ENG-1978 — Page 244

THE MEDIA

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in Hong Kong is believed to be among the lowest in the world and no licence is required for either.

Hong Kong has two operating enfranchised commercial broadcasting stations Television Broadcasts Limited and Rediffusion Television Limited, commonly referred to as TVB and RTV. Both stations provide Chinese and English language services. On October 19, 1978, the High Court granted a winding-up order for the territory's third enfranchised television station, Commercial Television Limited (CTV), following a petition filed by former CTV staff.

The provisions of the Television Ordinance are administered by the Television Authority. This office is vested in the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing, who is responsible for the regulation of station licences and the enforcement of the programme, advertising and technical standards required of the licensees.

The statements and representations made by the television stations in their applica- tion forms for licences are incorporated as terms of their licences. As some changes in the structure of CTV could have been in conflict with its original submission, an inquiry by the Television Advisory Board was ordered by the Governor in Council in December, 1977. Following consideration of the Television Advisory Board's report together with the station's representations, a letter was sent by the government to CTV asking them to revise certain matters affecting the structure of the company. However, on August 22, 1978, CTV of its own volition announced that because of financial difficulties it was ceasing operation and programme transmission closed on that day. Both TVB and RTV maintain large and well-equipped studio and office complexes, using the latest production and transmission techniques. The UHF, 625-line PAL colour system is standard and virtually all transmissions are in colour. TVB and RTV Chinese and English channels broadcast more than 60 hours of programmes each day, reaching an estimated three million viewers. CTV broadcast about 10 hours a day before its closure.

The most popular programmes are the locally-produced Chinese drama and variety series, which often have audiences of more than two million viewers. In particular, the daily contemporary social drama serials have dominated programme ratings with family dynastic stories and a large cast of characters and complex plots. On the variety side viewers may choose from hour-long entertainment spectaculars, often set in out- side locations, to simple studio productions. High viewer ratings are also achieved by news programmes, which provide comprehensive coverage of both local and inter- national events. Imported programmes from many parts of the world are broadcast either in their original language or dubbed into Cantonese.

In addition to its major function as a source of entertainment, good use is also made of television in the field of education. The government Educational Television (ETV), which utilises the transmission facilities of the commercial stations, is watched by 620,000 children in both primary and secondary schools. The programmes are written by specialist Education Department staff who provide schools with the associated programme literature and follow-up work, while the programmes are produced in colour by the government station, Radio Television Hong Kong, using film animation, drama and documentary techniques.

Under the terms of the Television Ordinance, all stations are required to provide air-time for government-produced programmes. Other than the topical features and