Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Television Broadcasts Limited

Television Broadcasts Limited , commonly known as TVB, was the first over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on November 19, 1967.. With a staff of about 4,500, it is one of two free-to-air television broadcasters in Hong Kong, the other being its arch-rival, .

TVB is the first free-to-air 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" in Chinese. Although there is more than one wireless television station now. The company's current chairman is Sir Run Run Shaw. 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 subscription satellite service. 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 the station. 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 .

Development


TVB enjoys dominance of the television market in Hong Kong, but it is not considered the powerhouse it used to be. It 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.

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 . 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 has investigated the arrangement of the awards. 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.

On the other hand, TVB was awarded the National Association of Broadcasters's 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.

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 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.

Location



TVB was originally located on Broadcast Drive in Kowloon Tong, and was neighbours with RTHK and . 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.

News operation



TVB broadcasts several news programs, such as Jade Prime News and Pearl Headline Prime . It also operates its own news channel, TVBN. and TVBN2 , through TVB Pay Vision .

Management


*Sir Run Run Shaw G.B.M.
*Mona Fong
*Stephen Chan Chi Wan General Manager
*Virginia Lok TVB's high executive

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 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 . 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
*Return of the Condor Heroes
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*Looking Back in Anger starring Felix Wong and Carina Lau
*The Greed of Man
*Detective Investigation Files
*Files of Justice
*Secret of Heart starring Gallen Lo, Felix Wong, Amy Kwok, Kathy Chow, Jessica Hsuan, Paul Chun become a star and grabbed many awards for other fellow cast members.
*Untraceable Evidence
*Cold Blood Warm Heart
*Healing Hands
*At the Threshold of an Era
*Armed Reaction
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*War of the Genders .
*Virtues of Harmony
*Gods of Honour
*War and Beauty (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
*La Femme Desperado
*Heart of Greed

Channel List


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*Interactive Channel
*HD Jade

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