TVB Finally Came to an Agreement With the Big Four Recording Companies

​

The three-year-long royalty dispute between TVB and the Hong Kong Recording Industry Alliance (HKRIA), formed by the Big Four Recording Companies, may finally be coming to an end soon. HRKIA comprises of EMI Group, Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner Music Group.

The controversy began in late 2009, when TVB became upset with HKRIA’s request to increase its royalty tax to TVB. TVB sent out an order to ban all singers that belonged to the Big Four from appearing on the station, including those that were already holding TVB music shows at the time.

Last month, the HKRIA agreed to look into a “basket contract” offered by TVB general manager Lee Po On (李寶安). The term “basket contract” refers to the agreement that TVB will allow all singers from the Big Four Recording Companies to appear on their station from now on. TVB also agrees to offer a six-figure sum in royalty payments to the Big Four Recording Companies.

Oriental Daily revealed that TVB is close to sealing the deal with the Big Four. A decision has not been made yet with the largest brother Universal Music. However, the label has submitted the contract to its headquarters in the United States for further examinations and approvals.

Lee Po On confirmed through a phone interview that the Big Four is interested in signing the basket contract. Singers from EMI Group, Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner Music Group will be allowed to make appearances and promote their works on TVB. The contract will be based on a per-year basis, in which a renewed contracted will be offered every year. However, Lee refused to disclose the exact sum of royalties.

According to TVB executive, Sandy Yu (余詠珊), singers from the Big Four would not be able to perform on the station until the Miss Chinese International Pageant in March 2013. “I am also waiting, but I don’t think they will make it for the spring festival gala. A while back we had a talk with Universal’s Kelly Chen (陳慧琳) [to perform at the pageant], but she won’t be in Hong Kong around that time. Right now, we are planning to invite more performers. We really want to invite Universal’s Eason Chan (陳奕迅).”

Executive officers from the Big Four companies have yet to comment on the matter.


Creds: Oriental Daily