ENG-2006 — Page 427

Communications, the Media and Information Technology | 359

Radio Television Hong Kong

Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), a government department, is an editorially independent public broadcaster which provides quality radio and television programmes for Hong Kong citizens.

RTHK currently operates seven radio channels and produces over 970 hours of radio programmes each week broadcast in Cantonese, English and Putonghua. RTHK plays an important role in the dissemination of important public information. In 2006, its radio division made considerable efforts to arouse public awareness of environmental protection, healthy living and a harmonious community.

RTHK also produced about 560 hours of TV programmes in 2006, excluding school educational TV programmes, which were broadcast on both free-to-air and pay television platforms. These programmes constantly scored the highest average rating in the Appreciation Index Survey, a public opinion survey jointly sponsored by RTHK and commercial television operators. In 2006, RTHK's programmes were awarded 35 commendations at international and local television festivals. RTHK also produced school educational television programmes and pre-primary school programmes in support of the Government's education policies.

RTHK has embraced the digital era and started broadcasting online since 1994. The daily average hit rate of RTHK on Internet is 26 million. RTHK continues to harness the multi-media potential on different emerging media platforms in the converging era, such as licensing web content to mobile operators and providing a podcasting service.

Recent Developments

The boundaries between broadcasting, telecommunications and information technology are blurring. As a result of the development of digital technology, communications companies can provide broadcasting, telephony and internet access services over the same telecommunications network. The Government has been reviewing the regulatory regime to ensure that it remains conducive to new technological and business developments. In 2006, the Government consulted the public on the proposal to merge the BA and the Telecommunications Authority into a unified regulator responsible for overseeing the whole electronic communications sector. Such an institutional arrangement, in line with the international trend, will enable the unified regulator to have a broad vision and jurisdiction to cope with challenges in the converging environment. The public supported the proposed merger, and the Government plans to introduce the draft legislation in 2007 to pave the way for the merger's implementation.

The Government encourages the deployment of digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting technology in Hong Kong to enhance spectrum efficiency and enable the provision of new services such as high-definition television (HDTV) broadcasting. According to the policy framework for implementing DTT broadcasting promulgated by the Government, the two incumbent terrestrial broadcasters, Asia Television Limited and Television Broadcasts Limited, are required to launch DTT, including broadcasting HDTV programmes, by 2007, and achieve 75 per cent of digital