Internet TV may not be enough for Ricky Wong Wai-kay, say experts
Industry players say the entrepreneur needs a service that can penetrate households and 'reach housewives' if it is to be financially viable
Internet television may be the future for both Ricky Wong Wai-kay and Hong Kong's TV industry, but difficulties in translating its impact into advertising dollars mean it is not yet a viable business, industry players say.
Keith Li King-wah, a council member of the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association, said the success of Netflix, an on-demand video-streaming service founded in the US, and mainland internet television services such as Sohu TV and LeTV, showed the medium's potential.
Other internet television viewing equipment, such as Apple TV and the Xiaomi set-top box, are also growing in popularity. An authorised local seller of the Xiaomi box has sold more than 10,000 in a month.
"Even those who watch TVB dramas watch them on myTV instead of the television set," Li said, referring to TVB's internet service that is also available as a smartphone app.
Li said he believed Wong, an expert in the telecom and internet business, should have incorporated all the developments in internet television into his Hong Kong Television Network (HKTV).