31 October 2024 

On 31 October 2024, the School of Communication (SCOM) held its “SCOM Talk #53”, for which the School invited Ms Chirstine Yu, an executive producer at RTHK (Hong Kong Radio Television), to share her insights on live broadcasting large-scale sporting events.

Ms Yu discussed the challenges of selecting which events to broadcast each day among the numerous competitions, especially during the Paris Olympics, where up to eighty signals were provided. She explained that the production team focused on events featuring the National and Hong Kong teams while also highlighting some lesser known yet exciting competitions to engage viewers and broaden their perspectives.

She highlighted the competitive nature of hiring professional hosts and commentators, noting the team’s swift planning and extensive research to prepare them. This included compiling detailed information on competition formats, athletes’ progression pathways, information about key athletes, and more.

Ms Yu also addressed the technical challenges of coordinating broadcasts across time zones, as her team works tirelessly to meet Hong Kong’s audience needs. Despite the demanding schedule, she finds fulfillment in witnessing Hong Kong athletes’ show their potential.

Ms Yu also travelled to Paris for the Paralympics in spite of lower public interest in these events, hoping that RTHK broadcast of the Paralympics would help public understanding and recognition of the athletes and their inspiring stories.