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. With a staff of about 4,500, it is one of two free-to-air television broadcasters in Hong Kong, the other being its arch-rival, Asia Television Limited (ATV).
TVB is the first free-to-air (FTA) television broadcaster in Hong Kong. When TVB first began broadcasting, to distinguish it from the cable television broadcaster, Rediffusion Television, it was commonly known as "Wireless Television" (無綫電視 Cantonese: mo sin din si) in Chinese, although there is more than one terrestrial television station now. The company's current chairman is Sir Run Run Shaw.
TVB's headquarters (Hong Kong TVB City) is Asia's largest commercial television production center.
TVB currently operates five free channels in Hong Kong: TVB Jade (Cantonese) and TVB Pearl (English) are TVB's flagship television channels. Under the digital terrestrial television platform, which formally commenced on 31 December 2007, J2 and iNEWS are new channels launched with standard definition, while HD Jade is Hong Kong's One-and-Only 24-hour broadcasting channel in high definition. TVB currently provides twelve pay-tv channels for its associated company, TVB Pay Vision Limited.
TVB reaches out to the overseas Chinese communities. Its productions are available in Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, among others, on channels such as TVB's own TVBS-Europe subscription satellite service. In Taiwan, TVB operates through its TVBS subsidiary.
Many of Hong Kong's film and pop stars started their careers at the station through drama series produced by TVB. Special TVB events such as the annual TVB Anniversary Celebration are broadcast to planetary audience. TVB also runs talent programmes such as the annual Miss Hong Kong and Miss Chinese International beauty pageants. Successful contestants may be offered TVB's contracts and represent Hong Kong to take part at world-class beauty contests, including the Miss World Pageant.
Read more about TVB: Notable Events, Development, Location, News Operation, Management, Notable Shows From TVB, Criticism, Corruption Probe