Radio_Hong_Kong_1964-1965 — Page 7

INTRODUCTION-GENERAL REVIEW

THE decision by Government to build a new broadcasting centre for Radio Hong Kong at Pok Fu Lam was the outstanding event of the year. Radio Hong Kong's accommodation problems have become steadily more serious in recent years and both studios and offices in Mercury House are extremely overcrowded. An attempt to provide temporary relief by converting an old building in the former Naval Dockyard into a studio centre had to be abandoned early in the year, when it became apparent that the structure was unsafe. Plans were immediately put in hand to provide a permanent broadcasting centre, and a site was selected in the Pok Fu Lam area. The approved schedule of accommodation will provide Radio Hong Kong with a building of its own for the first time in its history (broadcasting began in the Colony in 1928) and the new premises will incorporate a comprehensive range of broadcasting facili- ties. The cost of the new centre is estimated to be in the region of $4,500,000, and completion is expected in mid-1967.

2. Another important event in 1964 was the establishment of the Asian Broadcasting Union in July, and the admittance of Radio Hong Kong as an Associate Member of the Union at the first General Assembly in Sydney in November. The Colony was represented on this occasion by the Director of Broadcasting, Mr. D. E. BROOKS. Radio Hong Kong was also represented at a number of other international events during the year; the Head of the English Service, Mr. T. A. BIRCH, attended the Second International Conference of Broadcasting Organizations on Sound and Television Schools Broadcasting, sponsored by the European Broadcasting Union, in Tokyo in April, two Chinese Service Producers, Mr. K. P. CHENG and Mr. H. P. CHANG covered the Olympic Games in Tokyo in October, and Mr. Iain FINLAY, English Service Producer, was one of the official Government delegates to the San Francisco World Trade Fair in September.

3. The number of radio receivers in use continued to rise during the year, but this rise was not reflected in the number of broadcast re- ceiving licences in force, which fell from 143,298 on 31st March, 1964 to 140,909 on 1st April, 1965. It has been estimated that the loss to Government may be in the region of $1,500,000 and energetic steps are

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