TV for thinkers (and free of propaganda)

Media commentator Chip Tsao, at the launch ceremony for new pay-TV channels the History Channel and the Crime and Investigation Network: 'History has been made a very dull and even repugnant subject in Hong Kong education due to the teaching method and the design of the curriculum. The audience for Hong Kong television is from the Pearl River Delta region and they are not interested in anything thoughtful. They are just keen on something instant and impulsive - like things which will stimulate them to buy or to follow a famous star or programmes that will help them make more money.

'History is about the self-progression and reflection of one's whole life, and the way one thinks, which is not that popular among Chinese and Hong Kong people. Unlike the history programmes I did for TVB Jade, the shows on these new channels are not propaganda. History programmes are always packaged as propaganda, especially Chinese series and documentaries.'