6.
CONFIDENTIAL
-
9
LINES TO TAKE FOR THE GOVERNOR
[ 8 - 14 November 1993 ]
[addition Lines
for this week total 8 pages]
LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR SATELLITE TELEVISION BROADCASTING
FROM HONG KONG
Present Position
The Executive Council approved on 9 November 1993 a
number of amendments to the licensing framework for satellite
television broadcasting from Hong Kong laid down by the
Council in October 1990 in the context of the Hutchvision
licence. The significant changes include dropping of the
majority local ownership requirement as well as service
origination fees, which are to be replaced by a full cost
recovery licence fee. The next step is
Chinese and until that has been successfully completed we do
not want to jeopardize our position with them by early
disclosure of
There will be no
publicity as such; only a line-to-take to be used if
necessary.
information to the media.
briefing of the
is
The enormous potential of satellite television in Asia
increasingly recognized, particularly since the successful
launch of STAR TV. There are more and more overseas
uplink their services from Hong Kong
half a dozen expressions of interest
broadcasters wishing to
to the region. About from well-regarded broadcasters are currently on hand.
The Hong Kong Government's existing licensing framework
is perceived as overly restrictive.
Our licensing
requirements contrast rather unfavourably with other Asian
cities' willingness to be as flexible as possible to further
their aim to become the regional media hub. By adhering to
the existing stringent framework, satellite broadcasting
business might be driven to other Asian cities,
undermining Hong
Hong Kong's developing status as the regional
broadcasting hub.
Kong's
thus
SO'd
BGOL TES 258+
(SO) 301HO 5.01 AUDDEO
82:01
ZEBT-NON-II
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