TVB to combine both Hong Kong pageants this year
HONG KONG: This year, TVB will have a big pageant to handle as the Miss Hong Kong and Mr Hong Kong pageants will be combined.
TVB also emphasised that it will be using the pageant as a tool to scout new idol talents, and will cultivate them to become TVB’s next generation stars.
TVB’s popular Miss Hong Kong Pageant has been on- air since 1973, and has been producing some of Hong Kong’s most popular stars and actresses for the past 43 years. The Mr Hong Kong Pageant, which was founded in 2005, was met with lesser success due to its poorer ratings and controversial reviews. It was eventually cancelled after its 2011 season.
As to why TVB decided to combine the two pageants together, producer Sandy Yu explained, “When we promoted myTV SUPER a few months back, we already announced then that we will be bringing back Mr. Hong Kong. As for the longrunning Miss Hong Kong, I think it’s time for a change in format. We’ve always had this idea about combining the two shows, so I’m very happy that this can finally come to fruition this year.”
It has been said that TVB’s decision for a joint Miss and Mr Hong Kong contest stemmed from competitive pressure with rival station ViuTV, which recently announced its own beauty pageant.
Said Sandy Yu of Beauty D.n.A., “( Beauty D. n. A) has no age eligibility and I remember doing a similar show with ATV before. Nothing new there!”
Three TVB executives, including Sandy Yu, will soon travel to Canada’s Vancouver and Toronto to observe the Mr. Chinese International Pageant. They will be selecting top winners to compete against this year’s joint pageant in Hong Kong.
2013 Miss Hong Kong winner Grace Chan praised the new format, saying, “It’s refreshing and a brand new attempt. I’m happy to see more competition in the industry. It can increase the quality of beauty pageants.”
2010 Miss Hong Kong Toby Chan is ecstatic about the new beauty pageant and believes that it’s going to be a success. “When I was competing, I promoted with the Mr. HK contestants. I do believe that this will make the show more interesting. It’s going to be a big show and I would not be surprised if TVB would hold the show in the Hong Kong Coliseum. That would be huge!”
2007 Mr Hong Kong winner Benjamin Yuen said, “There’s entertainment and gimmick. I would love to be a guest judge.” 2010 Mr Hong Kong winner William Chak said, “This is a very creative idea and I’m sure it would get people talking.” 2009 Mr Hong Kong winner Jack Hui suggested, “Maybe the competition can add in an outdoor training activity. That can definitely be challenging.”