Olympics Broadcast Issue Explained

The Government today said the decision not to give Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) the rights to broadcast the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games live was made to avoid the duplication of resources.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced on May 11 that the Government purchased the broadcasting rights to the Tokyo Games and will allow five licensed commercial broadcasters to broadcast the events live.

At a media session after attending a Legislative Council meeting this afternoon, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau explained the reason for the decision.

Mr Yau said: "For the live broadcast of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it will still be very much done by the commercial operators, through which they can continue to earn their revenue. So there is no need for RTHK as a public broadcaster to duplicate resources in the production of such a programme.

"We are not saying that RTHK is being deprived of the right to broadcast the games. Actually, as part of the deal, RTHK will be given footage by the commercial operators so that they can also produce their own programmes without committing additional resources.

"And also given the very tight schedule, I think that’s the best deal taking into consideration the policy that allowing commercial enterprises in the long run to continue to use this way to obtain broadcasting rights for major events, but at the same time catering for the public aspiration and demand for this Olympics to be covered. I think that's the essence of the whole policy."