to justify prime time on the all colour channels. Colourisation has been achieved by the greater use of film and by renting RTV's colour outside broadcast unit which is driven to RHKTV's studio. The colour cameras are moved into the studio and the van acts as a mobile control room with all the equipment operated by Cable and Wireless staff. The results have been successful but rental is only a short term solution and is more expensive than owning equipment.
7.
Relations with the two commercial companies showed further improvements partly because the major programmes of RHKTV by attracting large audiences attracted advertising revenue.
Television Programmes
8.
"Below Lion Rock" developed a mass following with a combined audience on both channels reaching a peak of 2.7 million. The audience research figures were confirmed by sample surveys carried out over two weekends on five estates. The survey carried out by Hong Kong University students under Census and Statistics professional advice showed that seventy per cent of all people interviewed had seen the last instalment with a high proportion able to recall the story. The actors who make up the television family developed as household names. The series was rested during the summer and the first three programmes in September concentrated on the proposal to increase housing rents.
9.
The programme owed much of its popularity to the skills of the producer, Wong Wah-kay, and scriptwriter, Leung Lap-yan, and it was a severe blow when they both left to join the Community Relations Department of ICAC. However, programme standards were maintained when Ms Cheung Man-yee, Head of RHKTV's Documentary Group, took over the programme.
10.
"Needlepoint" achieved the highest rating of the night when it had an exclusive confrontation between the manager of the Telephone Company, Mr. S. L. Walker, and a large audience made up of organisations protesting against the proposal to increase charges. The proposed increase in telephone charges was the biggest issue of the year and Mr. Walker, a newcomer to Hong Kong, was, through the simultaneous transmission system, able to defend his proposals in English to an audience that was addressing him in Cantonese. During the year "Needlepoint" was extended to forty-five minutes and included sequences of documentary film to establish facts and arguments which were the subject of debate.
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