Television Broadcasts Limited
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| Television Broadcasts Limited | |||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese: | 電視廣播有限公司 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese: | 电视广播有限公司 | ||||||||||||
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| Television Broadcasts Limited | |
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| Type | Public SEHK: 0511,OTCBB: TVBCY |
| Founded | Broadcast Drive, Kowloon, Hong Kong (1967) |
| Headquarters | 77 Chun Choi Street Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate; New Territories, Hong Kong |
| Key people | Sir Run Run Shaw |
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Products | TVB Jade, TVB Pearl, TVBI, TVB Pay Vision, TVBS, TVBcom Limited, TVB magazine, etc. |
| Revenue | $4.18 billion HK dollars (2005-2006) |
| Employees | 4519 (December 2005) |
| Website | http://www.tvb.com |
Television Broadcasts Limited (SEHK: 0511,OTCBB: TVBCY), commonly known as TVB, was the first over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. Commenced broadcasting on November 19, 1967. [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 Cantonese: mo sin din si) in Chinese. Although there is more than one wireless television station now (the other is Asia Television, the successor of Rediffusion Television), TVB is still known as "Wireless Television" today.
TVB is now the largest commercial Chinese program producer, with a staff of about four thousand five hundred, including about five hundred 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), which TVB Jade enjoys the largest audience share in Hong Kong. TVB will also gradually launch their digital terrestrial television Services, including Hong Kong's One-and-Only 24-hour high definition channel - HD Jade and 2 standard definition channels(J2 and Interactive Information Channel)[3][4] TVB will adopt H.264/MPEG-4 AVC as the codec for all new channels (Simulcast channels will be encoded with MPEG-2).[5] Besides, TVB is providing twelve pay-tv channels for its associated company, TVB Pay Vision Limited.
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.[6] In Taiwan, TVB operates through its TVBS subsidiary.
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 planetary 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.
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[edit] 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 program line-up 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 T.V. 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 distributes 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.[7] It ruled that three TVB staff members under scrutiny were not guilty. Afterwards, TVB reformed its music programs in a bid to reestablish their authority.[8]
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, organized the biggest fundraising campaign in the company's history in response to South-East Asia's recent tsunami. It raised over one hundred million Hong Kong dollars to assist those affected.
From 31st March 2008, TVBS-Europe launched their "Multi-channel" package in Europe. It consists of 5 different channels which include the existing TVBS-Europe Channel plus the addition of TVBN, TVB Entertainment News, TVB Classic and TVB Lifestyle.[9]
[edit] Location
TVB was originally located on Broadcast Drive in Kowloon Tong, and was neighbours with RTHK and ATV. By the late 1980s, the company had out-grown the facility at Broadcast Drive, and built a new studio complex, named T.V. City, at Clearwater Bay in Sai Kung.
To cope with future development and expansion, TVB began planning in 1998 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 six hundred and thirty, is the largest television production studio among commercial television stations in Asia.[10]
[edit] News operation
TVB broadcasts several news programs, such as News at 6:30 (Jade) and News at 7:30 (Pearl). It also operates its own news channel, TVBN. (Chinese: 無綫新聞台; pinyin: wúxiàn xīnwéntái) and TVBN2 (Chinese: 無綫新聞二台; pinyin: wúxiàn xīnwénèrtái), through TVB Pay Vision (Chinese: 無綫收費電視; pinyin: wúxiàn shōufèi diànshì).
[edit] Notable shows from TVB
TVB is a major television-producer in Hong Kong, and its programs usually receive greater ratings than offerings from the other local television stations.
- Racing Peak a popular series about a horse race company starring Felix Wong and Amy Chan.
- A Kindred Spirit 真情 was a classic 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). It's exceptional longevity still amazes people in a city where scripted TV drama programs typically only last around twenty episodes, with the show running daily. The total number of episodes is 1,128.
- Super Trio Series 獎門人系列 Long running and popular variety game show since 1994.
- 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 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 starring Felix Wong and Carina Lau (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 (three installments, one spin-off, four seasons in total. Talks about a pair of detectives solving criminal cases within Hong Kong.)
- Files of Justice 壹號皇庭 (five seasons, a little similar to Law and Order, except that they actually spend more time on debating law-suits in the court)
- Secret of Heart 天地豪情 starring Gallen Lo, Felix Wong, Amy Kwok, Kathy Chow, Jessica Hsuan, Paul Chun (three seasons in one shot, sixty-one episodes. Made the villain in the series, Nick Cheung) become a star and grabbed many awards for other fellow cast members.
- Untraceable Evidence 鑑證實錄 (two seasons. It is remembered for its story-line along with forensic science, somewhat similar to the US CSI franchise)
- Cold Blood Warm Heart 天地男兒 (an all-time favourite classic remembered for its amazing love triangle and plot with Gallen Lo, Julian Cheung Chilam, Nnadia Chen and Jessica Hsuan. Gallen Lo's role as a villain was most noticeable.)
- 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 season in total so far. Talks about the discrimination women face within the police force.)
- Journey to the West 西遊記 (one of the few TVB Jade programs to be dubbed in English and rebroadcast on TVB Pearl. Tells the story of the Monkey King and his journey to retrieve the scrolls. It also helped relaunch 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 a God, and battle of two sides against an evil concubine who titled herself as the Queen. This was Benny Chan Ho Man's most notable role.)
- War and Beauty 金枝慾孽 (a very popular drama which talks about how four women of the king battle psychological in order to achieve their own purpose by being the most beloved women of the King. Time was set at the Qing dynasty.
- Wars of In-Laws 我的野蠻奶奶 (The 2005 Best Series Award winner with a modern-day spin-off)
- La Femme Desperado 女人唔易做 (a series deals with the social issues in today's society & 2006 Best Series winner)
- Heart of Greed 溏心風暴 (Very high rating series and 2007 Best Series Award Winner)
[edit] Notable staff members
[edit] Management and behind the scenes
- Sir Run Run Shaw (邵逸夫) G.B.M. (Executive Chairman)
- Mona Fong (方逸華) (Deputy Chairwoman and Acting Managing Directress)
- Stephen Chan Chi Wan (陳志雲) General Manager
- Virginia Lok TVB's high executive
[edit] Actors (Past and present)
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[edit] Actresses (Past and present)
[edit] Channel List
[edit] See also
- List of Hong Kong companies
- List of Chinese companies
- Asia Television Limited - rival broadcaster
[edit] References
- ^ The company registed on July 26, 1965 C.R. No:0011781（Television Broadcasts Limited）—The Cyber Search Centre of the Integrated Companies Registry Information System
- ^ a b c Corporate Information. Television Broadcasts Limited (2006). Retrieved on 2007-06-14.
- ^ Television Broadcasts Limited Provides Hong Kong's One-and-Only Free 24-Hour High Definition Channel. TVB (12/12/2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
- ^ Picture imperfect. The Standard (11/06/2007). Retrieved on 11/06/2007.
- ^ OFTA, HKSAR Government. "Technical Standard for Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting - Statement of the Telecommunications Authority", HKSAR Government, 4/6/07. Retrieved on 4/6/07.
- ^ Corporate Info. TVBI Company Limited (2007). Retrieved on 11/06/2007.
- ^ Stars arrested over 'rigged' awards. BBC (2004). Retrieved on 11/06/2007.
- ^ 舞影行動終止 何麗全曾國強陳家倫慶清白 (in simplied Chinese). 金羊網 (21/1/2005). Retrieved on 11/06/2007.
- ^ http://www.chinese-channel.co.uk/en/event_1_info.php?id=116
- ^ Grand Opening of Television Broadcasts Limited's TVB City A Significant Milestone of the Broadcasting and Production Industry in Hong Kong. TVB (12/10/2003). Retrieved on 11/06/2007.
Pinyin translated with CozyChinese.COM
