Radio_Hong_Kong_1968-1969 — Page 7

INTRODUCTION-GENERAL REVIEW

THE most significant event of the year, and in the history of Radio Hong Kong, was the completion of Broadcasting House in March, 1969. For the first time since broadcasting began in Hong Kong in 1928, Radio Hong Kong now has its own studio centre, with all facilities accommodated in a single building designed solely for broadcasting.

2. My last report gave details of the demanding building schedule which had to be met if Government was to fulfil its agreement with Cable and Wireless Ltd. that the Mercury House studios would be completely vacated by 31st March, 1969. In the event, much to the credit of the architect, engineers and contractors, all work went according to plan and Mercury House was turned over to Cable and Wireless several days ahead of schedule. A description of Broadcasting House and its facilities will be found later in this report.

3. With the main studio facilities now located in Kowloon, it is necessary that secondary facilities be provided on the Island, in order, primarily, to provide an operational base for news reporters. Accord- ingly accommodation has been leased in Sutherland House, where three small studios, a sub-newsroom, and an administrative office are being built. This complex will be linked by landlines to Broadcasting House, and by teleprinter with the Information Services Department, and will be Radio Hong Kong's Island news centre.

4. Information Services Department is responsible for the compila- tion of a number of Radio Hong Kong's news bulletins (others being relayed from the BBC) and the ISD radio newsroom also supplies bulletins to Commercial Radio and Rediffusion. The newsroom was located in Beaconsfield House on the Island, but since all of the Colony's radio and television stations are now in Kowloon, and ultimately all will be in the 'radio and television city' area of Broadcast Drive, it was decided to transfer and newsroom to Broadcasting House. The move took place simultaneously with the transfer of broadcasting operations from Mercury House on 3rd March, and the newsroom staff now work alongside the Radio Hong Kong news magazine staff, to their mutual benefit. The newsroom is linked to the ISD press room,

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