TVB Entertainment News

Rumour has it that many HKTV artistes and employees are making their way back to TVB following HKTV's failure to obtain its free-to-air television license.

According to HK Channel website, TVB producer Lee Tim Sing recently admitted that he has been calling some of his former colleagues in HKTV since TVB needs more experienced crew members.

He stated, "I really hope to have my former buddies to return to TVB and help around. It's best to have experienced people in the business."

The producer had a difficult time filming "Bullet Brain" last year, when nearly half of TVB's crew left the company to work in HKTV, leaving him with inexperienced workers.

However, Lee stated that the decision depends on TVB, and added, "TVB offered them a raise but they decided to leave. If they come back, I reckon they will not get the original offer. But they have to understand that."

When asked about his thoughts, HKTV actor Frankie Lam stated while he will not reject the idea of returning to TVB one day, HKTV will always be number one in his heart.

While Al Wei admitted that TVB executives had approached him recently and will consider returning to TVB, Zac Kao stated that he will only return to TVB when he is desperate.

Yesterday (10/20th) Yoyo Mung, Maggie Cheung, Frankie Lam, TVB artist Power Chan, his daughter and wife Mimi Lo (no longer TVB contracted) joined other HKTV artists in a large demonstration involving nearly 120,000 civilians wearing black and carrying large banners that read, "Give Me My Justice, Give Me My Television" and "Dissatisfied by Unclear and Unexplained Cause of Death" in front of the government building. Leila Tong rushed to the demonstration at around 5pm. Some supportive artists like Sheren Tang and Kelvin Kwan couldn't make it, but posted photos of them in black on Weibo to show their support.

Yoyo sat on the ground with thousands of other citizens in front of the government building and when asked about the HK$600,000 compensation? She said: "My manager and I have consensus, that is to give HKTV their space. They didn't break the contract. I'm more concerned on what's going to happen with the HKTV employees. I have no regrets, I bleed TVB's blood, I want the best for TVB, but that does not mean I don't want others to do well either." Power was asked whether he feared TVB might be unhappy that he's participating in the demonstration? He said TVB Chairman Norman Leung mentioned many years ago he appreciated Ricky Wong. He added: "I'm afraid of the government more than TVB."

Many artists took turns on stage to express their views. Rain Lau emotionally said in tears: "I never thought a housewife ("see lai") has to be in a demonstration! Relax, HKTV's Night Shift will continue filming tonight at Sham Shui Po." Some other HKTV artists sobbed that their dreams have been destroyed and that the government is unfair. Director So Man Chung expressed: "If the government doesn't provide an explanation for us, we won't leave! They aren't even giving us a chance to start. We'll be opening up the TV station tomorrow night right here!"

Kenix: How to Explain to Next Generation?

Frankie's wife Kenix Kwok made an angry comment on Weibo: "It is ridiculous that HKTV didn't get their license! The government stopping a major improvement in society is outrageous! Hong Kong is a city with a political system, but I'm afraid its being obliterated completely! Support the HKTV demonstration today; Support the HKTV artists with dreams and passion; Support the HK citizens that are fighting for justice! Through this licensing issue, I can see how unreasonable the Hong Kong government can be. How can you explain to the next generation?"

At the demonstration, there was a large screen airing TVB's cooking show Cook Away Lady hosted by May Jeh, the demonstrators shouted: "Change the channel! Change the channel!" Yesterday May Jeh responded in an interview: "My show's ratings has been very stable. TVB said I'm the longest running cooking show." One Netizen exclaimed: "Hong Kong people are so miserable, they don't have any choices. I'll just have to watch May Jeh or Super Trio!"

Ricky Wong had been preparing the new television station HKTV for a year now and on Tuesday, the government announced HKTV will not get their free-to-air TV license. Many HKTV artists and civilians were shocked to hear the disappointing news. A group formed "The People Lifts the TV Ban Movement", a protest that will be held tomorrow (Sunday). The organizers urged protesters to wear black as they march around the government building in hope to change the government's decision. Many HKTV artists have decided to come out to voice their dissatisfaction by joining in on the protest. Frankie Lam, Yoyo Mung, Dominic Lam, Noel Leung, Zac Koo and many former TVB veteran actors such as Al Wai will be participating. Unfortunately 'HKTV First Brother & Sister' Maggie Cheung and Felix Wong won't be able to make it.

Noel Leung accepted a telephone interview and disclosed she felt heartbroken while watching the HKTV series trailers. When speaking of the protest, she'll be supporting and even started sobbing as she spoke: "I'm just a simple artist, I don't want to participate in some political movement, but I want to get an understanding and be clear on why the government didn't approve the license. Everyone and the Hong Kong civilians should know what the reason was."

Al Wai expressed the moment he found out about the unapproved license, he was so upset he wanted to break the TV and disclosed he will be participating in the protest tomorrow.

Zac Koo and Zoey Shum urged civilians on Weibo to participate in the protest as well. Zac said: "We bring respect and passion. Saturday's protest, support the government in issuing the 'HKTV Friends' a license. Please come out and support us!" Zoey said in English: "This is our life. This is our dream."

As for Felix Wong, his assistant expressed on his behalf that Felix has to work on that day and won't be able to participate. However he will still be wearing black to show his support: "I wear it every day as a silent supporter." As for the "Celebrity Children" including Felix Wong's daughter Adrian Wong, Paul Chun's son Benji Chiang and Sek Sau's son Sam Chan expressed they have work on hand and have not decided whether to take part in the protest or not.

Since February 28th, HKTV employed 561 full time employees, but after the government's decision that HKTV will not get their free-to-air license, Ricky Wong announced about 320 employees will be laid off.

Yesterday TVB chairman Norman Leung was asked if TVB will hire those HKTV artists whom were laid off? He said: "We will have to see if their work fits with TVB. It depends on whether it is necessary, if so TVB welcomes them back. We have many executives in the company, and the administrative staff switches here and there. We accept this fact, and there is no say that the cannot come back. The most important is being able to contribute to TVB."

Asked if he thinks this TV license issue is a black market operation? Norman Leung frankly expressed he does not dare to criticize the government. Norman expressed the two new free-to-air licenses were issued to large corporations, which is absolutely big competitors to TVB and encourage employees to make better programs.

Charmaine Sheh: "Never give up hope, everyone has expectations, just as long as you have strengths, there is nothing to fear. (Are you worried about your good friends Catherine Chau and Bryant Mak's prospects?) No worries, they are hard working artists. There will be a TV station who needs artists."

Fala Chen: "I'm more concerned about my former TVB colleagues. I'm very concerned about their prospects. (Recommend them to join iCable or Now?) I'm a junior, they should know how to handle it."

Chilam Cheung: I saw the news and didn't feel good. I am part of TVB, I have mixed feelings. As an artist, I want to shoot TVB series, but I'm also part of the audience.

Priscilla Wong: I have some friends working at HKTV, two of them have been laid off. They have a whole family to raise. As an employee in the TV industry, I hope everyone has a job. The HK TV industry is not easy, most important is to find jobs. (Help your friends to get into TVB?) I hope I have that ability too."

Felix Wong frankly expressed HKTV's failure to get their license is truly disappointing and hopes the government can explain the "death sentence". As for 300+ employees getting laid off? Felix said: "I would call it peaceful disband because there was no license to begin with nor was their normal operations. Disbanding is best for everyone. (How does this impact you?) Nope, I signed a per-series contract and all my work was done. I'm actually more worried about the 800+ employees." Felix disclosed his daughter Adrian Wong signed a 2 year contract, but is not in a hurry to find a back up.

Frankie Lam expressed when he learned the bad news, his jaw dropped completely. He said: "The chief said its all fair and public, but later said some things cannot be publicized. This government is contradicting."

Ha Yu does not have a contract with HKTV, so he is not worried, but asked if he'll return to TVB? He laughed: "That's all on TVB."

Leila Tong said: "Ricky Wong still has the heart and has faith on what he's doing. At first, I joined HKTV because I thought they really had sincerity and unanimous ideals. Regardless, I will not regret my decision."

Yuen Wah hasn't filmed a series with HKTV yet, he was initially scheduled to start shooting next month, but it was suddenly cancelled. He said: "I haven't received notice on the lay offs yet. I just think there some kind of black operation going on in the government this time and that they were just too harsh."

Deno Cheung & Al Wai Considers Changing Professions

Former TVB green leaf actor Deno Cheung left TVB after being with them for 18 years, and went over to HKTV. Yesterday Deno expressed he's helpless and stuttered he might consider changing professions: "I initially thought there was a lot of hope in being an actor, but now I'm getting strangled. I still have an 8 month contract with HKTV, I don't want to think about the prospects and I've thought about going into construction before." Asked if he'll have financial difficulties? Deno helplessly said: "Yes. Thanks to the government letting me apply for public housing."

Al Wai, also a former TVB artist, expressed the worse case scenario is to change professions. Al Wai disclosed Ricky Wong apologized to him, but Al is still positive and feels it is not Ricky's fault. "I was prepared to fight the war when I went to HKTV. There are causalities in wars, I don't think its that bad. There are two new TV stations, perhaps there are more opportunities."

Former TVB artist, Eddie Li, expressed he's grateful of Ricky Wong. "At my old company (TVB), I was eating 'tree bark', I had to compete with thousands of people, but at the new company (HKTV) it is a little better. I get to eat 'congee', at least this is something humans can consume and can be filling. I want to thank ricky Wong, thank you Mr. Wong for keeping me full. Respect."

Beniji Teared Up When Heard Bad News

Benji Chiang spoke to his manager on the phone about HKTV not being able to get their license and when he saw Ricky Wong in tears during the press conference, he teared up as well. he said: "Put so much effort into it and when I heard the news, I felt so sad and down. This TV license issue can really cause some artists to disappear in the HK TV industry forever. I still have 6 months left in my contract and the money I earned from filming their series before, I already used it to make music. If I don't have income in the future, I will use the money I saved before for living. My father (Paul Chun) comforted me. My sister (Lesley) is overseas now and knows about the issue and has very complex emotions."