ENG-1987 — Page 299

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

247

Complaints Committee was also established under its ambit to handle complaints relating to the industry.

The Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing is the principal execu- tive officer of the authority. He is responsible for the enforcement of the programme, advertising and technical standards required of licensees, and for monitoring regularly the performance of the television stations to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of their licences.

In the area of technological developments, major advancements were made during the year in television transmission coverage. With the completion of the two new transposer stations at Sha Tau Kok and Sha Tin, bringing the total number of transposer stations in the territory to 18, television reception is now made possible for nearly all areas in Hong Kong with a population of over 4000 within a radius of three kilometres. The two television stations have also agreed to improve and standardise the quality of television reception by replacing the separate antennae used for the individual channels at the Temple Hill main transmitter station with a combined broad-band antennae system. The system is expected to be in full operation in mid-1988.

On the other hand, competition between the stations remains keen. At the beginning of the year, ATV renamed its Chinese and English language services as the Gold and Diamond channels. Both stations introduced major changes to their routine scheduling patterns to attract more viewers. Strip programming is still predominant and station- produced serialised drama remains the main attraction on the Chinese services. Historical epics, dramas on legendary figures, martial arts dramas, situation comedies, soap operas and action adventures are still popular. The long serialised drama, single plays and one-off drama have also made a comeback. The introduction of the 'docudrama', adaptations of classical and contemporary works of literature are also well received. There is also a significant increase in the broadcast of drama productions made in China.

The output of informative and educational enrichment programmes, which often take the form of documentaries, magazine shows and 'two-minuters', has continued to increase. There is also a marked increase in the production of current affairs programmes related to matters of social controversy and civic education. The series of panel discussions and forums held on the Green Paper on the 1987 Review of Developments in Representative Government is a notable example.

In addition to the above, beauty pageants, talent contests, award presentations and variety spectaculars remain a staple fare of light entertainment. Coverage of local and international sports events is still extensive, and includes regular satellite transmissions of the Superbowl, Wimbledon, FA Cup, South American soccer championships, world snooker and other major sports tournaments.

The television productions are more varied, sophisticated and technically proficient. Television Home Viewing Groups appointed by the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing have been in operation since 1982 in each of Hong Kong's 19 districts. These groups, set up with the assistance of district offices and having a total membership of 570, provide the commissioner with a continuing flow of public opinion on programming and advertising across a broad spectrum of the population. Three Regional Advisory Panels, one each for Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, consisting of representative members from each area, were established in 1983 and have served to keep the Broadcasting Authority in close contact with the Home Viewing Groups. Radio Television Hong Kong, which uses the transmission services of the two commer- cial stations, produced 12 hours of public affairs programmes each week.