Launched 19 October 2008 Owned by Mediacorp | Network Mediacorp TV12 Slogan Naalthorum Navarasam | |
Picture format 576i (SDTV) 16:9
1080i (HDTV) 16:9 Audience share 8.4% (P4+: 0.9%) (Ind4+, 2015, ) | ||
Mediacorp Vasantham(Tamil: வசந்தம்) is a Singapore Tamil language entertainment free-to-view commercial broadcast television network that is owned by the Mediacorp, a subsidiary of Government of Singapore's Sovereign wealth fund, Temasek Holdings. The channel currently broadcast from Mediacorp headquarters, Caldecott Broadcast Centre but will shift its operation to newly built Mediacorp Campus this coming September 2016. The channel dedicated to the Singaporean Indians in Singapore. Vasantham originally launched on September 1, 1995 an English children's and highbrow channel named Premiere 12. Tamil programmes were included on 30 January 2000, when it was renamed Central, and later relaunched as a standalone Tamil channel on 19 October 2008. Programmes in Tamil and other Indian languages have increased from 29 to 69 hours each week. With the extended hours, there are more reality programmes, live talk shows, reruns and the introduction of long form dramas.
Contents
1963-1994: Tamil Programming on Channel 8
Tamil programming was originally shown on Channel 8 from its inception on 23 November 1963 until 1 September 1995, when it became a standalone Chinese channel and began broadcasting 24 hours a day and the launch of Premiere 12.
1995-2000: As Premiere 12
Channel 12 underwent a revamp, becoming Prime 12 and Premiere 12, bringing audiences a unique, diverse array of programmes. Now Singaporeans would be able to enjoy outstanding documentaries, artistic performances, enriching children's programmes, prestigious international sports events as well as Malay, Indian and foreign language content. Tamil programmes were transferred from Channel 8 to the existing Channel 12, resulting to be renamed Prime 12 with their new slogan, "Speaking Your Language".
2000-2008: Vasantham Central
On 30 January 2000, Tamil programmes were transferred to Premiere 12, meaning that Prime 12 was renamed Suria and became a standalone Malay channel. Premiere 12 was renamed Central. Central had 3 program belts:
2008-Present: Vasantham gets its own channel
On 19 October 2008, Central was restructured. The program belt of Vasantham Central was extended to form the new Vasantham, a full-fledged Indian channel to provide better television programmes to the Indian community of Singapore, as announced in January 2008 when the Parliament of Singapore decided to expand the Tamil language Vasantham Central into a standalone Tamil language channel. Vasantham took over the frequency of Central.
Programming
Mediacorp Vasantham provides 69 hours of regularly scheduled network programming each week.There are daily local soap dramas on weekdays, local variety/entertainment and info-educational programmes and four live shows per week on the channel.
Programs
There are 7 movie slots per week.
Transmission hours
At other times when programmes are not transmitted, a still image of the Vasantham logo is displayed with radio channel Oli 96.8FM played in the background.