“Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) is seeking an injunction from the Supreme Court to share broadcasting rights for the 1988 Seoul Olympics with Asia Television Limited (ATV),” the South China Morning Post reported on August 9, 1988. “TVB argued that it was in the public interest for both broadcasters to broadcast the Olympics because it would enable a larger audience to be reached with different programs at different times.

“ATV, however, opposes the motion, claiming that any injunction would impose an undue hardship on the company and would prejudice the rights of the Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee (SLOOC), advertisers and the agent through which it acquired the rights, Telesports Limited.”

On August 16, the Post reported that ATV “acted in a ‘secret, underhanded and dishonorable’ manner to acquire exclusive broadcasting rights to the Olympic Games, a judge said yesterday.

“Judge Jones ordered that ATV must share the broadcasting rights to the Games with (TVB) and that ATV must seek permission from (SLOOC) to share the Games. If permission is not granted, ‘unfortunately, the 1988 Seoul Olympics cannot be broadcast in Hong Kong’ (…) The ‘total secrecy of ATV and Telesports’ unilateral negotiations with SLOOC was directed against TVB’ (…), Judge Jones said. ‘ATV’s actions were not only dishonourable but also unreasonable,’ he said.”