Diva (formerly Diva Universal) was an English-language pay television channel in Singapore. It launched on 3 May 1995 as Hallmark Entertainment Network, along with E!, and was first owned by Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS). In 2010, as part of an agreement with NBCUniversal International Networks, the channel was renamed Diva Universal in 2010 and then Diva in 2014. It closed at the end of 2019 in anticipation of the launch of the streaming service Hayu in the region.
 | |
| Country | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Southeast Asia (including Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand & Vietnam) Hong Kong Taiwan |
| Network | NBCUniversal International Networks Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) (3 May 1995-11 February 2001) |
| Affiliates | E! |
| Headquarters | Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay, Downtown Core, Singapore |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese) Indonesian Malay Thai Filipino Vietnamese |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV 16:9) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | NBCUniversal Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) (3 May 1995-11 February 2001) |
| Sister channels | CNBC Asia E! |
| History | |
| Launched | 3 May 1995 |
| Closed | 31 December 2019[1] |
| Replaced by | CNBC Asia |
| Former names |
|
| Links | |
| Website | divatv |
History
editHallmark Entertainment Network (1995-2001)
editHallmark Entertainment Network Asia was officially launched on 3 May 1995 as a Singaporean 24-hour English pay television channel, owned by Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) under license from Hallmark Entertainment. The channel had its headquarters in Singapore, while the channel was broadcast in Southeast Asia.
Hallmark Entertainment Network Asia was officially launched at the stroke of midnight Singapore Time with an opening ceremony by Tyra Banks. Hallmark Entertainment Network was an Asian version of the international TV brand, Hallmark Entertainment Network, which in turn was owned by Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) under license from Hallmark Entertainment. Hallmark Entertainment Network Asia's launch was celebrated on air in iconic locations; the Padang, Singapore and Changi Airport.
Hallmark Entertainment Network and E! Entertainment Television's production facilities were located in Singapore. One of the popular reality shows aired on the channel was Keeping Up with the Kardashians, featuring Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, and Kourtney Kardashian.
Hallmark Entertainment Network Asia was officially launched on Malaysia's Philips Astro on June 1, 1996. It was one of the first 22 television channels and the first five family television channels to be officially launched.
Hallmark Channel (2001-2010)
editIn 2001, Hallmark Entertainment Network was rebranded as the Hallmark Channel following a global rebrand.
Diva Universal (2010-2014)
editHallmark Channel Asia was officially rebranded as Diva Universal on September 19, 2010, following the closure of its brand licensing agreement with Crown Media as part of NBCUniversal and NBCUniversal International Networks's efforts to refocus its network portfolio.[2] Coinciding with the launch of its high-definition feed, the SD channel officially began broadcasting in high definition on February 1, 2014.
Diva (2014-2019)
editOn 16 June 2014, Diva Universal was renamed as Diva.
Closure
editAs part of a restructuring at NBCUniversal International Networks and the official full launch of Hayu in Asia at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day 2020, Diva, along with its sister channel E! Entertainment Television, officially ceased broadcasting after airing its final programme, About Time.[1] NBCUniversal channels in Asia retained DreamWorks, CNBC Asia, and Golf Channel.
Former operating channels
editSee also
edit- Diva Universal in various countries
References
edit- ^ a b "Cessation of TV DIVA, E! Entertainment, &TVHD and GoodTimes | StarHub Business". Archived from the original on 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Diva Universal To Replace Hallmark". Media Research Asia.com. 5 August 2010. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2023.