MTV (Asian TV channel) explained

MTV Asia
Launch Date:[1] (as a standalone pay-TV channel)
Country:Singapore
Area:Southeast Asia
Headquarters:Singapore
Replaced By:MTV Live
MTV 90s
Picture Format:1080i HDTV
Owner:Paramount Networks EMEAA
Website:
(YouTube)
(Instagram)
(Twitter)
Sister Channels:Nickelodeon
Comedy Central
Nick Jr.
Paramount Network
MTV Live
MTV Global
Colors
Colors Infinity

MTV was a pan-Asian music pay-television channel launched on 5 May 1995 as a standalone pay television channel. It was owned by Paramount Networks EMEAA.

History

Pre-launch

See main article: Channel V.

The first incarnation of MTV Asia was originally launched on 15 September 1991. It was owned by a joint-venture between the STAR TV Network and Viacom. Three years later, MTV Asia left the STAR TV Network on 2 May 1994, with the channel's space being taken by Channel V on 27 May 1994.

Launch

MTV Southeast Asia was launched on 5 May 1995[1] at 8:00 pm Singaporean time[2] as a 24-hour English-language music channel broadcast from Singapore seen throughout Southeast Asia in territories including Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. At the same time, MTV Southeast Asia along with sister channel MTV Indonesia was officially launched on the Palapa C2 digital satellite. The channel originally planned to launch in the last quarter of 1994.[3]

Based at Shenton Way, the channel was a joint venture with Polygram. At launch, the channel had 31 advertisers with its Mandarin counterpart 16, bringing in revenues of "hundreds of thousands".[4]

As of 1997, MTV Southeast Asia had 30 veejays and planned to increase the number of veejays.[5]

From 1 May 2021 until 1 September 2022, MTV Southeast Asia shortened its broadcast of programs to 8 hours (4:00 pm to 12:00 mn (SGT)) to simulcast programs from sister channel MTV Live from 12:00 mn to 4:00 pm (SGT)) daily as MTV Southeast Asia focused on more music content with less entertainment programming on its schedule.

Closure

As part of a restructuring at Paramount Networks EMEAA and as preparation for the launch of Paramount+ in Southeast Asia in 2023, MTV Asia began to cease broadcasting in several territories. In Singapore, following StarHub's review of its content offerings, and the recent launch of MTV Asia On Demand, MTV Asia ceased on StarHub TV on 29 April 2022.[6]

MTV ceased broadcasting in Asia after 27 years, with MTV Live replaced the channel on Astro, Unifi TV and I-Cable, while the rest of the providers began carrying MTV 90s.[7] Its digital platforms, however, has been remain operational through its official YouTube channel and various social media sites.

VJs

See main article: List of MTV VJs.

Final programming

Music video blocks

Concert/Live performances

Former programs

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: MTV to sell half of Asian operations to Polygram . 26 October 2024 . Business Times (Singapore) . 20 April 1995.
  2. News: MTV Asia may launch in S'pore . 26 October 2024 . The Straits Times . 29 April 1995.
  3. News: Star TV launches new music channel . 26 October 2024 . The Straits Times . 2 June 1994.
  4. News: Making an impact in Asia . 26 October 2024 . Business Times (Singapore) . 18 May 1995.
  5. News: Potensi kerjaya tarik perhatian ramai . 13 October 2024 . Berita Harian (Singapore) . 13 December 1997.
  6. Web site: 20 April 2022 . MTV Asia FAQ / Cessation of MTV Asia . 12 February 2023 . StarHub.
  7. Web site: 23 August 2022 . Rebranding of MTV Asia to MTV 90s . 11 April 2023 . Sky Cable.