Eric Tsang reveals three reasons for returning to TVB, admits he underestimated the workload: “I thought it wouldn’t be this tough.”

(Macau, Jan 5) Veteran Hong Kong entertainer Eric Tsang officially announced his resignation as General Manager of TVB at the TVB Anniversary Awards 2025, bringing an end to his widely discussed management tenure. Since returning to the broadcaster in 2021, Tsang has spearheaded numerous reforms in programming and operations. He recently opened up in a television interview about the internal struggles he faced when accepting the role, as well as the immense pressure and sacrifices rarely known to the public.

Tsang revealed that his decision to return to TVB was driven by three main reasons. First, TVB was where his career began and flourished, giving him a strong emotional attachment to the organization. Second, he believed that as a free-to-air broadcaster, TVB carries a social responsibility to provide accurate information and positive values to the public. Most importantly, he hoped to pass on the principles and experience he learned from veterans such as Sir Run Run Shaw to the next generation of industry professionals, viewing it as a way to give back to the industry.

During his tenure, Tsang set clear directions for programme production, emphasizing that entertainment must go hand in hand with accuracy and positive messaging. He launched multiple initiatives aimed at nurturing young talent, injecting fresh blood into the entertainment industry, while also expanding TVB’s presence in the Greater Bay Area through collaborations with mainland Chinese platforms.

However, the decision initially met with opposition from his family. Tsang admitted that his children strongly objected, believing he did not need to take on such a demanding role at this stage of his life. He also acknowledged that he underestimated the workload, later realizing that the fixed office hours and administrative responsibilities were vastly different from his previously flexible lifestyle.

Over the years, Tsang has often been photographed dozing off in public, earning him a reputation for being able to “sleep anywhere.” Fellow entertainer Yuen Siu-cheung defended him on the programme, explaining that it was a result of extreme exhaustion. According to Yuen, Tsang frequently sacrificed sleep to read scripts, particularly those written by young directors and screenwriters, in hopes of discovering new talent.

Tsang shared that his dedication stems from his own early career experiences. When he first entered the industry, the biggest challenge was not creativity but the lack of mentors willing to support newcomers. Therefore, once he gained influence, he was determined to create opportunities for the younger generation. Nevertheless, he emphasized that nurturing talent must be done with principles, stressing that character matters just as much as professional ability, saying, “I don’t want to bring the wrong kind of people into this industry.”