2010 TVB monopoly case
Encyclopedia
The 2010 TVB monopoly case (TVB 壟斷事件) is a case surrounding Hong Kong
television station Television Broadcasts Limited
being a monopoly
station.
, the main free over-the-air rival station, have been associated as a pro-Beijing station. This has allowed TVB to gain a substantial lead in ratings and market share. The 2009 Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority forum
however, led to complaints about TVB also practicing self-censorship
. Since then, major issues of monopoly have come up.
In a 2009 press conference HKRIA announced that they would increase royalty tax to TVB exceeding HK$10 million for music programs. TVB then banned singers from EMI Group, Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music Group
from participating on the 2009 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation
show.
for TVB's monopoly
business practices. That include:
have come out and responded it was better to be doing interviews in Cantonese because their Mandarin skill was not so good. Other artists like Kelly Chen
said it would benefit all if music videos could be broadcast on all stations. Jacky Cheung
said TVB never had enough time available for music shows. In the past he could appear on Jade Solid Gold
and sing for 3 minutes, but now he is limited to 1 minute. He further added that "TVB should just support the people they sign. Currently they have total control, and when they don't get what they want, they talk about whom to kill off." Artists who have tried to avoid legal disputes with TVB would simply turn down invitations to appear on rival stations.
was made by the ICAC
on Stephen Chan Chi Wan
in early 2010.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
television station Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
being a monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
station.
Background
For a long time ATVAsia Television Limited
Asia Television Limited is one of the two free-to-air television broadcasters in Hong Kong, the other being rival Television Broadcasts Limited . It launched in 1957 under the name Rediffusion Television as the first television station in Hong Kong...
, the main free over-the-air rival station, have been associated as a pro-Beijing station. This has allowed TVB to gain a substantial lead in ratings and market share. The 2009 Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority forum
2009 Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority forum
2009 Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority forum was a public forum held on the night of July 14, 2009 by the Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority. The forum gave the citizens a chance to provide feedback and comments about the two free Hong Kong TV station TVB and ATV. A large number of questions and...
however, led to complaints about TVB also practicing self-censorship
Self-censorship
Self-censorship is the act of censoring or classifying one's own work , out of fear of, or deference to, the sensibilities of others, without overt pressure from any specific party or institution of authority...
. Since then, major issues of monopoly have come up.
In a 2009 press conference HKRIA announced that they would increase royalty tax to TVB exceeding HK$10 million for music programs. TVB then banned singers from EMI Group, Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
from participating on the 2009 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation
2009 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation
The 2009 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation was held on January 16, 2010 at the Kowloon Hong Kong Coliseum. It is part of the Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation series.-Special situation:...
show.
Case & complaints
In January 2010 rival station ATV filed an official complaint to the Hong Kong Broadcasting AuthorityHong Kong Broadcasting Authority
The Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority is an organization responsible for licensing and regulating the broadcasting industry in Hong Kong. It was formed in 1987...
for TVB's monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
business practices. That include:
- TVB imposed unwritten restrictions on artists and singers that deprived ATV an opportunity to hire artists. According to Sing Tao DailySing Tao DailyThe Sing Tao Daily is Hong Kong's second largest Chinese language newspaper. It is owned by Sing Tao News Corporation Limited, of which Charles Ho Tsu Kwok is the chairman. Its English language sister paper is The Standard...
, in the past no music company was willing to use contracts (between TVB and the artists) as evidence against TVB.
- TVB also prevented artists from responding to other station interviews in CantoneseCantoneseCantonese is a dialect spoken primarily in south China.Cantonese may also refer to:* Yue Chinese, the Chinese language that includes Cantonese* Cantonese cuisine, the cuisine of Guangdong province...
. For example if a HK artist was interviewed by competing station like Cable TV Hong KongCable TV Hong KongCable TV Hong Kong , previously known as Wharf Cable before October 1998, is owned and operated by i-CABLE Communications Limited...
, they were forced to speak MandarinStandard MandarinStandard Chinese or Modern Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin or Putonghua, is the official language of the People's Republic of China and Republic of China , and is one of the four official languages of Singapore....
. This gave TVB an advantage as HK is mostly a Cantonese-speaking territory.
- TVB offered "favororable" ad rates to clients.
- Some of the best RTHKRadio Television Hong KongRadio Television Hong Kong is a public broadcasting organisation in Hong Kong that is operated as an independent department in the government under the Broadcasting Authority. RTHK operates seven radio channels, and produces television programmes that are then broadcast through local television...
productions were broadcast exclusively on TVB only.
- Many complaints were brought up about singers and artists having to sign unfair contracts to be restricted to TVB. Some cannot appear in other competing stations at all.
Entertainer responses
Some bands like MrMister (band)
Mister also known as Mr. is a Cantonese rock band composed of Desmond Tam, Tom To, Alan Po, Ronny Lay and Quincy Tam on the guitars. The vocal duties are performed by Po, with backing vocals provided by Tam....
have come out and responded it was better to be doing interviews in Cantonese because their Mandarin skill was not so good. Other artists like Kelly Chen
Kelly Chen
Kelly Chen is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Kelly has also been known as a diva in Asia. She has a great success in Asia Entertainment industry with nearly 20 million record sales of 38 albums...
said it would benefit all if music videos could be broadcast on all stations. Jacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. The Chinese language media refers to him, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings , with more than 60 million records sold as of 2000....
said TVB never had enough time available for music shows. In the past he could appear on Jade Solid Gold
Jade Solid Gold
Jade Solid Gold is a music show on the TVB Jade television channel. It has been running since October 10, 1981.-TVB HD Jade:**Thursday at 6:00am to 6:30am**Thursday at 6:00pm to 6:30pm...
and sing for 3 minutes, but now he is limited to 1 minute. He further added that "TVB should just support the people they sign. Currently they have total control, and when they don't get what they want, they talk about whom to kill off." Artists who have tried to avoid legal disputes with TVB would simply turn down invitations to appear on rival stations.
Aftermath
A scandal probe2010 TVB corruption scandal
The TVB corruption scandal is a corruption probe involving the general manager of the Television Broadcasts Limited Chen Zhiyun and two other TVB staff who were arrested by the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Operation: Valiant...
was made by the ICAC
Independent Commission Against Corruption (Hong Kong)
The Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong was established by Governor Murray MacLehose on 15 February 1974, when Hong Kong was under British rule. Its main aim was to clean up endemic corruption in the many departments of the Hong Kong Government through law enforcement,...
on Stephen Chan Chi Wan
Stephen Chan Chi Wan
Stephen Chan Chi Wan, born 1958, is the general manager of Television Broadcasts Limited .-Early years:Chan studied linguistics and theatre at the University of Hong Kong and graduated in 1981.-Pre-TVB career:...
in early 2010.