Channel i (Singaporean TV channel)

Channel i
CountrySingapore
Headquarters82 Genting Lane
Singapore 349567
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format4:3 576i SDTV
Ownership
OwnerSPH MediaWorks
Sister channelsChannel U
History
Launched20 May 2001; 23 years ago (2001-05-20)
(as TVWorks)[1]
3 March 2002; 22 years ago (2002-03-03)
(as Channel i)[2]
Closed1 January 2005; 19 years ago (2005-01-01)
Former namesTVWorks (2001-2002)
Availability
(at time of closure)
Terrestrial
Analog terrestrial televisionChannel 30

Channel i was a Singaporean English language free-to-air terrestrial television channel owned by SPH MediaWorks, a broadcasting subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings.

The channel was launched on 20 May 2001 as TVWorks, accompanying the Mandarin-language Channel U. It was initially poised to be a serious alternative to its competition—MediaCorp's Channel 5—by placing an emphasis on local productions rather than imported programming. However, this strategy proved to be unsuccessful, causing the channel to frequently change its schedule and positioning. It eventually settled on a format emphasizing action series, films, and sports.

In 2004, SPH announced an agreement to divest its television stations and free newspaper business to MediaCorp in exchange for a stake in its television and publishing businesses. While MediaCorp would take over Channel U as a sister to its Mandarin channel Channel 8, the broadcaster considered Channel i to be unviable due to low viewership and a lack of advertiser support, and it was shut down on 1 January 2005.

  1. ^ "The MediaWorks Big Tune-In; Two Free TV Channels Coming Your Way". SPH MediaWorks. Archived from the original on 4 December 2001. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  2. ^ "i - Your choice for Movies and Action On Singapore's Terrestrial TV!". SPH MediaWorks. 25 February 2002. Archived from the original on 14 August 2002. Retrieved 2 August 2019.