Hong Kong TVB - the Worlds biggest Chinese programme producer

Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited, or more commonly known to the locals as Hong Kong TVB, is one famous institution of Hong Kong. The TV station was the first over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong and has become the foundation of the Hong Kong broadcasting industry.

TVB was founded on the 19th of November in the year 1967 with only 200 staff members at that time. Today, the Hong Kong TVB is the market leader of two free-to-air television broadcasters in Hong Kong. The other archrival in the business is ATV.

Hong Kong TVB is the first free-to-air television broadcaster in Hong Kong. What exactly does this mean? Basically, that television and radio frequency are unencrypted and may be received via any suitable receiver.

However, there is sometimes with Rediffusion Television, which is the only cable television broadcaster in Hong Kong. Therefore, Hong Kong TVB is now commonly known as "Wireless Television."

Hong Kong TVB has become the largest commercial Chinese program producer in the whole world. The TV station now employs about 4,500 staff members which include contract artists and staff in overseas subsidiary companies. The presiding chairman of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) for many years now is Sir Run Run Shaw.

Hong Kong TVB owns two free-to-air channels, namely TVB Jade, which is in Cantonese, and TVB Pearl, which is in English and other foreign languages. TVB Jade enjoys the largest audience share in Hong Kong, and is often referred to simply as TVB.

Hong Kong TVB is also involved in Hong Kong's pay-TV market where it offers twelve channels for its associated company, TVB Pay Vision Limited. The TV station plans to launch a free-to-air HDTV channel in 2007 Q1, offering general entertainment programming with more than 14 hours of high definition programs per day.

The broadcasting company can now reach out to neighboring overseas Chinese communities because of its greater and increasing network coverage. Its productions are available in Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore, to name a few.

The drama productions of Hong Kong TVB are of international standards and are also internationally acclaimed. Many of Hong Kong's top film and pop stars started their careers at Television Broadcasts Limited. Many of them are now established in Hollywood.

There are special Hong Kong TVB events such as the annual TVB Anniversary Celebration which is broadcasted to the international audience. This event commemorates the hard work of the people both behind and in front of the camera lens.

Talent programs such as the annual Miss Hong Kong and Miss Chinese International beauty pageants are also produced and run by the station. Successful contestants may be offered Hong Kong TVB's contracts and represent Hong Kong to take part at world-class beauty contests, including the Miss World Beauty Pageant.

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