Veteran entertainment figure Eric Tsang Chi-wai announced his immediate resignation as General Manager of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) yesterday evening, coinciding with his receipt of the prestigious “Legend of Glory” award at the station’s annual prize ceremony. Tsang confirmed his departure ends a challenging five-year tenure leading the Hong Kong broadcasting giant, emphasizing a desire for structural succession and a return to creative freedom, particularly within the film industry.
Speaking to the press after the TVB Anniversary Awards 2025, Tsang expressed deep gratitude for the honour, which was presented by long-time colleague Alan Tam. He reflected on the award as validation for his efforts, marking a successful completion of the goals he set upon joining the organization.
Mission Accomplished: Stabilizing the ‘Big Cruise Ship’
Tsang, an industry icon known for his exuberance, admitted to reporters that his performance as a corporate executive was merely satisfactory, playfully rating himself “in the low 50s.” He confessed that administration was not his strong suit, noting the difficulty of rapid change within a massive organization like TVB.
“TVB is an enormous cruise ship, and it needs time to fully switch over from oil to electric power,” he remarked. Despite the hurdles, he cited the most significant achievement of his tenure: reviving viewer engagement and boosting advertising revenue. “The biggest success is that the audience now feels TVB’s programmes are entertaining, and the advertisements have all returned,” he stated.
The decision to step down was neither swift nor easy. Tsang revealed that he had submitted his resignation multiple times before it was accepted. He attributes his final departure to three main factors: his children’s insistence that he prioritize rest, the need to ensure a competent management team was ready to take over, and his desire to focus on new, strategic development projects for the company from an external perspective.
Tsang confirmed that he will officially relinquish the GM role this month, having enjoyed over a month of accrued leave. He has agreed to remain connected to TVB in a consultancy capacity, participating in monthly meetings to advise on future plans and developments.
The Burden of Corporate Life Versus Creative Freedom
A major driving force behind his resignation was the operational constraints of the General Manager position, particularly the demands of a rigid corporate schedule.
“I’m a free spirit, accustomed to the fast-paced, project-based life of filmmaking. A film wraps, and I can take a break,” Tsang explained. Conversely, the continuous nature of television work, combined with the relentless schedule of meetings—he cited the challenge of consistently meeting the 9:30 am start time—proved exceptionally taxing.
More importantly, the executive role hampered his ability to engage creatively and spontaneously. Tsang pointed out that as a representative of TVB, a publicly listed company, he was obligated to temper his often irreverent public comments. “Anything I did or said seemed to represent TVB. I couldn’t speak freely or joke irresponsibly as I used to,” he noted. “To bring more joy to the audience, I need to be a free agent.”
Renewed Focus on Hong Kong Cinema
With his television administration career concluded, Tsang is eager to return to his roots: the film industry. He acknowledged feeling somewhat disconnected from the current cinematic landscape after five years away but expressed a strong desire to reconnect with local audiences and support emerging talent.
Tsang plans to prioritize acting, which he views as a personal joy and interest. However, he also holds an enduring commitment to directing and producing, seeing these roles as a responsibility to mentor new directors and revitalise the Hong Kong film sector. His immediate focus will be on collaborating with new filmmakers to produce local movies.
