MediaCorp

MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Type	Private Limited
Industry	Television, Online Broadcasting, Publishing, Moviemaking, Interactive Media, Media Consultancy
Founded	15 February 1963 as Television Singapura 28 December 1963 as Television Malaysia (Singapura) 9 August 1965 as Radio and Television of Singapore 1 February 1980 as Singapore Broadcasting Corporation 1 October 1994 as Television Corporation of Singapore 12 February 2001 as MediaCorp TV
Headquarters	Caldecott Broadcast Centre, Caldecott Hill
Key people	Teo Ming Kian (Chairman) Shaun Seow (CEO)[1]
Services	Television Broadcasting and Production, Publication
Owner(s)	Temasek Holdings
Parent	Temasek Holdings
Subsidiaries	MediaCorp Studios Pte Ltd MediaCorp EagleVision Pte Ltd MediaCorp NewsHub Pte Ltd MediaCorp Technologies Pte Ltd MediaCorp VizPro International Pte Ltd MediaCorp Raintree Pictures Caldecott Productions International Singapore Media Academy Media Research Consultants OOH Media 1-Net Singapore Pte Ltd
Website	www.mediacorp.sg

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.

Currently, MediaCorp runs 7 television channels and 14 radio channels, making it the largest media broadcaster and provider in Singapore, and the only terrestrial TV broadcaster in that city-state. It is wholly owned by Temasek Holdings, a government-owned investment arm.^[2]

History

Before 12 February 2001, MediaCorp was formerly known as:

• Television Singapura (15 February 1963 - 27 December 1963)
• Television Malaysia (Singapura) (28 December 1963 - 8 August 1965)
• Radio and Television of Singapore (RTS, 9 August 1965 - 31 January 1980)
• Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC, 1 February 1980 - 30 September 1994)
• Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) and Radio Corporation of Singapore (RCS, 1 October 1994 - 11 February 2001)

Important events

Year	Date	Event
1961	1 January	Television Singapura started planned obtaining transmission for television.
1963	21 January	Television Singapura started test of transmission for television.
1963	15 February	Television Singapura was launched as Singapore's first television station.
1963	2 April	Television Singapura officially began broadcasting.
1963	2 April	Regular broadcast on first television channel names Channel 5 was launched for mainly Singapore English.
1963	23 November	Regular broadcast on second television channel Channel 8 was launched for mainly Singapore Mandarin.
1963	28 December	Television Singapura renamed as Television Malaysia (Singapura) when Singapore became part of Malaysia on 16 September 1963.
1964	1 January	First advertisement was aired to reduce the station's reliance on subsidies.
1965	9 August	Radio and Television operations were joined together as Radio and Television of Singapore (RTS).
1966	26 August	Radio and Television Broadcasting operations were moved from the Old Broadcast House to its current location at Caldecott Hill. The Old broadcast house was redeveloped and used as street scenes in drama series.
1974	7 July	Colour television service began with the 1974 FIFA World Cup Final broadcast.
1977	1 November	All programmes are now broadcast in Colour television.
1980	1 February	RTS becomes Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) statutory board.
1984	31 January	Channel 12 later MediaCorp TV12 was launched.
1990	1 August	SBC began Stereo audio broadcasts on all television channels.
1994	1 October	SBC becomes Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS).
1995	1 August	Channel 12 is revamped and Prime 12 and Premiere 12 are launched.
1995	27 September	Channel 5 and Channel 8 started 24-hour broadcasts.
1997		Programmes produced by Channel 8 were broadcast in Republic of China (Taiwan), via the newly-established TCS International cable channel.
1998	1 August	Raintree Pictures was launched.
1999	1 March	Channel NewsAsia (CNA) was formed.
2000	31 January	Prime 12 and Premiere 12 were renamed Suria and Central. which international sport channel names SportCity was launched.
2001	12 February	TCS becomes MediaCorp TV, MediaCorp TV12 and MediaCorp News.
2001	14 February	TVMobile began broadcasting programmes on SBS Transit buses.
2001	6 May	Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) was given a television broadcasting licence, and SPH MediaWorks was established. MediaWorks offered two channels Channel U and TV Works (later renamed to Channel i. At the same time, MediaCorp was given the license to print, write and distribute the free daily tabloid Today.
2004	17 September	To stop further economic losses, MediaCorp and Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) agreed to merge their free-to-air television and free newspaper operations.
2004	31 December	MediaCorp and SPH announced that the merger is legally completed, thereby creating the new holding company MediaCorp Television Broadcasting Arm, which will manages and operates Channel 5, Channel 8, TVMobile, Channel NewsAsia, Suria, Central, Teletext, and Channel U, formerly of SPH MediaWorks.
2005	1 January	Channel U joined MediaCorp, and relaunched as MediaCorp TV Channel U. Its sister channel, Channel i, ceased broadcasting on this day, due to the limited English TV market in Singapore and 3 years later, it was also relaunched as MediaCorp TV12 okto.
2007		HD5 was launched, becoming the first free-to-air HDTV channel in Singapore. Channel 8 celebrated 25 years of Mandarin dramas with an award ceremony, and by producing The Golden Path, billed as the 25 year anniversary drama series. MediaCorp also launched MOBTV, an online television service. Radio division was forced to lock listeners from the United States out of its webcasts, due to royalty rates imposed by the US Copyright Royalty Board.
2008		MediaCorp TV came out with a new look and a new forum for Channel 5, Channel 8, and Channel U websites.
2008	20 October	Okto was launched, replacing Kids Central, SPH MediaWorks Channel i, and Arts Central. Vasantham was also launched, replacing MediaCorp TV12 Central, and Vasantham Central.
2009	1 March	Channel NewsAsia celebrated its tenth anniversary.
2010	1 January	TVMobile is discontinued.
2010	March	xinmsn, a joint venture between and MediaCorp and Microsoft, was launched.
2011	(Month Unknown)	It launched a-ok (arts on okto) / ArtBites and telecast on Mediacorp okto now.
2012	January	A New show called MatYoYo in 4 channel : okto, Suria, Vasantham and Channel 8.
2015		MediaCorp will be moving out of its premises at Caldecott Hill to Mediapolis@one-north Buona Vista by 2015.[3]

Television

MediaCorp offers seven free-to-air terrestrial television channels, and one high-definition channel. As a result of the MediaCorp-MediaWorks merger in late 2004, Singapore Press Holdings currently holds a 20% interest in MediaCorp's TV operations.^[4]

Name of Channel	Description
Channel 5 (HD5)	A 24-hour news and general entertainment channel broadcasting in English.
Channel 8	A 24-hour news and general entertainment channel broadcasting in Mandarin Chinese.
Channel U	Inherited from SPH MediaWorks in 2005, this is MediaCorp's 2nd Mandarin Chinese channel, and its programming is catered to the youth,
Suria	A Malay entertainment channel.
Okto	An English channel with children, lifestyle, and art programming.
Vasantham	A news and general entertainment channel that caters to the Indian community in Singapore.
Channel NewsAsia	A 24-hour international English news channel that broadcasts to 10 Asian countries and territories

Notable TV Shows from MediaCorp

TV drama and sitcom series

MediaCorp celebrated 25 years of local Chinese dramas in 2007.

Chinese language

Year	Name of Drama	Description
1982	Seletar Robbery 實裡達大劫案	First Singaporean television film.
1984	The Awakening 霧鎖南洋	The first blockbuster epic drama.
1993 1996 2002	The Unbeatables 雙天至尊	First drama series in Singapore about gambling. Its three seasons were released in 1993, 1996 and 2002 respectively.
1996	Don't Worry, Be Happy	The first local Chinese sitcom.
1998	Return of the Condor Heroes 神雕俠侶	The most expensive blockbuster wuxia drama ever produced by MediaCorp, based on Louis Cha's novel. The serial made waves in the Taiwan and China markets and was repeated due to overwhelming audience demand. It also made screen idols out of Fann Wong and Christopher Lee, who were the charismatic leads.
2003	Always On My Mind	Starring Fann Wong, this serial was made to commemorate the sacrifices of the brave members of the Singapore medical profession during the SARS crisis.
2003	Holland V 荷蘭村	A long-running Chinese drama in Singapore TV history with 125 episodes. Biggest winner in Star Awards 2003, winning best M/F Lead and M/F supporting.
2004	The Champion 任我遨遊	The drama series about swimming starred Singaporean and Taiwanese artistes and was extremely popular.
2004	Double Happiness 喜臨門	A long-running Chinese drama, it had 142 episodes in two parts. The first part was shown from May to August, while the second part began in October.
2005	Portrait of Home 同心圓	A long-running Chinese drama with 100 episodes in two parts. The first part (60 episodes) aired from May to July, while the second part (40 episodes) began in October. Was nominated for best drama serial in 2005, but lost to A New Life.
2007	The Peak 最高點	Sponsored by Keppel, filming went as far as Brazil.
2007	Kinship 手足	MediaCorp's long-running 83-episode Chinese drama in 2007.
2007	Honour and Passion 寶家衛國	A 20-episode military drama series sponsored by the Singaporean Ministry of Defence.
2007	Metamorphosis 破繭而出	Channel 8's most watched television drama series in 2007 and was awarded Best Drama Series Award in Star Awards 2007.
2007	The Golden Path 黃金路	A 30-episode blockbuster drama celebrating MediaCorp's 25 years of local Chinese drama.
2008	Love Blossoms 心花朵朵開	MediaCorp's long-running 113-episode Chinese drama in 2008.
2008	By My Side 不凡的愛	A 20-episode drama on AIDS, commissioned by the Health Promotion Board.
2008	The Little Nyonya 小娘惹	A 34-episode blockbuster drama celebrating MediaCorp Channel 8's 45th anniversary.
2009	The Dream Catchers 未來不是夢	A 20-episode drama about Singapore's engineering sector, commissioned by the Economic Development Board. Filming was conducted in SIAEC and Chartered Semiconductor, and was partially filmed in Japan, the leads were also interviewed by NHK. This drama was featured on BBC Asia Business Report.
2009	The Ultimatum 雙子星	Mediacorp's 30-episode mid-year blockbuster for the year 2009.
2009 2010	Your Hand In Mine 想握你的手	MediaCorp's long-running 180-episode Chinese drama in 2009. .
2009	Together 當我們同在一起	A 36-episode mega blockbuster drama celebrating MediaCorp Channel 8's 46th anniversary.
2010	Unriddle 最火搭檔	A 20-episode police blockbuster for the year 2010.
2010	Breakout 破天網	A 25-episode end-year blockbuster drama in 2010.
2011	C.L.I.F 警微天职	A 20-episode police blockbuster in collaboration by the Singapore Police Force.
2011	Devotion 阿娣	A 25-episode mega blockbuster drama celebrating MediaCorp Channel 8's 47th anniversary.
2011	The Oath 行医	A 20-episode end-year blockbuster drama in 2011.
2011	A Song to Remember 星州之夜	A 30-episode mega blockbuster drama celebrating MediaCorp Channel 8's 48th anniversary.
2012	Unriddle 2 最火搭檔2	A 20-episode police blockbuster for the year 2012.

English language

• Masters of The Sea (1994) (TV drama)
• Growing Up (1996–2001) The longest running English drama in Singapore, span around 60s - 80s.
• VR Man (TV Drama) Attempt at making a superhero show with local personality.
• Under One Roof, 同一屋簷下 (1994) (The first local English sitcom, criticized for its use of Singlish)
• Phua Chu Kang (Local English sitcom, starring Gurmit Singh. Also criticized for its heavy use of Singlish) (1997–2007)
• Making Love (Local English comedy, starring Andrea D'Cruz, Celest Chong, Jimmy T, Kevin Verghese) (2000)
• Moulmein High (Local English drama, starring Cynthia Koh)
• First Touch (Local English drama, starring Edmund Chen, Amy Cheng, Vernetta Lopez, Nick Shen) (2000–2002)
• Living with Lydia (Local English sitcom, starring Lydia Sum.)
• Oh Carol! (Local English sitcom, starring Carol Cheng.)
• After Hours (Local English drama, starring Linda Liao, Utt, Joanne Peh) (2 seasons)
• Like My Own (2004)(Local English drama, starring Flora Chan, Zhu Mi Mi, Ho Wen Long, Amy Cheng)
• Tiramisu (2005)(Local English drama, starring Sharon Au)
• ABC DJ (2006) (Local English sitcom, starring Korean actor Eugene Lee)
• Maggi & Me (2006) (Local English sitcom, starring Adrian Pang and Fiona Xie, premieres 25 July 2006)
• Yang Sisters (2006) (Local English sitcom, starring Cheng Pei-Pei, premieres 28 September 2006))
• Enbloc (2008) (Local English drama, starring Patrick Teoh, Darren Lim, Nick Shen, Nathaniel Ho, Rebecca Lim)
• Red Thread (2009) (Local English blockbuster drama, premieres 14 April 2009)
• Fighting Spiders (2009) (Channel 5's blockbuster drama, premieres 14 April 2009)
• Point of Entry (2010) (Local English Action-drama about an elite team of ICA, premiers 2 December 2010)
• The Pupil (2010-2011) (Local English drama, about the legal profession in Singapore, premiers 7 January 2010)

News and current affairs

• News 5 Tonight (wrap-up of the day's news in English)
• Talking Point
• Get Real! (The Current Affairs Show in Singapore, hosted by Diana Ser)
• The Frontline, 前線追蹤 (The Chinese Current Affairs Show, investigative programme shown every Friday night.)
• News Tonight (Daily news coverage in Chinese, first telecast on Channel 8 at 10pm, second telecast on Channel U at 11pm. Hosted by Zhang Haijie and Lin Qiyuan)

Other shows

• Crime Watch (Talk about crime prevention, partially based on the German programme. Produced by MediaCorp and Singapore Police Force.)
• True Files (Cases of the murders of yesteryears.)
• True Courage (The extraordinary courage of some Singaporeans.)

Radio

MediaCorp offers fourteen free-to-air radio channels, as well as Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) service. DAB Radio is set to be discontinued on 1 December 2011 due to low listenership. ^[5]

Frequency	Station	Language	Format	Website
89.7 MHz	Ria 89.7FM	Malay	Top 40 (CHR)	Link
90.5 MHz	Gold 90.5FM	English	Classic hits	Link
92.4 MHz	Symphony 92.4FM	English	Classical	Link
93.3 MHz	Y.E.S. 93.3FM	Chinese	Top 40 (CHR)	Link
93.8 MHz	938LIVE	English	Talk radio	Link
94.2 MHz	Warna 94.2FM	Malay	News, Infotainment	Link
95.0 MHz	Class 95FM	English	Adult contemporary	Link
95.8 MHz	Capital 95.8FM	Chinese	Talk radio	Link
96.3 MHz	XFM 96.3FM	Arab, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Korean	Top 40 (CHR), Infotainment	Link
96.8 MHz	Oli 96.8FM	Tamil	Infotainment	Link
97.2 MHz	Love 97.2FM	Chinese	Easy listening	Link
98.7 MHz	987FM	English	Top 40 (CHR)	Link
99.5 MHz	Lush 99.5FM	English	Adult	Link

MediaCorp Subaru Impreza Challenge

An annual event that MediaCorp anchors is the MediaCorp Subaru Car Challenge. Much public attention and participation is drawn from the public to this event.

MediaCorp Ad-Xtra (MAX)

MediaCorp Ad-Xtra (MAX) is top advertisers on MediaCorp television channels and TODAY will be rewarded in a new marketing initiative that provides extra mileage as a gesture of appreciation for their continued support in buying into MediaCorp platforms.

Called MediaCorp Ad-Xtra, a top 10 advertiser on MediaCorp television channels (Channel 5/8/U) for the past week will get a 6-second clip of their TV commercial compiled into a 60-second show reel for broadcast on MediaCorp television channels the following week.

The show reel will be broadcast on Channel 5, 8 and U from Wednesday to Sunday, translating into $53,000 worth of airtime for the advertisers.

Top advertisers in TODAY for the past week with a minimum advertising expenditure of $25,000 can look forward to a free advertisement panel that will be published in the following Weekend TODAY edition. As Singapore's leading media company with the most complete range of platforms, MediaCorp will continue to create the best business solutions for its clients to give them more bang for their buck.

See also

	Singapore portal
	Companies portal

• Broadcasting in Singapore
• Censorship in Singapore
• List of Singaporeans
• Media of Singapore
• Singapore Broadcasting Corporation
• Television Corporation of Singapore
• List of programmes broadcast by MediaCorp Channel 5
• List of programmes broadcast by MediaCorp Channel 8
• List of programmes broadcast by MediaCorp Channel U
• Category:Singapore Chinese dramas

References

1. ^ "New MediaCorp CEO is Shaun Seow". Channel News Asia. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1139240/1/.html. Retrieved 7 July 2011. 
2. ^ Temasek Holdings Major Portfolio Companies
3. ^ MediaCorp to move to Buona Vista
4. ^ SPH Profile
5. ^ Digital radio from MediaCorp to cease - Channel NewsAsia

External links

• Singapore MediaCorp Official Website