Sport/ Hong Kong

Live and for free: Hong Kong fans can watch blanket Olympics coverage on mobile device

Rights holder TVB will also be showing 500 hours on its three free-to-air channels

Kevin Kung

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Published: 4:00pm, 3 Aug, 2016

Updated: 1:34pm, 4 Aug, 2016

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Want to watch Usain Bolt?: You can choose which sport you want to watch on the TVB app. Photo: AP

Hong Kong fans will be able to watch most of the action from the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro without paying a cent to broadcast rights holder TVB.

The local broadcaster will show over 500 hours of live telecast and highlights on its three free-to-air channels, Jade and Pearl for both analogue and digital TV users, and their digital-only channel J5.

For those who want blanket coverage or to watch a specific event, they can subscribe to TVB’s new over-the-top (OTT) platform myTV SUPER.

The paid service will offer eight additional dedicated channels showing over 2,000 hours of action and highlights. On demand live or play back of major events will also be available, while the opening and closing ceremonies, together with selected athletics, swimming, basketball, football and judo competitions, will be shown in 4K resolution.

Hong Kong's Sarah Lee Wai-sze will be in demand on the new app. Photo: David Wong

The cost is HK$68 a month if you enter a 12-month contract, or you can buy the receiver which includes a 12-month subscription at HK$780. A smartphone or tabloid app is also available at a monthly fee of HK$38 with a 12-month contract.

Once you download the app and sign up with your mobile phone number, you can enjoy the whole Olympic package for free as it offers a free one-month trial.

Live broadcasts on Jade and Pearl will come with Nicam option, while the six live channels numbered 801 to 806 and the news channel numbered 807 on the OTT platform will run with original commentary in English provided by the Olympic Broadcasting Services.