11 May 2001

Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) proudly announced yesterday (11 May 2001) that the station has been awarded the National Association of Broadcasters' (NAB) International Broadcasting Excellence Award 2001. The award recognizes the company for its outstanding contributions to the community through a wide range of charitable programmes and activities. Hong Kong thus becomes the first city in Asia to receive this prestigious award in this area.

The NAB bestowed the award in two categories: single/independent stations and groups/networks. TVB competed in the latter category and submitted an entry in response to the contest question, "What have you done to improve life in your community?" At the celebration reception held yesterday, a video was shown capturing the essence of TVB's written application for the Award. Following the video, Mr. Norman Leung, Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority and Mr T K Ho, General Manger - Television Broadcasting of TVB, together presented the Award to the media. Also attending the function were a number of renowned artistes who in recent years have added celebrity momentum to the many charitable TVB fundraising events the NAB considered in determining TVB to be this year's winner.

As one of the leading television stations in Hong Kong, TVB is keenly aware of its responsibility to the community. Over its 33-year history, TVB, through its Jade channel, has raised more than HK$1.76 billion for various charitable organizations. Despite the economic downturn prevailing in Hong Kong during 1999 and most of 2000, TVB was nevertheless able to raise charitable funds totaling HK$343 million through the production of 44 fund-raising television programmes - a remarkable average of one event every other week.

In its congratulatory message to TVB, the NAB stated that the Company was selected from a multitude of excellent candidates because of its outstanding service to the community. TVB's efforts to raise funds for earthquake and flood victims, and many other charitable causes, were commendable, the NAB said. However, at yesterday's celebration reception, TVB emphasized that much of the credit for its success in these charitable endeavors - and thus much of the honour associated with the winning of the NAB award - must go to Hong Kong and its people, who have given so generously in support of these many worthy causes.

TVB has used innovative television programme formats in its efforts to raise funds for the underprivileged. Some examples include marathon variety shows, game shows, selling admission tickets, mass telephone calling games and documentaries. These unique fund-raising efforts have been well accepted by the public at large.

The NAB International Broadcasting Excellence Award, established in 1995, is widely recognized worldwide as one of the preeminent awards in the worldwide broadcasting industry. The award recognizes international broadcasters who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing the broadcast industry and in providing excellent services to their community and audiences.