TVB 'satisfied' with record low rating of 29 for anniversary gala
Broadcaster says 29-point viewership for annual show is acceptable in light of tension over new free-to-air television licence saga
Overall ratings for TVB's anniversary gala fell below 30 points for the first time in a decade amid online efforts to organise a boycott of the annual show, with protesters staging a mock funeral outside the studios.
The rating of 29 points was well below the show's 1992 record of 43 and last year's 34, but TVB said it was satisfied with the result - equivalent to more than 1.8 million viewers and a 95 per cent audience share - "under the current atmosphere as a result of the issuance of the new free-to-air television licences".
The broadcaster said it would make good on its promise to donate over HK$3 million to charity as the show recorded a one-minute peak of 31 - 1.99 million viewers and a 97 per cent audience share. It had pledged to donate HK$100,000 for each rating point, provided the show topped 30.
Industry experts said the drop was most likely the result of a new method of measuring ratings that painted a more realistic picture of viewership.
TVB has been accused of "hegemony" by opposing the government's awarding of new free-to-air television licences.
The anniversary gala, which gathers the station's top talents and most popular television stars, is TVB's largest variety show of the year.