Channel V

Channel '' ("V" standing for the letter, not the Roman numeral "5") is a Chinese and former Asian pay television musical network originally launched by Star TV Hong Kong (now Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific). It was part of the unit of Disney International Operations, and was launched back in September 1991 to replace the first incarnation of MTV's Asian operation before it was shutdown on October 1, 2021.

The Mainland Chinese version is later owned by Star China Media, and is still operational, since they're a subsidiary of China Media Capital. The Australian channels were later owned by Foxtel before their closure.

Channel previously operated either a local feed or a relay of the international version in Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Thailand or localized versions in India, the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

History

Early years

MTV Asia (15 September 1991–2 May 1994)

Channel was originally launched on 15 September 1991 as MTV Asia (). It was an 24-hour music channel broadcast in English, Hindi and Chinese, focused on pop music. The STAR TV Network, which is based in British Hong Kong (now called Hong Kong, China since 1997), operated the channel in partnership with Viacom in the United States, which owned MTV-branded regional music channels there. The channel was broadcast across the continent of Asia, reaching from the Far East to the Middle East, as with the AsiaSat 1's footprint. The STAR TV Network have since regionalized the channel to serve its huge viewerships.

On 2 May 1994, MTV Asia left the STAR TV Network as a result of the contract with Viacom expired.

Channel (27 May 1994–30 September 2021)

On 27 May 1994, Channel was launched as a replacement of MTV Asia with VJs (who used to work on MTV Asia) celebrating on air from various locations; the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Downtown Tokyo, the Himalayas etc. At the same time, Channel officially 'split' its beam, in effect, providing two separate services for different regional audiences within the AsiaSat 1's footprint. This enables the channel to provide appropriate programming and viewing time for its viewers from different regions in Asia.

On 5 June 1994, Channel has opened up its production facilities in Taipei, Taiwan.

On 4 July 1994, Sigaw Manila was launched on the Northern Beam.

On 1 August 1994, BPL Oye! was launched on the Southern Beam.

On 5 June 1994, Channel has opened up its production facilities in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), India.

On 27 April 1995, the STAR TV Network starts transmitting Channel on the Palapa B2R satellite to Indonesia and the Philippines.

On 30 April 1995, Channel has opened up its production facilities in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates producing Sony Yalla!, the first ever Arabic Top 10 Countdown in the Middle East was launched on the Southern Beam.

On 4 August 1996, a Thai-localized feed of Channel was launched in Thailand, as carried on Thai cable and satellite providers. This apparently replaced Channel International in the country, but the pan-Asian feed would still be available in Thailand via both AsiaSat and Palapa satellites.

In 1997, Channel International was launched in the Middle East on the Middle Eastern digital satellite TV platform Orbit Communications Company as part of the STAR Select package.

On 15 July 1997, Channel International was launched in Japan on the Japanese digital satellite TV platform SKY PerfecTV!.

On 27 April 2021, Disney announced that Channel would be closing down on 1 October as part of its winddown of traditional cable/satellite networks across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong in favor of focusing on both Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar, thus the channel space initially created by the first incarnation of MTV Asia in 1991 subsequently ceased to exist, while Channel continues broadcasting in Mainland China as for now.

Operating channels

Current feed

*Mainland China

Channel Mainland China is the Chinese branch of the Channel network. It started operating in Mainland China in 1994 as part of Channel Asia. Fox International Channels Asia Pacific sold certain Mandarin language entertainment television channels that target Mainland China, including Channel Mainland China, to China Media Capital. As a result, Channel Mainland China is a part of Star China Media as of 2014. It was broadcast free-to-air on AsiaSat 7. Channel switches between Simplified and Traditional Chinese with selected Channel International programs airing with Chinese subtitles. It was the only feed that was available free-to-air and still on-air as of today.

Current VJs

* Blackie (黑人)
* Christine Fan (范范/范瑋琪)
* Will Pan (潘瑋柏)

Former feeds

*Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, and International

Channel Asia was the flagship of the Channel network. It was founded after MTV Asia separated with the STAR TV Network after the expiration of its contract. It was produced and operated from Hong Kong from January 1994 until January 2002, after which operations and studios were shifted to Malaysia with some aspects still operating in Hong Kong. Since January 1, 2008, Channel International has moved back to its original studio in Hong Kong, which is also the same studio of Channel China and Taiwan.

After 27 years of broadcasting, Channel along with most of The Walt Disney Company channels across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong (Fox Crime, Fox, Fox Life, FX, Disney Junior, Disney Channel, Nat Geo People, Fox Movies, Fox Action Movies, Fox Family Movies, Star Movies China, SCM Legend, and five of its sports channels) officially ceased broadcasting and transmission on October 1, 2021, at exactly midnight (based on Jakarta's time) with the final music video being M to the B by Millie B.

Former VJs

* Rick Tan
* Paula Malai Ali
* Cindy Burbridge
* Marion Caunter
* Angela Chow
* Trey Farley
* Alessandra
* Patrick Lima
* Amanda Griffin
* Danny McGill
* Sophiya Haque
* Cliff Ho
* Maya Karin
* Dania Khatib
* Dom Lau
* Francis Magalona
* Rishma Malik
* Joey Mead
* Melanie Casul
* Jonathan Putra
* Lisa S.
* Nicholas Saputra
* Jeremiah Odra
* Asha Gill
* Vivien Tan
* Kamal Sidhu
* Sarah Tan
* Ruth Winona Tao
* Brad Turvey
* Georgina Wilson
* David Wu

*Thailand

Channel Thailand was the Thai branch of the Channel network. It is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, GMM Media and TrueVisions. It started operating in Thailand in 1994 as part of Channel Asia.

Channel Thailand also officially ceased transmission on October 1, 2021.

Former VJs

* B – Bandit Saokaew
* Boss – Chatchavalit Sirisab
* Chai – Chartayodom Hiranyasthiti
* Earth – San Ittisuknanth
* Emme – Amika Boohert
* Helen – Prathumrat Berger
* Jenny – Genevieve Jane Irwin
* Janeen – Janeen Lyons
* Loukade – Metinee Kingpayome
* Louk-Tarn – Supamat Phahulo
* Meaw – Autcharra Sinratchar-tarnon
* Nadia – Nadia Nimitvanich
* Sunny – Sunissa Brown
* Ta-Ngaew – Bussaba Mahatthapong
* Team – Kosin Piyakittiphaibun
* Terng – Pradorn Sirakovit
* Michael – Sirachuch Chienthaworn
* Nax – Charlie Potjes
** Alex – Bin Alexandre
** Bank – Puttipong Kongsomsaksakul
** Bas – Panupat Sulanlayalak
** Ake – Eakachai Waricharaporn
** Ja – Natthaweeranuch Thongmee
** Kwan – Sirikwan Chinnachot
** Loukade – Jirada Yohara
** Mike – Michael Kenneth Wong
** Paula – Paula Taylor
** Pitta – Pitta na Patalung
** Woonsen – Virithipa Pakdeeprasong

* India (1994–2018)

Channel India was the Indian branch of the Channel network. It was operated by Star India. It started operating in India in 1994 as part of Channel Asia. On 1 July 2012, the channel discontinued its musical programming and started focusing on original content through fiction dailies and studio formats that address teenage issues. On 30 June 2016, stopped airing original programming. On 1 August, it rebranded its graphical package. Later, it discontinued operations on 15 September 2018.

* Philippines (1994–2012)

Channel Philippines was the Filipino branch of the Channel network. It was a joint venture between Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific, Fox International Channels, Previous channel providers and partners like Ermita Electronics Corporation (Channel 23 where MTV Asia also air on the same channel as a first launch), CityNet (Channel 27, A GMA Network affiliate), TV Xtreme Broadcasting Company and Northern Star Productions. It started operating in the Philippines in 1994 as part of Channel Asia. It discontinued operations on 13 July 2012.

* Taiwan (1994–2018)

Channel Taiwan was the Taiwanese branch of the Channel network. It started operating in Taiwan in 1994 as part of Channel Asia. On 1 September 2012 it was replaced by Fox Taiwan (and later Star World Taiwan), while Channel Taiwan still operated overseas. On 15 July 2018, Channel Taiwan officially shut down.

* South Korea (1994–2008)

Channel Korea was the Korean branch of the Channel network. It started operating in South Korea in 1994 as part of Channel Asia.

* Japan (1994–2002)

Channel Japan was the Japanese branch of the Channel network. It started operating in Japan in 1994 as part of Channel Asia.

* Australia (1995–2020)

Channel Australia was the Australian branch of the Channel network. It was first launched as Red in 1995 and was owned by Foxtel. It ceased broadcasting in Australia on 26 February 2016, as it merged with Hits (later rebranded as , focusing only on music video programming and countdowns. V Hits was also formerly known as Club and Channel 2, and ceased broadcasting on July 1, 2020. Former VJs included Osher Günsberg (then "Andy G"), Jabba, James Mathison, Chloe Maxwell and Yumi Stynes.

Programming

See also

* MTV Asia
* MYX
* VH1
* Zing
* List of programmes broadcast by Channel V

References

{{Music industry

Television in Thailand
Television networks in the Philippines
Television networks in South Korea
Television stations in Hong Kong
Television stations in Taiwan
Television in Malaysia
Television stations in Indonesia
Mass media in Southeast Asia
Television channels and stations established in 1991
Television channels and stations disestablished in 2021
English-language television stations
Music television channels
Former subsidiaries of The Walt Disney Company
1991 establishments in Hong Kong