Television in Singapore

Television in Singapore began on 15 February 1963.[1] The public broadcaster, MediaCorp TV, has a monopoly on terrestrial television channels and is fully owned by government holding company Temasek Holdings. Local pay TV operators are StarHub TV and Singtel TV. The private ownership of satellite dishes was previously forbidden.

Singapore households also have a high rate of TV penetration.

## History

[edit]

### Background to the introduction of television (1952–1963)

[edit]

Talks of television in Singapore were first mooted in 1952 at the British Radio Exhibition held by the British Radio and Accessories Manufacturing Association (BRAMA) at the Happy World Stadium. The event was set to be staged between 1 and 16 August and Pye was involved in delivering television equipment to these first experiments. At the time, Pye had been actively promoting television in the region and was assisting the creation of a television channel in Thailand.[2] Several television cameras were installed in the precinct and the broadcasts were linked from a mobile camera to a closed-circuit link. Televised programmes were slated to be content from local artistes and a nightly programme from Radio Malaya. A representative of a British radio manufacturer said that, if it was permitted, television should be seen "tomorrow" to the general public.[3] It was announced on 5 July that Singapore's governor at the time, J. F. Nicoll, was going to be the first face seen in the experiments.[4]

A Pye team was due to arrive on 22 July, after conducting a successful test transmission in Thailand.[5] It was decided to build a television studio for the exhibit at the last minute.[6] On 24 July, the equipment needed for the experiment arrived in 43 packing cases, set to be installed by three engineers working for the company.[7][8] Television was set to be the main attraction of the exhibit.[9]

The first day of the experimental service started with a speech by J. F. Nicoll, seen by at least 3,000 people, hoping that "television will, in due course, become a part of the daily life in Singapore". Weather conditions and a huge audience caused the camera to overheat and was sent to repair.[10] That same evening, a fashion show was staged by three Singaporean mannequins.[11][12] Four days after the start of the experiments, 31,600 people saw the broadcasts, worth $15,800 (so far, the grand total at the end was aiming at $95,000).[13] By 9 August, some 400,000 people saw the first experimental broadcasts - 40% of Singapore's population at the time.[14] The final programme of the experiments, on 16 August, was a four-hour variety show, Passing Parade.[15] Following the end of the exhibition, the Pye camera used in Singapore was sent to the UK to cover the Coronation of Elizabeth II the following year.[16]

Despite the success of the closed-circuit broadcasts, the government at the time showed strong opposition for the establishment of a regular service operated by a private company, under the grounds that the Singaporean government didn't intend to put a service under private hands.[17]

The Singaporean population had become "television conscious",[18] by September the government showed its first plans to build a television station.[19] The station was set to be operated by the government and the studied proposal gave an estimated annual cost of $1 million, with an annual recurring expenditure of $500,000. The cost would cover a camera, studio equipment and two or three outside broadcast vans. Two to three expat engineers were to provide annual maintenance, salaries for 15 locals were to be provided and the service wasn't meant to have a profit during the initial one or two years outlined. The service would be supported by license fees, with 20,000 television sets given an annual license of $25.[20] Two private companies attempted to bid for the station, but the government rejected.[21]

In July 1953, the government announced that it would not set up a television station of its own due to prohibitive costs and to reserve its right to take over such a service at a future date, if it should decide to give a service to private interests. The government also stated that such a service would have "very strict control" and would entall a considerable charge on public funds.[22]

In August 1955, the idea was revived with the government outlining a plan with a 15-year license, license fees worth $2.50, and would start within the next two years. The new station was set to be owned by a private company; the applications were to be sent by 11 October and among the interested groups were American commercial television companies. The government has also stipulated possible plans regarding advertising and sponsorship on the possible services and, by 1959, 90% of the staff to be Malayan and all of the directorship Malayan.[23] Three private firms attempted to bid for the license: the Cathay Organisation, Shaw Brothers and the Singaporean branch of Rediffusion. Cathay demanded an all-Malayan board of directors and its know-how in the film industry, whereas Rediffusion touted its expertise in the broadcasting industry, including its commercial television station in the United Kingdom. Shaw didn't provide details, other than its expertise in the entertainment sector.[24]

On 9 February 1956, following much skepticism ahead of the approval,[25][26] the Minister for Education of the time, Chew Swee Kee, sought the approval of the commercial television bid, but was backfired in the session by the then-opposition leader Lee Kuan Yew and chief secretary William Goode. Goode reiterated that in the United States, productions were mostly "trashy entertainment", "sob stuff" and "human crime serials", and that the purpose of the television station wasn't to provide exploitation "in the interest of big business" to viewers.[27] Concerns were also raised about television potentially ruining the Singaporean economy as well as the youth, as roughly half of the local population at the time was under the age of 21.[28] The following day, the government announced that it wouldn't award a license to a commercial operator, aiming instead for a station owned by the government, under the grounds that the new service wouldn't be costly.[29] A committee to study the possibility of such a service was set up in June.[30][31] The results published on 4 June 1957 implied that the operational budget of the new government service would be of about $750,000 in its first year, and the content at first would be in English and Chinese, with Indian and Malay content would later be added "depending on material".[32] [33] S. Rajaratnam announced in December 1958 that there would be no television service at least in 1959 due to lack of money. [34]

In 1960, the Singaporean government invited Japanese members of the Colombo Plan, who were well-trained television employees, to survey the situation regarding how television was to be implemented in Singapore. The move came after S. Rajanatnam had travelled to Tokyo in May for a seminar on human rights and talked with two television technicians of the NHK.[35] The NHK team had submitted a report to the government in June 1960.[36] An ad hoc television committee was set up in 1961; in February of that year, a television engineer of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, T. K. Rourke, arrived. It was decided that Singapore should have two or more television channels from the outset, with the content being provided in the main languages, four to six hours a day for each channel, and using the 625-line CCIR system. Since the project would take at least three years to finish, the government decided to plan a one-channel pilot service, in at least four languages, and under the planned four to six hour lineup. Contracts were signed with the British Marconi Company, supplying transmitters, studio equipment (such as cameras and ancillary equipment) and the Singaporean-Japanese company Marubeni-Iida, supplying outside broadcast vans and equipment, including OB to studio VHF links. Television Singapura was to be integrated under the existing service provided by the Ministry of Culture.[37]

The initial target for the launch of the television service was Christmas 1962, but due to technical and administrative problems, was delayed to early 1963. Among the problems that led to the delay were lack of trained and experienced personnel and lack of equipment.[38]

### Television Singapura/Radio and Television Singapore (1963–1980)

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On 3 January 1963, the Singaporean government announced the start of pilot programming effective February 15. The station was set to broadcast on VHF channel 5 in the 625-line television standard and would provide a license fee of $24 per year ($2 per month), touted at the time as being "one of the cheapest in this part of the world". The output from the start of the pilot service was going to last less than two hours, before extending to four hours by April. A second channel was slated to start between August and September of the same year. By the time of the March extension, the service was going to carry filmed programming in English and Hokkien, before gradually extending to include Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and other Chinese dialects. The regular service would provide, effective April, a four-hour schedule in the official languages of Singapore. A temporary studio was built on Caldecott Hill in the precincts of Radio Singapore and a television transmitter at Bukit Batok was erected. The staff consisted of experienced workers coming from the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan.[39] Ahead of the start of the pilot service, it was recommended for manufacturers of television sets to ensure that their presets would match channels 5 and 8.[40]

Television Singapura launched its pilot service on channel 5 on 15 February 1963; then-Minister for Culture S. Rajaratnam became the first person to appear on Singapore TV, announcing that "Tonight might well mark the start of a social and cultural revolution in our lives." Following his speech, the first programme televised in Singapore was a 15-minute documentary produced by Television Singapura called TV Looks at Singapore. It was followed by two cartoons, a news report and newsreel, a comedy show and a local variety show.[1]

At the time, it was estimated that only one in 58 persons in Singapore owned a TV set,[41] and the pilot service offered only one hour of broadcasting per day on Channel 5.[42] In March 1963, a local branch of the Australian company Ferris Industries began to manufacture television antennas in Singapore.[43] In March 1963, Rajaratnam said that Television Singapura had the ambitions to be "one of the best" in the world, "with the co-operation of the public. In spite of such ambitions, there was strong criticism that television gave undue prominence to English and Chinese dialects, with so little time given to programming in Malay and Tamil.[44] In late March, a campaign was initiated to install television sets in bars, restaurants and coffeeshops. By then, one week ahead of the start of regular broadcasts, the channel was broadcasting for three-and-a-half hours daily.[45] At the start of April, a Straits Times survey showed that television was now available in as many as 7000 households.[46] By August, the number of television sets has risen to 16,000.[47]

On 2 April 1963, President Yusof Ishak officially inaugurated the regular service of Television Singapura. It started off broadcasting from 7:15 pm to 11:15 p.m. nightly, showing programmes in Singapore's four official languages (English, Mandarin [including other Chinese dialects], Malay and Tamil).[42] Following the launch, it was suggested that television should be used "wisely", and not "as a drug".[48]

Channel 8 began its test transmissions on Saturday, 31 August 1963, Malaysia's national day (at the time known as Solidarity Day).[49] Its first day consisted of a Hokkien film, repeats of India's participation in the South East Asian Cultural Festival and Singapore Celebrates.[50] A second test transmission took place between 16 and 20 September of that year and devoted much of its time to the week-long celebrations, to coincide with the historic Proclamation of Malaysia, and the political campaigns leading up to the 1963 General Election.

Channel 8 started regular broadcasts on 23 November 1963. Initially the channel broadcast for only two and a half hours daily (closing at 10:10 p.m.), aiming to increase to the same hours as Channel 5 the next year. As with Channel 5, its output was in a mix of every language of the time.[51] Commercial advertising was allowed on Channel 5 starting 15 January 1964.[52] Both channels aired during the brief time Singapore was a state of Malaysia from that year to 9 August 1965, airing together with TV Malaysia from the Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur areas. From that day of independence when then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew addressed Singaporeans on the inevitable independence, both channels became the national TV stations and later formed the TV Division of Radio Television Singapore (RTS).

Television also had its fair share of criticism. Universal Pictures head Milton Rackmil, while in Singapore in 1964, said that television was luring its viewers away from cinema, and that viewers should return to cinema once the novelty was worn off.[53] Initially, television sets only received channels 5 to 10 in the VHF band (where the two Singaporean channels broadcast), but in preparation for the start of Television Malaysia's relay station in Johor Bahru, which was on channel 3, following complaints from viewers that they were unable to receive the station, from 9 December 1964, all television sets sold in Singapore would receive all channels in the VHF band (1 to 11).[54]

Beginning 1 May 1965, Television Malaysia Singapura started carrying four news bulletins a day, in each of the four official languages. The weekly total was now 28, up from 16.[55]

When Setron opened its new facility in April 1966, one out of six households had a television set, mostly due to rising incomes.[56] A purpose-built television facility was opened on 26 August 1966, at the cost of $3.6 million.[57] By that time, TV Singapura has seen tremendous growth and had established a "good reputation" abroad. Its news bulletins received good praise for the quality of its reports, and films shot by the news division were already being seen in the UK and Australia, with increasing demand from other countries.[58] The new facility would also cater the needs of the Educational Television Service, which was set to start early the following year.[59]

From 30 January 1967,[60] Channel 8 also became home to the Educational Television Service, which showed TV programmes produced by the Ministry of Education on school subjects at different educational levels and in the four national languages.[41] The blocktime slot would be transferred to Channel 12 in 1993 under the CDIS (Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore) brand.

Speculation emerged in 1972 that a third television channel would begin operating in Singapore, when on 13 January that year the Centre for Production and Training of Adult Education Television (CEPTA TV) suggested that the new channel was to be used to boost adult education.[61] The government said the following day that it had no plans to start the channel.[62]

RTS revised its two television channels on 30 March 1973. Channel 5 would broadcast in English and Malay and Channel 8 in Chinese and Tamil. This arrangement would last for the next twenty years.[63] Around this time, roughly half of its programming was imported. The United Kingdom and the United States were the primary buyers yet there was a substantial amount of imports from West Germany, Hong Kong and Australia.[64]

In January 1974, RTS purchased two colour television transmitters from Marconi, worth $700,000. They were to be installed at Bukit Batok, which underwent an expansion to accommodate them.[65] Test broadcasts with recorded programming were first held on 2 May 1974, consisting of test films and imported colour programming (such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show).[66] On 7 July 1974, Channel 5 presented its first live colour broadcast, the 1974 FIFA World Cup Final.[67] The first locally produced colour broadcast—the ninth Singapore National Day Parade—aired on 9 August.[68] The second phase of the pilot colour service began on 11 November 1974, with newsreels being converted to colour. The number of weekly hours given to colour programming increased from two hours to four on weekdays and four hours to six on weekends. The news would only be converted to colour in 1975, when the commissioned purpose-built colour studio was scheduled to open.[69]

From 1 July 1978, in line with the introduction of the Singapore government's Speak Mandarin Campaign, skits and advertisements on TV no longer used Chinese dialects. On October 30, 1979, the Hong Kong drama Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre (倚天屠龙记 or Yee Tin To Long Kei) became the first programme in Chinese dialect to be dubbed in Mandarin before its Singaporean broadcast.[70] The Mandarin dub proved to be unpopular with Cantonese-language speakers, with RTS receiving over 100 letters from viewers about the decision, with one viewer noting that the dubs caused such productions to lose their "character and authenticity".[71]

### Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (1980–1994)

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On 1 February 1980, RTS was succeeded via an act of Parliament by a new entity, the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).[72] Unlike RTS, which operated under the Ministry of Culture, SBC would operate as an autonomous state-owned enterprise (in a similar vein to the BBC in the United Kingdom); the new structure was intended to reduce the administrative burden in expanding television and radio service in Singapore.[73][74] The SBC retained a virtual monopoly on television programming in Singapore.[72] In 1983, it introduced SBCText, a teletext service.[75] On 31 January 1984, a third free-to-air TV channel, Channel 12—which would focus on serious, "heavy" cultural and educational programming—was inaugurated by Minister for Culture S. Dhanabalan.[76]

SBC began to introduce NICAM stereo broadcasts in 1985 (beginning with Channel 5 that August, and 12 in December),[77] investing in upgrades to its production facilities in order to support the format[78][79]

In September 1993, eyeing a series of changes in the following year, SBC announced that it would increase the amount of local content and broadcasting hours, with channels 5 and 12 being the initial targets.[80] SBC 8 would remain under the existing Chinese and Tamil format.[81]

### Privatization, expansion of channels (1994–present)

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On 18 December 1991, Brigadier General George Yeo, at the time the Minister of the Information and the Arts, announced a two-year plan to privatise SBC. Its three television channels were aiming to be at the hands of two or three separate companies.[82][83] The plans were delayed in March 1993 with year-end 1994 as the new target, allowing the new corporation to engage in better competition in the international market.[84] It was announced in late August 1994 that a fourth free-to-air television channel, set to use the UHF band, was going to start the following year, absorbing the cultural format of Channel 12. The plan also outlined the conversion of Channel 5 to an English-language service, Channel 8's conversion to an all-Chinese service, and the move of Channel 8's Tamil output to Channel 12.[85]

SBC's successors would be set to face commercial competition from Singapore Telecom and the NTUC. The two companies would also act as channel providers for the cable network.[86] 1 January 1994 saw the relaunch of Channel 5 as an English-language broadcaster,[87][better source needed] followed by a relaunch of Channel 12 on 30 January,[88][better source needed] and Channel 8 on 28 May.[89][better source needed] 1 January also saw the debut of Singapore International Television, a rented timeslot on the Indonesian Palapa B2P satellite intending to target overseas Singaporeans in Southeast Asia.[90][91][92]

On 1 October 1994, SBC was privatised as the holding company Singapore International Media (SIM); Channel 5 and Channel 8 was brought under the subsidiary,Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS), and Channel 12 operated under the subsidiary Singapore Television Twelve.[93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107] On 1 September 1995, Channel 8 switched exclusively to Mandarin-language programming, Channel 12 relaunched as Prime 12 (which would focus on Malay and Tamil programming), and the new UHF channel Premiere 12 launched; the new channel would be devoted to the arts, children's programming, and sports.[108] TCS was also studying the feasibility for a UHF outlet with supplementary programming to those seen on Channel 8, mimicking Premiere 12;[109] the plan was later discarded.

On 1 March 1999 at 9:00am SGT, All English news and current affairs programmes officially moved from Channel 5 to new free-to-air terrestrial channel as Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) officially very first formal launched took place as local free-to-air terrestrial news channel, Channel NewsAsia with a 18-hour broadcasts from 6:00am to stroke of midnight SGT. The channel opening with a speech by Minister of Information and the Arts George Yeo at Raffles Place.[110][111] Channel NewsAsia leaving only the main flagship daily television news bulletin (News 5 Tonight) with only one edition from 9:30pm at 10:00pm Singapore Time.

On 15 June 1999, Singapore International Media formally privatisation, restructured, and reorganized again into Media Corporation of Singapore (Mediacorp Singapore). The new name was created to avoid confusion with the Singapore Institute of Management. There were unfounded rumours of a merger between TCS and STV12, which were denied by Richard Tan.[112] MediaCorp later announced the creation of new strategic business units in July:[113]

* TV Channel Management (Channel 5, Channel 8, upcoming sports channel)
* Public Broadcasting (Singapore Television Twelve, namely Prime 12 and Premiere 12)
* Radio (12 stations owned by the Radio Corporation of Singapore)
* TV/Film Production and Distribution (programme production and distribution units of TCS, STV12 and subsidiary companies)
* News and Current Affairs (Channel NewsAsia)
* Print Media (Caldecott Publishing)
* Multimedia (multimedia units of all subsitidaries).

On 30 January 2000, Prime 12 was officially launching new name becomes Suria after officially turned, shifted and switched language channel to standalone Malay free-to-air terrestrial channel. Officially new name or renamed from Berita 12 to "Berita" and thus becoming the main flagship nightly television news bulletin programmes and aired daily from 8:00pm to 8:30pm Singapore Time due to at 8:00pm slot was usually reserved for Malaysian language main flagship television news bulletin programmes on RTM TV1 (Berita Perdana) and TV3 (Buletin Utama).[114][115]

* Premiere 12 was officially launching new name becomes Central was officially divided into three schedule channel programme block such as:[116]
* Kids Central showcasing on children's programmes block after children's programmes officially moved from Channel 5.
* Vasantham Central showcasing on Tamil programme after Tamil programmes was officially moved from Prime 12 to Vasantham Central. Officially new name or renamed from Tamil News (Tamil Seithi) to "Vasantham Tamil News (Vasantham Tamil Seithi)" was officially launched new schedule, new clock and new time became daily from 8:30pm to 9:00pm Singapore Time.
* Arts Central showcasing on culture, arts, documentaries and classical music programme.
* All sport programmes officially moved from Premiere 12 to new free-to-air terrestrial channel as Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) officially very first formal launched took place as local free-to-air terrestrial sports channel, Sportscity.

On 28 September 2000, Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) officially very first formal launched took place as international free-to-air terrestrial news channel, Channel NewsAsia International's service in Southeast Asia/ASEAN and Asia–Pacific was officially grand opening took place by Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.[117]

On 12 February 2001, Media Corporation of Singapore (Mediacorp Singapore) formally privatisation, restructured, and reorganized again into Mediacorp Pte Ltd (Mediacorp).[118]

* Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) formally privatisation, restructured, and reorganized again into Mediacorp TV.
* Radio Corporation of Singapore (RCS) formally privatisation, restructured, and reorganized again into Mediacorp Radio.
* Singapore Television Twelve (STV12) formally privatisation, restructured, and reorganized again into Mediacorp TV12.
* New divisions included Mediacorp News, Mediacorp Studios, Mediacorp Press, Mediacorp Technologies, and Mediacorp Publishing.

In May 2001, the Singapore government granted new free-to-air licenses to SPH MediaWorks, a subsidiary of publisher Singapore Press Holdings—briefly breaking a virtual monopoly by Mediacorp that dates to the establishment of television broadcasting. The company launched two channels, TVWorks (later renamed Channel i) and Channel U, with English and Chinese programming respectively. Sportscity was relaunched as City TV on 14 May 2001, adding Chinese-language programming alongside the sports output, in order to capture a wider, urban demographic;[119] the channel would eventually shut down on 10 January 2002 as, while the channel's ratings increased under its new format, its advertising revenue didn't increase in tandem.[120]

In late-2004, citing financial issues and a small market for English-language programmes, SPH sold the channels to Mediacorp in exchange for minority stakes in its publishing and television businesses, resulting in Channel i shutting down at the end of the year, and Channel U continuing as a complement to Channel 8.[121]

On 19 October 2008, Central was split into two standalone channels, the Tamil-language Vasantham, and Okto, a new channel containing a mixture of children's and arts programmes. In June 2014, Okto also began to carry sports coverage as well, until the channel closed nearly five years later.

On 1 May 2019, Okto was replaced by a branded daytime block on Channel 5 under the Okto branding. The allotments formerly occupied by the Okto channel (and those of TVWorks/Channel i prior to that) were discarded.[122]

## Cable and fiber-optic television

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In 1992, Singapore's first pay TV company, Singapore Cable Vision (SCV), began offering news and entertainment channels, while progressively rolling out the construction of its cable TV network across Singapore. The network was completed in 1999. Initially SCV provided a three-channel encrypted UHF network, with the first channel (NewsVision) going live on 2 April[123] and the other 2 (MovieVision and VarietyVision) on June 1.[124] When the regular cable service launched, SCV provided thirty channels.[125] SCV had about 1,500 subscribers in 1992 and became a standard practice for StarHub users. StarHub also has a different package for their fibre internet service.[126] On 1 October 2002, Singapore Cable Vision merged with Singapore telecommunications company StarHub to create StarHub Cable Vision, a pay TV service with more than 40 international channels of news, movies, entertainment, sports, music and education.[127] The service has been known as StarHub TV since 2007.

On 20 July 2007, telecommunications provider SingTel began offering a digital pay TV service, Singtel TV, through its broadband network. The Internet Protocol television (IPTV) had 26 channels, including on-demand channels.[128]

In November 2019, StarHub completed the transition of its subscribers to a new fiberoptic network and IPTV-based television service, which offered increased capacity for high-definition channels, and other new features.[129][130][131]

## Internet television

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In 2006, MOBTV (MediaCorp Online Broadband Television) was launched as Mediacorp's first subscription-based video on demand service that provides viewers with access to various TV programmes via immediate digital streaming or download from an Internet connection. MOBTV ceased its operation in on 30 March 2010 while its services was merged to another website, xinmsn, a joint-venture between MediaCorp and MSN Singapore, which was launched earlier that month, while the rest was rebranded to SingTel mio TV under MobTV Select in 2012 until 7 January 2014 (the MobTV Select were pulled from SingTel TV on 8 October as well). However, other applications, such as StarHub GO, SingTel TV GO, and Dash, were also launched in-lieu of the closure.

In 2013, Mediacorp launched another internet TV service, Toggle, later rebranded as meWATCH in 2020.[132]

Other international catch-up or on-demand are available in Singapore. These such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, WeTV, Catchplay+, Viu, iQIYI, Mola, Hotstar, Disney+, HBO Go, Bilibili, Mango TV, TVB Anywhere+ and Youku.

## Digital television

[edit]

In 1999, Europe's DVB-T standard was selected for future digital terrestrial television service in Singapore, and the DVB-C standards were later selected as the recommended format for digital cable.[133]

On 10 June 2006, Singapore became the first country in Southeast Asia to begin trials of high definition television service, involving MediaCorp and cable provider StarHub. The beginning of the trials coincided with the 2006 FIFA World Cup, with StarHub launching HD service for 1,000 participants. It would carry all matches from the tournament in HD, and then two HD trial channels afterward. MediaCorp would launch its terrestrial trial service just over a week later 18 June, carrying a part-time service in prime time with a mix of original and acquired HD programming and films (some of which simulcast from Channel 5), with its inaugural broadcast featuring the film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.[134][135] On 11 November 2007, the trial service was relaunched as HD5, an HD simulcast of Channel 5.[136][137] MediaCorp also tested interactive television.[138]

In June 2012, after a trial conducted by Mediacorp and StarHub in Ang Mo Kio and Bedok, the Media Development Authority officially announced that Singapore would adopt the DVB-T2 standard, with Mediacorp aiming to make all seven of its free-to-air channels available in digital by the end of 2013, with Channel 5, 8, Suria, and Vasantham also being in high definition. The member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to complete their transitions by 2020.[139][140]

The MDA instituted a labelling program to promote televisions and converter boxes compatible with digital television, and began the Digital TV Assistance Scheme (DTVAS) in 2014, allowing qualifying low-income households to receive a free converter box. In January 2016, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim stated a goal for an analogue shutdown by the end of 2017, in order to open up the spectrum for mobile broadband and the Smart Nation initiative.[141]

On 6 November 2017, in response to a question posed in Parliament by Melvin Yong, showing concerns for the availability of Mediacorp programming, Ibrahim announced that the MDA would postpone the analogue shutdown to 31 December 2018. It was reported that only around half of low-income households in Singapore had participated in the DTVAS. Beginning the same day, analogue signals of Mediacorp channels began to display the word "Analogue" next to their logo bugs.[142][143] On 17 September 2018, the analogue signals also began to display a "squeeze-back" L-bar graphic, displaying reminders and information regarding the transition. Mediacorp talent such as Romeo Tan, Xiang Yun, and He Ying Ying made appearances at public events in partnership with the IMDA to promote the transition.[144][145]

Analogue television services ended at 00:00 on 2 January 2019.[146][147]

## Free-to-air terrestrial television channels

[edit]

### Mediacorp

[edit]

Mediacorp operates six free-to-air terrestrial channels broadcast in the four official languages of the country (Malay, Singapore English, Singaporean Mandarin and Tamil). The company holds a monopoly on terrestrial television within the country.

Channel  | Frequency  | Name  | LCN | Language  | Picture format  | Type  | Broadcast area  | Transmitter site  | 24-hours | Multiplex | Opening date

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29  | 538MHz | Channel 5 | 2HD | English | HDTV (1080i 16:9)  | General entertainment | Singapore
Johor Bahru/Johor Bahru District (Malaysia)
Batam/Batam Islands, Riau Islands (Indonesia)  | Bukit Batok Transmission Centre |  | MUX1 Mediacorp Bukit Batok Transmission Centre | 15 February 1963; 61 years ago (15 February 1963) (as TV Singapura)
2 April 1963; 61 years ago (2 April 1963) (as TV Singapura Channel 5)
Suria | 4HD | Malay |  | 31 January 1984; 40 years ago (31 January 1984)
31  | 554MHz | Channel 8 | 3HD | Chinese |  | MUX2 Mediacorp Bukit Batok Transmission Centre | 31 August 1963; 61 years ago (31 August 1963) (Test transmissions)
23 November 1963; 60 years ago (23 November 1963) (Official)
Vasantham[a] | 5HD | Tamil |  | 1 September 1995; 29 years ago (1 September 1995)
33  | 570MHz | CNA | 6HD | English | 24-hour news and current affairs |  | MUX3 Mediacorp Bukit Batok Transmission Centre | 1 March 1999; 25 years ago (1 March 1999)
Channel U | 7HD | Chinese | Youth general entertainment |  | 6 May 2001; 23 years ago (6 May 2001)

### Defunct channels

[edit]

* Sportscity/City TV (closed in 2002)
* Channel i (closed in 2005; the channel allotments was briefly reused by Mediacorp TV12 Okto from 2008 to 2019)
* Mediacorp TV12 Central (replaced by Vasantham since 2008, Kids Central and Arts Central replaced with Mediacorp TV12 Okto)
* Kids Central
* Vasantham Central
* Arts Central
* MediaCorp TVMobile (closed in 2010)
* Okto[b] (continued as block programming on Channel 5 and 8)

### Internet TV

[edit]

* meWATCH (launched in 2013 as Toggle)

#### Defunct Internet TV

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* MOBTV (launched in 2007, ceased services on 7 January 2014)
* xinmsn (launched in March 2010 in collaboration with Microsoft Singapore, ended services on April 1, 2015)

#### Chat Chat Media

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* Chat TV (English & Chinese Drama, Short Film, Trailer. It also includes Laughing Avenue)

## Channels from neighbouring countries

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Due to Singapore's proximity to Malaysia and Indonesia, channels from these countries can also be received free-to-air in Singapore. Both countries have also adopted DVB-T2 as digital terrestrial television.[148]

### Malaysia

[edit]

See also: Television in Malaysia and List of television stations in Malaysia

Free-to-air Terrestrial channels on MYTV can be received in Singapore via transmitters in the Johor Bahru/Johor Bahru District. Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (TV3) is a Malaysian national very first private commercial free-to-air terrestrial television stations officially opening national or nationwide broadcasting on 5 November 1985 after five months ago marked TV3 celebrated its first year of anniversary. Direct reception started on same day (officially opening national commercial broadcasting on 1 December 1985) when TV3 set up a relay station there. Its proximity with Singapore caused its signal (on channel 26 UHF) to be picked up easily. TV3 officially followed and at that time it was officially opening of 3 countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore with a power of 40 kW. The transmitter extended its reach on same day, enabling the signal to be picked up across all of Singapore and also in Batam City/Batam Island.

On 1 December 1985, TV3 officially added a new television transmitter station in Johor Bahru, and Johor Bahru District on channel 26 UHF (511.25 MHz) with a power of 40 kW. This allowed its signal to be received in Singapore, Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru District, and Batam City/Batam Island.

Television Channels on MYTV
Channel No. | Channel Name | Picture format | Multiplex | Channel | Frequency

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101HD | TV1 | HDTV (1080i 16:9)  | MUX2 | 43  | 650 MHz
102HD | TV2
103HD | TV3 | MUX1 | 47  | 682 MHz
107  | NTV7 | SDTV (576i 16:9)
108HD | 8TV | HDTV (1080i 16:9)
109  | TV9 | SDTV (576i 16:9)
110HD | OKEY | HDTV (1080i 16:9)  | MUX2 | 43  | 650 MHz
111HD | Sukan RTM
112HD | Awesome TV | MUX1 | 47  | 682 MHz
113HD | TV6  | MUX2 | 43  | 650 MHz
114HD | TV AlHijrah | 43  | 650 MHz
116HD | SUKE TV  | MUX1 | 47  | 682 MHz
121HD | Bernama TV | MUX2 | 43  | 650 MHz
122HD | TVS | MUX1 | 47  | 682 MHz
123HD | Berita RTM | MUX2 | 43  | 650 MHz

Radio Channels on MYTV

Further information: List of radio stations in Singapore § Malaysia, and List of radio stations in Malaysia

Channel No. | Channel Name | Multiplex | Channel | Frequency

|
|
|
|

701  | Nasional FM | MUX2 | 43  | 650 MHz
702  | TraXX FM
703  | Minnal FM
704  | Ai FM
705  | Radio Klasik
706  | Asyik FM
707  | Sabah FM
708  | Sabah V FM
709  | Sarawak FM
710  | Wai FM
711  | Bernama Radio
712  | Hot FM | MUX1 | 47  | 682 MHz
713  | Fly FM
714  | Molek FM
715  | Eight FM
716  | Kool 101
726  | Manis FM | MUX2 | 43  | 650 MHz

### Indonesia

[edit]

See also: id:Daftar stasiun televisi di Kepulauan Riau and List of television stations in Indonesia

Free-to-air terrestrial channels can be received in Singapore via transmitters in the Batam City/Batam Island. Direct reception started on 2 June 1980 (officially regular telecast on 26 June 1980) when TVRI Jakarta Central Station (TVRI Stasiun Pusat Jakarta) set up a relay station there. Its proximity with Singapore caused its signal (on Channel 6 VHF) to be picked up easily.[149][150] The transmitter extended its reach on same day, enabling the signal to be picked up across all of Singapore and also in Johor Bahru and Johor Bahru District. TVRI Jakarta Central Station (TVRI Stasiun Pusat Jakarta) officially followed and at that time it was officially opening of 3 countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore with a power of 40 kW. The transmitter extended its reach on same day, enabling the signal to be picked up across all of Singapore and also in Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru District and Batam City/Batam Island.[151]

TPI (now MNCTV) officially opening national television on 23 January 1991. Direct reception started on same day (officially opening national television on 1 December 1993) when TPI (later known as MNCTV) set up a relay station there. Its proximity with Singapore caused its signal (on channel 41 UHF) to be picked up easily. TPI (currently MNCTV) officially followed and at that time it was officially opening of 3 countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore with a power of 40 kW. The transmitter extended its reach on same day, enabling the signal to be picked up across all of Singapore and also in Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru District and Batam City/Batam Island.

Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI) and Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) is an Indonesian national very first and second private commercial free-to-air terrestrial television stations officially opening national or nationwide broadcasting on 29 August 1994 after six or five days ago marked RCTI and SCTV celebrated its fifth and fourth year of anniversary. Direct reception started on same day (officially opening national commercial broadcasting on same day as of 29 August 1994 after six or five days ago marked RCTI and SCTV celebrated its fifth and fourth year of anniversary) when RCTI and SCTV set up a relay station there. Its proximity with Singapore caused its signal (on channel 43 and 47 UHF) to be picked up easily. RCTI and SCTV officially followed and at that time it was officially opening of 3 countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore with a power of 40 kW. The transmitter extended its reach on same day, enabling the signal to be picked up across all of Singapore and also in Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru District and Batam City/Batam Island.

On 29 August 1994, RCTI and SCTV officially added a new television transmitter station in Batam City/Batam Island on channel 43 and 47 UHF (647.25 and 679.25 MHz) with a power of 40 kW after RCTI and SCTV celebrated its fifth and fourth anniversary. This allowed its signal to be received in Singapore, Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru District, and Batam City/Batam Island.

Channel  | Signal  | Frequency  | Multiplex | Name  | Picture format  | Company Name  | Owner

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

| Digital (DVB-T2)
42  | UHF  | 642 MHz | SCTV Batam | SCTV | HDTV (1080i 16:9)  | PT Surya Citra Pesona Media  | Surya Citra Media
Indosiar | PT Indosiar Batam Televisi
Moji | PT Ramako Televisi Batam
Mentari TV | PT Citaprima Batam Televisi
44  | 658 MHz | RCTI Batam | RCTI | PT RCTI Sepuluh  | MNC Media
MNCTV | PT TPI Enam
GTV | PT GTV Batam
iNews | PT Urban Televisi
antv | PT Cakrawala Andalas Televisi Medan dan Batam  | Visi Media Asia
tvOne | PT Lativi Media Karya Bali dan Kepulauan Riau
46  | 674 MHz | Trans TV Batam | Trans TV | PT Trans TV Batam Kendari  | Trans Media
Trans7 | PT Trans7 Batam Mataram
CNN Indonesia |
CNBC Indonesia |
MetroTV | PT Media Televisi Batam  | Media Group
Kompas TV | PT Karimun Media Televisi  | KG Media
48  | 690 MHz | TVRI Batam (Batam)  | TVRI Nasional | LPP Televisi Republik Indonesia Stasiun Kepulauan Riau  | LPP Televisi Republik Indonesia
TVRI Kepulauan Riau
TVRI World
TVRI Sport
Batam TV | SDTV (576i 16:9)  | PT Batam Multimedia Televisi  | Jawa Pos Group
Nusantara TV | HDTV (1080i 16:9)  | PT Nusantara Media Mandiri Batam  | NT Corp
RTV | PT Duta Batam Televisindo  | Rajawali Corpora
NET. | PT Semenanjung Televisi Batam  | Net Visi Media
BTV | PT Untukmu Indonesia Batam  | B Universe

Viewers farther away from the Indonesia or Malaysia border usually require specialised equipment to receive the signals. Catch up TV services available on those channels' websites are now accessible in Singapore but only for local programming.

## Television frequencies transmitter

[edit]

See also: id:Daftar stasiun televisi di Kepulauan Riau, List of television stations in Indonesia, Television in Malaysia, and List of television stations in Malaysia

Channel  | Signal  | Frequency  | Multiplex | Name  | Picture format  | Company Name  | Owner  | Country

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Digital (DVB-T2)
29  | UHF  | 538 MHz | MUX1 Mediacorp Bukit Batok Transmission Centre | Channel 5 | HDTV (1080i 16:9)  | Mediacorp TV | Mediacorp |  Singapore
Suria
31  | 554 MHz | MUX2 Mediacorp Bukit Batok Transmission Centre | Channel 8
Vasantham
33  | 570 MHz | MUX3 Mediacorp Bukit Batok Transmission Centre | CNA
Channel U
42  | 642 MHz | SCTV Batam | SCTV | PT Surya Citra Pesona Media  | Surya Citra Media |  Indonesia
Indosiar | PT Indosiar Batam Televisi
Moji | PT Ramako Televisi Batam
Mentari TV | PT Citaprima Batam Televisi
43  | 650 MHz | MUX2 MYTV Broadcasting Gunung Pulai (Johor Bahru, and Johor Bahru District)  | TV1 | Radio Televisyen Malaysia | Government of Malaysia |  Malaysia
TV2
TV Okey
Sukan RTM
Berita RTM
TV6
TV Alhijrah |  | Alhijrah Media Corporation
Bernama TV |  | Bernama
44  | 658 MHz | RCTI Batam | RCTI | PT RCTI Sepuluh  | Media Nusantara Citra |  Indonesia
MNCTV | PT TPI Enam
GTV | PT GTV Batam
iNews | PT Urban Televisi
antv | PT Cakrawala Andalas Televisi Medan dan Batam  | Visi Media Asia
tvOne | PT Lativi Media Karya Bali dan Kepulauan Riau
46  | 674 MHz | Trans TV Batam | Trans TV | PT Trans TV Batam Kendari  | Trans Media
Trans7 | PT Trans7 Batam Mataram
CNN Indonesia |
CNBC Indonesia |
MetroTV | PT Media Televisi Batam  | Media Group
Kompas TV | PT Karimun Media Televisi  | KG Media
47  | 682 MHz | MUX1 MYTV Broadcasting Gunung Pulai (Johor Bahru, and Johor Bahru District)  | TV3 | Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad  | Media Prima |  Malaysia
NTV7 | SDTV (576i 16:9)  | Natseven TV Sdn Bhd
8TV | HDTV (1080i 16:9)  | Metropolitan TV Sdn Bhd
TV9 | SDTV (576i 16:9)  | CH-9 Media Sdn Bhd
Awesome TV | HDTV (1080i 16:9)  | Awesome Media Network Sdn Bhd  |
TVS |  | Sarawak Media Group
Suke TV  |  | DNF Group Sdn Bhd
48  | 690 MHz | TVRI Batam (Batam)  | TVRI Nasional | LPP Televisi Republik Indonesia Stasiun Kepulauan Riau  | LPP Televisi Republik Indonesia |  Indonesia
TVRI Kepulauan Riau
TVRI World
TVRI Sport
Batam TV | SDTV (576i 16:9)  | PT Batam Multimedia Televisi  | Jawa Pos Group
Nusantara TV | HDTV (1080i 16:9)  | PT Nusantara Media Mandiri Batam  | NT Corp
RTV | PT Duta Batam Televisindo  | Rajawali Corpora
NET. | PT Semenanjung Televisi Batam  | Net Visi Media
BTV | PT Untukmu Indonesia Batam  | B Universe

## Most-viewed channels

[edit]

All viewing shares

Position | Channel | Slogan, Motto, Tagline & Theme | Group | Share of total viewing (%)

|
|
|
|

#1 | Channel 5 | Singapore's #1 English Free-to-air Terrestrial Television Channel | Mediacorp | 100%
#1 | CNA | Singapore's #1 English News Channel
Singapore's #1 News Channel | Mediacorp | 100%
#1 | Channel 8 | Singapore's #1 Mandarin Free-to-air Terrestrial Television Channel | Mediacorp | 100%
#1 | Channel U | Singapore's #1 Mandarin Free-to-air Terrestrial Television Channel for Youth, Teen and Teenager
Singapore's #1 Mandarin Youth, Teen and Teenager Television Channel | Mediacorp | 100%
#1 | Suria | Singapore's #1 Malay Free-to-air Terrestrial Television Channel | Mediacorp | 100%
#1 | Vasantham | Singapore's #1 Tamil Free-to-air Terrestrial Television Channel | Mediacorp | 100%

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ replacing Vasantham Central formerly by Central
2. ^ replaced Kids Central and Arts Central from Central

## See also

[edit]

* Mass media in Singapore
* High-definition television in Singapore
* List of Malay-language television channels

## References

[edit]

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