TNAG-0351-FCO40-387-Future-of-broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 3

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HKK 13/9

CONFIDENTIAL

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DECISION OF 12.12.72

The Council considered memorandum XCC(72)92.

The Council ADVISED by a majority and the Governor ORDERED:

(a) that the present pattern of weather programmes on commercial television be maintained pending further consideration of the Working Party's recommendations about them;

(b) that the draft Television (Amendment) Bill 1973

be introduced into the Legislative Council subject to:

(1) the addition of a clause to provide for

any information given by licensees under the Ordinance to the Telecommunications and Television Authorities to be treated as confidential, unless otherwise indicated by the licensee; and

(ii) the deletion of revised section 41(3) dealing

with the amendment of the rate of royalty,

and that the draft licence together with its Schedules, at Annex I to the memorandum, be approved;

(c) that the revised outline timetable in paragraphs

5 7 of the memorandum be approved, but that the closure date for the tender for the third licence be brought forward if possible;

(d) that the approved frequency plan for television

broadcasting should stand;

(e) that the Council's earlier acceptance of the

proposal that all three licensees should share aerial masts be reaffirmed;

(f) that a new licence be issued to TVB under the amended

Television Ordinance;

(g) that the recommendations that the tender for the third

licence and for any special services associated with it should permit applicants to propose educational and cultural, as well as strictly vocational, subscription programmes; and that no commercial advertising should be permitted as part of any Pay-TV service, be deferred for further consideration by the Council;

(h) that television companies licensed under the amended

Television Ordinance be prevented from holding controlling interests in businesses not directly associated with television and that TVB be required within 4 years of the grant of a new licence to divest itself of any such interests;

(i) that applicants for the two television licences be permitted to apply separately for both franchises, if they so wish, indicating their preference.

LAST PARCA

CONF:

J. C. A. HAMMOND

Clerk of Councils