The Problems Behind TVB’s Decline in Quality Programming
For many years, TVB has single-handedly monopolized the television industry in Hong Kong. The existence of ATV and cable stations posed little threat. With the lack of competitors, TVB set harsh working conditions for its artists and only paid a third of what artists can earn in mainland China. As its biggest stars and talented staff left to work in mainland, TVB productions declined in quality and faced harsh criticisms from the public. TVB was once the powerhouse behind premiere Chinese television entertainment, but a close look inside the company reveals rife management conflicts, lack of creativity in its dramas, and inability to reinvent itself over the years.
In the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, TVB churned out memorable dramas that entertained the entire family. As the station grew bigger, several management executives came to the forefront. The conflicts between Virginia Lok (樂易玲) and Stephen Chan (陳志雲), as well as between Catherine Tsang (曾励珍) and Tommy Leung (梁家树) are well known. Artists favored by influential executives were heavily promoted and cast in dramas, whether they possess the talent or abilities fit for the roles.
In 2010, former General Manager Stephen Chan’s decline started when he was arrested by the ICAC for corruption in securing “preferential fees” for artist appearances. Although Chan was acquitted and later reinstated in his post, he resigned as General Manager in 2012 and was replaced by Mark Lee (李寶安). Chan’s downfall was suspected to be the result of power play among the management elite at TVB.
