TVBC Offers Charmaine Sheh 50 Million RMB Contract
Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) may have left TVB and given up her title as their reigning Number One Sister, but her market in mainland China continues to grow at a phenomenal speed. It’s rumored that Huayi Brothers Media offered an 80 million RMB contract in order to get the TV Queen to sign with them.
Ever since Charmaine headed up north, she maintains a tight schedule. And with activities lined up for the rest of the year, it was revealed that her only free time to film for TVB would be in 2014. Since her previous TVB dramas, War and Beauty <金枝慾孽>, Beyond the Realm of Conscience <宮心計>, and Can’t Buy Me Love <公主嫁到> have proven to be successful in China, the three major companies have already sent out offers to Charmaine ever since her contract with her first entertainment company expired in March.
TVBC Offers a $50 Million Contract
While Charmaine still has not decided on which company to work with, TVB is actually pulling strings to get Charmaine to sign with them again. TVB China, the joint venture between TVB, China Media Capital (CMC), and Shanghai Media Group (SMG), sent out representatives to negotiate the details of a proposed contract with Charmaine earlier.
Charmaine has maintained a good relationship with TVB executive, Virginia Lok (樂易玲), and it was rumored that Ms. Lok took part in drawing up the 50 million RMB agreement for the 38-year-old actress to sign. Ms. Lok made sure the contract was tempting enough to draw Charmaine’s attention. Besides only being contracted for a short period of three years, Charmaine would also get an opportunity to work with Tony Leung (梁家輝).
In response to the heated battle, Charmaine said, “Since my contract with my old company expired in March, I’ve been rethinking about who I want to work with in the future. Both Huayi Brothers and TVBC have offered great conditions but my main worry is the length of the contract. I’m getting old now, I don’t want to give myself so much pressure!”
Charmaine also denied that Huayi offered her 80 million RMB and said the number was exaggerated. She continued to stress that she needs more time to think about the options and her previous relationship with TVB will not affect her final decision because her main goal is still to work in mainland.
Ms. Lok said, “Of course I want Charmaine back with TVB but since she’s popular, a lot of companies are fighting too! The offer amount is confidential. I don’t want to reveal too much; however, the price is not the main negotiation point, factors such as relationship terms between company and artistes are taken into consideration.”
More TVB Artists to Leave?
Besides Charmaine, who left in 2011, many artists’ contracts are expiring. Earlier this year, both Fala Chen (陳法拉) and Michael Tse (謝天華) decided to head off in different directions. As well, Tavia Yeung (楊怡), Moses Chan (陳豪), Raymond Lam (林峯), and Selena Li’s (李詩韻) contracts all expire in 2014. While the management team is desperately trying to retain the actors, some have already started to head up north for more opportunities.
Kevin Cheung’s (鄭嘉穎) popularity rose since Bu Bu Jing Xin<步步驚心> and it is estimated that his pay is roughly 500,000 RMB an episode. Since his popularity continues to skyrocket, there is a high possibility that Kevin will not renew his contract when it expires in 2016.
TVB’s only hopes right now are with Linda Chung (鍾嘉欣) and Kate Tsui (徐子珊), who are both tied down with 5 to 8 year agreements. Because of this factor, both Linda and Kate have been heavily promoted, with Linda starring in Tiger Cubs 2 <飛虎 II> and Kate given the chance to work with Dayo Wong <飛虎 II> in My Prime Lady <My盛Lady>.
Source: Ming Pao Weekly via ihktv.com
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
Very glad for Charmaine ……….. so much in demand.
I wish to watch more of Charmaine Sheh’s drama series in Cantonese.
I also wish to see more of Charmaine Sheh’s dramas (:
Since filming in mainland, I’ve only managed to catch one series of her drama (i.e. the one where she was married into a wealthy family). What’s happening with that long historical series regarding the Mongolians? Have they finished or are still filming ? Anyone watched any other series filmed in mainland ??
Legend of Kublai Khan has just aired in Hunan but the official debut will come later this year.
As for Malaysia, it will be airing in September on 8TV, ads it says simultaneous airing internationally, so I think Mainland China/Singapore/Taiwan will air around the same time.
I’m watching legend of kublai khan on youtube atm
@jinx, that version is horribly edited by TV station and pissed of the production team.
Have yet to see even one of Charmaine’s mainland dramas although I’m sure they’re good as they tend to have very good production value. If only they’d show it on TV here 🙁
Anyone know any sites I could stream mainland dramas from?
Charmaine is one of my favorite “criers” in terms of actresses. She can create tears that pool in her eyes, not have to make fake sniffling noises, and not have to scrunch her face to make your heart break for her characters. That’s not to say she’s not good in her performance of other emotions as well.
TVB is really getting desperate now!!!Not really a big fan of hers but will be good to see her back
She is one of my favorite actress. I think she should hurry up and get married and start a family. Imo
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Now only tvb realized Charmaine so popular everyone fighting for her , should have pay her more in the old days anyway Charmaine is a smart girl she can think wisely who to choose, whoever she chooses support her.
she’s been my favorite actress for years. i love her acting. if she comes back i hope she will be in good tvb series
How come tvbc can offer someone so much aren’t they cheap like tvb
can’t bear to read the name virginia lok, she sounds so bossy all the time
With all the good fadans and siusangs leaving in the next 18 months, TVB is in real trouble. I’m going to miss Michael Tse and hope Michael Miu is not leaving but rather opt for freelance status. Even so many regular veterans whom we see in supportive middle-age or elderly roles are gone………Kara Hui, Yuen Wah, Gordon Liu (in hospital indefinitely), etc, etc . Seems only LawLan still hanging in there. What’s happening ? TVB should not let so many of their popular regulars film in mainland all at once cause they’ve no one else.
But having said that, some new comers and those having been around TVB for a while on second-status are slowly given a chance to shine.
For years TVB has been shortchanging artists in terms of pay, instead choosing to scoop profits for themselves. Looks like this policy is finally coming back to bite them in the arse as their talented staff are fleeing to “greener” pastures.
Easiest way to retain people is to ensure they are paid what they are worth and treat them with respect, rather than filming cattle.
Good point! Either a lot of pay for working like cattle or lesser pay, but easier work schedules.
Omg… We’re stuck with Kate n Linda?!??!?!?!
That’s not that bad!
Lol so mean! They’re getting better…really like ta via Charmaine Jessica etc though hope tvb will be able to work out something!
yes sadly we are. kate… oh god..
More like Myolie Wu -__-
yeah, both of them still have a long way to go before can reach charmaine standards
What significant stuff has she done in the Mainland since leaving TVB that led her to command a premier price? The only drama I heard was something like “Married into a Crappy Family”, which was a dud rating wise.
Yes, missing Charmaine.
I am glad that some of these actors/actresses have more opportunities to star in better tv series and earning more money than TVB. TVB has long been cheap with their stars and raking in massive profits.
Actress present day/”:
Tavia. The big sister present day @tvb. Don’t care what kind of role. Superb actress
Linda. Has proven to be a good actress. So excited to see her in
TIger Cubs 2
Myolie has proven, that she can lead a serie.
Kate is not funny. Hopely she has learnt a lot from Dayo.
Fala. Great!! You finaly find out you need to improve your acting. Good girl