Sports Chief: RTHK Lacks Resources To Cover Games

Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung says there's no way public broadcaster RTHK would have the resources to broadcast coverage of the Tokyo Olympics on its own.

Speaking on RTHK's City Forum on Sunday, Yeung also said it was unlikely that the Tokyo Olympics would be further delayed, given it is only two months away. This is despite a surge in coronavirus cases and calls for cancellation from many residents of the Japanese capital.

On Tuesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced the government had purchased the broadcasting rights to the Games, and that Hong Kong people would be able to watch them for free on the territory’s five licensed broadcasters.

Yeung said the five commercial stations would broadcast the events together, while RTHK would not be involved.

He added that it was rare for the government to buy the broadcasting rights and allow commercial stations to televise the Olympics for free, following decisions from the television stations not to go for the rights.

"We have to emphasise this is a one-off arrangement in view of the latest situation, including the Covid-19 situation," he said.

"After Covid-19, which affects the whole world's economy, I think the International Olympic Committee, as well as the commercial broadcasters, have to review the situation and find a mutually acceptable solution" on the pricing of the broadcast rights.

He says the five TV stations – excluding RTHK – are teaming up to broadcast the Games in Japan, to ensure all events that Hong Kong athletes compete in will be aired here.

RTHK would be given highlights of the Games, he said, as the station lacked the resources to air the events on its own.

He said the public broadcaster and the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau had told him it did not have experienced staff or the facilities, which would cost millions.

"RTHK has not been involved in the broadcasting of previous Olympics," he said. "And given we are just two months [away from] the Tokyo Olympics, there is insufficient time for RTHK to make the necessary preparation for live broadcast."

But Vincent Ng, a sports reporter who spoke on City Forum, disagreed.

He said there were different ways to broadcast the Games with different budgets, and RTHK could simply livestream the footage it received from Tokyo if it was concerned about a lack of resources.

"It's always good that people could watch the Olympics on more channels," he said.