FAQ on Channel U
March 17, 2005
"Will programme quality be sacrificed along with viewers choice?"
"I pay the annual TV license fee but why cant I choose what I want
to watch?" "Why have the better programmes been moved to Channel
8?"
Ever since Channel Us move to the MediaCorp stable of TV stations
on Jan 1 this year, many of you have been worried about the future
of Channel U and what the changes will mean to you the audience.
With the revamp comes a stronger image and direction, and MediaCorp
TV hopes the following Q&A will answer your queries about the
station.
1. Why has MediaCorp TV reduced the transmission hours for Channel
U?
The target audience of the revamped Channel U are young adults and
working professionals aged 45 years and below. Most of them will
only be available at home to watch TV from the late afternoon. To
optimise resources, starting transmission at 3pm on weekdays will
better serve the target audience. On Saturday and Sunday, Channel U
will start transmission earlier at 10am.
2. Why are the news bulletins only 15 minutes long?
The 15-minute news bulletins NEWS JAB @ 7 and NEWS JAB @ 9 aim to
provide busy working adults with concise updates on local and
international developments. The additional news bulletin slots
during primetime also mean that more home bound working adults will
be able to catch at least one news update when they reach
home.
3. What is the difference between the news bulletins at 7pm, 9pm
and 11pm?
Due to the busy lifestyles of our viewers, the aim of NEWS JAB at
7pm and 9pm is to provide viewers with brief and concise news
updates within 15 minutes. Offering different content and
distinctive styles, NEWS JAB at 7pm will focus on international
updates and local headlines while NEWS JAB at 9pm will focus more
on local news in addition to international headlines. NEWS WORLD @
11 is a half-hour news bulletin that provides comprehensive reports
on local, international and financial developments for the day
whilst NEWS CLUB on Saturdays and Sundays features infotainment and
lifestyle news in addition to local and international news
updates.
4. Why doesnt Singapore Press Holdings continue to produce Channel
Us news bulletins since they also have a stake in the new company,
MediaCorp TV Holdings?
Both organizations have agreed that Channel Us news operations
would be managed by MediaCorp TV to optimise broadcast and
electronic media resources so as to better serve the informational
needs of the target audience in todays fast-paced society. Due to
the nature of news broadcast, consolidation of news operations and
its human resources will also enable the station to respond faster
to world developments and keep viewers abreast with local and
international events.
5. Now that there is only one local terrestrial TV network,
MediaCorp, will programme quality be sacrificed along with viewers
choice?
As society progresses with technological advancements and increased
entertainment choices, audiences now have easy access to multiple
mediums of communication and information technology. Conversely,
MediaCorp is actually experiencing greater competition and constant
challenges in the form of new media and advertising mediums. For
example, to get daily news, one can now tune in to his or her
choice of radio station, read from a range of newspapers, surf the
Internet, watch cable or terrestrial TV news.
As a commercial television network, we have always been aware that
the support from our viewers and advertisers remains our greatest
asset to ensure the continual viability of our television business.
The only way to ensure viewers support is to continue with quality
and innovative programming on our channels.
6. Why doesnt Channel U have any local drama productions?
Channel U has not given up on local drama production. Due to the
high costs of producing quality dramas, MediaCorp is unable to
finance these hefty productions without sufficient funding. If
there is adequate funding in the future, Channel U will definitely
continue to explore opportunities to present our viewers with
quality local dramas.
7. I pay the annual TV license fee but why cant I choose what I
want to watch?
The annual TV license fee is not paid to MediaCorp but is in fact,
managed by the Media Development Authority of Singapore. Based on
their developmental policies and regulations, MDA will then accord
funding to the various production houses, television stations,
media agencies etc. to stimulate the production of quality
programmes and development of new media technology and
infrastructure.
8. Why have the better programmes e.g. popular TVB drama serials
been moved to Channel 8?
The programming department evaluates every programme carefully
before they are scheduled for broadcast. Based on factors such as
the channels positioning, audience profiles and viewing
preferences, all programmes including TVB drama serials will be
spread across both Channel 8 and Channel U depending on their
suitability.
9. Why are artistes like XXX appearing only on Channel U? Why are
XXX artistes not seen on Channel U anymore?
If there is a suitable role for a MediaCorp artiste, whether it is
a Channel 5, 8, U programme or an overseas production, it has
always been MediaCorps policy to ensure that the arrangement is
made. This way, not only will artistes benefit from greater
professional exposure and increased career opportunities, viewers
will also get the chance to see different artistes collaborate with
each other making it a more refreshing and entertaining
experience for viewers each time.
10. Why are current affairs programmes scheduled at 8.30pm and
local variety programmes at an unusual 9.15pm?
In order to cater to different audience preferences and provide
them with more viewing choices, Channel U and 8 will be showing
programmes of different genres at the same time so that audiences
have a variety to choose from and not have to worry about finding a
suitable programme to watch.
11. Why is the current affairs programme at 8.30pm repeated at
11.30pm again?
Due to the busy schedules of working Singaporeans, many people may
not be home by 8.30pm to catch Channel Us current affairs
programmes. In response to this and the timely nature of the
content, the 8.30pm current affairs programmes will be repeated at
11.30pm after NEWS WORLD @ 11 to benefit viewers keen on social and
financial issues.
