Channel 5
CountrySingapore
HeadquartersMediacorp Campus, 1 Stars Avenue, Singapore 138507
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i HDTV
Ownership
OwnerMediacorp
Sister channelsChannel 8
Channel U
Suria
Vasantham
CNA
History
Launched15 February 1963 (15 February 1963) (as TV Singapura)
2 April 1963 (2 April 1963) (as TV Singapura Channel 5)
Links
WebsiteMediacorp Channel 5
Availability
Terrestrial
Digital terrestrial televisionUHF CH 29 538MHz DVB-T2 Channel 2 (HD)
Streaming media
meWATCHAvailable on meWATCH website or mobile app (Singapore only)

Channel 5 is an English-language free-to-air terrestrial television channel in Singapore, owned by state media conglomerate Mediacorp. The channel primarily airs general entertainment and news programming in the English language.

The channel began broadcasting on 15 February 1963 as the pilot service TV Singapura, the region's first television service. It officially launched on 2 April 1963. It initially broadcast programming in the official languages of English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil; Chinese and Tamil programming were later spun off to the newly-established Channel 8 in 1973, and Malay programming moved to Channel 12 (now Suria) in 1994, leaving Channel 5 as an English-language service.

History

Television Singapura/RTS

On January 3, 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 precints 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.[1] Ahead of the start of the pilot service, it was recommended for manufacturers of television sets to ensure that their presets would match Channel 5 and Channel 8.[2]

The channel first launched as a pilot service, TV Singapura, on 15 February 1963. Chong Yan Ling and Lucy Leong were two of the four women who appeared for the opening lines of TV Singapura on its launch day.[3] Minister for Culture S. Rajaratnam introduced its inaugural night of programming, which included the documentary TV Looks at Singapore, imported cartoons and comedy programmes, the Malay variety show Rampaian Malaysia (Malaysian Medley), and news. Rajaratnam stated that "tonight might well mark the start of a social and cultural revolution in our lives." The pilot service would broadcast 100 minutes of programmes per-night.[4] At the time, it was estimated that only one in 58 persons in Singapore owned a television set.[5]

While many viewers found television as a source of entertainment, the real purpose of the new service was a mere tool against supporters of communism who were against Singapore's merger with Malaysia.[6] The first newsreader on launch night was Steven Lee, while the first newsreel (Berita Singapura) was read by Harry Crabb, who later appeared in the regular bulletins. The news division was assisted by Australian David Prior, who trained train locals in the field of television journalism. At the time, it was projected that Prior would stay with TV Singapura for two years. Continuity announcers were also a central part of the staff, primarily appearing at start-up and at closedown delivering the schedule.[7] Among the initial set of announcers were Mildred Appaduray (English), Kamala Dorai (Tamil), Hsu Fong Lim (Mandarin) and Zaiton Haji Mohamed (Malay).[8]

On 2 April 1963, the channel was formally inaugurated by President Yusof Ishak as TV Singapura Channel 5. It expanded its broadcast day to four hours per-night, broadcasting from 7:15 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. SGT in the four official languages.[9] By the time of the launch of the regular service, TV sets were now available in 7000 households, per a Straits Times survey.[10] A bespoke "second" channel opened on AM radio (1370 KHz) in June providing a second audio track for selected programming.[11][12]

On 31 August 1963, a second channel, Channel 8, began test broadcasts, which would carry Chinese and Tamil-language programming, leaving Channel 5 focused on English and Malay programming.[13]

In January 1964, Channel 5 and 8 became regional affiliates of TV Malaysia. Television advertising started on 15 January the same year.[14] Following Singapore's separation from Malaysia, Channel 5 and Channel 8 became part of the new state broadcaster Radio Television Singapore, and was subsequently rebranded as RTS Channel 5. The first post-independence Grand Prix was held in Singapore was carried by the channel.[15] Both channels moved to Television Centre on Caldecott Hill on 26 August 1966. As late as that period, the RTS channels were still known in some way as TV Singapura.[16]

On March 30, 1973, RTS paired down the languages of the channels. Channel 5 started broadcasting exclusively in English and Malay. The Chinese and Tamil content moved to Channel 8.[17]

In 1974, Channel 5 began experimental colour broadcasts, including live coverage of the 1974 FIFA World Cup final.[18] Channel 5 broadcast its first domestic programme in colour, the National Day Parade, on 9 August.[19] In late 1979, the channel conducted engineering tests after closedown, airing selected programming in colour before their supposed first runs later, confusing some viewers.[20]

SBC 5

On 31 January 1980, Radio Television Singapore (RTS) ceased broadcast on RTS 5 at 11:50pm SST.[21]

On 1 February 1980, Radio Television Singapore (RTS) was officially renamed as Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). RTS 5 was renamed SBC 5. SBC Television starting with Housewives Matinee at 3:00pm SST.[22] The rebrand was unceremonious, with an announcement being made the night before to denote viewers of the change, whereas the first day under SBC was seen without a formal preamble for its introduction. The start-up and closedown videos, as well as the intro to the news, were changed.[23]

SBC 5 extended transmission hours on 26 February 1984 due to complaints from viewers on the early closing times, which turned out to be a "temporary feature" due to the launch of SBC 12.[24]

On 12 October 1987, SBC 5 revamped its 3-to-6-pm afternoon slot to attract more viewers especially shift workers. Mandarin drama repeats and a music programme which used to air at 3 pm now air an hour later.[25]

Sunday Morning Singapore, a pre-recorded magazine programme, debuted on 3 April 1988. The initial presenters were Tisa Ng and Paul Kuah, selected from an audition. [26] Along with the debut of the programme, a drama slot at 2 pm was introduced while the Sunday afternoon movie slot Movie Parade moved to 3 pm.[26] A Saturday afternoon sports slot was introduced the following month. [26]

Stereo broadcasts debuted on Channel 5 and its sister channels on 1 August 1990.

On 31 August 1992, SBC 5 introduced a two-minute 7 pm news bulletin, From The Newsroom, airing on weekdays. [27]

The daily afternoon soap opera in Mandarin, one of the fewest non-English programmes airing on Channel 5, moved to Channel 8 in 1993. [28]

As an all-English channel

In preparation for the new Channel 5, SBC adopted block programming for the channel, with scheduling based on the lifestyles and preferences of viewers. Monday evenings would be for professionals, managers and executives while Tuesdays are for teenagers and young adults. Lighter shows will air in the 6-8 pm slot; I Love Lucy and a game show air every day and weekdays respectively in a stripped format. It would also introduce "News 5 at Seven", aimed at blue-collar workers and feature human interest stories and "News 5 Tonight", which resemble the former 9 pm news bulletin. [29]

On New Year's Day 1994 at stroke of midnight SST, SBC 5 officially introduced and launched new logo and slogan for a new look "Where It All Happens!" after SBC 5 officially commenced its full 24-hour broadcasts becoming the very first channel in Singapore to do so marked officially introduced and launched new logo and slogan for a new look for SBC 5 opening at stroke of midnight SST and became the first channel in Singapore to become a full-fledged English-language channel with the television programme Tellymatch: Running On 5 at 7:30am SST, Tellymatch: Style Alive On 5 at 2:00pm SST and Tellymatch: Finale On 5 at 1:30am SST. SBC 5 officially commenced and broadcast its full 24-hour broadcasts becoming the very first channel in Singapore. News in English was officially launched new split into two new English television news bulletin programmes includes:

  • "News 5 at Seven (now Asia Tonight)" officially formal opening took place as Singapore's very first main flagship evening news programme officially opened on New Year's Day 1994 new aired, new schedule, new clock and new time became daily from 7:00pm to 7:30pm SST.
  • "News 5 Tonight (now News Tonight and Singapore Tonight)" officially formal opening took place as Singapore's very first late-night television news bulletin on SBC 5 new aired, new schedule, new clock and new time became daily from 10:30pm to 11:00pm SST.

Malay programmes were transferred from SBC 5 to SBC 12.[30]

The channel prepared a special line-up for the first day of the relaunched service, which involved a new logo and a new schedule. For the first time, on an exceptional basis, the relaunch took place at midnight.[31] The relaunch sported mixed accents on its promotional voiceovers to reflect "Singapore's cosmopolitan character" and a image song, "Where It All Happens".[32] SBC 5 newsroom was built at a cost of S$8 million.[33]

On 29 August 1994, the channel launched AM Singapore, Singapore's first English-language breakfast programme. It aired weekdays from 6:00 to 8:30 am.[34] Its initial presenters were Diana Koh and Lance Alexander; the latter who was dispatched from Perfect 10.[34] AM Singapore was promoted aggressively, emphasising on being first with the news.[34] With the launch of AM Singapore, SBC 5 now broadcasts for 19 hours a day on weekdays.[34]

On 1 October 1994, SBC was formally privatised into a new holding company Singapore International Media (SIM) with four business units: Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS), Radio Corporation of Singapore (RCS), Television Twelve (TV12) and SIM Communications (SIMCOM). SBC 5 was officially new launched to new name or renamed becomes Channel 5. Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) includes TCS 5 officially opening broadcast and transmission took place as very first programme or launching program were: E! News Week in Review officially opening telecast at 6:00am SST.[35][36][37][38]

Channel 5 replaced its family-friendly programmes on Sunday afternoons with action-related programming in 1994 as viewership ratings show that families would tune in to fast-paced action programmes. [39]

On 29 September 1995, Channel 5 expanded into a 24-hour network.

Local programming on Channel 5 during the 6 to 11 pm prime time in the week from 26 June to 2 July 1995 was at 41%, while in March 1996 it was at 37%.[40] In March 1996, much of the slots for local programmes during prime time were replaced with "imported shows". Chicago Hope, which used to air at midnight, moved to prime time.[40]

The viewership share of Channel 5 according to Nielsen Survey Research Singapore data was at 60% in September 1995, dipping to 57% in February 1996.[40]

Channel 5 shuffled most of its programmes to different time slots and days throughout April 1996, prioritising its local programmes than "foreign imports" as TCS has almost reached the aim of 80% local content during prime time. Notably, Murder One which aired at prime time moved to midnight on Wednesdays despite its loyal following.[41]

In 1997, Channel 5 began increasing local production by commissioning programmes from Zhao Wei Films and Canada-based UTV International. By this period, Channel 5 had 40 hours a week of local programming.[42]

On 30 April 2001, News 5 Tonight gets a new look. The new look was described as targeted at "young people and people on the streets" with stories relatable to the local audience and irrelevant news removed. This also included a live studio interview session each night. Toh Seh Ling, who was a presenter for "teen" news programme Newswatch in 1990, became its new host.[43]

The broadcast of X-Men on 4 May 2003 gave the channel a record 1.2 million viewers tuning in for its network television premiere.[44]

On 1 November 2014, Channel 5 announced a planned expansion of local original programming, including more current affairs programming focusing on Singapore (including the weeknight talkshow The 5 Show), a "local serial drama", and a new talent search competition.[45]

On 1 May 2019, Channel 5 replaced its daytime simulcasts of Channel NewsAsia with the children's programming block Okto on 5; this service replaced the Okto channel, which was discontinued.[46]

Programming

References

  1. ↑ "S'pore TV starts next month". The Straits Times. 3 January 1963. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Government warning to keep TV in view". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 17 January 1963. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "Keeping an eye on those subtle messages". The Straits Times. 15 February 1984. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  4. ↑ Yong, Judy (16 February 1963). "Raja: This could be start of a cultural, social revolution". The Straits Times. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  5. ↑ Lim Ann Qi, Angela (14 February 1963). "PROGRAMME FOR TV PILOT SERVICE". The Straits Times. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  6. ↑ "TV launched 25 years ago to boost political awareness, says Raja". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 16 February 1988. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "Backroom boys of television". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 1 March 1963. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  8. ↑ "Continuity announcers". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 1 March 1963. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  9. ↑ "Television Singapura". The Straits Times. 2 April 1963. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  10. ↑ "7,000 Singapore homes now have TV sets". The Straits Times. 2 April 1963. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  11. ↑ "2nd sound channel for TV within a '—month—'". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 9 June 1963. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  12. ↑ "Singapore begins second TV sound channel". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 25 June 1963. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  13. ↑ "Television Singapura The Straits Times". The Straits Times. 31 August 1963. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  14. ↑ "Commercial TV inauguration". The Straits Times. 10 January 1964. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  15. ↑ "Grand Prix on TV, radio". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 9 April 1966. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "New home for TV..." The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 27 August 1966. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  17. ↑ "NEW TIMES FOR TV SCREENING FROM FRIDAY". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 27 March 1973. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  18. ↑ Lim Ann Qi, Angela (7 July 1974). "Singapore Colour Live Telecast on FIFA World Cup Via Satellite Transmission". The Straits Times. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  19. ↑ Lim Ann Qi, Angela (9 August 1974). "Singapore First Colour Television". The Straits Times. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  20. ↑ "THOSE EXTRA TV SHOWS JUST A TEST. SAYS RTS". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 2 November 1979. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  21. ↑ Lim Ann Qi, Angela (31 January 1980). "FAREWELL RADIO TELEVISION SINGAPORE". The Straits Times. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  22. ↑ Lim Ann Qi, Angela (1 February 1980). "THIS IS SINGAPORE BROADCASTING CORPORATION". The Straits Times. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  23. ↑ "New SBC plays it low key". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 3 February 1980. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  24. ↑ "Channel 5 will close later from Sunday". The Straits Times. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  25. ↑ "Later shows to suit afternoon viewers". The Straits Times. 11 October 1987. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  26. 1 2 3 "Better Sunday TV fare in the offing". The Straits Times. 22 March 1988. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  27. ↑ "7 pm news bulletin on SBC 5 from Aug 31". The Straits Times. 25 August 1992. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  28. ↑ "Surprises on the small screen". The Straits Times. 22 November 1992. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  29. ↑ "Pass the chips, it's TV time tonight". The Straits Times. 19 December 1993. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  30. ↑ Channel 5 (First Full English Channel) first day schedule, 1 January 1994 at 7.30am on the New Straits Times
  31. ↑ "35 hours of TV to ring in 1994". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 19 December 1993. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  32. ↑ "High 5, Low 5". The Straits Times. 6 February 1994. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  33. ↑ "Lots of strange things on SBC". The Straits Times. 17 March 1994. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  34. 1 2 3 4 "Breakfast TV may whet appetite for news, but the papers will satiate it". The Straits Times. 11 September 1994. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  35. ↑ Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) first day schedule, 1 October 1994 at 6.00am on the New Straits Times
  36. ↑ "Singapore's first television station". NLB. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  37. ↑ "A NEW ERA DAWNS IN SINGAPORE BROADCASTING". The Straits Times. 1 October 1994. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  38. ↑ "A NEW ERA DAWNS IN SINGAPORE BROADCASTING". The Straits Times. 1 October 1994. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  39. ↑ "Bikinis and guns in family slot". The Straits Times. 20 November 1994. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  40. 1 2 3 "Ch 5: More foreign shows on prime-time". The Straits Times. 28 March 1996. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  41. ↑ "Channel 5 reshuffles programmes". The Straits Times. 28 April 1996. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  42. ↑ "Coming to Channel 5 — Eric Khoo films". The Straits Times. 24 July 1997. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  43. ↑ "New host, new look for News 5". Today. 30 April 2001. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  44. ↑ "Channel 5 breaks record with X-Men". Today (retrieved from NLB). 7 May 2003. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  45. ↑ "Local Upsize on MediaCorp's new Channel 5". Television Asia Plus. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  46. ↑ "Mediacorp integrates English-language channels Channel 5 and okto". Channel NewsAsia. 20 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
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