HONG KONG faces greater demand from foreign broadcasters for ownership of satellite uplinking licences, and further consolidation of its newspaper publishing industry, after the handover, say media insiders.
Satellite broadcasters, including some of the industry's biggest names - STAR TV, Turner Broadcasting and CNBC - are operating in an environment where legislation permits only 49 per cent foreign ownership of satellite uplinking licences. The recent trend has been for governments to take back control of their airwaves.
Most of the broadcasters interviewed were optimistic about the opportunities ahead for their companies with Hong Kong part of China, but stress 100 per cent ownership, or a controlling share, of licences is vital for profitability.
A Hong Kong Government official has hinted changes are afoot but no legislation has been passed.
In publishing, the SAR's 10 major daily Chinese-language newspapers will face further consolidation, with too many papers chasing too few advertisers.
A four-month price war begun in late 1995 led to the closure of four newspapers, and entertainment magazines face a similar situation after the handover, says a media analyst.
