Who owns NOW TV Hong Kong?

Beyond the Screen: Unpacking the Ownership of Now TV Hong Kong

While Hong Kong explodes with excitement over Now TV’s continued reign as the home of Premier League football, many might wonder: who exactly is pulling the strings behind this powerful media entity? The answer, while seemingly straightforward, reveals a story of telecommunications giants and strategic media investments.

Now TV, the pay-TV broadcaster that has held the exclusive rights to broadcast England’s Premier League in Hong Kong for over 15 years, is owned by PCCW Limited. This isn’t a small-scale operation; PCCW is a major telecommunications company headquartered in Hong Kong. They aren’t just about television; their reach encompasses telecommunications services, mobile communications, internet services, and IT solutions.

Understanding the ownership structure of PCCW provides further insight. While PCCW is a publicly traded company, meaning shares are available on the stock market, its largest shareholder is Richard Li Tzar-kai, the son of Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing. He controls a significant portion of PCCW’s shares through his privately held company, Pacific Century Group.

Therefore, while technically owned by PCCW Limited, a publicly listed company, Now TV’s direction and strategy are ultimately influenced by its parent company, which in turn is significantly impacted by Richard Li’s Pacific Century Group.

This lineage is important to consider. PCCW’s deep roots in Hong Kong’s telecommunications infrastructure provide Now TV with a significant competitive advantage. Their pre-existing networks and technological capabilities allow them to deliver high-quality streaming and broadcast services to a wide audience. Furthermore, the financial strength of PCCW, backed by Richard Li’s vast resources, allows Now TV to secure exclusive broadcasting rights for lucrative events like the Premier League, solidifying its market position.

So, the next time you’re glued to your screen watching your favorite Premier League team on Now TV, remember that you’re not just watching a football game. You’re engaging with a product of PCCW, a telecommunications powerhouse, and indirectly, contributing to the legacy and influence of one of Hong Kong’s most prominent families. The seemingly simple question of ownership reveals a complex interplay of telecommunications, media, and entrepreneurial power within the dynamic landscape of Hong Kong.