8TV (Malaysian TV network)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not to be confused with Channel 8 (Singapore), a Chinese-language television channel owned by Mediacorp.
8TV
8TV Chinese.png
CountryMalaysia
Broadcast areaMalaysia
Singapore
Brunei
Thailand (South Thailand, particularly Songkhla, Narathiwat, Yala and Satun)
Indonesia (West Kalimantan, Riau Islands, North Kalimantan and Riau)
HeadquartersSri Pentas, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Programming
Language(s)Mandarin
(China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan)
Cantonese
(Hong Kong, Malaysia)
Hokkien
(Taiwan)
Korean
Japanese
English
Picture format1080i (16:9/HDTV)
Ownership
OwnerMedia Prima
(Metropolitan TV Sdn Bhd)
Sister channelsTV3
NTV7
TV9
History
Launched8 January 2004; 17 years ago (2004-01-08)
Closed1 November 1999 (Replacing MetroVision)
Former namesMetroVision, TV4, Channel 8
(1995 – 1999)
Links
Websitewww.xtra.com.my
(Merged into Tonton Xtra's site, formerly 8tv.com.my)
Availability
Terrestrial
myFreeviewChannel 108 (HD)
Satellite
AstroChannel 148 (SD)
NJOIChannel 148 (SD)
IPTV
Unifi TVChannel 108 (HD)
Streaming media
tontonWatch live
(Malaysia only) (HD)
8TV
Simplified Chinese八度空间
Literal meaning8th dimension
Logos used by 8TV throughout its history. Left for English slot in orange (2004–2018) and Right in pink for Chinese programmings (2004–present).

8TV (Chinese: 八度空间; pinyin: Bādù Kōngjiān; Jyutping: baat3 dou6 hung1 gaan1; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Pat-tō Khong-kan) is a Malaysian Chinese-language free-to-air television (formerly both English and Chinese-language free-to-air television) network focused on the Chinese community of Malaysia. 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, occasionally Korean drama, watch favourites Japanese anime and Asian and Hollywood movie blockbusters for Malaysian viewers.

History[]

As MetroVision[]

Television station 8TV began official broadcasts on 1 July 1995, then known as MetroVision - Channel 8.[1][2] It was managed by City Television Sdn Bhd, part of the Melewar Group, which was controlled by a member of the Negeri Sembilan royal family. Other shareholders included Utusan Malaysia, Medan Mas and Diversified Systems.[3] The first broadcast license granted to MetroVision was only for the Klang Valley (appx. 3 million viewers). MetroVision transmitted on UHF channel 27 from Gunung Ulu Kali (near Genting Highlands). It was first available only in Klang Valley, Seremban, parts of Pahang and Malacca, but later expanded to Kedah and Johor, also being receivable from Singapore. Metrovision had a Malay news programme named Warta Prima.[4]

By the end of 1996, MetroVision was sold to a new operator.[3] Due to the Asian financial crisis and overcrowding from other channels (Astro TV, Mega TV & NTV7), MetroVision shut down on 1 November 1999. The operator promised to re-start the station in March 2000 after a supposed "signal upgrade" but that did not materialise.[5]

Renamed 8TV and early history[]

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

On 8 January 2004, 8TV was relaunched under the entity of Metropolitan TV Sdn Bhd after the company was brought by Media Prima in 2003 with few Chinese, Malay and English contents in the beginning. 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 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.)

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, 8TV 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.[6] The programme was initially broadcast in Malay on the channel like its sister channel before being broadcast in Mandarin beginning 8 January 2017 onwards.[7]

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.[8][9] 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, 8TV 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 8FM launch simulcast radio every midnight.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Metrovision first day schedule, 1 July 1995 on the New Straits Times
  2. ^ 1990s MetroVision ident featuring the Sultan Abdul Samad Building
  3. ^ a b T Abdullah, Tunku Halim (2018). Prince Called "Charlie", a. Kuala Lumpur: Melewar. p. 205. ISBN 9789671651506.
  4. ^ MetroVision official website
  5. ^ "Meredah zaman suram". Utusan Online (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  6. ^ Sofyan Rizal Ishak (1 April 2016). "CJ WOW SHOP mula 1 April" (in Malay). Harian Metro. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  7. ^ Vivienne Tay (6 January 2017). "CJ Wow Shop aims to grow Chinese audiences with new Mandarin content". Marketing Interactive. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Rebranding of NTV7". www.nst.com.my. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  9. ^ "MPTN mendahului industri". www.hnetro.com.my. Retrieved 22 January 2018.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""