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Central

Country	Singapore
Broadcast area	Nationwide
Headquarters	Bestway Building, 12 Prince Edward Road, 079212 Singapore
Programming
Language(s)	English Tamil
Picture format	576i (4:3 SDTV)
Ownership
Owner	MediaCorp
Sister channels	Suria
History
Launched	30 January 2000; 24 years ago (2000-01-30)
Closed	19 October 2008; 16 years ago (2008-10-19)
Replaced by	Vasantham okto
Former names	Channel 12 (1984 – 1995) Premiere 12 (1995 – 2000)
Availability (at time of closure)
Terrestrial
Digital terrestrial television	Channel 24

Central was a Singaporean English and Tamil language free-to-air television channel. Its programming schedule was composed of three timeshared channels on its frequency slot: Kids Central, Vasantham Central and Arts Central.

Previously, Indian-related programming was broadcast along with Malay-language programmes on Prime 12, while Premiere 12's schedule consisted of arts, documentaries and kids shows.

MediaCorp Central was closed down on 19 October 2008 when Vasantham Central relaunched as the standalone channel Vasantham. Arts Central and Kids Central were merged into a single channel named okto, with kids and arts programming.

History

Singapore Television Twelve split the former Channel 12 on 1 September 1995, with the existing channel being replaced by Prime 12, including Tamil-language programming on its schedule. Premiere 12 was launched to include children's TV series (mainly for a preschooler audience) and sports coverage.

At the end of 1999, Singapore Television Twelve announced that Premiere 12 was going to be replaced by Central as part of a company-wide restructuring of MediaCorp's television output, with the launch set for January 30, 2000.

Central's programming schedule was composed of three timeshared channels: Kids Central, focused on kids' programming; Vasantham Central, a Tamil-language programming block; and Arts Central centred on cultural programming. On launch week, Kids Central reportedly had 70.000 to 173.000 viewers, Vasantham Central exceeded 30% share and the showing of the Cirque du Soleil performance Quidam on Arts Central attracted 140.000 viewers. On 28 February 2000, Singapore Television Twelve increased Central's on-air hours from 91½ to 110½ hours per week.

On 19 October 2008, Central was dissolved. Vasantham Central on-air time was extended to form Vasantham, an independent channel focused on the Indian community of Singapore, as announced on 29 February that year by then Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts Dr. Balaji Sadasivan in Parliament. Meanwhile, Kids Central and Arts Central were merged into a single channel named Okto, which took Channel i's frequency and channel space.

Timeshared channels

Kids Central

Kids Central was Singapore's most-watched children's channel. Its programmes aim to bring fun television entertainment to children aged 4 to 12 years, as well as appeal to people's inner children. The channel was set up to be a strong terrestrial alternative to cable channels and programming blocks aimed at children.

Shows:

Jack Howell's Version Of Doodle Do
I Spy
Little Bill
Hi5
Bear In The Big Blue House
Crazy Quilt
Monkey Makes
The Big Comfy Couch
Blue's Clues
SpongeBob SquarePants
Powerpuff Girls
Play With Me Sesame
The Wiggles
Franny's Feet
This Is Scarlett
Thomas Shorts
Thomas And The Scarecrow
Thomas InThe Big Blue House
Mario Toys Family Super Star
Juliet's Comedy Corner
Super Mario World
The Cute Mario Bros
The Super Mario Bros Super Show
Pythagora Switch
Marble Run
Dominoes
DadOwenProductions
The Holiday Mansion
Wii Sports
Wii Sports Resort
The Tiki Show
Spin For $1 Million
The Doodlebops
Doodle Do
Blue's Room
Bert And Ernie's Great Adventures
Balamory
Big Cook Little Cook
The Roly Mo Show
The Buzz On Maggie
Brandy And Mr Whiskers
Fimbles
Tweenies
Bobinogs
Little Einsteins
Me Too
Thomas And Friends
The Wiggles Show
Chucklevision
Oswald
Super Mario Maker
Super Mario Maker 2
Mario Kart 8
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart Live Home Circuit
DashieXP
DashieGames
Dashie's Puh-Fect Perfection
Dashie's Puh-Naranormal Activity
Dangermouse
Big Cook Little Cook
The Shiny Show
Bill And Ben
Figure It Out
Welcome Freshman
Salute Your Shorts
Button Moon
Skatoony
Jack Howell's Sportsfield
The Outdoor Sports Show
Not A VHS Opening You Will Expect
Double Dare
Hi Honey, I'm Home!
Engie Benjy
Justin's House
Holiday Inn Sevenoaks
Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles!
The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody
Super Mario Bros
The Adventures Of Super Mario Bros 3
Adventures Of Sonic The Hedgehog
Sonic The Hedgehog
Sonic Underground
Kipper
Life With Louie
Wimzie's House
Allergra's Window
Gullah Gullah Island
My Brother And Me
Doodlebops Rockin Road Show
Legends Of The Hidden Temple
Kenan And Kel
Family Double Dare
What Would You Do?
The Mystery Files Of Shelby Woo
Sesame Street
Cory In The House
The Wii Sports Golf Show
The Wii Sports Bowling Show
Higglytown Heroes
The Koala Brothers
Barney & Friends
Bob The Builder
The Wii Sports Tennis Show
The Wii Sports Baseball Show
Our Planet
Street Kidz
Andy's Wild Adventures
Higgledy House
Clifford The Big Red Dog
Breezy Saturday Family Feud Playstation Marathon

Vasantham Central

Vasantham Central was focused to the Tamil community of Singapore, broadcasting Indian-produced dramas, variety, news, information, and entertainment shows in Tamil language. The station offered hours of programming on weekdays and on weekends, with approximately a quarter of local content.

The Children's Day Telemovie Special Matchstick was awarded the Certificate of Distinction at the New York Festivals in 2004. The channel conducted acting workshops, training and events such as Mother's Day celebrations in Tekka Mall.

Arts Central

Arts Central consisted on cultural-focused programming, with magazine shows, in-depth documentaries, performances, art-house movies, adult animation and short films. Arts Central offered 20 hours of programming per week.

In 2001, both Hanging by the Thread and AlterAsian received a Finalist status at the New York Festival, and in 2007, the I-Collector series placed as runners-up in the Asian TV Awards.

See also

• Okto
• MediaCorp Vasantham
• SPH MediaWorks Channel i
• MediaCorp TV12

References

1. Haman, Andrea (1 December 1999). "STV 12 unveils Kids Central". Kidscreen. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
2. "Programme Ratings for STV12 Channels Soared on Debut!". MediaCorp Group. February 2000. Archived from the original on 27 June 2001. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
3. "STV12 to Increase Programming Hours on Central". MediaCorp Group. February 2000. Archived from the original on 10 April 2001. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
4. Wong, Alicia (1 March 2008). "Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels". Today (retrieved from NLB). Retrieved 24 March 2020.
5. Haman, Andrea (1 December 1999). "STV 12 unveils Kids Central". Kidscreen. Retrieved 16 August 2021.

• 2000 establishments in Singapore
• 2008 disestablishments in Singapore
• Television stations in Singapore
• Mass media in Singapore
• Mediacorp
• Television channels and stations established in 2000
• Television channels and stations disestablished in 2008