Phoenix Television Explained

Phoenix Media Investment (Holdings) Limited
Image Caption:Headquarters in Shenzhen
Native Name:鳳凰衛視投資（控股）有限公司
Native Name Lang:zh-Hant
Type:Public
State-owned enterprise
Traded As:
Key People:Liu Changle (Founder; former chairman and chief executive officer),
Chui Keung (Deputy chief executive officer, Chief Compliance Officer),
Liu Shuang (Chief Operating Officer of Phoenix Satellite TV, CEO of Phoenix New Media)
Industry:Broadcasting
Products:Television content, Television programming
Revenue:HK$3159m (2021)[1]
Operating Income:HK$703m (2021)
Net Income:HK$299m (2021)
Parent:Bauhinia Culture
Location:Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Tai Po, Hong Kong
Phoenix Chinese Channel
Launch Date:31 March 1996
Owner:Phoenix Television
Replaced:Star Chinese Channel
Sister Channels:Phoenix InfoNews Channel
Phoenix Chinese News and Entertainment Channel
Phoenix North America Chinese Channel
Phoenix Movies Channel
Phoenix Hong Kong Channel
Country:China
Picture Format:HDTV 1080i
Area:Worldwide
Phoenix Chinese Channel
S:凤凰卫视中文台
T:鳳凰衛視中文台
P:Fènghuáng Wèishì Zhōngwén Tái
J:fung6 wong4 wai6 si6 zung1 man4 toi4
T2:鳳凰衛視
S2:凤凰卫视
P2:Fènghuáng Wèishì
J2:fung6 wong4 wai6 si6

Phoenix Television is a majority state-owned television network that offers Mandarin and Cantonese-language channels that serve mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and other markets with substantial Chinese-language viewers. It is headquartered in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. It is also registered in Cayman Islands.

The founder of Phoenix TV, Liu Changle, was an officer and political instructor in the People's Liberation Army in its 40th Group Army.[2] He later became a journalist for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled China National Radio after the Cultural Revolution and remains well-connected to the CCP's leadership.[3] Liu is a standing member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.[4]

Phoenix Television calls itself a Hong Kong media outlet[5] but holds a non-domestic television programme services license in Hong Kong.[6] Most of the company's customers and non-current assets come from mainland China.[7] Bauhinia Culture, a company wholly owned by the Chinese government, is its largest shareholder.[8] Freedom House describes Phoenix Television as pro-Beijing. Stephen McDonell of BBC News described the outlet as "sometimes more liberal than its mainland counterparts".[9]

The company's head offices are located in Shenzhen, Guangdong and Tai Po, Hong Kong and it also has correspondent offices in Beijing and Shanghai. The Shenzhen office is said to produce half its TV output.[10]

History

What eventually became Phoenix Television started as a joint venture between Star TV in Hong Kong, one private company in China, and China Central Television.[11]

Phoenix Chinese Channel was launched on 31 March 1996. It replaced Star Chinese Channel in Hong Kong and mainland China.[12] Broadcasts in Singapore started on 1 December 1996 via the Singapore Cable Vision network; in its early years, the Phoenix Chinese Channel also carried Mandarin-dubbed American series during primetime hours, such as The X-Files and Baywatch.[13]

The Phoenix CNE channel broadcasts in Europe, while the Phoenix North America Chinese Channel goes out in the Americas. In 2005, a California-based broadcast and engineering director for the channel, Tai Wang Mak, was arrested for conspiring with his brother, Chi Mak, to act as an intelligence agent for China.[14] A 10-year prison sentence was announced in 2008.[15] [16]

On 28 March 2011, Phoenix Television launched Phoenix Hong Kong Channel, broadcasting exclusively in Cantonese.[17]

On 31 March 2011, Phoenix InfoNews Channel was announced as a Peabody Award winner for its "Report on a New Generation of Migrant Workers in China."[18]

In 2011, Phoenix New Media formed a partnership with the BBC to offer the British broadcaster's programming on Phoenix's digital media platforms. This was followed by a similar partnership with the National Film Board of Canada in 2012, under which 130 NFB animated shorts and documentary films would be offered digitally in China.[19]

In October 2013, the 12.15% of shares in Phoenix Television held by 21st Century Fox (through Star) were sold to TPG Capital for HK$1.66 billion (about US$213 million).[20] [21] [22]

In February 2016, Phoenix Television broadcast forced confessions of kidnapped Hong Kong booksellers.[23] [24] [25] In June 2020, the FCC ordered XEWW-AM, owned by Phoenix Television, to cease broadcasting.[26]

The Taiwanese government designated Phoenix as a Chinese government-funded company in April 2022, and required the company to end operations in Taiwan.[27]

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a Phoenix TV reporter was one of the only foreign journalists to embed with the Russian military.[28]

Corporate governance

Ownership

At launch, Star TV and a private sector company in China each owned 45% of the company, and state broadcaster China Central Television owned the remaining 10%.

The original News Corporation's (and subsequently 21st Century Fox's) shares in Phoenix Television held through Star were gradually reduced over the years. Finally, 21st Century Fox sold its shares to TPG Capital in October 2013.[29]

According to the company's 2018 annual report, the company is owned by the following entities:[30]

NameSharesPercentageNote
Today's Asia Limited1,854,000,00037.13%A company beneficially owned by Liu Changle (100%).
Extra Step Investments Limited983,000,00019.69%A company owned by China Mobile Hong Kong, which is a part of state-owned China Mobile.
TPG China Media, L.P.607,000,00012.16%Part of TPG Capital and beneficially controlled by David Bonderman and James Coulter.
China Wise International Limited412,000,0008.25%China Wise is owned by Bank of China, which is owned by Central Huijin Investment, a subsidiary of the government's China Investment Corporation sovereign wealth fund, which reports to the State Council of the People's Republic of China.
In April 2021, Liu sold most of his shares to state-owned publisher Bauhinia Culture and Shun Tak Holdings.[31] [32]

Management

Liu Changle, CEO and founder of Phoenix TV, was a journalist for the Chinese Communist Party-controlled China National Radio after the Cultural Revolution and had become one of China's richest men by the 1990s, being well-connected to the Beijing leadership.

Shuang Liu became COO of Phoenix TV on 17 February 2014. He continues to be the CEO of Phoenix New Media Ltd (NYSE: FENG), a new media company in China.[33]

Former director of Phoenix TV news Chung Pong testified under oath that Phoenix TV news' programing was "subject to the dictates of the leadership of the Central Communist Propaganda Department, Central Communist Overseas Propaganda Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."[34]

Notes and References

  1. Annual Results Announcement for the Year Ended 31 December 2009. Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Ltd. 18 March 2022. 19 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220419140431/https://doc.irasia.com/listco/hk/phoenixtv/announcement/a261510-ew_02008ann_20220318.pdf. 19 April 2022. live.
  2. Book: Zhang. Wenxian. Entrepreneurial and Business Elites of China: The Chinese Returnees Who Have Shaped Modern China. Wang. Huiyao. Alon. Ilan. 2011-05-06. Emerald Group Publishing. 978-0-85724-089-7. 98. en. 860625448. 9 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200803004759/https://books.google.com/books?id=IWqfoKe2SCkC. 3 August 2020. live.
  3. News: Pan. Philip P.. Making Waves, Carefully, on the Air in China. 2005-09-19. The Washington Post. 2020-04-09. live. en-US. 0190-8286. Philip Pan. https://web.archive.org/web/20170714215638/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/18/AR2005091801597.html. 14 July 2017.
  4. Web site: Liu Changle. World Economic Forum. en. 2020-04-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20200303123354/https://www.weforum.org/people/liu-changle/. 3 March 2020. live.
  5. Web site: 2020-04-07. 'Do you work for China?': Trump confronts Hong Kong-based reporter during coronavirus briefing. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200429053410/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/do-you-work-for-china-trump-confronts-hong-kong-based-reporter-during-coronavirus-briefing. 29 April 2020. 2020-04-28. Washington Examiner. en.
  6. Web site: Non-domestic Television Programme Service. Communications Authority. 2020-04-28. 18 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211018000929/https://www.coms-auth.hk/en/licensing/broadcasting/tv_programme/non_domestic_television_programme_service/. live.
  7. Web site: ANNUAL RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENTFOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019. 28 April 2020. 25 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025041402/https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0327/2020032701811.pdf. live.
  8. Web site: 2021-09-22 . 打造文化旗舰！紫荆文化集团在深圳发布多个重磅文化项目 . live . 2024-08-04 . www.163.com . zh . 24 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924175224/https://www.163.com/dy/article/GKHIHLTE05129QAF.html .
  9. News: Stephen McDonell. 2016-05-16. Cultural Revolution: No desire to dwell on the past. en-GB. BBC News. 2022-01-21. 21 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121112629/https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-36299790. live.
  10. Web site: Half of Phoenix Television programs are produced in Shenzhen. ifeng.com. 26 March 2010. 21 May 2010. zh. https://web.archive.org/web/20110720013343/http://finance.ifeng.com/roll/20100326/1964579.shtml. 20 July 2011. live.
  11. News: Farley . Maggie . Star TV, Chinese Firm Reportedly in Joint Venture . 31 December 2018 . . 23 February 1996 . 6 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210606033217/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-23-fi-39270-story.html . live .
  12. Book: 张林 . 凤凰卫视这些年 . 2016 . 现代出版社 . 978-7514333930 . 19、45、51 . zh.
  13. News: X-Files in Chinese on cable TV . 23 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 30 November 1996 . 23 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231223051235/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19961130-1.2.106.16.6 . live .
  14. News: Grier . Peter . 2005-11-30 . Spy case patterns the Chinese style of espionage . . 2022-09-05 . 0882-7729 . 1 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220901053535/https://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1130/p01s01-usfp.html . live .
  15. Bill Gertz (18 September 2006),ENEMIES The Washington Times
  16. Josh Gerstein (22 April 2008), Chinese Spy Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison The New York Sun
  17. Web site: 凤凰卫视将开播香港台 以广东话进行广播 . 15 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110216040356/http://phtv.ifeng.com/lcl/detail_2011_02/09/4589692_0.shtml . 16 February 2011 . live .
  18. Web site: March 31, 2011. Complete list of 2011 Peabody Awards. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121092203/https://www.startribune.com/complete-list-of-2011-peabody-awards/118997639/. January 21, 2022. Star Tribune.
  19. News: Canucks find first TV niche in China . . 12 June 2012 . 13 June 2012 . Kushigemachi, Todd . https://web.archive.org/web/20120616062550/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118055357 . 16 June 2012 . live .
  20. Tan, Clement "TPG pays Murdoch unit $214 million for Chinese media company stake " Reuters 19 October 2013
  21. Joshua, Fellman "TPG China Media Buys Remaining Fox Stake in Phoenix Satellite TV " Bloomberg L.P. 18 October 2013
  22. Frater, Patrick "21st Century Fox Sells Phoenix Stake " Variety 22 October 2013
  23. News: HK bookseller: TV confession 'forced'. 2016-06-16. BBC News. 2020-04-11. live. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20191102084735/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36549266. 2 November 2019.
  24. News: Zheping. Huang. China is using Hong Kong's media to broadcast its smear campaigns. 1 August 2016. Quartz. 11 April 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200413112859/https://qz.com/747918/hong-kong-media-has-become-beijings-new-go-to-spot-for-forced-confessions-and-fake-interviews/. 13 April 2020.
  25. Web site: Chinese Government Influence on the U.S. Media Landscape. Cook. Sarah. 4 May 2017. United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200413091628/https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Sarah%20Cook%20May%204th%202017%20USCC%20testimony.pdf. 13 April 2020. 11 April 2020.
  26. News: Shepardson. David. 2020-06-22. FCC orders radio station in Mexico to halt broadcast of Chinese programs to U.S.. en. Reuters. live. 2020-06-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20200623062848/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-radio-idUSKBN23T366. 23 June 2020.
  27. News: Phoenix TV faces closure in Taiwan . 7 April 2022 . Taipei Times . Agence France Presse . 7 April 2022 . 6 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220406222513/https://taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2022/04/07/2003776148 . live .
  28. News: Carey . Alexis . March 16, 2022 . Chinese reporter Lu Yuguang only foreign journalist working from Russia's 'frontline' . . October 22, 2022.
  29. "TPG to Acquire 21st Century Fox's Stake in Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Limited " (press release) TPG Capital; 21st Century Fox Business Wire 18 October 2013
  30. Web site: Annual Report. 2018. 137–138. 9 April 2020. 6 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210606033144/https://doc.irasia.com/listco/hk/phoenixtv/annual/ar210433-e_2018ar.pdf. live.
  31. Web site: Ng. Eric. 2021-04-18. Phoenix founder Liu sells shares to Beijing-backed publisher, Pansy Ho firm. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210525192516/https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3130027/phoenix-media-founder-sells-almost-all-his-shares-beijing-backed. 25 May 2021. 2021-05-25. South China Morning Post. en.
  32. News: May 10, 2021. Publishing, Media Takeovers Part of China's Two-Pronged Grip on Hong Kong. Radio Free Asia. May 25, 2021. 25 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210525192518/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/hongkong-media-05102021083345.html. live.
  33. Web site: 凤凰新媒体 Phoenix New Media - Investor Relations - Company News. https://archive.today/20140416080209/http://ir.ifeng.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=242799&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1900389&highlight=. dead. 16 April 2014. ir.ifeng.com. 27 November 2017.
  34. Web site: Everington. Keoni. CCP reporter who told Trump he was from Taiwan faces stiff fine. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200420132751/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3917938. 20 April 2020. 18 April 2020. Taiwan News. 17 April 2020.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Phoenix Television".

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