Mediacorp TV12

{{short description|Subsidiary of Mediacorp}} {{Copy edit|date=October 2025}} thumb|The Mediacorp TV12 logo. '''Mediacorp TV12''' (formerly '''Singapore Television Twelve''', Malay: '''Televisyen Duabelas Singapura''', Tamil: '''சிங்கப்பூர் தொலைக்காட்சி பன்னிரண்டு''', Ciṅkappūr Tolaikkāṭci Paṉṉiraṇṭu) is a subsidiary of Mediacorp. It operates the '''Suria''' and '''Vasantham''' channels, which cater to specific groups in Singapore, as well as Central and Okto. TV12 also owns production units, '''Mediacorp EagleVision,''' which is used for television production, and '''Mediacorp VizPro Entertainment''' for live events.

==History== ===Background===

TV12 originally started as SBC Channel 12, which started broadcasting on January 31, 1984, under the control of Sandra Buenaventura. The channel had a niche, highbrow appeal,<ref name="everything12">{{cite news|title=Everything you wanted to know about Channel 12|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19831225-1.2.22|access-date=24 March 2024|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=25 December 1983}}</ref> but it toned down the amount of programming to increase its appeal among locals who thought the content was "too European".<ref>{{cite news|title=12 on 12|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19840209-1.2.69.4.4?qt=%22channel%2012%22&q=%20%22Channel%2012%22|access-date=8 August 2023|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=9 February 1984}}</ref> The channel reduced the amount of operas and added mini-series and documentaries to its weekly schedule in March 1985.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ch 12 goes for wider audience|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19850201-1.2.81|access-date=12 September 2023|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=1 February 1985}}</ref> In 1986, it added wrestling shows as well.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wrestling goes to Channel 12 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19860927-1.2.58|access-date=12 September 2023|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=29 September 1986}}</ref>

This format remained the norm for Channel 12 until 1994. On January 1, all Malay programmes from Channel 5 were moved to Channel 12.<ref>{{cite news|title=All Malay shows on SBC 12 from next year |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19930901-1.2.34.6|access-date=9 August 2023|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=1 September 1993}}</ref> On January 29, Channel 12 rebranded.<ref>{{cite news |title=SBC revamps channel for the HDB heartland |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19940527-1.2.67.6.8 |access-date=22 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=27 May 1994}}</ref>

===Television Twelve=== At the same time, the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation was being privatised and divided into three units owned by Singapore International Media: the Television Corporation of Singapore in charge of channels 5 and 8, the Radio Corporation of Singapore in charge of the radio stations and Television Twelve in charge of Channel 12. The new corporations came into effect on October 1, 1994.<ref>{{cite news|date=1 October 1994 |title=A NEW ERA DAWNS IN SINGAPORE BROADCASTING |newspaper=The Straits Times |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/page/straitstimes19941001-1.1.60|access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref> Television Twelve was positioned as a public service broadcasting company. In readiness for the creation of the new units, Brigadier General George Yeo announced that a fourth television channel would be created, TV12's second, a UHF outlet dedicated exclusively to cultural programming. Under these plans, all Tamil programming would move from Channel 8 to Channel 12, with the existing channel becoming an ethnic channel, while the former Channel 12 fare would move to the new UHF channel. Another TV12 priority was the production of "high-quality public service programmes".<ref>{{cite web |date=27 August 1994 |title=Fourth TV channel will feature cultural shows |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19940827-1.2.4?qt=%22channel%2012%22,%20uhf&q=%22Channel%2012%22%20%22UHF%22 |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref>

In order to fulfill its public service credentials, in May 1995, TV12 announced plans to find independent production houses to produce programmes for its channels. At the time, independent production companies had little know-how. However, according to the then Head of Programme, Sandra Buenaventura, this would lead to increased competition between the companies even while aiming at improving the quality of the programmes. TV12 also planned to produce programmes on its own.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 May 1995 |title=TV12 aims to offer production houses a reel killing |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950524-1.2.65.5.4 |access-date=18 September 2025 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref> On July 29, 1995, it formally announced the creation of a second channel on UHF channel 24.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 July 1995 |title=TV 12 to start new channel |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950729-1.2.74.4.5 |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref>

===Singapore Television Twelve=== Ahead of the launch of the UHF channel, the company was renamed as '''Singapore Television Twelve''' (STV12) and left the Caldecott Hill facilities. It moved to its own place at the Bestway Building in Shenton Way. Its own facility had a reception area, which ''The Straits Times'' found to be "futuristic-looking", with couches in primary colours, while its reception counter featured STV12 merchandise for sale. The new line-up set to premiere on September 1 was going to consist of Prime 12, the existing VHF channel, and Premiere 12, on UHF channel 24, inheriting the former Channel 12 format.<ref name="arts">{{cite news |title=More Malay, Indian programmes plus arts, sports |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950802-1.2.62.3.1 |access-date=9 February 2024 |work=The Straits Times |date=2 August 1995}}</ref> It also wanted to become the world's first profitable public service broadcasting company, as both of its channels carried commercial advertising. PBS and the BBC don't.<ref name="arts"/> By 1996, Malay-language programming acquired from local companies had become profitable, including a documentary series, ''Meniti Pelangi'' (''Follow the Rainbow''), which was produced by Fandi Ahmad's production company Fandi Ahmad International.<ref>{{cite news |title=New TV12 policy allows more variety on Malay TV |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19960917-1.2.67.2.1 |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=The Straits Times |date=17 September 1996}}</ref> It was also going to take part in the inaugural Asian Television Awards as a co-host, but pulled out at the last minute on the early hours of November 15, 1996 due to "unresolved issues" concerning budget. Another issue was that its sports unit was created in the middle of the year, which did not qualify for the awards, as the period was only valid between July 1995 and June 1996. Premiere 12 was to screen on November 30; Channel 5 would repeat it on December 1.<ref>{{cite news |title=TV12 pulls out of Asian awards 'over budget' |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19961115-1.2.3.3 |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=The New Paper |date=15 November 1996}}</ref> STV12 was going to be the only outlet, but without the production facilities and the cost of hiring commercial producers, Television Asia, creator of the awards, talked to TCS instead.<ref>{{cite news |title=That's why TV 12 pulled out of Asian Awards, says TCS |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19961116-1.2.23.2 |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=The New Paper |date=16 November 1996}}</ref> STV12 refused to comment.<ref>{{cite news |title=TV 12 REPLIES |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19961116-1.2.23.2 |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=The New Paper |date=16 November 1996}}</ref>

In January 1997, it announced a partnership with the Economic Development Board to upgrade independent production companies producing programmes for its channels, under the Local Industry Upgrading Programme (Liup) scheme.<ref>{{cite news |title=STV 12 and EDB team up to help local firms upgrade |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19970111-1.2.69.5 |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=The Straits Times |date=11 January 1997}}</ref> At the end of the month, Sandra Buenaventura quit her post at STV12, but was signed again effective February 5, when she was expected to return to Singapore.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two TV veterans quit |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19970130-1.2.17.2 |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=The New Paper |date=30 January 1997}}</ref>

STV12 announced in 1998 that it would develop an Enhanced TV service with digital content developer Media Manager. Its two channels would use their vertical blanking interval to provide value-added data to viewers. At the time, it was being trialled over the Singapore One network for a six-month period.<ref>{{cite news |title=Adding value to TV |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19980401-1.2.139.7.12 |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=The Straits Times |date=1 April 1998}}</ref> In November, when it made its fourth anniversary carnival, it announced plans to rename the two channels, under the grounds that "Prime" and "Premiere" sounded similar, in both meaning and spelling. The rename process would take "another two years or so".<ref name="STV12TCS"/>

Singapore Television Twelve was appointed as the PSB SBU of the new MediaCorp conglomerate on August 1, 1999.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 July 1999 |title=EXPORT DRIVE FOR TV SHOWS |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19990707-1.2.12.6 |access-date=13 August 2025 |website=The Business Times (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref> In September 1999, Woon Tai Ho took over Lim Hup Seng as Director-General of Singapore Television Twelve, and announced to the public that its two channels, Prime 12 and Premiere 12, would be replaced effective January 30, 2000. The former was to be renamed Suria, an all-Malay channel, while the Tamil programming would move to Premiere 12, which was set to become Central. The new service was to be divided into three programming belts: Kids Central for children, with increased airtime for the demographic, Vasantham Central for Tamil programming and Arts Central for highbrow programming. Certain types of programmes were purged, such as US news magazines (to Channel NewsAsia), David Letterman (to Channel 5) and sports programming (to SportsCity, which was set to launch on 30 January alongside the revised STV12 offer).<ref>{{cite news |title=More shows for children |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990915-1.2.82.3.1 |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |date=15 September 1999}}</ref> By changing the names, it became easier to differentiate the formats and programmes of the channels.<ref>{{cite news |title=Enter The Tube... and changes in the air |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper20000129-1.2.39.1 |work=The New Paper |date=29 January 2000}}</ref>

Throughout its existence under this name, STV12 was frequently mistaken for the Television Corporation of Singapore. The confusion stems from the SBC days, when all channels were under the same owner.<ref name="STV12TCS">{{cite news |title=Happy 4th Birthday TCS, er... TV12 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19981105-1.2.30.2 |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=The New Paper |date=5 November 1998}}</ref>

===Mediacorp TV12=== In January 2006, it signed a deal with US Asian cable network, ImaginAsian TV, to provide the channel with 100 hours of Arts Central content. Such content included ''Party Guide for an Urbanite'' and ''Stage to Screen''.<ref>{{cite news |title=MEDIACORP SHOWS ON US NETWORK |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20060127-1.2.50.1.3 |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=Today |date=27 January 2006}}</ref>

==List of channels==

=== Television === * Suria is a Malay free-to-air terrestrial television channel in Singapore. It is the largest Malay channel in Singapore. * Vasantham is a Tamil free-to-air terrestrial television channel dedicated to the Indian community, launched on October 19, 2008. It replaced the Vasantham Central timebelt.

=== Former television channels === * Kids Central was the first timeshare on the Central and broadcasts children's programmes. It was replaced by Okto on October 19, 2008. * Vasantham Central was the second timeshare on the Central channel. It is also hailed as the biggest Indian television station outside of India. It offers Tamil movies for Singaporean Tamil. It was replaced by the standalone Vasantham channel on October 19, 2008. * Arts Central was the third timeshared channel on Central. Arts Central generally shows alternative programs from around the globe. It was replaced by Okto on October 19, 2008. It was later revived as a~ok (arts on Okto). However, as the channel rebranded to include sporting programmes by mid-2017, it was moved to Channel 5 as arts on 5. * Okto was an English free-to-air terrestrial television channel with selected programmes broadcast in the language of the country of origin launched on October 19, 2008. An example was Filmart which showcases critically acclaimed films from around the world in its original language. Okto retained the programming of both Kids Central and Arts Central - former timeshares of the Central channel. Meanwhile, it replaced SPH Mediaworks Channel i, a subsidiary of SPH MediaWorks, on its frequency. The kids segment was moved to Channel 5, while the Sports segment moved to Mediacorp's digital streaming service, Toggle. Okto closed down on May 1, 2019 due to low viewership.

== Production == * ''EagleVision'' is a content producer for Suria and Vasantham. It co-produces programmes with regional broadcasters and production houses. * ''VizPro Entertainment'' is the company's events arm. It has brought in and produced several international and local acts such as Disney on Ice, Barney & Friends, Winnie the Pooh, Wedding Banquet and Siti Nurhaliza Concert.

== See also == * Singapore Press Holdings

== References == {{reflist}}

{{Mediacorp}}

Category:Mass media in Singapore Category:Mediacorp Category:Television channels and stations established in 1994 Category:Mass media companies established in 1994 Category:1994 establishments in Singapore