List of Singaporean television channels
Encyclopedia
Television in Singapore is strictly regulated by the government. MediaCorp TV, fully owned by government holding company Temasek Holdings
, has a monopoly on terrestrial television channels, while the sole cable operator is StarHub
. The private ownership of satellite dishes is banned.
developed from a single terrestrial channel operated by the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation
(SBC) in the 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1993. When SBC was rebranded as Television Corporation of Singapore
(TCS) it launched Channel 5, Channel 8 and Channel 12
. A reorganisation on 1 January 1996 saw the creation of MediaCorp
and a redistribution of programming among the channels.
On 1 January 2002, the government allowed Singapore Press Holdings
(SPH) to offer competition in the television market, and SPH MediaWorks
soon launched two channels, Channel U
(Mandarin) and Channel i
(English). On 1 January 2005, SPH MediaWorks was acquired by MediaCorp TV, which thus reasserted its monopoly on the industry.
. StarHub Cable Television was formed as a result of a merger between StarHub TV and Singapore Cable Television (SCTV) on 1 January 2002. The latter first began broadcasting as a terrestrial pay-television operator in 1 January 1990 as the first cable network was not completed until 1 January 1994. Around 80% of households in Singapore
are connected to the StarHub
network. The remaining 20% have mio TV only or no cable TV at home.
, Singaporeans, especially those very close to those countries' respective borders are able to enjoy a variety of TV programmes from the following neighbouring countries which are broadcasting on UHF bands:
Viewers farther away from the Indonesia or Malaysia border usually require higher-quality equipment to receive the signals. In spite of this however, only RTM TV1 (TV1) onwer by Radio Televisyen Malaysia
(RTM) and TVRI Siaran Nasional (TVRI Nasional) are carried on StarHub TV.
is an IPTV
service offering over 30 different channels.
Temasek Holdings
Temasek Holdings is an investment company owned by the government of Singapore. With an international staff of 380 people, it manages a portfolio of about S$193 billion at end of March 2011, focused primarily in Asia...
, has a monopoly on terrestrial television channels, while the sole cable operator is StarHub
StarHub
StarHub Limited is a full-fledged telecommunications company providing a full range of services over mobile, internet and fixed platforms in Singapore...
. The private ownership of satellite dishes is banned.
History
BroadcastingBroadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
developed from a single terrestrial channel operated by the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation
Singapore Broadcasting Corporation
Singapore Broadcasting Corporation was a partially privatised mass market media conglomeration, which dominated the entire television and most of the radio broadcasting industry in Singapore during its existence...
(SBC) in the 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1993. When SBC was rebranded as Television Corporation of Singapore
Television Corporation of Singapore
Television Corporation of Singapore was a private company that provide television broadcasting services in then monopolised media industry. TCS existed from 1 October 1994 to 11 February 2001; Singapore Broadcasting Corporation was privatised on 1 October 1994 at 00:00 am...
(TCS) it launched Channel 5, Channel 8 and Channel 12
MediaCorp TV12
MediaCorp TV12 is a subsidiary of MediaCorp. It operates the Suria, Vasantham and okto channels, which cater to specific groups in Singapore. It once operated Central...
. A reorganisation on 1 January 1996 saw the creation of MediaCorp
MediaCorp
Media Corporation of Singapore, better known as MediaCorp, is a group of commercial media companies in Singapore, with business interests in television and radio broadcasting, interactive media, and, to a lesser extent, print publishing and film-making....
and a redistribution of programming among the channels.
On 1 January 2002, the government allowed Singapore Press Holdings
Singapore Press Holdings
Singapore Press Holdings Limited is a media organisation in Singapore with businesses in print, Internet and new media, television and radio, outdoor media, and property. SPH has over 4,000 employees, including a team of approximately 1,000 journalists, including correspondents operating around...
(SPH) to offer competition in the television market, and SPH MediaWorks
SPH MediaWorks
SPH MediaWorks Ltd was an ephemeral free-to-air terrestrial television broadcaster in Singapore. In 6 May 2001, SPH MediaWorks brought 2 alternative free-to-air terrestrial television channels to the audience in Singapore, operating SPH MediaWorks Channel U and SPH MediaWorks Channel i.A...
soon launched two channels, Channel U
SPH MediaWorks Channel U
SPH MediaWorks Channel U as called name Channel U was defunct Chinese language television channel in Singapore which began broadcasts on 6 May 2001...
(Mandarin) and Channel i
SPH MediaWorks Channel i
SPH MediaWorks Channel i as called by the name Channel i is a defunct Singapore English language television channel which began broadcasting on 20 May 2001. It was formerly known as SPH MediaWorks TV Works as called name TV Works...
(English). On 1 January 2005, SPH MediaWorks was acquired by MediaCorp TV, which thus reasserted its monopoly on the industry.
Cable
StarHub TV is the sole cable television operator in SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. StarHub Cable Television was formed as a result of a merger between StarHub TV and Singapore Cable Television (SCTV) on 1 January 2002. The latter first began broadcasting as a terrestrial pay-television operator in 1 January 1990 as the first cable network was not completed until 1 January 1994. Around 80% of households in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
are connected to the StarHub
StarHub
StarHub Limited is a full-fledged telecommunications company providing a full range of services over mobile, internet and fixed platforms in Singapore...
network. The remaining 20% have mio TV only or no cable TV at home.
MediaCorp TV
- MediaCorp TV Channel 5 (VHF 5 from Starhub Cable Point and ATT, also DVB-T)
- MediaCorp TV Channel 8 (VHF 8 from Starhub Cable Point and ATT, also DVB-T)
- MediaCorp TV Channel U (UHF 28 from Starhub Cable Point and ATT, also DVB-T)
MediaCorp News
- MediaCorp News Channel NewsAsia International (UHF 32 from Starhub Cable Point and ATT, also DVB-T)
HD-TV (High-definition television) Channel
- MediaCorp TV HD5 (UHF 607.25 MHz from DVB-T)
SDTV (Standard-definition television) Terrestrial Free-to-air Channel
- MediaCorp TV12 okto replacing MediaCorp TV12 Kids CentralMediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 Central or Central was an English and Tamil language Television channel in Singapore it was launched on 31 March 1996 replacing Premiere 12 it was launched since on 1 January 1994 as Television Corporation of Singapore since 1994.The channel was a combination of 3 distinct...
and MediaCorp TV12 Arts CentralMediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 Central or Central was an English and Tamil language Television channel in Singapore it was launched on 31 March 1996 replacing Premiere 12 it was launched since on 1 January 1994 as Television Corporation of Singapore since 1994.The channel was a combination of 3 distinct...
owner by MediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 Central or Central was an English and Tamil language Television channel in Singapore it was launched on 31 March 1996 replacing Premiere 12 it was launched since on 1 January 1994 as Television Corporation of Singapore since 1994.The channel was a combination of 3 distinct...
and SPH MediaWorks Channel iSPH MediaWorks Channel iSPH MediaWorks Channel i as called by the name Channel i is a defunct Singapore English language television channel which began broadcasting on 20 May 2001. It was formerly known as SPH MediaWorks TV Works as called name TV Works...
onwer by SPH MediaWorksSPH MediaWorksSPH MediaWorks Ltd was an ephemeral free-to-air terrestrial television broadcaster in Singapore. In 6 May 2001, SPH MediaWorks brought 2 alternative free-to-air terrestrial television channels to the audience in Singapore, operating SPH MediaWorks Channel U and SPH MediaWorks Channel i.A...
(UHF 30 from ATT, UHF 25 from Starhub Cable Point, also DVB-T) - MediaCorp TV12 Vasantham replacing MediaCorp TV12 Vasantham CentralMediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 Central or Central was an English and Tamil language Television channel in Singapore it was launched on 31 March 1996 replacing Premiere 12 it was launched since on 1 January 1994 as Television Corporation of Singapore since 1994.The channel was a combination of 3 distinct...
formerly by MediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 Central or Central was an English and Tamil language Television channel in Singapore it was launched on 31 March 1996 replacing Premiere 12 it was launched since on 1 January 1994 as Television Corporation of Singapore since 1994.The channel was a combination of 3 distinct...
(UHF 24 from Starhub Cable Point and ATT, also DVB-T) - MediaCorp TV12 SuriaMediaCorp SuriaMediaCorp Suria is a Malay language channel featuring local and acquired Malay dramas and popular programmes. Suria has achieved recognition outside the Malay community drawing media attention in Singapore and abroad....
(VHF 12 from Starhub Cable Point and ATT, also DVB-T)
1 January 2005
- SPH MediaWorks Channel iSPH MediaWorks Channel iSPH MediaWorks Channel i as called by the name Channel i is a defunct Singapore English language television channel which began broadcasting on 20 May 2001. It was formerly known as SPH MediaWorks TV Works as called name TV Works...
(UHF 543.25 MHz from SCTV point to antenna and DVB-T)
20 October 2008
- MediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 Central or Central was an English and Tamil language Television channel in Singapore it was launched on 31 March 1996 replacing Premiere 12 it was launched since on 1 January 1994 as Television Corporation of Singapore since 1994.The channel was a combination of 3 distinct...
(UHF 495.25 MHz from SCTV point to antenna and DVB-T)- MediaCorp TV12 Kids CentralMediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 Central or Central was an English and Tamil language Television channel in Singapore it was launched on 31 March 1996 replacing Premiere 12 it was launched since on 1 January 1994 as Television Corporation of Singapore since 1994.The channel was a combination of 3 distinct...
- MediaCorp TV12 Vasantham CentralMediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 Central or Central was an English and Tamil language Television channel in Singapore it was launched on 31 March 1996 replacing Premiere 12 it was launched since on 1 January 1994 as Television Corporation of Singapore since 1994.The channel was a combination of 3 distinct...
- MediaCorp TV12 Arts CentralMediaCorp TV12 CentralMediaCorp TV12 Central or Central was an English and Tamil language Television channel in Singapore it was launched on 31 March 1996 replacing Premiere 12 it was launched since on 1 January 1994 as Television Corporation of Singapore since 1994.The channel was a combination of 3 distinct...
- MediaCorp TV12 Kids Central
Stations From Neighbouring Countries
Due to Singapore size and proximity to Malaysia and IndonesiaIndonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Singaporeans, especially those very close to those countries' respective borders are able to enjoy a variety of TV programmes from the following neighbouring countries which are broadcasting on UHF bands:
Television Channels From Malaysia
- RTM TV1 (TV1) (Johor BahruJohor BahruJohor Bahru is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of the Eurasian mainland...
55 UHF) - RTM TV2TV2 (Malaysia)RTM2, also known as TV2 is a television station in Malaysia owned and operated by the Radio Television Malaysia, a division of the Malaysian Government. RTM2 is now broadcasting for 24 hours a day effective January 2006.- History :...
(TV2) (Johor BahruJohor BahruJohor Bahru is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of the Eurasian mainland...
10 VHF) - TV3TV3 (Malaysia)Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad or TV3 began broadcasting on 1 June 1984 as Malaysia’s first commercial television station. It is part of Media Prima Berhad group of companies. It now transmits opened broadcasting business private 24-hours a day, 7 days a week since 1 January 2010...
(Johor BahruJohor BahruJohor Bahru is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of the Eurasian mainland...
26 UHF) - NTV7Ntv7Natseven TV Sdn Bhd or better known as ntv7 is a terrestrial television channel in Malaysia. It was launched nationwide on 7 April 1998 and was the country's third private free-to-air TV station after TV3 and Astro. Its mission is to promote a happier and more enlightened Malaysia...
(Johor BahruJohor BahruJohor Bahru is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of the Eurasian mainland...
7 UHF) - 8TV8TV (Malaysia)8TV is a private Malaysian Chinese television station, previously known as MetroVision Channel 8. Metrovision closed on 1 November 1999. 8TV was officially launched on Thursday, 8 January 2004 as 8TV after being acquired by Media Prima Berhad....
replacing Metrovision (Channel 8/TV4)8TV (Malaysia)8TV is a private Malaysian Chinese television station, previously known as MetroVision Channel 8. Metrovision closed on 1 November 1999. 8TV was officially launched on Thursday, 8 January 2004 as 8TV after being acquired by Media Prima Berhad....
(Johor BahruJohor BahruJohor Bahru is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of the Eurasian mainland...
46 UHF) - TV9TV9 (Malaysia)TV9 is a free-to-air private television station in Malaysia. TV9 began broadcasting on 22 April 2006, as a subsidiary of Media Prima Berhad. It formerly existed as Channel 9, which began airing on 9 September 2003 and ceased transmission on 1 February 2005 due to financial difficulties faced by the...
replacing Channel 9TV9 (Malaysia)TV9 is a free-to-air private television station in Malaysia. TV9 began broadcasting on 22 April 2006, as a subsidiary of Media Prima Berhad. It formerly existed as Channel 9, which began airing on 9 September 2003 and ceased transmission on 1 February 2005 due to financial difficulties faced by the...
(Johor BahruJohor BahruJohor Bahru is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of the Eurasian mainland...
44 UHF)
Television Channels From Indonesia
- TVRITVRITelevisi Republik Indonesia Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI) Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI) (formerly known as Televisi Indonesia (Indonesian Television in English) and Radio Indonesia (Indonesian Radio in English) is a state-owned television station, the oldest television station in...
(BatamBatamBatam is an island and city in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, known for its free trade zone area as part of the Sijori Growth Triangle, is located off Singapore's south coast...
6 VHF (TVRI Nasional) - RCTIRCTIRCTI is Indonesia's first privately owned television network and is based in West Jakarta. RCTI broadcasts Indonesian Idol as well as sinetron , films, news and current affairs, reality shows and religious programs...
(BatamBatamBatam is an island and city in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, known for its free trade zone area as part of the Sijori Growth Triangle, is located off Singapore's south coast...
43 UHF) - SCTVSCTV (Indonesia)Surya Citra Televisi is an Indonesian television station. Its headquarters are in South Jakarta. It began broadcasting on 24 August 1990 in Surabaya, East Java, broadcasting only to the city and surrounding area. At this point the programming was similar to that of RCTI and used some of their news...
(BatamBatamBatam is an island and city in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, known for its free trade zone area as part of the Sijori Growth Triangle, is located off Singapore's south coast...
47 UHF) - MNC TV (BatamBatamBatam is an island and city in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, known for its free trade zone area as part of the Sijori Growth Triangle, is located off Singapore's south coast...
41 UHF) - ANTVAntvantv is an Indonesian television network based in South Jakarta. It is owned by PT Visi Media Asia,Tbk.-History:antv was launched on 1 March 1993 as a local television station in Lampung province. In the same month it was awarded a government license for nationwide broadcasting, and moved its...
(BatamBatamBatam is an island and city in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, known for its free trade zone area as part of the Sijori Growth Triangle, is located off Singapore's south coast...
46 UHF) - IndosiarIndosiarIndosiar is a publicly owned national television station in Indonesia, and has been operating from West Jakarta since 1994. It was listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange in 2004. Citibank Singapore has an 8.5 percent shareholding...
(BatamBatamBatam is an island and city in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, known for its free trade zone area as part of the Sijori Growth Triangle, is located off Singapore's south coast...
49 UHF) - Metro TV (BatamBatamBatam is an island and city in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, known for its free trade zone area as part of the Sijori Growth Triangle, is located off Singapore's south coast...
UHF) - Trans TVTrans TVTrans TV is an Indonesian national television station based in South Jakarta. Owned by Chairul Tanjung, it began broadcasting on 15 December 2001 based in Jakarta. On 15 December 2006 based in Jakarta due to its half ownership by Trans Corporation, a company that also owned Trans 7...
(BatamBatamBatam is an island and city in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, known for its free trade zone area as part of the Sijori Growth Triangle, is located off Singapore's south coast...
45 UHF) - Global TVGlobal TV (Indonesia)Global TV is an Indonesian private television station based in West Jakarta. It is established in early January 1, 1998 and first went on air on January 1, 2001 with MTV programming....
(BatamBatamBatam is an island and city in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, known for its free trade zone area as part of the Sijori Growth Triangle, is located off Singapore's south coast...
UHF)
Viewers farther away from the Indonesia or Malaysia border usually require higher-quality equipment to receive the signals. In spite of this however, only RTM TV1 (TV1) onwer by Radio Televisyen Malaysia
Radio Televisyen Malaysia
The Department of Broadcasting, Malaysia, DBA Radio Televisyen Malaysia , is a Malaysian state-owned public broadcaster. It owns and operates a number of radio and television stations in Malaysia, based in Kuala Lumpur...
(RTM) and TVRI Siaran Nasional (TVRI Nasional) are carried on StarHub TV.
Singtel mio TV
Launched officially in 1 January 2007, SingTel mio TVMio TV
mio TV is a 24-hours pay-TV service, introduced by SingTel. It is transmitted through the company's SingNet broadband network via an IPTV service and uses Microsoft Mediaroom as its end to end software platform. It is a service that will allow multimedia content - including broadcast channels and...
is an IPTV
IPTV
Internet Protocol television is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats.IPTV services...
service offering over 30 different channels.
See also
- Broadcasting in SingaporeBroadcasting in SingaporeBroadcasting in Singapore began in 5 May 1923 when Radio Singapura was established as the first local mass market radio service. Subsequently in 15 February 1963 before the withdrawal of the British Armed Forces, and after the merger with Malaya, Singapore launched her first television service...
- High-definition television in Singapore
- List of Malay language television channels