A feeling of deja vu enveloped Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) as the government-run broadcaster hit the headlines again: this time on the fate of its two popular programmes.
On Saturday, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology John Tsang Chun-wah announced there would be no live broadcasts of horse racing on RTHK next season. The decision is widely seen as singalling a major shake-up of the broadcaster.
'Theoretically, a public broadcaster which is running on government money should not in any way compete with commercial organisations,' he said.
His remarks followed a similar comment made by Donald Tsang Yam-kuen during the chief executive election campaign. 'I don't like their live broadcasts of horse-racing meetings,' Mr Tsang said.
Along the same lines, Mr Tsang also questioned the wisdom of the station hosting the annual Top 10 Chinese Gold Songs award. 'As a public broadcaster, it should not go into the entertainment business,' he said.
The remarks have caused quite a stir, with callers to radio phone-in programmes sharply divided over the issue.
Loyal listeners to RTHK's horse-racing broadcast spoke against terminating the decades-old programme. Opponents have echoed the officials' view. Noting the four annual pop song awards organised by different broadcasters, including RTHK, Canto-pop star Alan Tam Wing-lun is adamant more is better when it comes to the promotion of pop music culture.