Channel i (Singapore)

Channel i was a Singaporean English language free-to-air terrestrial television channel that was launched in 20 May 2001 as TVWorks. The channel was owned by SPH MediaWorks, a subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings.

This article is about the defunct Singapore channel. For the Bangladesh channel, see Channel i.

Channel i
Launched20 May 2001
(as TV Works)[1]
3 March 2002
(as Channel i)[2]
Closed1 January 2005
NetworkSPH MediaWorks
Owned bySingapore Press Holdings
Picture format4:3 576i SDTV
SloganTotal entertainment, the way you like it
CountrySingapore
LanguageEnglish
Broadcast areaSingapore
Headquarters82 Genting Lane
Formerly calledTV Works (2001-2002)
Sister channel(s)Channel U
Availability
Terrestrial
UHFChannel 30
Cable
StarHub TVChannel 8

As a result of the media merger with Mediacorp, it was closed down to ceased transmission due to low ratings and lack of advertiser support. Its frequencies (terrestrial and cable) were taken over by okto nearly four years later. However, Okto was also closed down in 1 May 2019, thus bringing an end of TVWorks/Channel i legacy.

History

On 26 April 2001, SPH MediaWorks received a nationwide free-to-air television service licence from the Singapore Broadcasting Authority, allowing them to start broadcasting two channels, Channel U, a Chinese language channel, and TV Works, an English channel.[3] On 20 May 2001, TV Works was launched.[4] On 9 November 2001, TV Works was restructured following a loss of 65 employees and a decreasing audience share. Plans for its shutdown were dismissed.[5] On 3 March 2002, it was rebranded as Channel i.[6][7]

On 7 December 2004, it was announced that Channel I would cease broadcasting in January, due to the "fragmented and small English language TV market".[8]

Closing night

At 1:30am, 1 January 2005, the transmission ceased with a very last programme of the very last repeat programme of last news bulletin (featuring footage from its local current affairs programming), station ident, farewell messages from the production team and followed by a compilation of some imported movies and television programmes shown on the channel accompanied by a mix of Shirley Bassey's "Thank You for the Years" and Andrea Bocelli's Time to Say Goodbye, ending with the message, "Farewell Singapore". The national anthem was played before a notice that the channel has ceased transmission being permanently displayed.[9]

Former newscasters
  • Arnold Quay
  • Michelle Quah
  • Fauziah Ibrahim
  • Paul Jansen
  • Karen Ho

Former programmes

as TV Works
  • The Big Buffet – two weeks run
  • Big Chilli Wednesday
  • The Odd Squad
  • Jalan Jalan
  • The Big Break
  • The Mensroom
  • Here's A Million – Gameshow
  • After Hours – Talk show
  • It's All In The Body – Info-Ed
  • Dollars & Sense – Current Affairs

as Channel i
  • Ah Girl (3 seasons) – Sitcom
  • Channel i News – News
  • Cue – Current affairs
  • Eyewitness – Current affairs
  • Durian King – Drama
  • Fat to Fit – Reality
  • Heath Matters – Current affairs
  • iContact – Current affairs
  • i on the news – Current affairs
  • i2u – Variety
  • Makansutra (4 seasons) – Infotainment
  • Perceptions – Drama
  • Singapore Shakes – Drama
  • Six Weeks – Drama
  • On Today – Current affairs
  • The Money Tree – Current affairs
  • World Life – Current affairs

See also

References
  1. "The MediaWorks Big Tune-In; Two Free TV Channels Coming Your Way". SPH MediaWorks. Archived from the original on 4 December 2001. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  2. "i - Your choice for Movies and Action On Singapore's Terrestrial TV!". SPH MediaWorks. 25 February 2002. Archived from the original on 14 August 2002. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  3. "Singapore Broadcasting Authority (SBA) issues Broadcast Licence to SPH Mediaworks" (Press release). 26 April 2001. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  4. "The MediaWorks Big Tune-In; Two Free TV Channels Coming Your Way". SPH MediaWorks. Archived from the original on 4 December 2001. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  5. "MediaWorks downsizes and restructures TV Works". Singapore Press Holdings. 9 November 2001. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  6. "i - Your choice for Movies and Action On Singapore's Terrestrial TV!". SPH MediaWorks. 25 February 2002. Archived from the original on 14 August 2002. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  7. "Cost cutting prompts Channel i rebranding". Campaign Asia. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  8. "Channel i to close on 1 January 2005 Channel U and Channel 8 to have complementary programming". Singapore Press Holdings. 7 December 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  9. SPH Mediaworks Channel i - Last Transmission (News programme). SPH Media Works. 14 July 2017.
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