily questionnaires over specified periods reflecting their views on programme and advertising standards.
The publicly-financed Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), which uses the transmission services of the two commercial stations, produced over 10 hours of public affairs programmes each week, including the highly acclaimed dramas On the Beat and Places and Faces, while Commonsense and Police Call, in their sixth and seventh years respectively, were still among the top 20 fixtures.
Policy guidelines for RTHK require its programmes to provide a communicating channel between the government and the public, which promotes civil responsibility and identity, serves minority interests, and educates and informs. This is achieved while offering entertainment which upholds high programme standards. Material produced falls basically into five areas of interest: current affairs, drama, information and servicing, variety and games shows, and programmes for children and young people.
Due to the popularity of RTHK's service and the increasing demand for programmes, the organisation aims to achieve an eventual weekly output of 12 hours of public affairs television programmes. An extension to its premises in Broadcast Drive, Kowloon is planned to provide further facilities.
In addition to its major function as a source of entertainment, television also plays an important role in Hong Kong in the field of education. The government Education Television Service (ETV), which utilises the transmission facilities of the commercial stations for eight hours each school day, is watched by 610 000 children in both primary and secondary schools. The programmes are devised and written by specialist Education Department staff, who provide schools with associated programme literature and follow- up work. The programmes are produced by RTHK and are made in colour using film animation, drama and documentary techniques.