Television in Singapore
Television in Singapore: a short, simple overview
Television in Singapore began in 1963 with a government-backed service. The public broadcaster, Mediacorp, now has a near-monopoly on free-to-air TV, while pay-TV is offered by private companies such as StarHub and Singtel. In the early days, private satellite dishes were banned.
A quick history
- 1952–1963: Early experiments with television showed the public what TV could do, but private TV was not allowed.
- 15 February 1963: Television Singapura (Channel 5) launched, with a second channel (Channel 8) coming later. Programs were shown in English, Mandarin and other languages, and a bilingual, multilingual approach quickly followed.
- 1963–1965: Singapore was part of Malaysia for a short period, and both channels broadcast with nearby Malaysia before Singapore became independent in 1965.
- 1966–1967: A dedicated TV facility was built, and broadcasts expanded. The first regular service ran most evenings.
- 1970s: Colour television began in the mid-1970s. Singapore moved from black-and-white to colour broadcasts, with local studios and educational programming growing.
- 1980s–1990s: RTS was restructured into SBC, and then privatized later as MediaCorp. New channels and language blocks were introduced, including Suria (Malay) and Vasantham (Tamil). Channel 12 (educational/cultural) and new services followed.
- 1990s–2000s: The TV landscape shifted toward privatization and competition. SPH MediaWorks ran channels that later merged back into MediaCorp. Over time, multiple blocks and brands existed (Arts Central, Kids Central, Central, Okto, Suria, CNA, and more).
- 2000s: Cable and satellite TV arrived. SCV (Singapore Cable Vision) started pay TV, later merging with StarHub. Singtel launched its own IPTV service, and more options followed.
- 2010s: Internet TV and on-demand services grew. MediaCorp launched Toggle (later rebranded as meWATCH). Other services such as Netflix and other streaming platforms became popular.
- 2019: Okto’s content was folded into daytime blocks on Channel 5, and Singapore moved further toward digital TV.
Cable, satellite, and online TV
- Pay TV: SCV began in 1992, expanded to many channels, and later merged with StarHub. StarHub TV and Singtel TV offer a range of channels and on-demand content.
- Internet TV: MOBTV launched in 2006 (later merged into other platforms), xinmsn and meWATCH followed. Today, viewers often use streaming services (Netflix, YouTube Premium, and local apps) alongside traditional TV.
Digital transition and HD
- Singapore planned a switch from analogue to digital broadcasting. DVB-T was tested, then DVB-T2 was adopted for digital TV and digital cable.
- HD trials started in 2006, and by the early 2010s many free-to-air channels were available in high definition.
- The analogue TV network began shutting down in stages, with a full switch-off completed around 2019. The government provided assistance to eligible households to switch to digital TV.
Free-to-air channels and who runs them
- Mediacorp runs six free-to-air channels in Singapore’s official languages: Channel 5 (English), Channel 8 (Mandarin), Suria (Malay), Vasantham (Tamil), CNA (news), and Channel U (English/Chinese programming mix).
- These channels cover a wide range of local and international programming, including news, drama, entertainment, and children’s shows.
Channels from nearby countries
- Because Singapore is close to Malaysia and Indonesia, some channels from these countries have historically been available, especially via reception in border areas. Digital standards in the region (like DVB-T2) have supported cross-border viewing in some cases.
Today
- Free-to-air television in Singapore is largely provided by Mediacorp, with additional options from pay-TV providers and streaming services. Singapore continues to expand digital and online viewing, while traditional broadcasts remain a key part of the media landscape for news, entertainment, and culture.
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 22:46 (CET).