Hong Kong’s television studio TVB has recently made waves with its drama series “The Queen of News,” garnering widespread acclaim and audience engagement across both the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. Hailed as one of the best Hong Kong series in recent years, this show signifies a notable shift in the region’s film and TV industry.
The success of “The Queen of News” aligns with Hong Kong’s active participation in China’s Greater Bay Area strategy, leveraging the rapid cultural development of the country. New Hong Kong films and TV series are gaining traction by drawing upon China’s rich cultural heritage and integrating with multiple streaming platforms through various forms of collaboration.
Starring prominent actors like Charmaine Sheh, Kenneth Ma, Selena Lee, and Samantha Ko, this 26-episode drama, available on TV stations and the Chinese streaming site Youku, delves into the world of journalism. It focuses on the challenges, dedication, and personal-professional conflicts faced by journalists.
The series has captivated audiences with its intense plot, engaging storytelling, and diverse characters, trending frequently on China’s social media platforms. It has made significant appearances on Sina Weibo and Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok). The series’ rating on Douban, a Chinese media rating site, reflects its growing popularity, with a notable increase from 7.9/10 to 8.2/10 based on nearly 40,000 audience reviews.
TVB, once a cultural hallmark for Hong Kong’s industry, had seen a decline due to repetitive themes and outdated creative models. Collaborating with mainland streaming sites has been a strategic move for TVB to revitalize its content and reach. Mainland platforms focus on audience preferences, reflecting significant shifts in aesthetic tastes and viewing habits, essential for content creation.
Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, notes that dramas focusing on professional life are a strength of Hong Kong’s TV industry, particularly TVB. “The Queen of News” succeeds in depicting the everyday life of common people in a fast-paced society and leveraging the mature models and big data of rapidly evolving streaming giants.
This resurgence of “New Hong Kong TV series” illustrates the benefits reaped by Hong Kong’s film and TV industry from the cultural development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The National 14th Five-Year Plan emphasizes central government support for Hong Kong’s evolution as an East-meets-West hub for international cultural exchange. This includes favorable policies encouraging collaboration between Hong Kong and mainland filmmakers, as seen in co-productions like “The Battle at Lake Changjin” and “Operation Red Sea.”
The integration of the film and TV industry extends beyond movies to TV series and variety shows. TVB, since entering the mainland market in 2022, has made significant strides in various domains. The mainland’s innovative marketing, diverse filming locations, and creative resources offer ample opportunities for Hong Kong’s industry. Conversely, Hong Kong’s established film and TV production system and unique artist training model contribute significantly to the mainland industry.
The deepening of exchanges and cooperative efforts between Hong Kong and the mainland film and TV industries is paving the way for a renaissance of high-quality productions. This mutual enhancement promises a bright future for audiences who can anticipate a greater array of compelling and culturally rich content on their screens.
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