detailed programme of Audience Research was begun this year, although only a limited start has been possible on this important facet of broad- casting.
10. The introduction of a divergence between the FM and Medium Wave transmissions (mainly on Friday evening) has allowed the English Service to broadcast longer and more specialized programmes, (such as opera, cricket commentaries, etc.) on FM whilst devoting the Medium Wave broadcasts to more general programmes.
11. The most serious shortcoming of the English Programme Service is felt to be its failure to reflect more fully the many sided life of Hong Kong. This would normally be achieved by documentary features, dis- cussions and talks. The recruitment of a full time features producer (the officer is on secondment from the B.B.C.) has, nevertheless, made it possible to make a start on this important broadcasting responsibility.
12. Some of the long standing controversies over Radio Hong Kong's English Service programmes have continued. Listeners who prefer serious music continued to deplore what they regard as the high incidence of popular music. On the other hand, some listeners, particularly younger ones, still maintained that too much time is devoted to classical music. A percentage analysis of programmes is contained in Appendix B.
13. The English Service continued to reflect the Colony's links with the United Kingdom. The traditional Christmas Message by Her Majesty the Queen was relayed from the B.B.C. Other notable relays were the Royal Wedding of Princess Margaret and Mr. Anthony ARMSTRONG-JONES, and the annual messages of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The English Service made use of the full range of the B.B.C. Transcription Service which always offers a high standard of production and content. Two news broadcasts were relayed from the General Overseas Service of the B.B.C. each evening, and the B.B.C.'s news magazine 'Radio Newsreel' was also relayed daily, and repeated the following morning. Radio Hong Kong was also responsible for relaying commentaries on impor- tant sporting fixtures. Cricket, soccer, rugby, and racing all received their full share of coverage. In return, Radio Hong Kong made special contributions to a number of programmes linking the Colony with the United Kingdom. Amongst these were the B.B.C.'s 'round-the-world' Christmas programme, entitled this year 'No Man is an Island'; a contribution to the B.B.C. Welsh Goodwill Day programme and the
3
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.