VCR use in Hong Kong 1 |
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| Authors: | Bryce T McIntyre |
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| Institution: | Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong |
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| Abstract: | The VCR has long been viewed as a potential threat to conventional broadcast television and movie attendance, but research findings on this issue are somewhat mixed, A growing body of research suggests that a “complementarity principle” is at work—that is to say, the VCR is an extension and a reflection of older audio‐visual media—and this study seeks to explore that role in Southeast Asia. Hong Kong was considered an appropriate site for the study because Hong Kong is typical of many small, developing nations with a rapidly growing middle class and a new‐found prosperity. Its differences from Western nations notwithstanding, Hong Kong bears many similarities to the West, especially in terms of economic and social indicators. Research from the West is thus used as a starting point for the formulation of hypotheses in this study. Data were collected as part of Hong Kong's 1990 Indicators of Social Development study. This study confirms research in Western nations indicating that he VCR does not compete with cinema‐going and TV viewing, but complements these activities. In other words, the “complementarity principle” was sustained. On the other hand, some interesting deviations from Western patterns of VCR use also are noted. |
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