An increasing number of TVB’s managed artists such as Raymond Lam (林峯), Kevin Cheng (鄭嘉穎), Bosco Wong (黃宗澤), and Ron Ng (吳卓羲) are turning to mainland China for better financial opportunities. As familiar artists are focusing their careers in the lucrative Chinese market, TVB is suffering from the lack of leading stars and has resorted to promote external artists. Artists such as Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼), Jessica Hsuan (宣萱), and Fala Chen (陳法拉) ventured outside of TVB desiring more freedom and better filming schedules. Moses Chan (陳豪) and Michael Tse (謝天華) also expressed interest to film in China. Though Moses is ranked as one of the highest earners in Hong Kong television, he hopes to earn more money and save for his marriage fund with Aimee Chan (陳茵媺). Although they pledge their loyalty to TVB, even Kenneth Ma (馬國明) and Tavia Yeung (楊怡) would also like to have a bite of the lucrative mainland pie. Without its field of popular fadans and siu sangs to lead its dramas, TVB has to quickly promote other artists to take their place. Artists from i-Cable When producer Sandy Yue (余詠珊) returned to TVB from Taiwan’s Next Media last year, she played an important role in persuading TVB to cast former i-Cable presenter, Priscilla Wong (黃翠如) as the female lead in Reality Check <心路GPS>. Despite the lukewarm response to the relatively new actress, TVB signed additional hosting celebrities from i-Cable such as Tony Hung (洪永城), Luk Ho Ming (陸浩明), and Ali Lee (李佳芯). Artists from ATV With ATV struggling to raise its viewership ratings from the single digits, many of its former artists have crossed over to TVB. Ruco Chan (陳展鵬), Joey Meng (萬綺雯), Alice Chan (陳煒) and Kristal Tin (田蕊妮) are the successful examples. However, as the changing of the guard of its leading artists is taking place, the artists have yet to cement their status due to changing TVB management whims. Despite joining TVB in 2008, Kristal Tin seems to be overshadowed by newcomer, Priscilla Wong in upcoming Qing dynasty drama, The Verbal Side of Court <舌劍上的公堂>. Kristal’s screen time was greatly reduced, even though she was originally the main actress. Among former ATV artists, Ruco Chan is the most highly utilized and considered to be the next big TVB star. Starring in currently aired drama, Slow Boat Home <情越海岸線>, Ruco co-leads with Raymond Wong (黃浩然). Ruco has been filming nonstop over the last year and half, with leading roles in the upcoming Brother’s Keeper <巨輪>, Ruse of Engagement <叛逃>, and Outbound Love <單戀雙城>. Unhappiness Among TVB With the influx of external artists replacing their own pool of talents, taking up important roles in their variety programs and series, TVB’s own artists such as Moses Chan and Wayne Lai (黎耀祥) were rumored to have expressed their discontentment with the substandard skills of the leading artists. To this, TVB executive, Catherine Tsang (曾勵珍) denied the negative rumors. At yesterday’s 2013 First Half Outstanding Staff Awards ceremony, where both Chen Yiu Chuan (陳耀全) and Sandy Yue went home with awards, Catherine Tsang said, “I believe both of them are good so I hope everyone will stop splitting into groups. I also don’t think it’s true that someone is accusing Sandy Yue of breaking up TVB since joining us.”An increasing number of TVB’s managed artists such as Raymond Lam (林峯), Kevin Cheng (鄭嘉穎), Bosco Wong (黃宗澤), and Ron Ng (吳卓羲) are turning to mainland China for better financial opportunities. As familiar artists are focusing their careers in the lucrative Chinese market, TVB is suffering from the lack of leading stars and has resorted to promote external artists. Artists such as Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼), Jessica Hsuan (宣萱), and Fala Chen (陳法拉) ventured outside of TVB desiring more freedom and better filming schedules. Moses Chan (陳豪) and Michael Tse (謝天華) also expressed interest to film in China. Though Moses is ranked as one of the highest earners in Hong Kong television, he hopes to earn more money and save for his marriage fund with Aimee Chan (陳茵媺). Although they pledge their loyalty to TVB, even Kenneth Ma (馬國明) and Tavia Yeung (楊怡) would also like to have a bite of the lucrative mainland pie. Without its field of popular fadans and siu sangs to lead its dramas, TVB has to quickly promote other artists to take their place. Artists from i-Cable When producer Sandy Yue (余詠珊) returned to TVB from Taiwan’s Next Media last year, she played an important role in persuading TVB to cast former i-Cable presenter, Priscilla Wong (黃翠如) as the female lead in Reality Check <心路GPS>. Despite the lukewarm response to the relatively new actress, TVB signed additional hosting celebrities from i-Cable such as Tony Hung (洪永城), Luk Ho Ming (陸浩明), and Ali Lee (李佳芯). Artists from ATV With ATV struggling to raise its viewership ratings from the single digits, many of its former artists have crossed over to TVB. Ruco Chan (陳展鵬), Joey Meng (萬綺雯), Alice Chan (陳煒) and Kristal Tin (田蕊妮) are the successful examples. However, as the changing of the guard of its leading artists is taking place, the artists have yet to cement their status due to changing TVB management whims. Despite joining TVB in 2008, Kristal Tin seems to be overshadowed by newcomer, Priscilla Wong in upcoming Qing dynasty drama, The Verbal Side of Court <舌劍上的公堂>. Kristal’s screen time was greatly reduced, even though she was originally the main actress. Among former ATV artists, Ruco Chan is the most highly utilized and considered to be the next big TVB star. Starring in currently aired drama, Slow Boat Home <情越海岸線>, Ruco co-leads with Raymond Wong (黃浩然). Ruco has been filming nonstop over the last year and half, with leading roles in the upcoming Brother’s Keeper <巨輪>, Ruse of Engagement <叛逃>, and Outbound Love <單戀雙城>. Unhappiness Among TVB With the influx of external artists replacing their own pool of talents, taking up important roles in their variety programs and series, TVB’s own artists such as Moses Chan and Wayne Lai (黎耀祥) were rumored to have expressed their discontentment with the substandard skills of the leading artists. To this, TVB executive, Catherine Tsang (曾勵珍) denied the negative rumors. At yesterday’s 2013 First Half Outstanding Staff Awards ceremony, where both Chen Yiu Chuan (陳耀全) and Sandy Yue went home with awards, Catherine Tsang said, “I believe both of them are good so I hope everyone will stop splitting into groups. I also don’t think it’s true that someone is accusing Sandy Yue of breaking up TVB since joining us.” Creds: Apple Daily
