What's On
Encyclopedia
What's On is a weekly half-hour TV series that airs on Fairchild Television.
and Toronto
. It also runs short interviews with local celebrities, politicians and social figures for events they are contributing to, as well as interviews with international celebrities as they arrive in the city to promote or to perform.
Originally, there were two versions of the show. The Vancouver version and Toronto version ran in the same time slot in their respective cities on Thursday nights at 10:00 p.m. while the version of the opposite city ran on Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. However, because of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's ruling requiring Fairchild TV
to air the same programming throughout the country, the two shows combined into one in July 2001 with each city getting 15 minutes of airtime. This also meant the start of the "interactive" format of the show where the hosts from the two cities shared a brief interaction as the scenes change from one city to another.
In November 2002, Fairchild Television moved the show from its Thursday timeslot to its current Sunday at 7:30pm time.
(NTSA Vancouver) or the Miss Chinese (Vancouver) Pageant
(MCV), "What's On" will run a series of mini-shows within the program over several weeks to feature the event as a prélude. Sometimes, a company would sponsor a mini-show to be aired during "What's On". These shows usually feature one or two stable host(s) which may or may not be the regular "What's On" presenters at that time. Some notable past Mini-Shows include:-
Format
Originally started in 1996, the show is currently the longest-running program in Fairchild Television history. "What's On" is a 30 minute informative program that introduces viewers to events happening in and around VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. It also runs short interviews with local celebrities, politicians and social figures for events they are contributing to, as well as interviews with international celebrities as they arrive in the city to promote or to perform.
Originally, there were two versions of the show. The Vancouver version and Toronto version ran in the same time slot in their respective cities on Thursday nights at 10:00 p.m. while the version of the opposite city ran on Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. However, because of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's ruling requiring Fairchild TV
Fairchild TV
Fairchild TV or FTV is a Canadian Cantonese language Category A specialty channel. It is co-owned by majority owner Fairchild Media Group and Television Broadcasts Limited which owns 20% of the business...
to air the same programming throughout the country, the two shows combined into one in July 2001 with each city getting 15 minutes of airtime. This also meant the start of the "interactive" format of the show where the hosts from the two cities shared a brief interaction as the scenes change from one city to another.
In November 2002, Fairchild Television moved the show from its Thursday timeslot to its current Sunday at 7:30pm time.
Past and current hosts
"What's On" is seen as a training ground for a lot of Fairchild Television artistes. The following is a partial list of past and present hosts for the show:-| Host Name | Edition Hosted | Years Hosted |
|---|---|---|
| Eva Yang 楊宜文 | Vancouver | 1996–1998 |
| Walter Ngai 倪啟瑞 | Vancouver | 1996–1998 |
| Sunny Shum 岑恩鎏 | Toronto | 1997–2000 |
| Eric Li 李潤庭 | Vancouver | 1998–2002 |
| Millie Leung 梁敏賢 | Vancouver | 1998–2002 |
| Natalie Au 區念慈 | Vancouver | 1998–2003 |
| Prudence Yim 嚴峻 | Vancouver | 1999–2000 |
| Benny Yau Benny Yau Benny Yau , born May 8, 1980 in Hong Kong); immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1988; is a Canadian actor and television presenter formerly affiliated with Fairchild TV.-Career:... 邱穟恆 |
Vancouver | 2000–2002 |
| Leslie Tsang 曽穎妍 | Vancouver | 2000–2002 |
| Jackson Ho 何紹文 | Vancouver | 2000–2001 |
| Maggie Hou 侯佳慧 | Vancouver | 2001–2003 |
| Kenny Wong 黃子俊 | Vancouver | 2001–2003 |
| Anita Lee 李慧雅 | Toronto | 2001–2005 |
| Leo Siu 蕭嘉俊 | Toronto | 2001–2004, 2006–2007 |
| Joanne Kwan 關曉彤 | Toronto | 2001–2003 |
| Georgia Leung 梁耀寧 | Toronto | 2001–2004 |
| Jenny Pat Jenny Pat Jenny Pat is a Chinese-Japanese Canadian television personality and a visual artist. She is a television presenter and Canadian actress affiliated with Fairchild TV. Studied in Maryknoll Convent School , and Prince of Wales Secondary School , she graduated from the University of British Columbia ... 畢蕾蕾 |
Vancouver | 2001–2002 |
| Janis Chan 陳貝兒 | Vancouver | 2002–2003 |
| Melody Liu 劉亮 | Vancouver | 2002–2003 |
| Clifton Kwan 關逸揚 | Vancouver | 2002–2003 |
| Jing Lu 盧婧 | Toronto | 2002–2004, 2010–present |
| Cleo Ng 吳嘉栩 | Toronto | 2003–2007 |
| June Tang 鄧芷茵 | Toronto | 2003–2008 |
| Johnson Cheung 張立熙 | Toronto | 2003–2005 |
| Cindy Cheung Cindy Cheung (television presenter) Cindy Cheung , born 1984 is a TV presenter, most recently affiliated with Fairchild Television.-Biography:Cindy entered the New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition 2001 and won first place. She then represented Vancouver in the NTSA International Finals in Shanghai, China... 張瑋恩 |
Vancouver | 2003–2006 |
| Sandy Cheung 張梓欣 | Vancouver | 2003–present |
| Eunice Ho 何詠雯 | Vancouver | 2003–2006 |
| Caroline Chang 張雅淇 | Vancouver / Toronto | 2003–2006 |
| Kenneth Lau 劉家逸 | Vancouver | 2004–present |
| Ming Fai Lee 李明輝 | Vancouver | 2004–2008 |
| Aimee Chan Aimee Chan Aimee Chan or Aimee Chan Yan Mei , born on 1 April 1981 in Toronto. She was Miss Hong Kong 2006.-Biography:Aimee was born in Toronto, Canada. Her parents were born in Hong Kong. She began her modeling career at the age of 16. She attended Woodbridge College Secondary School in Woodbridge, Ontario... 陳茵媺 |
Toronto | 2004–2005 |
| Janet Chow 周家蔚 | Toronto | 2004–2006 |
| Thomas Chong 莊子軒 | Toronto | 2005–present |
| Jessica Cheung 張葆頤 | Vancouver | 2006–present |
| Kayi Cheung Kayi Cheung Kayi Cheung , born on 18 November 1983 in Hong Kong with family roots in Chaozhou, Guangdong, is Miss Hong Kong 2007. She also received the Miss Vitality Ambassador award... 張嘉兒 |
Vancouver | 2006–2007 |
| Susan Wong 黃潔華 | Vancouver | 2006–2007 |
| Sunny Chan 陳星南 | Vancouver | 2006–2008 |
| Daryl Doo 杜光庭 | Toronto | 2006–2007 |
| Elva Ni 倪晨曦 | Toronto | 2006–2009 |
| Belinda Yan 顏子菲 | Toronto | 2006–2009 |
| Caroline Khuu 丘嘉玲 | Toronto | 2007–2009, 2011–present |
| Ivy Hou 侯薔薔 | Toronto | 2007–2009 |
| Susanna Chan 陳銘莉 | Toronto | 2007–2010 |
| Alan Ho 何偉圖 | Toronto | 2007–present |
| Amy So 蘇家慧 | Vancouver | 2007–2008 |
| Ca Lee Mo 毛嘉利 | Vancouver | 2007–present |
| Rikko Lee 李靄璣 | Vancouver | 2007–2008 |
| Brian Chan 陳本岡 | Vancouver | 2008–present |
| Cherry Kwok 郭鈺淳 | Vancouver | 2008–present |
| Gary Yan 甄嘉亮 | Vancouver | 2008–present |
| Jackie Tse 謝展基 | Vancouver | 2008–present |
| Vincent 阿晨 | Vancouver | 2008–2009 |
| Bernard Siu 蕭康迪 | Toronto | 2008–present |
| Cleone Ip 葉小寒 | Toronto | 2009–present |
| June Ng 吳珮如 | Toronto | 2010–present |
| Angel Wang 王倩 | Toronto | 2010–present |
| Cecilia Xu 徐顯雅 | Toronto | 2010–present |
| Kelly Tai 戴昭彤 | Toronto | 2010–present |
| Natalie Wong 黃煦齡 | Toronto | 2010–present |
| Jerry Lau 劉致理 | Toronto | 2010–present |
| Carat Cheung 張名雅 | Vancouver | 2010–present |
| Wendy Wen 全家欣 | Toronto | 2011–present |
Life after What's On
- Eva Yang 楊宜文 was a popular television presenter for Fairchild Television, hosting another long-running talk show, Leisure TalkLeisure TalkLeisure Talk is a daily Cantonese talk show program on Fairchild TV. It is recorded at Vancouver one half of the year and at Toronto the other half....
until late 2006, when she left the station. She also hosted the annual Miss Chinese (Vancouver) PageantMiss Chinese (Vancouver) PageantMiss Chinese Pageant or MCV for short is an annual beauty pageant organized by Fairchild Television that selects Vancouver's representative for the annual Miss Chinese International Pageant that is held in Hong Kong, organized by TVB...
for several years. - Walter Ngai 倪啟瑞 went on to become a Promotional Executive for Fairchild Television until 2002, when he returned to Hong Kong and is now working for Metro Broadcast Corporation LimitedMetro Broadcast Corporation LimitedMetro Broadcast Corporation Ltd. is one of the three broadcasting corporations in Hong Kong, the others being the Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited and Radio Television Hong Kong...
. - Eric Li 李潤庭 returned to Hong Kong and became a news anchor for Asia Television LimitedAsia Television LimitedAsia 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...
and more recently, 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...
. - Benny YauBenny YauBenny Yau , born May 8, 1980 in Hong Kong); immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1988; is a Canadian actor and television presenter formerly affiliated with Fairchild TV.-Career:...
邱穟恆 continues to host various shows for Fairchild Television including New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver AuditionNew Talent Singing Awards Vancouver AuditionNew Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition or NTSA Vancouver for short, is an annual singing contest organized by Fairchild Television in Vancouver, held every July...
. - Maggie Hou 侯佳慧 returned to Hong Kong and is now a presenter for Hong Kong TVB's entertainment news channel.
- Johnson Cheung 張立熙 has since returned to Hong Kong and has won awards from various singing competitions.
- Kenny Wong 黃子俊 returned to Hong Kong and is now a TV presenter for 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...
's entertainment channel. - Anita Lee 李慧雅 currently co-hosts the Toronto leg of Leisure Talk for Fairchild Television.
- Leo Siu 蕭嘉俊 returned to Hong Kong and is presenter for Hong Kong TVB's entertainment news channel on 2005. He returned to Toronto in 2007 and is currently hosting Toronto leg of Leisure Talk.
- Janis Chan 陳貝兒 returned to Hong Kong and is now a TV presenter for 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...
's entertainment channel. - Aimee ChanAimee ChanAimee Chan or Aimee Chan Yan Mei , born on 1 April 1981 in Toronto. She was Miss Hong Kong 2006.-Biography:Aimee was born in Toronto, Canada. Her parents were born in Hong Kong. She began her modeling career at the age of 16. She attended Woodbridge College Secondary School in Woodbridge, Ontario...
陳茵媺 returned to Hong Kong to enter the Miss Hong Kong PageantMiss Hong Kong PageantThe Miss Hong Kong Pageant , or MSHK for short, is a beauty pageant organized by the leading Hong Kong television station, Television Broadcasts ....
2006 where she won the crown, Miss International Goodwill, and Audience Favorite. - Janet Chow 周家蔚 entered the Miss Hong Kong PageantMiss Hong Kong PageantThe Miss Hong Kong Pageant , or MSHK for short, is a beauty pageant organized by the leading Hong Kong television station, Television Broadcasts ....
2006 as an overseas contestant from Toronto and garnered the first runner-up title. - June Tang 鄧芷茵 returned to Hong Kong to become a singer in 2009.
- Eunice Ho 何詠雯 became a Promotion Executive for the station until March 2006. She is currently a presenter for Hong Kong TVB's entertainment news channel.
- Kayi Cheung 張嘉兒 entered the Miss Hong Kong PageantMiss Hong Kong PageantThe Miss Hong Kong Pageant , or MSHK for short, is a beauty pageant organized by the leading Hong Kong television station, Television Broadcasts ....
2007 as an overseas contestant from Vancouver and won the crown and garnered the Miss Energetic Award. - Sandy Cheung 張梓欣 currently hosts the Vancouver leg of Leisure TalkLeisure TalkLeisure Talk is a daily Cantonese talk show program on Fairchild TV. It is recorded at Vancouver one half of the year and at Toronto the other half....
for Fairchild Television. However, in 2008, she resumed hosting What's On again. - Rikko Lee 李靄璣 is currently signed to TVB as an artist and was a reporter for the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. - Daryl Doo 杜光庭 is currently working at Commercial Radio Hong KongCommercial Radio Hong KongCommercial Radio Hong Kong , aka Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited is one of only two commercial radio broadcasting companies in Hong Kong along with Metro Radio Hong Kong. It contains a balanced array of entertainment including informative, educational, arts and cultural programmes...
(CRHK) as a radio program host.
Mini-shows
Whenever Fairchild TV has a major event coming up such as the annual New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver AuditionNew Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition
New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition or NTSA Vancouver for short, is an annual singing contest organized by Fairchild Television in Vancouver, held every July...
(NTSA Vancouver) or the Miss Chinese (Vancouver) Pageant
Miss Chinese (Vancouver) Pageant
Miss Chinese Pageant or MCV for short is an annual beauty pageant organized by Fairchild Television that selects Vancouver's representative for the annual Miss Chinese International Pageant that is held in Hong Kong, organized by TVB...
(MCV), "What's On" will run a series of mini-shows within the program over several weeks to feature the event as a prélude. Sometimes, a company would sponsor a mini-show to be aired during "What's On". These shows usually feature one or two stable host(s) which may or may not be the regular "What's On" presenters at that time. Some notable past Mini-Shows include:-
- "Why is Mexico So Much Fun? (點解墨西哥咁好玩)"
- Number of episodes: 6 episodes
- Airdates: February 2002 - March 2002
- Hosted by: Dominic Lam 林嘉華 and Jacqueline Ko 高惠鈱
- "Beautiful Episode (芳華集)" prélude for MCV 2002; MCV 2003
- Number of episodes: 6 - 8 episodes
- Airdates: October 2002 - December 2002; November 2003 - December 2003
- Hosted by: Kenny Wong 黃子俊
- "The Tale of Finding New Talents (尋找新丁的故事)" prélude for NTSA Vancouver 2005
- Number of episodes: 11 episodes
- Airdates: May 2005 - July 2005
- Hosted by: Kenneth Lau 劉家逸 ( as Inspector Octopus (八爪神探) )
- "Pure Beauty Premiere (純美搜影)" prélude for MCV 2005; MCV 2006; MCV 2007
- Number of episodes: 6 - 8 episodes
- Airdates: October - December 2005, 2006, 2007
- Hosted by: Jessica Cheung 張葆頤 (2005); Kayi Cheung 張嘉兒 (2006); Natalie Zhang 張譯文 (2007)
- "Mr. Sing Searches for Stars (Sing仔尋星)" prélude for NTSA Vancouver 2006
- Number of episodes: 5 episodes
- Airdates: June 2006 - July 2006
- Hosted by: Benny Yau 邱穟恆 ( as Mr. Sing (Sing仔) )
- "Tips for Winter Driving (冬日駕駛錦囊)"
- Number of episodes: 10 episodes
- Airdates: October 2006 - December 2006
- Hosted by: Daryl Doo 杜光庭
- "Dou Dou Diary (豆豆日記)" prélude for NTSA Vancouver 2007
- Number of episodes: 7 episodes
- Airdates: May 2006 - July 2006
- Hosted by: Sunny Chan 陳星南 ( as Dou Dou (豆豆) )