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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1992
SRC EXPLAINS BROADCASTING POLICY
THE
REVIEW OF THE TELEVISION BROADCASTING POLICY CURRENTLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY AND THE GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO INVITE FORMAL PROPOSALS SET UP A SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SYSTEM IN HONG KONG THIS SUMMER.
TO
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE
WINDING UP A MOTION DEBATE ON BROADCASTING POLICY, MR SO SAID: CORNERSTONE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY IS TO PROVIDE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE CHOICE OF QUALITY PROGRAMMES AT REASONABLE AND AFFORDABLE PRICES FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT.'
- "OUR CURRENT REVIEW OF THE TELEVISION FOLLOWING ASPECTS :
INDUSTRY COVERS THE
* THE EXISTING LICENSING FRAMEWORK OF BOTH THE LOCAL FREE-TO- AIR STATIONS, NAMELY TVB AND ATV, TO ENSURE THAT IT IS ADEQUATE TO COPE WITH THE CHANGING BROADCASTING ENVIRONMENT BROUGHT ON BY NEW COMPETITORS AS WELL AS BY NEW TECHNOLOGY;
THE LICENSING CONDITIONS GOVERNING SATELLITE TELEVISION, NAMELY STAR TV, TO SEE WHETHER CHANGES ARE NECESSARY TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CHANGING BROADCASTING ENVIRONMENT, AND TO ENSURE THAT FAIR AND EQUITABLE COMPETITION EXISTS BETWEEN THIS AND OTHER FORMS OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING;
*
"WE
THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE EXISTING TELEVISION BROADCASTERS, BOTH LOCAL FREE-TO-AIR AND SATELLITE FREE-TO-AIR, AND THE PROPOSED PAY-TV SERVICES TO BE INTRODUCED SHORTLY, IN
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR THE CHOICE OF QUALITY PROGRAMMES THAT IS PROMISED UNDER THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY;
A DETAILED BUT SOUND LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR PAY-TV THAT WILL ATTRACT SERIOUS AND QUALITY BROADCASTERS, BUT WILL NOT IMPOSE SUCH UNFAIR AND CUT-THROAT COMPETITION THAT COULD LEAD TO A DETERIORATION RATHER THAN AN ENHANCEMENT OF BOTH CHOICE AND QUALITY IN THE TV PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE.
OF
HAVE ENGAGED CONSULTANTS TO ASSIST US IN MAKING DETAILED ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS SOME OF THE KEY ASPECTS OF THE REVIEW.
"THESE INCLUDE THE LIKELY IMPACT ON THE LOCAL TELEVISION INDUSTRY OF LIFTING THE RESTRICTIONS ON CANTONESE PROGRAMMES FROM STAR TV,
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY BROUGHT ON BY THE LICENSING OF A PAY-TV SERVICE IN HONG KONG, THE EFFECT OUR EXISTING ROYALTY SYSTEM HAS ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY, AND THE ABILITY FOR HONG KONG TO SUSTAIN MORE THAN ONE PAY- TV OPERATOR, MR SO SAID.
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