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Hong Kong

RTHK to revise costs of new headquarters

Broadcaster says it has to expand if it is to meet programming needs of new digital channel

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RTHK's Tai Keen-man (left) and Forever Sze are looking at cutting building costs in a revised plan for the broadcaster's new headquarters. Photo: Dickson Lee
Amy Nip

RTHK aims to take a revised plan for its new headquarters to the Legislative Council this month after lawmakers rejected its HK$6.1 billion funding request on Friday.

The station revealed the plan yesterday as it geared up for the launch of its new digital channel RTHK TV31 on Sunday.

Deputy director of broadcasting Tai Keen-man said that without the planned new building in Tseung Kwan O, it would be difficult for the broadcaster to offer programmes to fill the channel throughout the day.

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He said the public broadcaster was now looking at different options including cost reduction before taking the amended proposal - to be completed within two weeks - back to Legco.

The HK$6.1 billion request rejected by Legco's public works subcommittee last week was almost four times the 2009 estimate of HK$1.6 billion.

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While declining to spell out details, assistant director of broadcasting Forever Sze Wing-yuen said construction costs constituted the biggest part of the expense. "We have been in discussion with the Buildings Department over this," Sze said.

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