MediaCorp TV TVMobile

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MediaCorp TV: TVMobile
TVMobile logo
Launched 14th February 2001
Network MediaCorp TV
Owned by MediaCorp
Picture format 576i(SDTV) MPEG-2
Country Flag of Singapore Singapore
Broadcast area Nationwide
Headquarters Caldecott Broadcasting Centre
Website Official website
Availability
Terrestrial
Digital (DVB-T) Channel 37 (602 MHz)

TVMobile (Chinese: 流动电视) is a subsidiary of MediaCorp Singapore, and is the first channel in the world to pioneer the use of Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) technology to deliver television programmes to commuters. With 89.3 MHz, TVMobile provides the latest infotainment, entertainment programmes and real-time news; keeping travellers informed while travelling.

TVMobile currently has outdoor advertising platforms at shopping mall food courts, ferries, academic institutions, taxis, and selected SBS Transit buses. Broadcasting from 6:00 am – 12:00 midnight daily, TVMobile provides an outdoor advertising medium that schedules programming according to viewers’ profile and their travelling patterns. However, it can only be received with a digital set-top box by home viewers.

Contents

[edit] Programmes

It features reruns and simulcasts of shows from its sister channels and occasionally features original content, e.g., shorts produced in collaboration with Nanyang Polytechnic.

[edit] Infrastructure

The network currently has one main transmitting site, 9 filler transmitting sites and 2 transposers located islandwide. The digital signal is carried via ATM and microwave transmitting medium to the main transmitting site before being re-transmitted to the filler sites.

[edit] Similar systems in Singapore

[edit] SMRT Media

SMRT Media is the advertising arm of SMRT and is responsible for advertising on its trains, buses and taxis. A similar system, through the use of LCD monitors, has been installed on SMRT's newest fleet of trains (currently suspended as of 2007) and all trains plying the Bukit Panjang LRT.

[edit] SBS Transit Moove Media

SBS Transit Moove Media is the advertising arm of SBS Transit and is responsible for advertising on its trains, buses and taxis. A similar system, through the use of LCD monitors, has been installed on all trains plying the North East Line, Sengkang LRT & Punggol LRT.

[edit] Reception & Feedback

As of 2005, TVMobile has been installed in most of SBS Transit's buses. TVMobile is an outdoor digital television station, broadcasting live news & entertainment programmes throughout the bus's operation hours. SBS Transit is the only bus operator to have installed TVMobile in its buses as of 2006.

From time to time, SBS' use of TVMobile has frequently attracted flak in the Straits Times' forum pages. Some commuters hold the impression that the installation of TVMobile was the reason for increases in bus fares, even after announcements that this was not the cause. [1] [2] [3] There were also feedback about TVMobile's suitability [4] and the repetitiveness of the programs broadcast.[5] [6]

This is despite the fact that the infrastructure and equipment of TVMobile is not managed by SBS Transit at all, but rather, by MediaCorp TV Holdings. SBS Transit buses are just a medium on which TVMobile is installed. TVMobile also provides an extra source of revenue for SBS Transit. This is due to the royalties paid by MediaCorp.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Gan Y. C., Save money, do away with TV Mobile, The Straits Times, May 27, 2006 Saturday.
  2. ^ Chong J., Forget TV mobile, give us more frequent bus services", The Straits Times, May 19, 2006.
  3. ^ Arip, A., Did TV Mobile survey include a cross-section of commuters?, The Straits Times, November 9, 2006.
  4. ^ Balaguru, R., 'Desperate Housewives' on TV Mobile not good, The Straits Times, May 25, 2006.
  5. ^ Tan, K.S., TVMobile repeats programmes ad nauseam. Can anything be done about it?, The Straits Times, November 26, 2005.
  6. ^ Teo K.S., TVMobile is boring. Take off old shows and replace them with new ones, The Straits Times, August 28, 2006.

[edit] External links