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COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
channels are broadcast in Putonghua and are encrypted for subscription customers by countries outside Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is also home to the Chinese Television Network, which broadcasts an entertainment and a news channel. Several other international broadcasters operate studios in Hong Kong and uplink their signals from Hong Kong, including CNN International, TNT & Cartoon Network and Reuters Asia Limited.
About 545 000 households in Hong Kong can receive regional satellite channels. The most popular are the four free-to-air channels broadcast by Star TV.
Video-on-demand Programme Service
Hong Kong Telecom VOD Limited (HKTVOD) launched the world's first commercial-scale video-on-demand programme service in March 1998. Its programme services include movies, entertainment programmes, music videos, educational programmes and horse racing information. Home shopping and home banking services are provided through the same network.
Radio
Hong Kong has 13 radio channels seven operated by RTHK, three by Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited and three by Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited.
Radio Television Hong Kong
RTHK is a publicly-funded, editorially independent broadcaster whose mission is to inform, educate and entertain people through the provision of balanced and objective programmes. It also serves as a channel of communication between the government and the community.
Digital Audio Broadcasting
A technical trial on digital audio broadcasting (DAB) was conducted jointly by the three sound broadcasters in late 1998. The trial was to find out how the new technology may improve the existing radio broadcasting services and to explore the application of new services which such new technology is capable of providing.
Film Industry
Hong Kong is a major film-producing centre. During the year, Hong Kong produced 317 films and videos compared with 455 in 1997. Action films, romance and comedies are the main genres.
Cinema-going is a popular leisure activity. Audiences are offered a good variety of imported and local films. Attendance in 1998 totalled 22 million at 188 cinemas, compared with 28 million at 173 cinemas in 1997. The biggest box-office hits for the year included Titanic ($115 million), The Storm Riders ($41 million) and Saving Private Ryan ($29 million).
Film Classification System
Hong Kong has a three-tier film classification system: Category I (suitable for all ages); Category II, which is subdivided into Category IIA (not suitable for children) and Category IIB (not suitable for young persons and children); and Category III (for