Page 10 - Sphere No.5 (Feb 2002)

SPHERE
8
MAKING
WAVES
In one short year on air, Metro Finance has established itself as
Hong Kong’s leading financial radio channel.
By Yulanda Chung
L ights, microphone,
action! Surrounded
by three micro-
phones, four com-
puter monitors and two
video cameras, presen-
ter Heung Shu-fai is
unfazed by the myriad
of multimedia equip-
ment before him and
appears utterly relaxed
when he takes his first
phone call from a listen-
er. He talks knowledge-
ably about the latest
market news and passes
on snippets of gossip
from the corridors of
power. Gesturing with a
hand pointed skyward,
he forecasts a bullish
market opening. The
image is fed live to a
giant TV screen on the
wall of The Center
building which can be
seen from the studio sit-
uated on the 1st floor of
the same building in
Hong Kong’s Central
district. Not only must Heung keep
talking; he has to keep smiling for the
camera too.
Pedestrians on their way to work
watch the huge TV screen unblink-
ingly for their first dose of financial
information, a stimulant more uplifting
than their morning cup of coffee.
Meanwhile, listeners in households,
vehicles and workplaces throughout
Business tycoons and
“finance jockeys” are ele-
vated to celebrity status,
hounded as ferociously
by the paparazzi as are
film stars and artistes.
Both entertaining and
informative, Metro Finance
is the World’s first and
only round-the-clock Can-
tonese radio channel
devoted to financial
news. Launched on Feb-
ruary 5, 2001 by the
Metro Broadcast Cor-
poration, one of Hong
Kong’s three radio sta-
tions, Metro Finance has
just celebrated its first
anniversary. During the
year, it has grown into
a household name.
Listeners tune in for
up to-the-minute stock
quotes, investment advice
and 24-hour financial
information. Celebrity host
Heung Shu-fai begins
every trading morning
with a spirited 7.30am
on-air “breakfast meeting”, followed
by a phone-in programme “Stock
Exchange Live”.
In a city where politics and
business rub shoulders, the station
enlists the help of media veterans
like Ng Ming-lam to report on
public affairs.
Lifestyle programmes hosted by
movers and shakers in the Hong Kong
the city tune in to FM104 Metro
Finance for the latest financial news
and stock movements.
Hong Kong investors are known
for their aptitude for finance and
investment. They shout, “sell”, “buy”
and “hold” faster than they order their
favourite dim sum. After a year on air,
Metro Finance has emerged as a star
player in this investment playground.
M E D I A
MILTONWONG (3) — ALL GRAPHIC INFORMATION IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY