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MediaCorp Channel 5
Channel 5 logo
Launched	February 15, 1963
Network	MediaCorp
Owned by	MediaCorp
Picture format	PAL 576i (SDTV) 4:3
Slogan	Come Home to 5
Country	Singapore
Broadcast area	Nationwide
Headquarters	Caldecott Broadcast Centre
Sister channel(s)	Digital 5, HD5, Mobile 5
Availability
Terrestrial
Analogue (PAL-B)	Channel 5 (175.25 MHz)
Digital (DVB-T)	Channel 29 (538.00 MHz)
Cable
StarHub TV	Channel 2
MediaCorp (via SCV TV socket)	Channel 5 (175.25 MHz)
IPTV
mio TV	Channel 2

MediaCorp Channel 5 (Malay: Saluran Televisyen MediaCorp 5; Chinese: 五频道, before 1 January 2005: 第五波道) is a 24-hour free-to-air English-language television channel based in Singapore. Programmes on Channel 5 normally include English dramas, variety shows, news, current affairs, game programmes, and general adaption of overseas productions, such as Singapore Idol and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Its slogan as of 2008 is "Come Home to 5". Other programmes based on foreign ones include Deal or No Deal and a local version of America's Funniest Home Videos.

History

Channel 5 logo used from 1992 until 1994.

Channel 5 was first launched on February 15, 1963 as the first English free-to-air channel in Singapore. Its sister station Channel 8 followed in November of the same year, also the first Chinese free-to-air channel in Singapore. Originally broadcast in black and white, Channel 5 converted to colour broadcasting in 1976. The station converted its audio output to stereo in 1990, and began 24-hour broadcasts in 1994. In 2007, Channel 5 launched its sister channel MediaCorp TV HD5, a high-definition version of Channel 5, becoming Singapore's first free-to-air HD channel.

The parent company of both Channel 5 and Channel 8 went through various incarnations over the years, first as Television Singapura from 1963 to 1965, then Radio and Television of Singapore from 1965 to 1980, Singapore Broadcasting Corporation from 1980 to 1994, Television Corporation of Singapore from 1994 to 2001, and finally as MediaCorp since 2001.

Local programs

Channel 5 produces its own variety of local shows including sitcoms, dramas and local adaptations of overseas productions such as Singapore Idol. Its first sitcom called Under One Roof premiered in 1995 as a breakaway success well received by the Singaporean audience; it was also a finalist at the International Emmy Awards and also paved the way for future local comedies such as Mr. Kiasu, Sayang Sayang and Living with Lydia.

One of the most notable original programmes aired on Channel 5 was Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd, a spiritual successor to Under One Roof, which became one of the most popular local sitcoms after the end of Under One Roof, and went on to achieve the same popularity and acclaim. The lead character of Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd, Phua Chu Kang also made an appearance on the third season of The Amazing Race where he handed out clues at one of the detours in Singapore. He also teamed up with the Ministry of Health during the Severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in Singapore in 2003 helping to raise awareness among Singaporeans about the disease through a rap called the "Sar-vivor Rap" which was aired on national television. Channel 5 also aired its first long running drama called Red Thread in 2009.

One of the most popular local reality series was Singapore Idol, based on American Idol, which has had three seasons so far. Season Two winner of Singapore Idol, Hady Mirza, also won the Asian Idol which was held as a regional singing competition in Asia with competitors from different Asian countries.

International line-up

Channel 5 also broadcasts the latest seasons of a variety of International programs, although most are American. Dramas include Desperate Housewives, Prison Break, Lost, Heroes, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Mentalist, Fringe and CSI: Miami. Movies include Herbie: Fully Loaded, Sky High, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Ocean's Thirteen, The Bourne Ultimatum, Queen of the Damned, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, and Mamma Mia!. Comedies include Just for Laughs, The Simpsons and America's Funniest Home Videos. Reality Shows include American Idol, The Amazing Race, America's Got Talent, The Apprentice, Project Runway and America's Next Top Model. Gameshows include The Price Is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Don't Forget the Lyrics!, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? and I Survived a Japanese Game Show.

Same-day telecasts

Over the past few years Channel 5 has managed to obtain exclusive same day telecast rights for many major popular American Reality Shows as well as Live Broadcasts "Direct-Off Satellite" from the United States for season finales. Channel 5 would often broadcast these episodes on the same day as the American telecast and then broadcast an encore telecast at a later time the same date or at a later date within the same week. Examples include the latest seasons of American Idol, The Amazing Race and Survivor.

Programme line-up

Primetime

Former staff

• Cathy Sharon now with RCTI

External links

• MediaCorp Channel 5 Official Website

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