For Cable TV, landing exclusive rights to broadcast the 2002 World Cup finals is a great coup. Subscribers can be expected to sign up in huge numbers rather than risk missing their favourite matches. It is here that the problem lies. Even by the company's estimates, up to a 10th of local households will still not have access to Cable TV in 2002. Judging from the slow pace of expansion so far, the actual number may turn out to be even higher. The Government also intends to take back the microwave frequencies by which many existing subscribers receive cable programmes. This means that remote areas, such as parts of Sai Kung where it is uneconomic to lay cables, risk being cut off. That may not sound like a life or death matter. But it is not necessary to look back very far for examples of the extraordinary passions which football can arouse and the interest it evokes here. Manchester United were treated like heroes during their recent visit. Even Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan Fang On-sang joined the scramble for tickets. In Britain, television coverage of sport is taken so seriously that there is even a law about it. It lists key events that can only be shown on free-to-air channels, where everyone can see them. Hong Kong is not going to follow suit on that score. But, given the huge enthusiasm for the World Cup, this is more than merely a commercial matter. Cable TV could be magnanimous in victory by letting ATV and TVB screen some matches. And the Government might re-think its stance on the microwave frequencies. That way, everyone in Hong Kong could enjoy the great event, no matter where they live.
