Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK plans to spend about US$ 774 million (HK$6 billion) on its new state of the art studios, according to a source at the station.
The building of New Broadcasting House will see the radio and TV network move out of its current premises at Broadcasting Drive in Kowloon Tong, as well as several other buildings.
The road became famous because it was once home to five of Hong Kong’s broadcasters but only two, RTHK and Commercial Radio Hong Kong (CRHK) remain.
New Broadcasting House will be located in Tsueng Kwang O in the New Territories, taking up an area of about 30,600 m2.
The total net operational floor area will be 27,600 m2, close to double the current capacity at its three current buildings and other facilities.
Director of Broadcasting Roy Tang told staff the move would “address our dire needs for additional accommodation” and promised “modernised broadcasting and production facilities”.
The plans include both self-op studios and continuity studios for RTHK’s existing analogue and digital radio services. Small and large radio production studios will also be built.
A brand new news centre, complete with a newsroom and TV and radio facilities, are also planned along with top-notch television facilities.
The plan will be put before the IT and Broadcasting panel from Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (Legco) next week before funding is formally requested over the following two months.
It’s hoped construction on the new facility will start next year and be fully operational by 2018.