INTRODUCTION-GENERAL REVIEW
THERE was little change in the overall pattern of sound broadcasting during the year under review. However, both the Chinese and English Services extended their hours of broadcasting in October. Both services now begin at 6.00 a.m. whilst the Chinese service closes at midnight as before, the English programme continues until 1.00 a.m. every day. The main point of the early morning extensions is to bring to early risers, particularly students preparing to go to school up-to-date information on road and weather conditions etc. as well as early morning news bulletins.
2. Whilst, as I have suggested, there has been little change in the general programme schedules, details of which will be found elsewhere in this report, there has been considerable development in Radio Hong Kong's growing television service.
3. As envisaged in my previous annual report, Mr. J. B. HAWTHORNE, a senior member of the BBC television team in Northern Island, arrived in May to take up his duties as Controller, Television. He was quickly able to start more detailed planning of the unit's output and to draw up specifications for introduction of the necessary equip- ment and staff. The bulk of the equipment is in the process of being installed in 1971 but film equipment, cameras, etc. arrived during the year under review and good progress was made in training staff and practice with the cameras. Further details will be found elsewhere in this report.
4. The recruitment of additional staff for sound radio and televi- sion has thrown considerable strain on accommodation in Broad- casting House. Although the new building was opened only two years. ago all available office accommodation has been taken up and plans were approved during the year for an extension of 2,500 sq. ft. of new office accommodation. Such a possibility was envisaged by the architect when the building was designed and adequate foundations are already available for the purpose of extending the building. It is hoped that work will start on this project before the end of 1971.
5. A Second Audience Research Survey into the listening habits of the Chinese audience was begun in March and whilst, at the time
1