8TV (Malaysian TV network)

Not to be confused with Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel), a Chinese-language television channel owned by Mediacorp.

八度空间
8TV
CountryMalaysia
Broadcast areaMalaysia
Singapore
Brunei
Thailand (South Thailand, particularly Songkhla, Narathiwat, Yala and Satun)
Indonesia (West Kalimantan, Riau Islands, North Kalimantan and Riau)
Philippines (particularly southern Palawan and Tawi-Tawi)
HeadquartersSri Pentas, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Programming
Language(s)Mandarin
(China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan)
Cantonese
(Hong Kong, Malaysia)
Hokkien
(Taiwan)
Korean
English (2004-2018)
Picture format576i (4:3/SDTV) (1995 - 1999, 2004 - 2017)
1080i (16:9/HDTV) (2017 - present)
Ownership
OwnerMedia Prima
(Metropolitan TV Sdn Bhd)
Sister channelsTV3
NTV7
TV9
History
Launched
  • 1 July 1995; 28 years ago (1995-07-01)
    (MetroVision)
  • 8 January 2004; 19 years ago (2004-01-08)
    (8TV)
Closed
  • 1 November 1999; 24 years ago (1999-11-01)
    (MetroVision)
Former namesMetroVision
(01.07.1995 - 01.11.1999)
Links
Websitewww.8tv.com.my Edit this at Wikidata
Availability
Terrestrial
Malaysia myFreeviewChannel 108 (HD)
Streaming media
Malaysia tontonWatch live
(HD)
8TV
Traditional Chinese八度空間
Simplified Chinese八度空间
Logos used by 8TV throughout its history. Left in orange for English programmings (2004–2018) and Right in pink for Chinese programmings (2004–present).

Metropolitan TV Sdn. Bhd., operating as 8TV, (Chinese: 八度空间) is a Malaysian Chinese-language free-to-air television network focused on the Chinese community of Malaysia that is owned and operated by Media Prima.

Its programming consists of mostly dramas, sitcoms and reality shows made in Chinese, either produced in Malaysia or imported from other countries, such as Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore, the occasional Korean drama is target for Malay viewers.

History

As MetroVision

Plans for a fourth channel to television station were revealed in August 1989. Set to be called "TV4", it planned to launch January 1990 with coverage initially limited to the Klang Valley.[1] One of its applicants, Melewar Corporation, said that the channel would air entertainment and sports programmes.[2] The new channel was set to be "another step towards diversifying sources of home entertainment".[1] The plan was cancelled the following month[3] because the government felt that the existing TV channels were adequate to meet the country's "present needs".[4]

The plan was revived in January 1992,[5] with the application period began in September of the same year.[6] One of the applicants was Utusan Malaysia, which aimed to establish a separate company and have its studios based on its own plot of land at Mukim Batu, Selangor, if it gets the licence.[7] Other applicants included Rediffusion Cable Network which owned a cable radio station and returner Melewar Corporation.[7]

In June 1993, the licence was given to a consortium of four companies which included the Utusan Malaysia company, planning to launch in 1994;[8] later delayed to January 1995[9] and 18 February.[10] The owners invested RM 45 million for the new channel, with the RM 30 million used for the channel's operations.[10] It also planned to gradually have 60% of its programming in Malay as required by its licence.[10]

MetroVision started broadcasting on 1 July 1995,[11] with the official launch on 18 September 1995 at the Putra World Trade Centre.[12] It was managed by City Television Sdn. Bhd.,[10] part of the Melewar Group, a company owned by Tan Sri Tunku Abdullah Tuanku Abdul Rahman a member of the Negeri Sembilan royal family. Other shareholders included Utusan Group, Medanmas (now Ch-9 Media) and Diversified System.[13] It's studios were located at Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park at Shah Alam, Selangor.[10] MetroVision transmitted on UHF channel 27 from Gunung Ulu Kali (near Genting Highlands). It's signal, spanning a radius of 50 km,[11] covered the Klang Valley and parts of Seremban and Rawang,[12] reaching as far as Tanjung Karang and Seremban. [10]

It's prime time Malay news broadcast, Warta Prima,[14] originally aired at 7:30 pm to avoid competition with other channels.[15] It later moved to 8 pm in October 1995.[15]

On 12 October 1995,[16] MetroVision became the first in the world to introduce interactive television, presented in a phone-in quiz format.[15] The service was provided by Articulate Interactive Sdn. Bhd. with telephone systems provided by Audiotel Sdn. Bhd.[15]

In October 1995, MetroVision dropped the airing of Taiwanese drama Justice Bao[17] for a week,[18] causing the government to amend the Censorship Board Regulations and Broadcasting Code of Ethics to allow "costume dramas" to air.[18] The drama series was acquired by JV Media Sales Sdn. Bhd.[17]

By the end of 1996, MetroVision was sold to a new owner.[13] Due to the Asian financial crisis and overcrowding from other channels and pay-TV operators (such as Astro, Mega TV and NTV7), MetroVision shut down on 1 November 1999. The operator promised to re-start the channel in March 2000 after a supposed "signal upgrade" but that did not materialise.[19] The staffs and personalities of MetroVision have since moved to different media companies after its shutdown.

In March 2001, MetroVision – then tentatively named Channel 8 – was bought by Rediffusion Radio which was controlled by Tan Sri Azman Hashim's company for Arab-Malaysian Corporation, which planned to operate the dormant station for 10 years.[20]

Renamed 8TV and early history

On 8 January 2004, MetroVision was relaunched as and rebranded into 8TV under the entity of Metropolitan TV Sdn. Bhd. (formerly known as City Television) after the company was brought by Media Prima in 2003 with few Chinese, Malay and English contents in the beginning.[21][22] Throughout its history, all the contents were gradually replaced by Chinese content as more of them were added to the channel's broadcasting slot. Mandarin is used in all of its news broadcasts nowadays and there was also a short-lived Malay news broadcast that was available in the channel's early years.

As a Chinese-oriented TV channel, 8TV broadcasts more Chinese programmes and movies and hold its own Chinese New Year campaign in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations every year. As part of the campaign, the TV company distributes its Chinese New Year singles discography in competition with rival Astro since 2009. (Astro began to distribute Chinese New Year singles since 2008.) Beginning from 2015, 8TV release and distribute its Chinese New Year singles yearly with its own themes, theme songs and mascots based on the 12 animal zodiac as well as its related merchandise (e.g. soft toys). Over the years, it also collaborate with other Media Prima partners for the singles such as 8FM (formerly One FM) and NTV7. In addition, the discography team also tour across the country to promote their discography and its merchandise. The singles' Compact Discs can also be bought at Popular Bookstore CD Rama kiosks nationwide during the festive season. (Astro already have its own 12 animal zodiac campaign since 2010.) The 2023 CNY theme Full score Love You Rabbit (Chinese: 活力满分Love You兔, Pinyin: Huólì mǎnfēn love you tù) is used on air until the closing of 2022 Winter Olympics.

Programme rescheduling

A programme reschedule was implemented on 1 April 2016, with almost all Chinese programmes shown on Saturdays to Tuesdays, while English programmes retain their time slots as usual on Wednesdays to Fridays, but by June 2017, this channel broadcast only one English programme, which broadcasts every Friday.

The rescheduling also includes a 3-hour morning home shopping block titled CJ Wow Shop (now Wow Shop) which had also been introduced across other Media Prima channels, some more affected by the changes (especially sister channels NTV7 and TV9). However, this block has attract huge criticism on social media as it replaced a large part of daytime schedule, which these slots had been previously running mostly reruns, religious programming and kids programming.[23] The programme was initially broadcast in Malay on the channel like its sister channel before being broadcast in Mandarin beginning 8 January 2017 onwards.[24]

In 2017, this channel signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the China International Communication Center.[25] On 5 March 2018, 8TV became an independent first Chinese-language television channel and all 8TV's English programming was moved to NTV7 while NTV7's Mandarin programming was moved to 8TV as early as March 2018, due to the former changing its audience focus.[26][27] On 8 June 2020, the day after Mandarin 7 aired its last edition on NTV7, 8TV's Primetime Mandarin News was extended to 1 hour.

On 11 February 2021, this channel has started its HDTV broadcasting in conjunction of Chinese New Year and available exclusively through myFreeview DTT service on channel 108.

On 4 May 2021, this channel started 24 hours a day due to Eight FM launch simulcast radio every midnight.

Programming

Main article: List of programmes broadcast by 8TV (Malaysian TV network)

Criticism and controversies

In 2004, during the UEFA Euro 2004, 8TV was allegedly aired an ad for the liquor manufacturer Carlsberg which is the football telecast's sponsor. As a result, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) imposed a fine of RM50,000 on 8TV in accordance with the provisions of Section 242, Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.[28]

On 13 January 2008, during its 4th anniversary, singer-songwriter Faizal Tahir took off his shirt and to reveal his chest on stage during the live broadcast. On 19 January, the MCMC said they suspended live and delayed entertainment programs on 8TV for three months effective January 15, 2008.[29][30]

In October the same year, the MCMC take action against 8TV by immediately suspending its chatting service after finding that the service were "misused by viewers to find sex partners," with the possibility of being banned after the completion of MCMC's investigation into this case.[31]

At the beginning of the 2011 Ramadan season, 8TV aired three public service announcements that were said to be racist and insulting to the Chinese as they depicted a Chinese woman eating openly, wearing immodest and uncivilized clothes during Ramadan, with the intention of ordering non-Muslims to respect fasting month accordingly. These adverts were eventually withdrawn following criticism from various parties, including Muslims who claimed to be offended by the advertisements.[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "New commercial TV network approved: Paper". The Straits Times. 13 August 1989. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Govt 'no' to second private TV station". The Straits Times. 26 September 1989. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Govt 'no' to second private TV station". The Straits Times. 26 September 1989. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  4. ^ "'No plans for 4th TV station now'". The Straits Times. 4 November 1989. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Fourth TV channel 'to be set up definitely'". The Straits Times. 6 March 1992. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Two more TV stations for Malaysia soon". The Straits Times. 1 August 1992. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Utusan Melayu latest to bid for private TV station". Business Times. 28 January 1988. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  8. ^ "M'sia awards TV4 licence to consortium of 4 local firms". Business Times. 16 June 1993. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  9. ^ "KL to allow private satellite dishes from 1996". Business Times. 23 September 1994. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Second private TV station scheduled to air on Feb 18". The Straits Times. 15 December 1994. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Second private M'sian TV station kicks off". Business Times. 1 July 1995. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  12. ^ a b "The bottom line for private TV stations". The Straits Times. 20 September 1995. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b T Abdullah, Tunku Halim (2018). Prince Called "Charlie", a. Kuala Lumpur: Melewar. p. 205. ISBN 9789671651506.
  14. ^ MetroVision official website
  15. ^ a b c d "Metro Vision denies flouting telecast rules". Business Times. 10 October 1995. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Don't turn ban on Justice Bao into race issue: Minister". The Straits Times. 10 October 1995. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Ban on Justice Bao serial 'not to protect govt TV station'". 10 October 1995. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  18. ^ a b "KL lifts TV ban on costume dramas". The Straits Times. 12 October 1995. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Meredah zaman suram". Utusan Online (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  20. ^ "Rediffusion nets rights to manage Channel 8". Business Times. 3 March 2001. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  21. ^ Hairulnizam Wahid (8 October 2003). "Media Prima ambil alih MTV". Harian Metro. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  22. ^ Amir Hafizi (22 January 2004). "A really different kind of TV". The Malay Mail. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  23. ^ Sofyan Rizal Ishak (1 April 2016). "CJ WOW SHOP mula 1 April" (in Malay). Harian Metro. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  24. ^ Vivienne Tay (6 January 2017). "CJ Wow Shop aims to grow Chinese audiences with new Mandarin content". Marketing Interactive. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  25. ^ Bandurski, David (17 February 2023). "Co-Producing with the CCP". China Media Project. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Rebranding of NTV7". www.nst.com.my. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  27. ^ "MPTN mendahului industri". www.hnetro.com.my. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  28. ^ "8TV didenda RM50,000 kerana arak". Utusan Malaysia. 13 September 2004. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
  29. ^ "Permohonan Maaf Terbuka Daripada Faizal Tahir". gua.com.my. 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009.
  30. ^ "Siaran langsung 8TV, Faizal digantung 3 bulan". Utusan Malaysia. 19 January 2008. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
  31. ^ "Laman sembang 8TV digantung". Utusan Malaysia. 4 October 2008. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008. Retrieved 18 October 2008.
  32. ^ Jacqueline Ann Surin (8 August 2011). "The problem with the 8TV ads". The Nut Graph. Retrieved 29 December 2016.

External links