XN000022-1972-12-22 — Page 2

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Friday, December 22, 1972

TELEVISION AMENDMENT BILL PAVES WAY

For New Television Stations

Tenders To Be Called As Soon As Bill Becomes Law

A Bill amending the Television Ordinance is published in today's

Gazette for public information and will be introduced into the Legislative

Council for its first reading early next month. As soon as the Bill becomes

law tenders will be called for Hong Kong's two new television stations. This

neans that tender notices inviting applications for the two licences could

be published within the next few weeks.

This was stated today by Mr. Nigel Watt, Commissioner for Television

and Films, Mr. Watt pointed out that although both services will be advertised

simultaneously they are unlikely to come on-air' simultaneously since a longer

tender period will be required for the third service in order to permit a

measure of phasing in the allocation of frequencies and to provide more time

to discuss with prospective tenderers any special programme services they

nay wish to offer.

The Commissioner said that he expects the tender period for the second

licence which will include both a Chinese and an English Service to be open

for three months. The separate licence for a third Chinese service will be

open for an additional period of up to nine months. This extra time would be

shortened if possible since it was policy to bring both the new services into

operation with the minimum delay.

/Amplifying