TVB Charts New Course in Malaysia's Streaming Era

BusinessToday

4 days ago

TVB, the Hong Kong-based broadcasting giant, is sharpening its focus on the Malaysian market as it navigates the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.
In a recent interview with BusinessToday, Desmond S.H. Chan, General Manager of TVBI Company Limited (TVBI), the overseas arm of TVB outlined the broadcaster's strategies, challenges, and ambitions as it seeks to deepen its presence among Malaysian audiences.
Chan highlighted several hurdles facing the company, chief among them piracy and economic downturns. 'Unlike Hong Kong, where we are a free-to-air broadcaster relying on advertising, our Malaysian service is subscription-based. If viewers turn to illegal set-top boxes, we lose a crucial source of income needed to sustain our business here,' Chan explained.
Meeting Challenges with Strategic Shifts
He also cited the rise of alternative entertainment options and changing viewer habits, particularly among younger generations, as significant challenges.
This includes investing in social media strategies and partnering with both its own artists and local Malaysian influencers. TVBI is working to enhance the viewing experience by introducing subtitles in Bahasa Malaysia and English, which are currently available on the TVB Xing He channel- ensuring that programming resonates across ethnic lines.
Despite these challenges, TVBI is positioning itself for long-term growth by leveraging four core strengths: a vast library of intellectual property built since 1967; an established global distribution network; a wide roster of contracted artists; and robust in-house production capabilities.
These assets allow TVBI to adapt its content into new formats such as short-form dramas and e-sports integrations, while also exploring new revenue streams through licensing and brand collaborations.
Nurturing the Market and Building Cross-Border Careers
Market-wise, TVB identifies Malaysia as one of its primary overseas markets due to the sizable Cantonese-speaking Chinese population, which mirrors Hong Kong's demographics. Many Malaysian viewers are already familiar with TVB's content, often crediting the broadcaster's dramas for their fluency in Cantonese.
With local production costs being lower than in Hong Kong, TVB sees Malaysia as a strategic location for both audience expansion and operational efficiency.
Looking ahead, TVB is keen to nurture local talent and foster cross-border opportunities. Chan cited the recent success of a Malaysian contestant Rax Teh in TVB's 'Midlife, Sing & Shine!' competition, who has since been signed as a management artist and is being groomed for an international music career.
'Malaysia has many talented performers. What they often lack is a platform to showcase their skills beyond national borders. TVB can provide that platform through our global network,' he said.
Chan concluded with a call for audience support, urging viewers to choose legitimate TVB services over illegal alternatives. Related