TNAG-1556-FCO40-2120-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 5

on

length of a break according to the code adopted by the Independent Broadcasting Authority in UK, where a break ("interval") between programmes lasts more than 5 minutes the duration of the break is excluded from the programme hours base which advertising time is calculated. For example, if 10 minutes of advertising is allowed in a clock hour, the TV station must broadcast only 50 minutes of programme to earn the 10 minutes of advertising. however, the licensee allows a break to last for more than 5 minutes, say 6 minutes, the licensee would not be entitled to the

the full 10 minutes of advertising unless an additional 6 6 minutes of programme material (or no-programme material in intervals lasting for less than 5 minutes) is broadcast;

programme a

If,

length of programme material - a stipulation that

segment should last at least 10 minutes would allow inadequate flexibility in programme scheduling. Full use of the 13 minutes allowed for non-programme material and 4 programme segments of 10 minutes each would leave only 7 minutes of flexibility within а clock hour, i.e. less than 2 minutes оп average per programme segment.

would create scheduling difficulties particularly with regard to imported programmes which already have pre-determined segment lengths.

This

The Administration therefore recommends that the maximum duration of each interval between

should programmes

be 5 minutes and the minimum duration of a programme segment should be 8 minutes.

12

apportioning Commissioner

As regards the BRB's recommendations on the of time within a break or an interval, the for Television and Entertainment Licensing considers that they are too restrictive. If they regard the duration of the break or interval as

as acceptable, viewers are unlikely to be greatly concerned about their content. Such a stipulation is anyhow superfluous since there are already time. limits per hour on advertisements, station promotions and APIs in a clock hour (paragraph 7 refers). The Administration

therefore recommends that there

there should be no control on the apportioning of time within breaks/intervals provided that the hourly restrictions on broadcast of non-programme material are followed.

CONFIDENTIAL