Mediacorp HD5 or HD5 (Chinese: 高清5頻道, formerly known as MediaCorp TV HDTV or HDTV) is Singapore's first 24-hour digital free-to-air high-definition television channel, simulcasting high-definition version of Mediacorp Channel 5 programming when available. It is the first digital terrestrial television broadcast high-definition channel in Southeast Asia and also first in the world to use MPEG4/AVC compression.
There are about 10-hours of True HD programmes shown on HD5 every week. The types of programmes include movies, dramas and local productions.
At other times, HD5 shows simulcast of upconverted Mediacorp Channel 5 broadcast.
On 1 January 2007, MediaCorp officially rolled out its HD5 television signal.
Since late 2013, Channel 5 (via DVB-T2) has been simulcast with this channel due to the start of digital TV in Singapore and the channel has been just simply known as "Channel 5 HD". However, a DVB-T version (alongside Channel 5, Channel 8 and Channel NewsAsia) with hard encoded subtitles will be available until 28 February 2017. It will cease starting 1 March 2017 due to general availability of these services on DVB-T2 and to free up radio specturm.
1 January 2005
Then Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts Lee Boon Yang announced that trials for high-definition television services in Singapore would begin by 22 December 2006.
It is part of the efforts by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) to speed up the deployment and adoption of high-definition technology nationwide as the national media and entertainment industry shifts to digital technology.
1000 participants, 10 community clubs and various retail stores were selected for the trial. It was initially expected to last for six months.
22 December 2006
The trial channel was named MediaCorp TV HDTV (shortened as HDTV) was launched with the movie premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers shown on the first day of high-definition broadcast.
1 January 2007
The channel was renamed MediaCorp TV HD5 (shortened as HD5).
MediaCorp officially rolled out its HD5 television signal. 30 percent of primetime shows were broadcast in True HD format.
MediaCorp announced its plan for the official launch of HD5 during the last quarter of 2007.
Subscribers of Singapore Telecom Mio TV are able to receive HD5 via its high-definition television set-top box.
"HD5 LIFTOFF", an HD5 channel showcasing event was held at Suntec City Hall 401.
Various high-definition television manufacturers were also at the event to promote their products.
HD5 broadcast various foreign and national high-definition productions for its channel showcase during the 2 days.
The programming on that day included National Day Rally 2007, National Day Parade 2007 and 2007 Singapore Fireworks Celebrations.
The number of True HD programmes shown every week is increased to 7-hours.
Subscribers of StarHub TV are able to receive HD5 via its high-definition television set-top box.
8 August 2008
As one of MediaCorp's broadcast channel for Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics Games, HD5 showed daily highlights of the events at 06:00 SST in True HD and Dolby Digital 5.1 throughout the duration of the Summer Olympic Games. It was one of the first few channels in the world to show the Summer Olympic Games in high-definition and the first in Southeast Asia.
11 August 2010
As MediaCorp's official broadcast channel for Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, HD5 broadcast daily events from 9am to 4am in True HD and Dolby Digital 5.1 throughout the duration of the Youth Olympic Games.
15 February 2013
To celebrate 50 years of TV in Singapore since its pilot service in 1963, MediaCorp TV held a year-long golden jubilee celebrations.
1 December 2013
DVB-T2 version of Mediacorp Channel 5 was upgraded to HD to be able to broadcast MediaCorp HD5 digitally.
1 March 2017
DVB-T version of Mediacorp HD5 will stop broadcasting alongside other channels broadcasting on DVB-T platform.
Before 1 January 2007, MediaCorp HD5 was known as:
22 December 2006 – 1 January 2007
MediaCorp HDTV
HD5 is a 24-hour channel.
Every day at 06:00 SST, the Majulah Singapura (National Anthem of the Republic of Singapore) is played on HD5 as well as on its other sister stations.
