Commercial Radio proposes to use two presently available frequencies in the FM band, and to transmit from Temple Hill to cover Shatin, parts of Kowloon and the North side of Hong Kong Island. The transmitter, consisting of a small metal container no larger than 6 cubic metres and 4 m poles would be located within the existing TVB site. There will be minimal environmental impact, and there is no need for a fresh land grant. TVB have offered Commercial Radio the use of the site without charge. Moreover, the use of the transmitter is intended to be strictly temporary until such time as the combined Plan (incorporating territory-wide frequencies for both RTHK and Commercial Radio) has been implemented. The proposals will mean that Commercial Radio's FM services are more nearly on a par with RTHK's existing services. The proposals are acceptable to the Telecommunications Authority.
6
Commercial Radio has been carrying out preliminary frequency tests from Temple Hill and on 5th June 1981 it wrote to the Postmaster General seeking permission to commence regular transmission on Monday 15th June. Commercial Radio was advised by the Telecommunications Authority on 11th June that it could continue test transmissions until further notice using as programme material a duplication of its existing AM Chinese service in place of test tones and test tapes. This was permitted so that the improvement in services could be monitored in a more directly comparable way.
7
Under the terms of the preamble to the licence (at sub-paragraph (b) of page 1 on Annex A), the Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company has 'the right to establish and operate such associated transmitting facilities ancillary to the operation of a commercial radio broadcasting service as may be authorised by the Telecommunications Authority on such sites as may be approved by the Governor in Council'. The approval of Members is sought to the proposal that Commercial Radio should be permitted as a temporary measure to duplicate existing MF broadcasts in FM from a transmitter at Temple Hill.
Financial and staffing implications
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proposal.
There are no financial or staffing implications arising from this
Public reaction
9
The public will welcome the improvement to the services provided by Commercial Radio.
G.S. 84
RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.