PARIS GAMES TO BE AIRED ON FREE TV CHANNELS

John Lee says decision to buy broadcasting rights was made out of ‘special consideration’ and the government does not aim to influence businesses

Kahon Chan, Connor Mycroft and Wynna Wong

Hongkongers can watch the coming Paris Olympics for free from the comfort of their homes, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said, adding that authorities have bought the broadcasting rights at a cheaper price than they paid to air the Tokyo Games.

Lee yesterday said free-to-air TV stations TVB, ViuTV and Hoy TV, as well as public broadcaster RTHK, would air the Paris Olympics and Paralympics that begin in July.

He insisted the purchase was made out of “special consideration” and the government was not seeking to influence competition among businesses.

“We considered that the current market [conditions are] not able to support TV stations to make large investments in acquiring broadcasting rights,” he said ahead of his weekly Executive Council meeting.

“We also considered the social values brought by the previous airing of the Tokyo Olympics – the joy and unity it brought to all residents, as well as the pride [we share] for the athletes’ excellent results.”

Lee described the broadcasting rights fee as “reasonable” and lower than what the government paid for the Tokyo Games in 2021 or what local TV stations forked out for past Olympic events.

He did not disclose the amount paid, citing a confidentiality clause with the International Olympic Committee, but said it would be money well spent as commercial TV stations could earn advertising revenues. Businesses at shopping centres could also benefit from higher foot traffic if they held big-screen live showings, he added.

In 2021, then-chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor bought the broadcasting rights for the Tokyo Olympics. She, too, declined to disclose the amount paid, but noted the government was spending less than the HK$160 million paid by TVB for the Rio Olympics in 2016, and the HK$120 million spent by Cable TV for the 2012 Games in London.

“Upon broadcasting the last Olympics, there have been greater demands and expectations in society because after having a very joyful and pleasant experience of the Tokyo Olympics, I believe there are expectations for the Paris Olympics,” Lee said.

Under an agreement with city authorities, the four local broadcasters must air replays during daytime hours, a move Lee said would ensure viewers could stay up-to-date with the latest results.

The deal also covered social media content, which Lee did not elaborate on.

Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, vice-president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, welcomed the government’s move and said he had broached the idea with Lee and other officials on various occasions since last July.

He said local athletes competing abroad needed public support, with the government’s purchasing of broadcasting rights offering the competitors more exposure thanks to local TV stations and a larger audience.

Speaking at a Legislative Council panel meeting yesterday, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said the broadcasting requirements for the television stations this time around would be similar to that of the Tokyo Games.

“That includes regulations on the minimal number of hours they must have in Olympicsrelated content, and that they should show competitions that Hong Kong athletes are participating in.”

The past deal required free-toair stations to carry a minimum of 900 hours of content, with the five outlets taking part also needing to broadcast every event that included Hong Kong athletes.

Yeung added details of the arrangement were still being discussed and that requests had been made for more content relating to mainland athletes to be shown, as he noticed people were “very interested in how they were doing as well”.

In separate statements, TVB and i-Cable Communications, which operates Hoy TV, welcomed the government’s decision to purchase the broadcasting rights, with the former saying it highlighted a “commitment to promoting the spirit of sports”.

RTHK said it was looking forward to showing the Games and was planning interactive elements to make the celebration as inclusive as possible.

The Post has reached out to ViuTV for comment.

The Olympic Games offer a rare opportunity to bring nations and people together in the spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. This is not only confined to those who will have the privilege to participate in or personally witness the celebrated sports spectacular in Paris this summer, but also the many more who are eager to share the joy and excitement from afar at home via television. That is why the Hong Kong government has, once again, stepped in and bought the broadcast rights for local free-to-air television stations to broadcast the Games without charge, and rightly so.

The public had a taste of what was to come three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics, which saw Hong Kong achieve its best medal haul with events screened live at shopping centres and government sporting venues. The city’s community spirit and economy also received a much-needed boost as the world gradually put the pandemic behind it.

Announcing the decision for TVB, ViuTV and Hoy TV, as well as public broadcaster RTHK to air the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the public had high expectations for the Games. Noting commercial channels would not acquire broadcast rights in light of the current market conditions, Lee said the government had carefully weighed the pros and cons before sealing the deal.

Lee would only say the purchase was less costly than before, citing confidentiality rules. But given the substantial social benefits and the advertising revenues for commercial stations, the government move looks a winner. The Olympics called for “special consideration” and the government was not seeking to influence competition for sports events among commercial broadcasters, he said. However, it would be good if more multimedia platforms were included to maximise coverage and publicity for the Games.

Hopes are high after Hong Kong athletes qualified for at least 15 events, including cycling, sailing, swimming, table tennis and windsurfing. The TV deal will also enable supporters to cheer on the national team. Officials and others involved should therefore ensure coverage has the best social and economic impact.