Hong Kong broadcaster TVB’s first-half profit rises as drama series find ready audience in mainland China
The rise is a turnaround from last year and follows turbulence in its ownership structure earlier this year
Television Broadcasts, Hong Kong’s main free-to-air broadcaster, posted an 18 per cent rise in first-half profit on Wednesday, thanks to strong income from drama serials co-produced in mainland China and to higher advertising income.
The oldest television station in the city said its net profit climbed to HK$201 million (US$26 million) for the first six months of this year, from HK$170 million in the same period last year. Revenue increased 10 per cent to HK$2.2 billion.
The improved earnings mark a recovery for the station after profit had more than halved last year amid an economic downturn, and after turbulence in its ownership structure earlier this year. In January it withdrew a controversial share buy-back offer that would have lifted mainland Chinese mogul Li Ruigang’s stake in the firm.
Income from drama serials co-produced with Chinese studios, including Deep in the Realm of Conscience, a popular historical drama set in the Tang dynasty, and from licensing its own titles in mainland China pushed up revenue. Revenue generated in mainland China, now its second-largest market, grew 67 per cent to HK$404 million.
