TNAG-2277-FCO40-3276-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-1991 — Page 136

RESTRICTED

pa. Mediny

Contribution to brifing for PMs Secretary of Stakes, bisit A-14K. (4-5 Sept 1991) HUB 301/1

HUTCHVISION AND BBC WORLD SERVICE TELEVISION (WSTV)

Background

1. The Director General of the BBC, Michael Checkland,

together with Richard Li (son of Li Ka-shing) and

Lord Derwent of Hutchvision, called on the Secretary of State on 25 July. Their purpose was to lobby on behalf of

the projected Hutchvision/BBC News Channel which it is planned to carry on Asiasat, the Satellite in which Hutchvision have a one third share. This will be an

important breakthrough for the BBC, which is seeking

through its commercial subsidiary, World Service TV, to break into international TV broadcasting by gatellite. FCO, with Ministerial approval, has signified its support for the project in the form of a Letter of Comfort from Miss Spencer to Mr Richard Li (10 July).

The

2. The outstanding problems lie at the Hong Kong end. The three main issues mentioned by Mr Checkland are:

- the extension of the BBCWS's HK Radio uplink licence to allow BBCWS programmes to be broadcast from an Asiasat subcarrier;

authorisation to broadcast on the TV news channel in Cantonese (as well as Mandarin and English);

permission to operate subscription TV Services.

The last two factors are of concern to Hutchvision, since they have significant financial implications. We have made it clear that this is something they must pursue with the Hong Kong Government.

OAKAFD/1

CC

RESTRICTED