Vasantham
CountrySingapore
Broadcast areaSingapore
Malaysia (Johor, Sarawak)
Indonesia (Riau Islands)
NetworkMediacorp TV12
HeadquartersMediacorp Campus, 1 Stars Avenue, Singapore 138507
Programming
Language(s)Tamil
Picture format1080i 16:9 HDTV
Ownership
OwnerMediacorp
Sister channelsChannel 5
Channel 8
Channel U
Suria
CNA
History
Launched15 February 1963 (1963-02-15)
Links
WebsiteVasantham
Availability
Terrestrial
Digital terrestrial televisionUHF CH 31 554MHz DVB-T2 Channel 5 (HD)
Streaming media
meWATCHAvailable on meWATCH website or mobile app (Singapore only)

Vasantham is a Singaporean free-to-air television channel wholly owned by Mediacorp. The network is focused towards the Singaporean Indian community in the country. The channel first signed on 15 February 1963 as Channel 5, the country's very first television channel and later that year also on Channel 8. In 1973 the language structure of the two channels was changed, with Channel 5 broadcasting in English and Malay and Channel 8 in Chinese and Tamil. The arrangement used for the latter ran until 1 September 1995, when it became a standalone Mandarin-language channel. After this, Tamil programming transferred to the new channel Prime 12. On 30 January 2000, as Prime 12 was rebranded to Suria and became a standalone Malay-language channel, Tamil programming transferred to the new channel Central, with Vasantham Central as its timebelt for Indian programming, and was later rebranded again as an independent Tamil-language channel on 19 October 2008.

As of 1 February 2023, the channel's logo is based on the corporate Mplifier graphics format, with the channel name in blue text (replacing the former flower-inspired logo) placed beside the Mediacorp "M" logo.[1]

History

Tamil programming was carried from the outset of television in Singapore on Channel 5 from its launch on 15 February 1963, and later that year also on Channel 8. In 1973 the language structure of the two channels was changed, with Channel 5 broadcasting in English and Malay and Channel 8 in Chinese and Tamil.[2] The arrangement used for the latter ran until 1 September 1995, when it became a standalone Mandarin-language channel. After this, Tamil programming transferred to the new channel Prime 12. On 30 January 2000, as Prime 12 was rebranded to Suria and became a standalone Malay-language channel, Tamil programming transferred to the new channel Central, with Vasantham Central as its timebelt for Indian programming.

On 19 October 2008, Vasantham started broadcasting as an independent Tamil-language network focused on the Indian community living in Singapore, first announced on 29 February that year. [3]

Programming

Broadcast Timings

Channel Launch to 30 January 2020:

  • Weekday: 3:00pm to 12:00mn
  • Weekend: 1:00pm to 12:30am

30 January 2020 Onwards:

  • Monday to Wednesday: 9:00am to 12:00mn
  • Thursday, Friday and Sunday: 9:00am to 12:30am
  • Saturday: 9:00am to 1:30am

There is a broadcast from Oli 968 from the end time until the broadcast starts.

References

  1. ↑ "Mediacorp strengthens brand presence with launch of refreshed logos as part of vibrant new visual identity". Mediacorp. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "NEW TIMES FOR TV SCREENING FROM FRIDAY". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 27 March 1973. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  3. ↑ Wong, Alicia (1 March 2008). "Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels". Today (retrieved from NLB). Retrieved 24 March 2020.
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