MTV was a pan-Asian music pay-television channel launched on 5 May 1995 as a standalone pay television channel. It was owned by Paramount Networks EMEAA.

MTV Asia
CountrySingapore
Broadcast areaSoutheast Asia
HeadquartersSingapore
Programming
Picture format1080i HDTV
Ownership
OwnerParamount Networks EMEAA
Sister channelsNickelodeon
Comedy Central
Nick Jr.
Paramount Network
MTV Live
MTV Global
Colors
Colors Infinity
History
Launched5 May 1995; 29 years ago (1995-05-05)[1] (as a standalone pay-TV channel)
Closed1 January 2023; 22 months ago (2023-01-01)
Replaced byMTV Live
MTV 90s
Links
Websitemtvasia.com
youtube.com/mtvasia (YouTube)
instagram.com/mtvasia (Instagram)
twitter.com/mtvasia (Twitter)

History

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Pre-launch

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The first incarnation of MTV Asia was originally launched on 15 September 1991. It was owned by a joint-venture between the STAR TV Network and Viacom. Three years later, MTV Asia left the STAR TV Network on 2 May 1994, with the channel's space being taken by Channel V on 27 May 1994.

Launch

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MTV Southeast Asia was launched on 5 May 1995[1] at 8:00 pm Singaporean time[2] as a 24-hour English-language music channel broadcast from Singapore seen throughout Southeast Asia in territories including Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. At the same time, MTV Southeast Asia along with sister channel MTV Indonesia was officially launched on the Palapa C2 digital satellite. The channel originally planned to launch in the last quarter of 1994.[3]

Based at Shenton Way, the channel was a joint venture with Polygram. At launch, the channel had 31 advertisers with its Mandarin counterpart 16, bringing in revenues of "hundreds of thousands".[4]

As of 1997, MTV Southeast Asia had 30 veejays and planned to increase the number of veejays.[5]

From 1 May 2021 until 1 September 2022, MTV Southeast Asia shortened its broadcast of programs to 8 hours (4:00 pm to 12:00 mn (SGT)) to simulcast programs from sister channel MTV Live from 12:00 mn to 4:00 pm (SGT)) daily as MTV Southeast Asia focused on more music content with less entertainment programming on its schedule.

Closure

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As part of a restructuring at Paramount Networks EMEAA and as preparation for the launch of Paramount+ in Southeast Asia in 2023, MTV Asia began to cease broadcasting in several territories. In Singapore, following StarHub's review of its content offerings, and the recent launch of MTV Asia On Demand, MTV Asia ceased on StarHub TV on 29 April 2022.[6]

MTV ceased broadcasting in Asia after 27 years, with MTV Live replaced the channel on Astro, Unifi TV and I-Cable, while the rest of the providers began carrying MTV 90s.[7] Its digital platforms, however, has been remain operational through its official YouTube channel and various social media sites.

Final programming

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Music video blocks

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  • Global Beats
  • Hot Right Now
  • High Definition Hits
  • K-Wave
  • MTV Musika
  • MTV Rewind
  • Rock Solid Playlist

Concert/Live performances

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Former programs

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "MTV to sell half of Asian operations to Polygram". Business Times (Singapore). 20 April 1995. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  2. ^ "MTV Asia may launch in S'pore". The Straits Times. 29 April 1995. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Star TV launches new music channel". The Straits Times. 2 June 1994. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Making an impact in Asia". Business Times (Singapore). 18 May 1995. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Potensi kerjaya tarik perhatian ramai". Berita Harian (Singapore). 13 December 1997. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  6. ^ "MTV Asia FAQ / Cessation of MTV Asia". StarHub. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Rebranding of MTV Asia to MTV 90s". Sky Cable. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2023.