TVB is kicking start 2016 by axing its low-rating shows. Aside from 'Lord of Shanghai,' a majority of the station's 2015 series did not fare well in ratings, prompting TVB CEO Mark Lee to cancel five series from this year's lineup: No Reservations, Rogue Emperor, Come With Me, Watch Out Boss, and The Last Healer in Forbidden City.

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These series were given high publicity, but they still failed to get high ratings.

The Last Healer in Forbidden City is believed to be Tavia Yeung's last series in TVB, while No Reservations is Myolie Wu's final production.

Aside from the ratings, an internal conflict in the station is rumored as another reason for the pull out of the shows. With Catherine Tsang's diminished clout, Lee and Assistant General Manager Felix To have reportedly decided to totally cancel what they consider to be the station's worst performing shows, which cost them over HK $75 million to produce.

To noted that the colossal success Fan Bingbing's Mainland drama The Empress of China could lead to the purchase of more mainland series for the station's primetime slots. Wu Xin: The Monster Killer  is also slated for schedule.

"It hasn't been set in stone yet so I don't have a response," Rogue Emperor star Kenneth Ma said with regards to the cancelation of his show.

"I haven't heard about this, but I'm the lead actress in [Come With Me]. It would be a shame if it didn't air. But as an artiste - I can't help it. I will respect the decisions of the company," actress Sharon Chan said.

Studio bigwigs Catherine Tsang and Sandy Yu are squaring off for supremacy in the drama department. Tsang fell from favor with the disappointing ratings and poor reviews of the station's shows after she took over the drama department in 2014. Yu, meanwhile, is currently the station's darling  with her success in the variety department after shows like Big Big World, DoDo Goes Shopping, and Four Amigos Bon Voyage emerged as ratings winner.

TagsTVB, catherine tsang, sandy yu