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COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
Radio 2 has acquired popularity as a channel mainly for young people. Although popular music is the salient feature, more magazine programmes have been introduced. Its disc jockeys adopt a lively approach to community service and the channel has helped promote major publicity campaigns including Fight Crime, Anti-Narcotics, Road Safety, and Anti-Smoking.
Radio 3 continues to broadcast news and current affairs, talk shows and popular music for the English-speaking population. During 1983, topical programming was strengthened to give the channel a substantial current affairs outlet seven days a week.
Radio 4 continues to develop as a channel for fine music and arts. During 1983, the number of programmes introduced bilingually was increased to include live broadcasts, concerts and recitals by local and international orchestras and artistes. In support of music and musicians in Hong Kong, the channel announced in June the Hong Kong Young Pianist of the Year Competition, an event sponsored by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.
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Radio 5, a bilingual channel, relays the BBC World Service from 5 p.m. to 2.30 a.m. daily. Outside these hours it provides an additional FM service of Chinese programmes such as Cantonese opera, provincial and classical music, as well as programmes in Putonghua (Mandarin) and the Chiu Chow dialect. During the year it strengthened its educational and cultural programme content.
Advanced technology will lead to broadcasting services using a wider spectrum of the VHF/FM band. Approval in principle has been given for the introduction of a VHF/FM transmission plan to duplicate in FM existing AM services and to enlarge the service area of FM broadcasts; the best ways to carry forward the scheme are being studied.
Commercial Radio operates two 24-hour services in Cantonese, and one in English for 19 hours each day. All stations primarily provide AM services; the two Chinese stations simulcast in FM to Sha Tin and to the north of Hong Kong Island, while additional FM transmissions to Sheung Shui, Tai Po and Fanling commenced in June.
One of the highlights of the year was the station's coverage in both languages of the talks in China on the future of Hong Kong. Three reports a day were broadcast direct from Peking. There was increasing involvement by the station in public service programmes and events, notably those in support of the Anti-Narcotics, Fight Crime and Clean Hong Kong campaigns, the Community Chest and the Red Cross. Various fund-raising events were organised including three concerts entitled Songs To Remember consisting of a variety. show, a music show and a Cantonese opera performance to raise money for the Cheshire Home and two homes for the aged; the annual Spare A New Toy Appeal for orphans; the station's regular Helping Hand programme to raise money for shelters for the elderly; and an annual basketball match in aid of the mentally handicapped in which disc jockeys and celebrities took part. As in previous years, there was considerable coverage given to local and international sports events. A suspense drama produced by Commercial Radio One reached the finals in the Drama Series Category of the 1983 International Radio Festival in New York.
The British Forces Broadcasting Services (BFBS) is the radio division of the Services Sound and Vision Corporation, a world-wide organisation providing entertainment, infor- mation and training films, video, television and radio services for the British Forces, under contract to the Ministry of Defence.
BFBS provides two radio services which are designed for the particular needs of the Gurkha and British Forces serving in Hong Kong. Nepali programmes, broadcast for more than 76 hours each week, are mainly self-originated and cater for the interests of the