Lede: A top TVB executive disclosed Tuesday that the network paid over $100,000—a then-astronomical sum—for the notorious “alien autopsy” footage that became a defining moment of 1990s Hong Kong television, sparking decades of debate over its authenticity.
Body: The revelation came during the latest episode of the TVB Plus program “There Are Aliens Here,” which focused on the Roswell incident and its cultural impact. Hosted by Luk Ho-ming, Ryan Fung, and Yuki Law, the show featured Yeung Wing-cheung, now Assistant Director (Information, Education, and Culture) at TVB’s production department, who was directly involved in purchasing and broadcasting the controversial video.
Yeung recalled that the footage originally aired on the long-running current affairs program “Today’s Truth.” He described it as a defining piece of Hong Kong’s collective memory. During the segment, co-host Yuki Law—who was not yet born when the footage first aired—admitted that even years later, she found the images startling.
Yeung detailed the meticulous acquisition process. “At the time, ‘Today’s Truth’ was very profitable and had the resources to acquire unique materials,” he explained. A senior programming executive spotted a wire service report announcing the release of a highly classified film involving an alien autopsy. The story claimed a military cameraman had kept the footage for decades and decided to release it as he neared the end of his life.
The hosts pressed Yeung on the purchase price, which had remained undisclosed for decades. “It was over $100,000 U.S. dollars—just for one film,” he said. “That was a very high value at the time.”
Yeung revealed that the seller orchestrated a highly convincing sales strategy. They required all buyers to broadcast simultaneously and offered exclusive regional rights. “It made you feel the footage was extremely precious,” he said. “Buyers included Britain’s Channel 4 and America’s Fox Television—major networks—which added credibility and made it seem like a rare opportunity.”
The deal required TVB executives to travel to the United States to sign contracts. Secrecy was paramount: only four people were involved in the transfer, editing, and viewing process. When Yeung first watched the tape, he had mixed feelings. “My first reaction was that it seemed real,” he recalled. “But I was surprised. The whole film was only about 21 minutes long, and the actual autopsy sequence lasted just a few minutes.”
To bolster the segment, TVB dispatched a production team to Roswell, New Mexico. They investigated the alleged crash site, interviewed witnesses, visited a warehouse storing claimed wreckage, and spoke with retired military personnel. The result was a ratings triumph: the episode scored over 30 points—which Yeung described as an “astronomical figure”—and sparked a full-blown cultural craze.
Appearing on the same episode, self-proclaimed “alien expert” Stan revealed he had rushed home daily to watch the series. “Every episode ended, and I’d think, ‘Oh, it’s over already?’” He recalled questioning how such a confidential film could be bought and broadcast. Stan systematically dismantled the footage’s credibility, citing anachronisms: “The film claims to be from 1947, but the telephone cord shown wasn’t produced until the 1950s, and the clock is a 1960s model.” He further criticized the depicted autopsy technique and equipment as crude and unprofessional.
Broader Impact: The revelation underscores how a single piece of compelling, if dubious, footage can capture global imagination and generate immense commercial value. While the Roswell alien autopsy film has long been dismissed by scientists as a hoax, its legacy endures as a cautionary tale about media sensationalism and the public’s enduring fascination with the unexplained. For viewers today, the story offers a behind-the-scenes look at how news organizations balance entertainment, commerce, and credibility in the race for ratings.
