Starting of Channel U by SPH MediaWorks in 2001
Started airing on 6 May 2001, Channel U served as an alternative Chinese channel to the incumbent Mediacorp’s Channel 8 and provided the audiences of the Free-To-Air (FTA) TV with more programme choices. Its staff were primarily local artist and crew transferred from TCS (Television Corporation Singapore – former Mediacorp). On its opening night, Channel U held a grand ceremony and invited distinguish guests from Ministers to renowned artiste from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in support of its inauguration.
Initial struggles
Being the new kid on the block, Channel U was unable to match up to the experience and capacity of Channel 8 in producing large scale productions. Instead, it relied mainly on locally made variety shows, imported content, as well as co-productions in dramas with overseas television companies, tapping on their expertise and facilities. It was a blessing in disguise as these moves later proved to be extremely successful.
Channel U produced variety shows were extremely well received and praised for its creativity and interactive format, different from the conventional form of entertainment on Channel 8. Overseas co-productions were successful in introducing local artistes and programmes to the overseas viewers and received good ratings, both local and overseas. Its imported content also enjoyed immense success, especially Korean drama series, which were not as common at that point of time. For that, Channel U was credited for the launch of “K-Wave” in Singapore.
Channel U’s efforts paid off as statistics revealed that its prime time viewership increase to 54% and 57% for Sunday and Monday respectively, ahead of Channel 8. Furthermore, on the 2002 Asian Television Awards, it was nominated for 16 awards, won 6, including the Best Terrestrial Channel of the Year as well as the night's top honour, Broadcaster of the Year award.
History of Channel U
A brief introduction of the initial struggles and milestones of Channel U and how it evolved from being a channel under SPH MediaWorks to it present status as a Mediacorp channel.
Merger with Mediacorp
However this increase in viewership and gaining of international recognition were not translated into profits. Due to a small FTA television advertising market, both Mediacorp and SPH were operating at a loss. Increasing competition was not only between the two broadcasters but also from foreign Chinese channels. With the need to expend huge amount of resources to compete, Singapore’s mass-market TV was seen as unsustainable. As a result, two companies came to an agreement on merger which was seen as a win-win situation on both sides. With effect from 1 January 2005, SPH MediaWorks merged with MediaCorp and Channel U was operated by MediaCorp ever since.
Post-merger Channel U
Upon its merger, operating under Mediacorp TV Channel U, it was rebranded such that it complements its new sister channel, Mediacorp TV Channel 8. Channel 8 continues to focus on news and general entertainment and has its niche in local drama production. Channel U on the other hand focuses more on the younger audience between the ages 15 – 45, producing youth oriented and lifestyle programmes.
It continues to import content from overseas, except now to provide a balance of local and acquired programming for dramas and variety programmes. For example, viewers who preferred acquired drama series could tune in to Hong Kong, Taiwanese or Korean dramas on Channel U while fans of local dramas could enjoy dramas with local flavour on Channel 8. Imported dramas are also mainly youth oriented such as Taiwanese and Korean idol dramas aired on the prime time slot.
The merger also brings about better quality locally-produced drama on the channel, often either youth oriented or with an alternative theme produced by independent production houses such as Wawa Pictures. These dramas are a refreshing change from those family-oriented genre on Channel 8 but takes on a more serious and sophisticated tone.
