Radio_Hong_Kong_1955-1956 — Page 9

to improve the scope of both Chinese and English Services and give them a more pronounced Hong Kong flavour. The number of programmes featuring local artists and speakers was con- siderably increased. Greater use was made of the technique of listener participation in programmes of light entertainment. More programmes with a 'magazine' format, were introduced to cater for the specialist interests of certain listeners; Cinemagoers, Sportsmen and Music Lovers were among the groups to have new programmes designed for them.

The use of Tape Recording

11. The advent of tape-recording, particularly in its portable form, has greatly increased the mobility of programme staff and changed the whole pattern of programme working. Broadcasting is no longer confined to the studios or a few fixed outside broadcast points. Staff now range throughout the Colony gathering material, and recordings have been made on, and under, the earth and sea, and in the air. Much of the improvement in programme content has been due to the in- creased flexibility that tape-recording affords. The facility this medium provides for editing programme material often means a great improvement in the end-product; programmes can now be cut and polished with far greater ease than was possible with disc recording. (See also paras. 33 to 35)

Outside Broadcasts and Recordings

12. Every major public event and ceremonial during the year was given coverage either by direct broadcast commentaries or by recordings broadcast later. Once again it was the increased mobility and flexibility offered by the tape-recording machine that made this possible.

Among the events that have now become an annual feature for outside broadcast coverage by both Chinese and English Sections are H.M. the Queen's Birthday Parade, the Remembrance Day Service from the Cenotaph, the parades of the Hong Kong Defence Force, the Police Force and the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the Macao Grand Prix, the Air Display, the Cross Harbour Swimming Race and the Hong Kong Products, Fisheries and Agricultural Exhibitions.

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