Radio_Hong_Kong_1955-1956 — Page 8

Licences

7. The annual fee for a radio receiving licence remains $20. The issue of licences continues to be the responsibility of the Postmaster General.

8. To aid the annual licensing drive periodic reminders were broadcast by Radio Hong Kong over the Chinese and English services. Two obliterators bearing the words "Is Your Radio Licensed?" in English and Chinese were purchased and put into operation with the stamp cancelling machine at the General Post Office.

9. Throughout the year the licence figures showed a steady increase. On 31st March, 1956 the total number of licence holders stood at 54,073, an increase of 8,389 or 18.36% for the year. On the basis of an estimated 6 listeners to each set this represents an increase in listener potential of over 50,000. The resulting increase in revenue is $167,780.

The following table compares the licence figures for the past eleven years as at 31st March each year.

Chinese

Non-Chinese

Total

1946

4,226

145

4,371

1947

12,244

1,348

13,592

1948

21,540

2,624

24,164

1949

29,976

3,483

33,459

1950

38,858

3,510

42,368

1951

39,706

3,671

43,377

1952

37,909

3,302

41,211

1953

39,374

3,232

42,606

1954

38,735

3,015

41,750

1955

42,799

2,885

45,684

1956

50,390

3,683

54,073

PART II - PROGRAMMES, GENERAL

New Trends

10. By careful husbandry the slender resources of Radio Hong Kong were made to yield a healthy and bountiful harvest of programmes. Much time and energy was spent in seeking

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