SPH MediaWorks Channel U

SPH MediaWorks Channel U (Chinese: 优频道; pinyin: yōu píndào), commonly known as Channel U, is a defunct Singapore Mandarin language terrestrial television station channel in Singapore. The television channel began broadcasting on 6 May 2001 and ceased operations on 1 January 2005 after it changed ownership. As a result of a merger with MediaCorp the channel is now run by MediaCorp TV under the name Channel U.

Although initially having to rely largely on imported content, the channel later introduced well-received programming. Despite the limited size of its talent base the channel managed to receive ratings equal to or exceeding that of MediaCorp TV Channel 8 before its transfer to MediaCorp. It is broadcast from Level 7 in Singapore Press Holdings at 82 Genting Lane in Tanjong Pagar, in the Central Region.

Channel U currently broadcasts via VHF (Very High Frequency), which located on VHF channel 28 in the Singapore. However, a weak UHF (Ultra High Frequency) signal is also receivable and also available over the StarHub TV a subscription-based pay television platform on channel 103.

Channel U under its former broadcaster, SPH MediaWorks, broadcast every Monday-Saturday starting 10am and Sundays starting 9:30am and closed down at 2:15am.

Newscasters

• Zhang Hai Jie (张海洁)
• Wang Yanqing
• Evelyn Tan
• Zhou Huimin

Actors

• Jeanette Aw (歐萱)
• Michelle Chia (謝韻儀)
• Ong Ai Leng (王爱玲)
• Quan Yifeng (權怡風)
• Bryan Wong (王祿江)
• Hong Junyang (洪俊扬)
• Kelly Poon (潘嘉丽)
• Kelvin Tan (陈伟联)
• Chew Sin Huey (石欣卉)
• Shaun Chen (陳泓宇)
• Thomas Ong (王沺裁)
• Julian Hee (许立桦)
• Edmund Chen (陈之财)
• Ann Kok (郭舒贤)
• Jerry Yeo (杨伟烈)
• Zen Chong (章证翔)
• Wee Kheng Ming (黄启铭)
• Tracy Lee (李美玲）
• Stella Chung (钟晓玉)
• William San (辛伟廉)
• Yvonne Lim (林湘萍)
• Paige Chua (蔡琦慧)
• Bryan Chan (陈国华)
• Cavin Soh (苏智诚)
• Rick Smith (司馬琦）
• Li Wenhai (李文海)

Programmes

Current affairs

• Inside Out 非常透视眼
• Legally Yours 知法不犯法
• Go East 把把脉抓抓药 (4 seasons)
• Sense of Being 冷暖人间事 (6 seasons)

Dramas

• Money No Problem 恭喜发财 (50 episodes)
• OK, No Problem Ok，没问题 (also comprised a talkshow segment) (60 episodes)
• 2001: Making Headlines独家头条 (13 episodes)
• 2001: Apple Pie 苹果派 (13 episodes)
• 2001: Ad War 完美把戏 (20 episodes)
• 2003: The Frontline 家在前线 (13 July) (6 episodes)
• 2003: Together Whenever 天伦 (42 episodes)
• 2004: Perfect Women 完美女人 (50 episodes)
• 2004: Be Somebody 海军 (25 May) (6 episodes)
• 2004: Zero 零楼 (20 episodes)
• Project J 水母计划 (6 episodes)
• Happy Family 原氏一家人 (26 episodes)
• Cash Is King 胜券在握 (40 episodes)
• Touched 情色男女 (13 episodes)
• She Drives Me Crazy 爱上女车长 (4 episodes)
• Back To Basics (5 episodes)
• Seventh Month 七月 (7 episodes)
• Heal And Be Healed 易心人 (20 episodes)
• Tonight I Will Tell 人生导火线 (2 seasons of 13 episodes each)
• Crunch Time 转捩点 (2 seasons of 13 episodes each)

Variety

• 2001: Big Challenge 骨牌真情录
• Celebrity Travellers换栖俱乐部
• Snap (3 seasons) 全星总动员
• Yummy King (3 Seasons) 优选美食王
• Variety Unlimited 综艺无界限
• Ready Steady Go! (2 Seasons)
• Food Train (2 Seasons)
• Route to Glamour 新卧虎藏龙
• Happy Rules 开心就好
• 人人有份
• 病非末日
• Ooooh 元气大搜查
• What Say You 人人爱理 (2 seasons)

Specials

• 2003: Ren Ci Charity Show 2003 仁心慈爱照万千2003
• 2004: Ren Ci Charity Show 2004 仁心慈爱照万千2004
• Add Your Service 服务加加加
• Banzai My Kids 亲子关系
• The Westside Story西街少年
• Top 10

Closing night

On 1 January 2005, SPH Mediaworks Channel U ceased operations and was renamed MediaCorp TV Channel U.

While its sister channel, SPH MediaWorks Channel i, were broadcasting farewell programs, SPH MediaWorks Channel U chose to opt out and air its own final programme titled station ident, clock ident and startly the Channel U News at 10, a retrospective of SPH MediaWorks programming presented by Wang Yanqing (王嬿青) and Zhang Haijie (张海洁) pre-recorded in front of a studio audience earlier in the day.^[1][2]

After the News, SPH Mediaworks Channel U broadcast its final station ident and the National Anthem. It became MediaCorp TV Channel U.

References

See also