A significant restructuring is underway for one of Hong Kong’s major annual music events, the Metro Hit Awards (勁爆頒獎禮), signaling a focused effort to enhance the ceremony’s prestige and market relevance. Following the close of the 2025 event in late December, Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited CEO Steven Ma called for immediate high-level meetings to drastically optimize and reform the award structure, citing a core motivation of “respecting music.”
Sources indicate that the primary change will be a substantial reduction in the total number of accolades presented. The award count, which stood at 73 categories in the previous iteration, is reportedly being slashed to just 48. This dramatic reduction aims to consolidate nominations, intensify competition, and subsequently heighten the intrinsic value of each remaining award.
Streamlining Competition Categories
The overhaul specifically targets major categories like the Newcomer Awards and Duet Awards. The previous structure, which segmented New Artist honors into Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers for both male and female artists, is set to be merged into a single “Metro Hit Newcomer Award.”
This consolidation means burgeoning artists will face considerably stiffer competition to secure the sole Newcomer trophy, moving away from previous multiple-winner models. Similarly, the Metro Hit Duet Song Awards (also previously divided into Gold, Silver, and Bronze) are rumored to be completely eliminated. Artists collaborating on duets will instead rely on the strength of their material to contend for a coveted spot within the fiercely competitive Top Ten Metro Hit Songs category, significantly raising the bar for success.
Elevating Quality and Industry Trust
The impetus behind this comprehensive reform, driven by CEO Ma, is multifaceted. The primary objectives are to tangibly boost the quality and recognition of the awards. By reducing volume, the organizers aim to elevate the appreciation and demand for high-caliber new music, thereby strengthening both industry and public confidence in the integrity of the ceremony.
The CEO’s strategy extends beyond the awards night itself. Metro Broadcast is seeking to partner with record labels to foster the sustained development of Cantonese pop music (Cantopop). Furthermore, plans are in motion to bolster the quality of music programming on Metro Info Channel throughout the coming year, ensuring listeners receive higher quality musical content year-round.
This restructuring places intense pressure on artists and their teams. They must now achieve an exceptional level of artistic output to stand out among the limited pool of 48 categories. The drive for a more streamlined, meritocratic recognition system reflects a broader industry movement seeking to re-establish the credibility and significance of major entertainment awards in the competitive Hong Kong music scene. The new format is expected to debut at the Metro Hit Awards 2026 ceremony.
