'Govt should ensure free broadcasts for next Olympics'
The Liberal Party on Monday called on the government to provide the TV rights for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles for free to major broadcasters in Hong Kong. The party surveyed 1,047 people, with around 70 percent of them backing the idea of the government buying the official rights. Authorities secured the television rights for the Paris Olympics, enabling live broadcasts on four free-to-air television channels. Speaking at a press briefing, Southern District Councillor Jonathan Leung, who is also from the Liberal Party, said the free broadcasting rights had ignited an Olympic fervour across the city. Leung said the government should ensure that people in Hong Kong could watch the Los Angeles Games for free. "This Olympics, we can see that the media tried so hard to broadcast, to show our citizens how good this Olympics is. I believe they all benefited from the free broadcasting this year," he explained. "I think they would [be] happy to see the government purchase the next Olympics broadcasting [rights], and they would share the benefit. I think it's good for all of us - the television, the media, and the citizens." In response to concerns over the remuneration local athletes receive, Leung called on businesses to offer more sponsorship and job opportunities to athletes.