ENG-1972 — Page 216

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PRESS, BROADCASTING AND CINEMA

suites. The RTV network not only covers Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon penin- sula, but also extends to many parts of the New Territories. There are now more than 100,000 subscribers to RTV.

HK-TVB, which has operated under an exclusive licence during its first five years, broadcasts two wireless channels, the Jade (Chinese) and the Pearl (English). The company employs the UHF, 625-line PAL colour system with its main transmitters on Temple Hill. There are now nine auxiliary transmitters located in various areas so as to give complete coverage to both urban and, with the exception of minor isolated pockets, rural Hong Kong. At the end of the year, HK-TVB installed an additional storey onto its large studio and office complex. There are now 489 locally trained personnel employed by the company.

With installation of new equipment fully completed, the new television unit of Radio Hong Kong began regular production of programmes during the year. These public affairs programmes are transmitted by the commercial television companies under an agreement with the government.

Now in its second year, the Educational Television Division (ETV) of the Educa- tion Department operates from the ETV centre in Broadcast Drive. It produces 15-minute programmes for primary schools which are transmitted five days a week via RTV and HK-TVB,

Sound Broadcasting

Hong Kong is served by three broadcasting organisations all operating both English and Chinese sound channels. Two of the three organisations are commercial and the other is a government station.

Radio Hong Kong broadcasts separate Chinese and English programme services on AM and FM. It is financed from general revenue and carries no advertising. The aim of the government broadcasting service is to provide balanced programmes with the emphasis on information and public affairs. It also plays an important role in assisting the development and better mutual understanding of the problems and attitudes of the different communities.' 1

From its new studios in Broadcast Drive, Commercial Radio broadcasts three services on AM-two in Chinese and one in English. Situated in northern Kowloon, the modern three-storey studio complex was officially opened on August 26, 1971, exactly 12 years after Commercial Radio first went on the air. The opening of these new studios marked a further stage in establishing Broadcast Drive as the centre for all Hong Kong's radio and television stations.

Both Commercial Radio and Radio Hong Kong vary their public affairs content with serious, light and the latest popular music; along with comedy, drama, variety shows and outside broadcast coverage. The two stations also provide comprehensive news and weather services throughout the day.

The wired sound service of Rediffusion (Hong Kong) Ltd, a locally controlled subsidiary of the organisation which operates in Britain and many other Common- wealth countries, is distributed throughout the urban areas of Hong Kong and