Commercial Radio Hong Kong (CRHK, , aka Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited is one of the two commercial radio broadcasting companies in Hong Kong along with Metro Radio Hong Kong. CRHK provides radio programmes including news and weather reports, they also produce radio programmes for music, informative, educational, artistical and cultural.
History
CRHK was founded by George Ho Cho-chi on 26 August 1959, when he inherited HK$50,000 from his father Sir Robert Ho Tung. The 10-year franchise of Radio Rediffusion ended its radio operation in 1959. CRHK joined Radio Rediffusion and Radio Television Hong Kong to make what was called the "Three kingdoms of local radio stations". It was one of the most flourishing times in Hong Kong radio broadcasting history, since more competition yielded better productions. However, Radio Rediffusion closed down at the end of September 1973.
At the very beginning, Commercial Radio was situated at Lai Chi Kok, near Mei Foo Sun Chuen. 9 years later, they moved to Broadcast Drive on 25 July 1966.
At that time, the new five-floor building was under refurbishment, the station was temporarily housed in Yau Yat Chuen, until 26 August 1971.
Although CRHK has its own news broadcasts nowadays and provides the latest news on major events around the world, the news division of CRHK was only formed in 1974. At first, news broadcasts were provided by the Information Services Department of the Hong Kong government and later from RTHK. The establishment of its own news division marked a new era in the company's history, since it finally became an independent organisation.
G.J. Ho, son of George Ho, is now the chairman of CRHK. The licence of CRHK was renewed on 22 July 2003 and will last for another 12 years until 26 August 2016. The statutory body Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority continue to regulate Hong Kong broadcasters.
Channels
Currently CRHK broadcasts through two Cantonese Channels on the FM band and an English one on the AM band. All of the channels are 24-hour broadcast and each of them has its distinct programme formats and audience.
FM 88.1
CR1 FM 88.1 () has the widest audience base in Hong Kong. It is a talk-based channel which broadcasts current affairs, traffic and financial information. There are also many talk shows and interactive phone-in shows. It also offers some cultural dramas programmes. Its target audience are 25- to 40-year-old professionals.
FM 90.3
CR2 FM 90.3 () is a music-based channel targeted at the younger generation and audience who are interested in pop music.
The station hosts the 903 Top 20, a record chart based on airtime.
The programmes feature the latest news in pop music, including Cantonese, Japanese and English songs. This channel is also known for organising one of the four Hong Kong annual music awards, in which the prizes are awarded to the singers according to how often their songs are plugged, as they call it in Hong Kong, by the DJs.
AM 864
AM 864 () is an English channel. It used to offer a diversity of music, from the latest international hits to hip-hop, R&B, jazz, rock and roll and grunge music. It was intended to cater toward audiences all around the world.
Audiences could keep up with the latest news, especially with global issues, through CRHK. News were broadcast every hour throughout the day, with weather forecast and traffic reports. In addition, it regularly produced news reports and public affairs programmes.
From 2000–2003, AM864 was partnered with HMV and was called HMV 864. Amongst other name, Quote 864 was also used as an on-air name.
In 2004 the station became all music, i.e. without presenters, and only breaking for the hourly news. The format is hit music from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. It caters to music lovers from every generation.
Notable programmes
FM 88.1
Among all 88.1 Programmes, there are three programmes that actively discuss contemporary Hong Kong political, social and economic issues every day.
"On a Clear Day" airs during the weekdays, from Monday to Friday, from 6am to 10am. This four-hour programme is hosted by Stephen Chan, Chan Chung and Ken Kwok. The hosts make the programme more interactive by inviting some of the audience and sometimes guests to participate in the discussion of current issues. The programme has a session called voice column in which some Commercial Radio DJs participate as columnists, sharing their own viewpoints on certain issues, e.g. the column "" by To Kit, who has worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation for 8 years.