The words are clear. 'Kill the fan,' says CBS anchorman Dan Rather, perspiring gently in a sultry Wan Chai dawn. This is the United States CBS Evening News, live from an open-sided tent-like studio on the roof of the Academy for Performing Arts.
Looking into a monitor, he carefully calms an unruly hair, swept out of place by the cooling breeze. 'What are NBC and ABC doing?' a producer by his side asks urgently. 'Are they going live from Hong Kong too?' '[NBC's Tom] Brokaw is,' answers another, glancing across the harbour to the Regent Hotel where NBC has set up offices in a plush suite, with a studio on the terrace. Rather turns back to the camera to read his next intro, manly smile switched on, eyes glinting.
Rather, Brokaw and ABC's Peter Jennings - the veteran kings of US network news, battling daily for ratings - have touched down for the handover action.
Later, after he had negotiated the darkened stairs to the temporary CBS office a few floors below, Rather, 65, said: 'We run our own race, but we do want to be aware of where our competition is, and what they're doing. We take the lead on this story. The quality and depth of our coverage, particularly inside China, sets us apart.' Each presenter is a multi-millionaire - although their exact salaries are unknown, US press reports estimate their earnings at US$4 million to US$5 million (about HK$31.2 million to HK$39 million) a year.
The trio arrived in Hong Kong last week to present their networks' early evening news, and a raft of current affairs programmes.
Brokaw plans to leave tomorrow, Jennings and Rather on Wednesday.
