Mediacorp Suria

Suria
Launched 31 January 1984 as SBC 12
1 October 1994 as STV 12
1 September 1995 as Prime 12
30 January 2000 as Suria
Network Mediacorp TV12
Owned by Mediacorp
Picture format 576i (SD)/1080i (HD), 4:3/16:9
Slogan Sinar Bersama Anda
Country Singapore
Language Malay
Broadcast area Singapore
Malaysia
Sister channel(s) Channel 5
Channel 8
Channel U
Vasantham
Channel NewsAsia
Okto
HD5
Website Suria
Availability
Terrestrial
MediaCorp TV12 – Analogue (PAL-B) Channel 12 (224.25 MHz)
MediaCorp TV12 – Digital (DVB-T2) Channel 29 (UHF 538MHz) (LCN 04) (HD)
Cable
StarHub TV Channel 104 (SD)
Channel 116 (HD)
MediaCorp TV12 (via SCTV socket) Channel 12 (224.25 MHz)
IPTV
Singtel TV Channel 4 / 601 (HD)

Mediacorp Suria is a Malay language channel from Mediacorp and broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel featuring local and acquired Malay television dramas and popular programmes. Suria has achieved recognition outside the Malay community drawing media attention in Singapore and abroad.

History

As SBC 12

Before it is known as Suria, it was originally known as SBC 12, launched on Tuesday, 31 January 1984. The idea of the channel was to promote and appreciate arts and culture towards Singaporeans. Besides showing art-related programmes, they also broadcast some documentaries, current affairs and educational programming (both local and acquired). The channel was best known for its sports coverage, notably the Malaysia Cup, which garnered millions of Singaporeans watching at home, to cheer on for their local footballers. Major sporting events covered on this channel were the Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics, Asian Games, SEA Games, Commonwealth Games, FIFA World Cup, European Cup and the English Premier League. Following SBC 8's increase of its transmission hours in June 1993, CDIS (Educational television) programmes were transferred to SBC 12 by January 1993 (starting on the first week of the first school term), thus introducing more local educational content.

A new home for Malay programmes

On New Year's Day 1994, Malay programmes were transferred from Channel 5 to Channel 12, gradually increasing from 9 to 15 hours of Malay programming (local and acquired) but they continued broadcasting some English and Chinese content such as Chinese Opera, documentary, sports, current affairs, performances, comedy, lifestyle, dramas and children's programmes (mainly for pre-school children). As they celebrated its 10th anniversary on the following month, Channel 12 unveiled its brand new logo (turned out to be the second and last logo) and slogan, "Something Special". On 1 October 1994, SBC was dissolved and one of two TV broadcasters, the newly established Television Twelve (later renamed Singapore Television Twelve), took over Channel 12 but its format remain unchanged.

Channel 12 becomes Prime 12 and a new home for Tamil programmes

On Friday 1 September 1995, Channel 12 was renamed Prime 12, to coincide with the launch of its sister channel, Premiere 12, and Tamil programmes from TCS Channel 8, were transferred here as well. Their slogan was "Speaking Your Language", inspired by their national pledge. Prime 12 went on to be the generalist channel, catering towards both Malay and Indian audiences in Singapore. Besides broadcasting in Malay and Tamil, English programmes were also broadcast, mainly classic sitcoms from their sister channel, TCS Channel 5. Among the English programmes were Diff'rent Strokes, George and Mildred, Madeline, Rhoda, Xuxa and Fawlty Towers. Not only that, the rest of the foreign language programmes in Swedish, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, Korean and Japanese were also shown on this channel, making the channel as Singapore's only multilingual channel.

Prime 12 was best known for its programmes, notably the World's first Tamil sitcom, Amali Thumali, Malay and Tamil weekly drama strands, Sandiwara and Naadaga Arangam, respectively and also for its sports coverage such as the Southeast Asian Games in 1995, 1997 & 1999, UEFA Euro 1996 (selected matches) and the 1996 Summer Olympics.

By 1 October 1997, more Tamil and Malay programmes were introduced but Japan Hour was transferred to Premiere 12 in 1998.

As a standalone channel

On Sunday 30 January 2000, Prime 12 was renamed Suria, becoming a standalone Malay channel as it is today. At the same time, Tamil programmes were transferred to Premiere 12, resulting to be renamed Central. Suria – which means "Sun" in Malay – transmits a blend of programmes to reflect the unique views, culture and lifestyles of the modern Malay Singaporean. As a dedicated Malay channel, Suria is the channel of choice of the Malay community in Singapore and aims to be the number one channel for the Malay community in the region. The channel aims to provide news and entertainment programs that reflect the culture of its target demographic. To coincide with channel's 10th anniversary in 2010, Suria unveiled their second and current logo but the slogan remains unchanged.

Suria, Sinar Bersama Anda

Suria originally used the tagline, "Suria, Sinaran Hidup Anda" which means Suria, Shine in Your Life and Semakin Bersinar which means Shining Even Brighter. It then changes to a new tagline in 2008 Suria, Sinar Bersama Anda which means Suria, Shines With You reflects the channel's desire to be the heartbeat of the Malay community, networking closely with them and understanding their needs and aspirations.

With a multicultural and International feel, Suria not only reflects the affluent, educated and new breed of the Singapore Malay it also provides a window for those who wish to understand the Malay community.

Transmission Hours

From 17 August 2015, MediaCorp Suria had some modification on its transmission. The current broadcasting hours are shown as below.

At other times when programmes are not transmitted, still image of Suria logo will be displayed with radio channel Ria 89.7FM played in the background.

See also

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, April 08, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.