TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED

'Television Broadcasts Limited' (), commonly known as 'TVB', was the first over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. Founded on July 26 1965 ^[1] with a staff of about 4,500, it is now one of two free-to-air television broadcasters in Hong Kong, the other being its arch-rival in business, ATV.^[2]
TVB is the first free-to-air (FTA) television broadcaster in Hong Kong. When TVB first began broadcasting, to distinguish it from the only cable television broadcaster, Rediffusion Television, it was commonly known as "Wireless Television" (無綫電視 pinyin: wúxiàn diànshì) in Chinese. Although there is more than one wireless television station now (the other is Asia Television, the succeeder of Rediffusion Television), TVB is still known as "Wireless Television" today.
TVB is now the largest commercial Chinese program producer in the world, with a staff of about 4,500, including about 500 contract artists and staff in overseas subsidiary companies. The company's current chairman is Sir Run Run Shaw.²
It owns two free-to-air channels in Hong Kong, namely TVB Jade (Cantonese) and TVB Pearl (English and foreign languages). TVB Jade enjoys the largest audience share in Hong Kong, and is often referred to simply as TVB. TVB is also involved in Hong Kong's pay-TV market, providing twelve channels for its associated company, TVB Pay Vision Limited. TVB have also decided to launch a free-to-air HDTV channel in 2007 Q3, offering general entertainment programing with more than 14 hours of high definition programs per day. ^[3]
TVB reaches out to the overseas Chinese communities. Its productions are available in Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, among others, on channels such as TVB's own TVBS-Europe[1] subscription satellite service. ^[4]Its dramas are internationally acclaimed, and many of Hong Kong's top film and pop stars started their careers at TVB. Special TVB events such as the annual ''TVB Anniversary Celebration'' are broadcast to worldwide audience. TVB also runs talent programmes such as the annual Miss Hong Kong and Miss Chinese International beauty pageants. Successful contestants may be offered TVB's contracts and represent Hong Kong to take part at world-class beauty contests, including the Miss World Pageant.

Contents

Development

News operation

Notable shows from TVB

Notable people

Management and behind the scenes

Actors ( Past and present )

Actresses ( Past and present )

See also

References

External links

Development

TVB enjoys dominance of the television market in Hong Kong, but it is not considered the powerhouse it used to be. It was started in 1965 as a competitor to what was then called Rediffusion Television, later to become ATV, a cable operator that charged subscription fees for its operation, and the only terrestrial competitor to TVB. One of the first show launched was Enjoy Yourself Tonight in 1967.
TVB receives praise for its programming from a wide range of demographics, including the middle class, as was the case with its 2004 historical drama series ''War and Beauty''. Its programme lineup features a steady stream of soap operas, variety shows and other populist fare. Its documentaries and news programming rarely feature serious analysis, skewing instead toward human interest stories.
TVB has been criticised for signing exclusive contracts with many local celebrities which restrict them from appearing on other local television stations. Hong Kong's Cable TV claims it is unfair competition (although Asia Television Ltd, another major television station in Hong Kong, disagrees). In fact, many artists do not have exclusive contracts with TVB and are free to show up in programmes produced by other local television stations or out-sourcing production houses.
The annual TVB Music Awards ceremony is one of the biggest for Cantopop personalities. It is widely rumoured that TVB hands out the awards to those who are obedient to the company's demands, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Hong Kong) has investigated the arrangement of the awards. ^[5]It ruled that three TVB staff members under scrutiny were not guilty. Afterwards, TVB reformed its music programs in a bid to re-establish their authority.^[6]
On the other hand, TVB was awarded the National Association of Broadcasters's (NAB) International Broadcasting Excellence Award in 2001. The award recognised the company's outstanding contributions to the community through a wide range of charitable programs and activities. Hong Kong thus becomes the first city in Asia to receive this prestigious award in this area. ²
In 2005, TVB, in association with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, organised the biggest fundraising campaign in the company's history in response to South-East Asia's tsunami disaster. It raised over 100 million Hong Kong dollars to assist the people affected.
To cope with future development and expansion, TVB began planning in 2019 to develop a replacement facility at the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate. The new HK$2.2 billion TVB City came into full operation in October 2003. The new headquarters are built on by far the largest piece of land ever leased by the then Hong Kong Industrial Estates Corporation and the first service-providing company in the area. It has a building area of over 110,000 square metres, 30% more than that of the previous facilities at Clearwater Bay. Studio 1 in TVB City, which can seat an audience of 630, is the largest television production studio among commercial television stations in Asia.^[7]

News operation

Main articles: TVB News

TVB broadcasts several news programmes, such as News at 6:30 (Jade) and News at 7:30 (Pearl). It also operates its own news channel, TVBN (無綫新聞台 pinyin: wúxiàn xīnwéntái) and TVBN2 (無綫新聞二台 pinyin: wúxiàn xīnwénèrtái), through TVB Pay Vision (無綫收費電視 pinyin: wúxiàn shōufèi diànshì).

Notable shows from TVB

Main articles: List of programmes broadcast by Television Broadcasts Limited

TVB is a major television-producer in Hong Kong, and its programmes usually receive higher ratings than offerings from the other local television stations.

★ A Kindred Spirit 真情 was a television drama series that was broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong from May 15, 1995 to November 11, 1999. It is one of the longest running drama show in Hong Kong television history (the longest being the sitcom Hong Kong 81 series). Its exceptional longevity still amazes people in a city where scripted TV drama programs typically only last around 20 episodes, with the show running daily. The total number of episodes is 1,128.

★ The Legend of the Condor Heroes 射雕英雄傳 (starring the famous on screen couple portrayed by Felix Wong Yat Wah and his co-star Barbara Yung Mei Ling)

★ Return of the Condor Heroes 神雕俠侶 (a highly successful sequel to the first Condor series, starring Andy Lau and Idy Chan)

★ The Bund 上海灘 (a classic series of the 1980s, starring a young Chow Yun-Fat, regarded by many as one of the best TVB series. Chow shot to stardom soon after.)

★ Looking Back in Anger 義不容情 (a classic, it had enormous ratings and was one of the most rented TVB series ever. It is also remembered for its tragic ending.)

★ The Greed of Man 大時代 (one of the most controversial and culturally important shows in the early 1990s. Also remarkable for its effect on the stock market)

★ Detective Investigation Files 刑事偵輯檔案 (3 seasons, 1 spin off season, 4 series in total. Talks about a pair of detectives solving criminal cases within Hong Kong.)

★ Files of Justice 壹號皇庭 (5 seasons, a little similar to Law and Order, except that they actually spend more time on debating lawsuits in the court)

★ Secret of Heart 天地豪情(3 seasons in one shot, 61 episodes. Made the villian in the series, Nick Cheung) become a star and grabbed many awards for other fellow cast members.

★ Untraceable Evidence 鑑證實錄(2 seasons. It is remembered for its storyline along with forensic science, similar to United States series CSI franchise in some way)

★ Cold Blood Warm Heart 天地男儿 (an all-time favourite classic remembered for its amazing love triangle and plot with Gallen Lo, Julian Cheung Chilam, Nnadia Chen and Jessica Tsuan. Gallen Lo's role as a villian was most noticable.)

★ Healing Hands 妙手仁心 (remembered for its remarkable medical accuracy. It is similar to the United States series ''ER'')

★ At the Threshold of an Era 創世紀 (Two series in total. Being the biggest television production ever created in Hong Kong history. It was a celebration for the end of the twentieth century.)

★ Armed Reaction 陀槍師姐 (four series in total. Talks about the discrimination women face within the police force.)

★ Journey to the West 西遊記 (one of the few TVB Jade programmes to be dubbed in English and rebroadcast on TVB Pearl. Tells the story of the Monkey King and his journey to retireve the scrolls. It also helped re-launch Dicky Cheung's career.

★ War of the Genders 男親女愛 (a long-running comedy series, starring the comedic Dayo Wong Tze-Wah and Carol Cheng Yu-Ling, which final episode scored the highest ratings in Hong Kong history at the time).

★ Virtues of Harmony 皆大歡喜 (one of the longest running sitcoms in Hong Kong, a historical costume series with a modern-day spin-off)

★ Gods of Honour 封神榜 (a popular drama about the life and trials of nezha before being God, and battle of two sides against an evil concubine who titled herself as the King. This was Benny Chan Ho Man)'s most notable role.

★ Wars of In-Laws 我的野蠻奶奶 (The 2005 Best Series Award winner)

★ La Femme Desperado 女人唔易做 (a series deals with the social issues in today's society & 2006 Best Series winner)

★ Dicey Business 賭場風雲 (a drama for the 39th anniversary. Known for its bitter sad ending.)

★ Maiden's Vow 鳳凰四重奏 (a drama that centered around a restaurant owned by four generation of woman.)

★ Heart of Greed 溏心風暴 (a notable drama which was aired in 2007 with high ratings and has a popular feedback)

★ The Drive of Life 歲月風雲 ( a drama to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Hong Kong returning to Mainland China)
''For a full list of TVB Dramas, see 'TVB Dramas'''

Notable people

Management and behind the scenes

★ Sir Run Run Shaw (邵逸夫) G.B.M. (Executive Chairman)

★ Mona Fong (方逸華) (Deputy Chairperson and Acting Managing Director)

★ Stephen Chan Chi Wan (陳志雲) General Manager

★ Virginia Lok TVB's high executive

Actors ( Past and present )

★ Bobby Au-Yeung (歐陽震華) ★ Benny Chan Ho Man(陳浩民) ★ Moses Chan (陳豪) ★ Kenneth Chan (陳啟泰) ★ Sunny Chan (陳錦鴻) ★ Adam Cheng (鄭少秋) ★ Ekin Cheng (鄭伊健) ★ Dicky Cheung (張衛健) ★ Julian Cheung Chilam (張智霖) ★ Nick Cheung (張家輝) ★ Chow Yun-Fat (周潤發) ★ Stephen Chow (周星馳) ★ Patrick Dunn (鄧梓峰) ★ Leo Ku (古巨基) ★ Louis Koo (古天樂) ★ Roger Kwok (郭晉安) ★ Chris Lai (黎諾懿) ★ Bowie Lam (林保怡) ★ Frankie Lam (林文龍) ★ Raymond Lam (林峰) ★ Andy Lau (劉德華) ★ Hacken Lee (李克勤) ★ Tony Leung Chiu Wai (梁朝偉)

★ Gallen Lo (羅嘉良) ★ Ray Lui Leung-Wai (呂良偉) ★ Joe Ma (馬德鐘) ★ Steven Ma (馬浚偉) ★ Francis Ng (吳鎮宇) ★ Lawrence Ng (吳啟華) ★ Ron Ng (吳卓羲) ★ Marco Ngai (魏駿傑) ★ Charles Szeto (司徒瑞祈) ★ Patrick Tam (譚耀文) ★ Michael Tao (陶大宇) ★ Kenneth Tsang (曾江) ★ Kent Tong (湯鎮業) ★ Michael Tse (謝天華) ★ Patrick Tse (謝賢) ★ Eric Tsang (曾志偉) ★ Kwong Wah (江華) ★ Bosco Wong (黃宗澤) ★ Dayo Wong (黃子華) ★ Felix Wong (黃日華) ★ Deric Wan (溫兆倫) ★ Fung Woo (胡楓)

Actresses ( Past and present )

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★ Faye Wong (王菲)

★ Astrid Chan（陳芷菁)

★ Flora Chan (陳慧珊)

★ Idy Chan　(陳玉蓮)

★ Nadia Chan (陳松伶)

★ Maggie Chan (陳美琪)

★ Monica Chan (陳法蓉)

★ Stephanie Che (車婉婉)

★ Joyce Chen (陳彥行)

★ Yoyo Chen (陳自瑤)

★ Carol Cheng (鄭裕玲)

★ Angie Cheung (張慧儀)

★ Maggie Cheung Man Yuk (張曼玉)

★ Maggie Cheung Ho Yee (張可頤)

★ Angie Chiu (趙雅芝)

★ Bondy Chiu (趙學而)

★ Ada Choi (蔡少芬)

★ Kathy Chow Hoi-Mei (周海媚)

★ Jessica Hester Hsuan(宣萱)

★ Esther Kwan (關詠荷)

★ Amy Kwok (郭藹明)

★ Kenix Kwok (郭可盈)

★ Sonija Kwok (郭羨妮)

★ Anita Yuen (袁咏仪)

★ Gigi Lai (黎姿)

★ Yvonne Lam (林漪娸)

★ Bernice Liu (廖碧兒)
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★ Annie Man (文頌嫻)

★ Cutie Mui (梅小惠)

★ Yoyo Mung (蒙嘉慧)

★ Melissa Ng (吳美珩)

★ Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼)

★ Lydia Shum (沈殿霞)

★ Winnie Shum (沈穎婷)

★ Nancy Sit (薛家燕)

★ Maggie Siu (邵美琪)

★ Louisa So (蘇玉華)

★ Joyce Tang (滕麗名)

★ Sheren Tang (鄧萃雯)

★ Angela Tong (湯盈盈)

★ Leila Tong (唐寧)

★ Kate Tsui (徐子珊)

★ Liza Wang (汪明荃)

★ Natalie Wong (黃紀瑩)

★ Myolie Wu (胡杏兒)

★ Michelle Ye (葉璇)

★ Michelle Yim (米雪)

★ Vivien Yeo (楊秀惠)

★ Eileen Yeow (姚瑩瑩)

★ Tavia Yeung (楊怡)

★ Shirley Yeung (楊思琦)

★ Kingdom Yuen (苑瓊丹)

★ Barbara Yung (翁美玲)
For an up-dated list with profiles see HKADB.

See also

★ List of Hong Kong companies

★ List of Chinese companies

★ Asia Television Limited - rival broadcaster

References

1. CR No:0011781（Television Broadcasts Limited）—The Cyber Search Centre of the Integrated Companies Registry Information System
2. Corporate Information
3. Picture imperfect
4. Corporate Info
5. Stars arrested over 'rigged' awards
6. 舞影行動終止　何麗全曾國強陳家倫慶清白 (in simplied Chinese)
7. Grand Opening of Television Broadcasts Limited's TVB City A Significant Milestone of the Broadcasting and Production Industry in Hong Kong


Pinyin translated with CozyChinese.COM

External links

★ Official Site

★ TV City

★ TV City Grand Opening

★ TVBI Company Limited

★ TVB資料舘(GB2312)