TVB alternative?

[katielau]

Are there any alternative companies that produces dramas to TVB? I know there's ATV, but what else? I kinda tried of seeing old veteran actors like Lawrence Ng, Francis Ng, etc playing leading roles.

[Trien Chieu]

Are there any alternative companies that produces dramas to TVB? I know there's ATV, but what else? I kinda tried of seeing old veteran actors like Lawrence Ng, Francis Ng, etc playing leading roles.

There are plenty of other companies but they are not as good as TVB. They are still ok, but TVB is simply the leader of asian serials.

[Sakuya]

For Hong Kong-produced dramas, there was only TVB. I think ATV stopped making dramas. But now, there is a new competitor on the block, HKTV! They have many impressive dramas lined up as well as documentaries and many of the veteran actors who have left TVB are contracted with HKTV.

Because they were rejected for any free-to-air broadcasting license in Hong Kong, they are not allowed their own channel. But they have launched their own video-on-demand and live streaming apps. Unfortunately, it's currently only limited to Hong Kong IPs. I believe they have deals to partner with Astro on Demand so if you have that where you live, you're in luck.

If like the rest of us you're overseas, we'll have to wait for an overseas version of the app (if they are planning it at all) or you can use VPN or other means to watch the dramas...

[Trien Chieu]

Even if you can watch HKTV, I doubt their serials can compare to TVB in term of storyline and quality. TVB is still the leader.

[almo89]

TVB has been crap for years have has been serving the same pile of doo doo to its audience for so long now. HKTV is a breath of fresh air. Whether they are legit or not, only time will tell, but at least it's some competition. So far from what I can see from the trailers is that production values are WAY higher. Cinematography looks very much like film. I can't wait to sit through a series when I have some time. They seem to be able to push the boundaries a bit in terms of sex, politics and other touchy subjects. We'll probably never see HBO style shows in Hong Kong, but at least HKTV is willing to push the boundaries a little.

In my opinion TVB was in their prime when ATV was still considered a competitor back in the 80s. When you have competition, both sides are forced to create good quality shows. ATV hasn't been relevant forever now and it shows because TVB hasn't had to work hard to get ratings.

[Ken Cheng]

TVB has been crap for years have has been serving the same pile of doo doo to its audience for so long now...in my opinion TVB was in their prime when ATV was still considered a competitor back in the 80s. When you have competition, both sides are forced to create good quality shows. ATV hasn't been relevant forever now and it shows because TVB hasn't had to work hard to get ratings.

TVB has been coasting off its 1970s/1980s equity for decades, and is only getting away with it because of, as you said, lack of credible competition and Hong Kongers' tendencies to be creatures of habit, who can't be dislodged from those habits with anything short of dynamite.

[Trien Chieu]

TVB has been crap for years have has been serving the same pile of doo doo to its audience for so long now.

Crap? Are you sure? TVB is no longer dominate the whole asian tv serials industry as it was during the 80s but TVB is still the best among them. It's no doubt TVB is still the leader.

HKTV is a breath of fresh air. Whether they are legit or not, only time will tell, but at least it's some competition. So far from what I can see from the trailers is that production values are WAY higher. Cinematography looks very much like film. I can't wait to sit through a series when I have some time. They seem to be able to push the boundaries a bit in terms of sex, politics and other touchy subjects. We'll probably never see HBO style shows in Hong Kong, but at least HKTV is willing to push the boundaries a little.

Are there lot of nudity scenes in HKTV serials? It's not good if they contain too much nudities. After all, it's on tv, not porno.

In my opinion TVB was in their prime when ATV was still considered a competitor back in the 80s. When you have competition, both sides are forced to create good quality shows. ATV hasn't been relevant forever now and it shows because TVB hasn't had to work hard to get ratings.

Yeah, TVB was better back in the 80s when ATV was a strong competitor. However, even though TVB is no longer as great as it was, TVB is still the best among them. TVB is still a leader.

[Sakuya]

Agreed, HKTV cinematography looks stunning compared to TVB and they have fresh story ideas to bring to the Hong Kong audience. The Election anyone? Plus, it is on air now during this pro-democracy protest period in Hong Kong which I know TVB would never do.

But it's too bad HKTV's license was rejected as having two free channels competing with each other will only bring up the quality on both channels. It's already seeing effects since I read TVB's upcoming drama is about sex (?) which seems like they were influenced by HKTV's sex comedy.

[almo89]

Crap? Are you sure? TVB is no longer dominate the whole asian tv serials industry as it was during the 80s but TVB is still the best among them. It's no doubt TVB is still the leader.

In my opinion it's crap. It's really mind numbing trying to watch something from TVB now. One of the biggest issues I have is that there is absolutely no subtlety in the messages they try to convey. It's like they have to spell it out for the audience everytime. It's really annoying. I always use The Bund as the benchmark of what a HK drama should strive to achieve. Everything in that show was so subtle and essentially had a more powerful effect.

Are there lot of nudity scenes in HKTV serials? It's not good if they contain too much nudities. After all, it's on tv, not porno.

I don't believe there is any nudity in HKTV dramas, but I can't confirm at this point. When I have some time I'll watch a few. I'll probably start with Police Boundaries. Looks kind of interesting. I understand that it's not a porno, but there is a sense of realism when dramas push the sexual envelope. To me it's art. When I watch american dramas that are not on regular network television (ie: HBO and Showtime), the quality is way higher and they don't have to worry about censoring violence or nudity.

Yeah, TVB was better back in the 80s when ATV was a strong competitor. However, even though TVB is no longer as great as it was, TVB is still the best among them. TVB is still a leader.

TVB is only leader because there isn't any competition. It's pretty much a monopoly. Just because they are the leader in television, doesn't mean the quality is there. TVB ratings lately have shown that even their most loyal fans are starting to get fatigued with the content they see.