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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