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90 Years of Public Service Broadcasting in Hong Kong

1/F Thematic Galleries 1, 2 & Function Place
7 November 2018 – 25 February 2019

Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Radio Television Hong Kong
Jointly organised by Hong Kong Heritage Museum and Radio Television Hong Kong

Radio and television broadcasting is closely related to the daily lives of Hong Kong people. The broadcasting industry provides news and entertainment, bears testimony to social events, and promotes history, culture and art. It develops alongside our society and is our collective memory at all times.

In June 1928, the then Hong Kong Government took over a non-governmental radio broadcasting body – Hong Kong Radio Society – to commence its broadcasting services. With "GOW" as its call-sign, the broadcaster marked the founding of what is known today as Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). Since then, RTHK has become the sole public service broadcaster in Hong Kong. As the years passed, technological advances facilitated RTHK's innovation and evolution of programmes. In addition to its long established radio service, RTHK later launched its TV service followed by the development of its website and mobile apps. News, information and entertainment are provided on various platforms to suit the public's changing lifestyle.

To mark the 90th anniversary of public service broadcasting in Hong Kong in 2018, Hong Kong Heritage Museum and RTHK have jointly organised an exhibition — 90 Years of Public Service Broadcasting in Hong Kong to celebrate this developmental milestone. Through the presentation of a recording studio, classic programme scenes, displays of RTHK's invaluable photos and audio-visual archival materials, the exhibition showcases the development of Hong Kong's broadcasting industry with RTHK as the focus and lets visitors revisit the glorious moments of its history through sound and image.

Special Programmes for Exhibition "90 Years of Public Service Broadcasting in Hong Kong"

 

Exhibit Highlights

A Marconi microphone used in the studios

A Marconi microphone used in the studios

1930s

 

Programme chart

1941

Programme chart

 

A vacuum tube radio

A vacuum tube radio

1950s

 

The hosts of RTHK Radio 2's New Generation
celebrated the programme's fifth anniversary

1979

The hosts of RTHK Radio 2's New Generation celebrated the programme's fifth anniversary

 

People gather in front of a grocery store, listening to the radio.

People gather in front of a grocery store,
listening to the radio.

 

 

The first Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards presentation ceremony,
held at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel on 20 February 1979.

 

The first Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards presentation ceremony, held at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel on 20 February 1979.

 

Sound effects and voice actors recording a radio drama.

Sound effects and voice actors recording a radio drama.

1963

 

Still from When We were Young

1977

Still from When We were Young

 

Three Little Fairies

Three Little Fairies
(from left) Sandy Lamb, Lawrence Cheng and Susanne Ho

1987

 

Qipao (cheongsam), a fashionable dress in the 1940s – 1950s worn by actress Kelly Yao in Miracle of the Orient.

 

Qipao (cheongsam), a fashionable dress in the 1940s – 1950s

 

Actress Kelly Yao in Miracle of the Orient

 

Superstars (back row, starting third from left) Adam Cheng, Samuel Hui and Chow Yun-fat celebrate the launch of RTHK New Radio 2.

Superstars (back row, starting third from left)
Adam Cheng, Samuel Hui and Chow Yun-fat
celebrate the launch of RTHK New Radio 2.

1981