Stars shine at TVB, but its lights out for union head

Interesting times out at TVB's headquarters in the backwoods of Tseung Kwan O. The Chinese-language side of the station, Jade, recently expanded its artist management division from 40 contract actors and actresses to 60, with a view to generating more revenue by renting out familiar faces for ad campaigns and promotional events. Not surprisingly, they are the most popular of local stars precisely because TVB ensures they get all the plum roles in serials and shows.

It's somewhat ironic then that the station's management has decided to cancel the popular K-100 show, which actually showcased and promoted the very stars and programmes featured on Jade.

According to a TVB source, what makes the move even more curious is that one of the producers laid off in the reshuffle happens to be the head of the production staff union. But it's probably just a coincidence. I mean, most Hong Kong companies are usually very supportive of organised labour. The funny thing is this producer didn't even work on the cancelled show.