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{{short description|Television channel in Singapore}}
{{short description|Television programming block in Singapore}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}{{EngvarB|date=January 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox television channel
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Okto
| name = Okto
| logo = Mediacorp Okto (2023).svg
| logo = Mediacorp Okto (2023).svg
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_size = 200px
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2008|10|19}} {{small|(as a standalone channel)}}<br />{{Start date and age|df=yes|2019|05|01}} {{small|(as a children's block on Channel 5)}}<br/>{{Start date and age|df=yes|2021|02|06}} {{small|(as a children's block on Channel 8)}}
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2008|10|19}} {{small|(as a standalone channel)}}<br />{{Start date and age|df=yes|2019|05|01}} {{small|(as a children's block on Channel 5)}}<br/>{{Start date and age|df=yes|2021|02|06}} {{small|(as a children's block on Channel 8)}}
| closed_date = {{End date and age|df=yes|2019|04|30}} <br />{{small|(as a standalone channel)}}
| closed_date = {{End date and age|df=yes|2019|04|30}} <br />{{small|(as a standalone channel)}}
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[16:9]] [[576i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />{{small|(downscaled to [[16:9]] [[576i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)}}
| network = [[TV12 (Singapore)|Mediacorp TV12]] (19 October 2008-30 April 2019)<br>[[Mediacorp|Mediacorp TV]] (1 May 2019-present)
| network = {{ubl|[[TV12 (Singapore)|Mediacorp TV12]] (19 October 2008–30 April 2019)|[[Mediacorp|Mediacorp TV]] (1 May 2019–present)}}
| language = English<br>Chinese
| language = {{ubl|English|Chinese}}
| country = [[Singapore]]
| country = Singapore
| area = [[Singapore]]<br>[[Johor Bahru]]/[[Johor Bahru District]] ([[Malaysia]])<br>[[Batam]]/[[Batam|Batam Islands]], [[Riau Islands]] ([[Indonesia]])
| area = {{ubl|Singapore<br>[[Johor Bahru]], (Malaysia)|[[Batam|Batam/Batam Islands]], [[Riau Islands]] (Indonesia)}}
| headquarters = Mediacorp Campus, 1 Stars Avenue, Singapore 138507
| headquarters = Mediacorp Campus, 1 Stars Avenue, Singapore 138507
| replaced_by = [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]], [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 8]] and [[meWatch]] {{small|(children's programs)}}<br />[[meWatch]] and [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] {{small|(sports programming)}}
| replaced_by = {{ubl|[[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]], [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 8]] and [[meWatch]] {{small|(children's programs)}}|[[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] and [[meWatch]] {{small|(sports programming)}}}}
| former_names =
| sister_channels =
| sister_channels =
}}
}}
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'''Okto''' is a Singaporean children's [[programming block]] broadcast by [[Mediacorp]]'s [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] in [[Singapore English|English]] and [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 8]] in [[Mandarin Chinese]].
'''Okto''' is a Singaporean children's [[programming block]] broadcast by [[Mediacorp]]'s [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] in [[Singapore English|English]] and [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 8]] in [[Mandarin Chinese]].


The brand originally operated as a standalone [[free-to-air]] channel from 19 October 2008 to 1 May 2019 having been spun off from the Arts Central and Kids Central strands aired by [[Central (TV channel)|Central]] (whose [[Tamil language]] programming had been concurrently spun off as channel [[Vasantham (TV channel)|Vasantham]]). The channel also occasionally aired sports programming. Okto take over the allotments formerly used by [[Channel i (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel i]].
The brand originally operated as a standalone [[free-to-air]] channel from 19 October 2008 to 1 May 2019, having been spun off from the Arts Central and Kids Central strands aired by [[Central (TV channel)|Central]] (whose [[Tamil language]] programming had been concurrently spun off as the new channel [[Vasantham (TV channel)|Vasantham]]). The channel also occasionally aired sports programming, which from 2014 to its closure occupied the network's prime time schedule.


On 30 April 2019 at 11:59pm [[Singapore Time|SGT]], the channel was discontinued and Okto transitioned to becoming a children's programme block on [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]]. The brand was later extended to [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 8]] in Chinese.
On 1 May 2019, the channel was discontinued, and Okto transitioned to becoming a children's block on [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]], and a content brand on [[MeWatch]]. The brand was later extended to [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 8]] in Chinese.


==History==
==History==
In March 2008, MediaCorp announced that it would split its channel [[Central (TV channel)|Central]] into two separate channels; a channel serving the [[Indian Singaporeans|Indian]] community, and a channel focused on arts and children's programming.<ref name="wong1">{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Alicia |date=1 March 2008 |title=Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080301-1.2.6.1 |access-date=24 March 2020 |website=Today (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref> On 19 October 2008, the channel officially launched as Okto, alongside the new Tamil channel [[Vasantham (TV channel)|Vasantham]].<ref>{{cite web |date=21 October 2008 |title=Two more to savour |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20081021-1.2.30.11 |access-date=30 October 2019 |website=Today (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref><ref name="wong12">{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Alicia |date=1 March 2008 |title=Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080301-1.2.6.1 |access-date=24 March 2020 |website=Today (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref> The name Okto was derived from the [[Greek language|Greek]] numeral for "eight", as the channel was on [[StarHub TV]] channel 8 (the former EPG slot and channel allotments of the defunct [[Channel i (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel i]]) and [[Singtel TV|Singtel Mio TV]] channel 108.<ref>{{cite web |title=MediaCorp Introduces the TV channel, ''okto'' |url=http://okto.sg/okto-mediarelease.pdf |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=Okto |date=25 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010072733/http://okto.sg/okto-mediarelease.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2008}}</ref>
=== Predecessors (1995-2008) ===
On 26 August 1994, the [[Minister for Information and the Arts]] [[George Yeo]] announced the plan for the creation of a fourth free-to-air television channel in Singapore, offering a predominantly cultural lineup, during the bill to privatise the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation. Under this plan, Channel 8 would switch to an entirely-Chinese format, causing the Tamil shows there to move to Channel 12, using its new format to concentrate primarily on Malay and Indian content, whereas the cultural output that was on the former Channel 12 would move to a new UHF channel, due to the lack of VHF slots available.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 August 1994 |title=Fourth TV channel will feature cultural shows |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19940827-1.2.4?qt=%22channel%2012%22,%20uhf&q=%22Channel%2012%22%20%22UHF%22 |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref>


Okto was split into two [[Block programming|strands]]; children's programming occupied most of the schedule (later branded as ''Okto Jr.)'',<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> while programming from evening to closedown focused on arts and cultural programming. In June 2014, coinciding with its rights to selected matches of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|FIFA World Cup]], the ''Sports on Okto'' brand was introduced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MediaCorp serves up World Cup 2014 on Sports on okto |url=https://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/mediacorp-serves-world-cup-2014-sports-okto |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=TODAY |language=en}}</ref>
TV12 (later renamed Singapore Television Twelve) received the greenlight from the [[Infocomm Media Development Authority|Singapore Broadcasting Authority]] to broadcast a UHF channel on 27 July 1995. Under this plan, Tamil programming was set to move to Channel 12.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 July 1995 |title=TV 12 to start new channel |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950729-1.2.74.4.5 |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref>


In 2017, arts programming was dispersed from Okto to other Mediacorp channels, in favour of expanding the nightly ''OktoSports'' block.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2017-11-15 |title=Okto's new lineup includes children |url=https://tva.onscreenasia.com/2017/11/oktos-new-lineup-includes-children/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Television Asia Plus |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
[[Central (TV channel)#Premiere 12|Premiere 12]] was officially formal full launched took place on 1 September 1995 at 8:00pm [[Singapore Time|SGT]] following the split of Channel 12 into it and [[Suria (TV channel)#Prime 12|Prime 12]]. The channel broadcast on a separate UHF frequency (Channel 12's frequency and channel space was occupied by [[Suria (TV channel)#Prime 12|Prime 12]]). [[Central (TV channel)#Premiere 12|Premiere 12]] also included children's TV series (mainly for a preschooler audience) and sports coverage. [[Central (TV channel)#Premiere 12|Premiere 12]] later included [[Tamil language]] programme and was rebranded as [[Central (TV channel)|Central]] on 30 January 2000.


On 1 May 2019, Okto was discontinued as a television channel, with its children's programming becoming a daytime [[Block programming|block]] on [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] under the ''Okto on 5'' branding,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mothership.sg/2019/02/okto-closing-down-merging-with-channel-5/|title=okto closing down, merging with Channel 5|author=Matthias Ang|publisher=[[Mothership (website)|Mothership]]|date=20 February 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mediacorp-to-integrate-okto-channel-with-channel-5-from-may|title=
[[Central (TV channel)|Central]]'s programming schedule was composed of three timeshared channels:
Mediacorp to integrate okto channel with Channel 5 from May|author=Toh Ting Wei|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=20 February 2019|accessdate=23 July 2019}}</ref> and a content brand on Mediacorp's streaming platform Toggle (now [[MeWatch]]); previously, Channel 5's daytime programming largely consisted of a simulcast of Mediacorp's news channel [[CNA (TV network)|CNA]]. Okto's sports programming was also moved to Toggle and Channel 5.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 February 2019 |title=Mediacorp integrates English-language channels Channel 5 and okto |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mediacorp-channel-5-okto-english-tv-programmes-11261968 |access-date=20 February 2019 |website=Channel NewsAsia |archive-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228152649/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mediacorp-channel-5-okto-english-tv-programmes-11261968 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Okto's channel license was subsequently surrendered to the [[Infocomm Media Development Authority]] (IMDA).<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=20 February 2019 |title=Mediacorp integrates English-language channels Channel 5 and okto |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mediacorp-channel-5-okto-english-tv-programmes-11261968 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220112422/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mediacorp-channel-5-okto-english-tv-programmes-11261968 |archive-date=20 February 2019 |access-date=20 February 2019 |website=Channel NewsAsia}}</ref> This would be the second Mediacorp's free-to-air television channels to shutdown outright after [[City TV (Singapore)|City TV]] which was closed on 11 January 2002.
*'''[[Central (TV channel)#Kids Central|Kids Central]]''' showcasing on [[children]]'s programme after [[children]]'s programmes officially moved from [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]].
*'''[[Central (TV channel)#Vasantham Central|Vasantham Central]]''' showcasing on [[Tamil language|Tamil]] programme block after [[Tamil language|Tamil]] programmes was officially moved from [[Suria (TV channel)#Prime 12|Prime 12]] to [[Central (TV channel)#Vasantham Central|Vasantham Central]].
*'''[[Central (TV channel)#Arts Central|Arts Central]]''' showcasing on [[culture]], [[art]]s, [[documentary film|documentaries]] and [[classical music]] programme.


⚫
On 6 February 2021, the Okto brand was extended to [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 8]]'s children's programming block 乐乐窝 (Lè Lè Wō), which was rebranded as '''Okto尽在8' (Okto on 8)'''
=== Okto channel (2008-2019) ===
On 19 October 2008, [[Central (TV channel)|Central]] was stop transmission and broadcast. [[Central (TV channel)|Central]]'s [[Central (TV channel)#Vasnatham Central|Vasantham Central]] was officially launching new name becomes '''[[Vasantham (TV channel)|Vasantham]]''' after officially turned, shifted and switched language channel to standalone [[Tamil language|Tamil]] channel for [[Indian Singaporeans|Indian community of Singapore]] on a frequency and channel space formerly occupied by [[Central (TV channel)#Premiere 12|Premiere 12/Central]] ([[Central (TV channel)|Central]]'s [[Central (TV channel)#Vasantham Central|Vasantham Central]] current)<ref>{{cite web |title=Two more to savour |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20081021-1.2.30.11 |access-date=30 October 2019 |website=Today (retrieved from NLB) |date=21 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Alicia |title=Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080301-1.2.6.1 |website=Today (retrieved from NLB) |access-date=24 March 2020 |date=1 March 2008}}</ref> and [[Central (TV channel)|Central]]'s [[Central (TV channel)#Kids Central|Kids Central]] and [[Central (TV channel)#Arts Central|Arts Central]] was officially launching new name and new merges into single channel becomes '''Okto''' was officially divided into two schedule channel programme block on a frequency and channel space formerly occupied by [[Channel i (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel i]]:
*'''OktoDAY''' showcasing on [[children]]'s programme from [[morning]] to [[afternoon]] time formerly programme schedule channel known as [[Central (TV channel)|Central]]'s [[Central (TV channel)#Kids Central|Kids Central]].
*'''OktoNITE''' showcasing on [[culture]], [[art]]s, [[documentary film|documentaries]] and [[classical music]] programme from [[evening]] to [[night|late-night]] time formerly programme schedule channel known as [[Central (TV channel)|Central]]'s [[Central (TV channel)#Arts Central|Arts Central]].


⚫
==Programming==
On 4 May 2015, the channel began airing in HD.
⚫
Since its standalone channel era, Okto mostly aired English language-produced series with selected shows being broadcast in their original language. The channel aired mostly children's programmes, as well as some arts and sports programmes. The channel's target audiences were children aged 4–13, and adults aged 18–39.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=22 April 2017 |title=Mediacorp refreshes okto with new kids and premium sports content |work=Mediacorp.sg |url=https://www.mediacorp.sg/en/corporate/mediacorp-in-the-news/media-releases/mediacorp-refreshes-okto-with-new-kids-and-premium-sports-8782902/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923203156/https://www.mediacorp.sg/en/corporate/mediacorp-in-the-news/media-releases/mediacorp-refreshes-okto-with-new-kids-and-premium-sports-8782902 |archive-date=23 September 2017 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>


⚫
From June 2014 to 30 April 2019, Sports on Okto (later renamed as OktoSports) was introduced which showed sporting events live as well as recorded and delayed coverage. It occupied the nightly schedule from 9pm to closedown every night from 2017 to 2019.<ref name=":2"/>
=== Shutdown ===
On 30 April 2019 at 11:59pm [[Singapore Time|SGT]], the entire channel's final shutdown sequence commenced during the last [[sport]] programme, station ident of OktoSports, closedown ident of concluding with "Good Night!". Was followed by the [[Majulah Singapura|national anthem]] music video being played and afterwards a slide claiming the channel's officially shutdown was officially this channel merged into programmes block on [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] as '''Okto on 5''' and all [[sports]] programmes officially moved back return from OktoSports was officially closing transmission on same day to [[MeWatch|Toggle]] and [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] on 1 May 2019 at stroke of midnight [[Singapore Time|SGT]].


In September 2024, expanding upon existing agreements with the company, Mediacorp made its largest-ever acquisition of children's programmes from [[BBC Studios]], covering 150 hours of programming (including series such as ''[[Go Jetters]]'', ''[[Hey Duggee]]'' and ''[[JoJo & Gran Gran]]'') to be carried by Okto and MeWatch.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hey Duggee heads up BBC Studios kids’ content deal with Singapore’s Mediacorp |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/hey-duggee-heads-up-bbc-studios-kids-content-deal-with-singapores-mediacorp/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=C21media |language=en-us}}</ref>
The closure of the channel, Okto officially change from [[free-to-air]] terrestrial channel to becomes programmes block on [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] as '''Okto on 5''' on 1 May 2019 and [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 8]] weekend children's programming block '乐乐窝' (Lè Lè Wō) was officially relaunched as '''Okto尽在8' (Okto on 8)''' on 6 February 2021.

=== As a programming block ===
Okto officially become a children's and family programming block on [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] as well as a content hub on Mediacorp's video on demand platform [[MeWatch|Toggle]]. Okto's sports programming was also moved to [[MeWatch|Toggle]] and [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] with coverage of major events airing on [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]] proper.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title= Mediacorp integrates English-language channels Channel 5 and okto|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mediacorp-channel-5-okto-english-tv-programmes-11261968|website=Channel NewsAsia |date=20 February 2019 |access-date=20 February 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220112422/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mediacorp-channel-5-okto-english-tv-programmes-11261968 |archive-date=20 February 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=20 February 2019 |title=Mediacorp integrates Channel 5 and okto into one definitive family viewing channel |work=Mediacorp.sg |url=https://www.mediacorp.sg/en/corporate/mediacorp-in-the-news/media-releases/mediacorp-integrates-channel-5-and-okto-into-one-definitive-11262050/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221084553/https://www.mediacorp.sg/en/corporate/mediacorp-in-the-news/media-releases/mediacorp-integrates-channel-5-and-okto-into-one-definitive-11262050 |archive-date=21 February 2019 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Okto's channel license was subsequently surrendered to the [[Infocomm Media Development Authority]] (IMDA).<ref name=":0" />

⚫
On 6 February 2021, [[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 8]]'s weekend children's programming block '乐乐窝' (Lè Lè Wō) was officially relaunched as Okto尽在8' (Okto on 8).

⚫
==Programming==
⚫
Since its standalone channel era, Okto mostly aired English language-produced series with selected shows being broadcast in their original language. The channel aired mostly children's programmes, as well as some arts and sports programmes. The channel's target audiences were children aged 2–13, and adults aged 18–39.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 April 2017 |title=Mediacorp refreshes okto with new kids and premium sports content |work=Mediacorp.sg |url=https://www.mediacorp.sg/en/corporate/mediacorp-in-the-news/media-releases/mediacorp-refreshes-okto-with-new-kids-and-premium-sports-8782902/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923203156/https://www.mediacorp.sg/en/corporate/mediacorp-in-the-news/media-releases/mediacorp-refreshes-okto-with-new-kids-and-premium-sports-8782902 |archive-date=23 September 2017 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

⚫
From June 2014 to 30 April 2019, Sports on Okto (later renamed as OktoSports) was introduced which showed sporting events live as well as recorded and delayed coverage.


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20150404185221/http://tv.toggle.sg/en/okto}} (archived)


{{Mediacorp}}
{{Mediacorp}}
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[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2008]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2008]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2019]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2019]]
[[Category:Television programming blocks in Asia]]

Latest revision as of 02:21, 9 January 2025

Okto
CountrySingapore
Broadcast area
Network
HeadquartersMediacorp Campus, 1 Stars Avenue, Singapore 138507
Programming
Language(s)
  • English
  • Chinese
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed)
History
Launched19 October 2008; 16 years ago (2008-10-19) (as a standalone channel)
1 May 2019; 5 years ago (2019-05-01) (as a children's block on Channel 5)
6 February 2021; 3 years ago (2021-02-06) (as a children's block on Channel 8)
Closed30 April 2019; 5 years ago (2019-04-30)
(as a standalone channel)
Replaced by

Okto is a Singaporean children's programming block broadcast by Mediacorp's Channel 5 in English and Channel 8 in Mandarin Chinese.

The brand originally operated as a standalone free-to-air channel from 19 October 2008 to 1 May 2019, having been spun off from the Arts Central and Kids Central strands aired by Central (whose Tamil language programming had been concurrently spun off as the new channel Vasantham). The channel also occasionally aired sports programming, which from 2014 to its closure occupied the network's prime time schedule.

On 1 May 2019, the channel was discontinued, and Okto transitioned to becoming a children's block on Channel 5, and a content brand on MeWatch. The brand was later extended to Channel 8 in Chinese.

History

[edit]

In March 2008, MediaCorp announced that it would split its channel Central into two separate channels; a channel serving the Indian community, and a channel focused on arts and children's programming.[1] On 19 October 2008, the channel officially launched as Okto, alongside the new Tamil channel Vasantham.[2][3] The name Okto was derived from the Greek numeral for "eight", as the channel was on StarHub TV channel 8 (the former EPG slot and channel allotments of the defunct Channel i) and Singtel Mio TV channel 108.[4]

Okto was split into two strands; children's programming occupied most of the schedule (later branded as Okto Jr.),[5][6] while programming from evening to closedown focused on arts and cultural programming. In June 2014, coinciding with its rights to selected matches of the FIFA World Cup, the Sports on Okto brand was introduced.[7]

In 2017, arts programming was dispersed from Okto to other Mediacorp channels, in favour of expanding the nightly OktoSports block.[5][6]

On 1 May 2019, Okto was discontinued as a television channel, with its children's programming becoming a daytime block on Channel 5 under the Okto on 5 branding,[8][9] and a content brand on Mediacorp's streaming platform Toggle (now MeWatch); previously, Channel 5's daytime programming largely consisted of a simulcast of Mediacorp's news channel CNA. Okto's sports programming was also moved to Toggle and Channel 5.[10] Okto's channel license was subsequently surrendered to the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).[11] This would be the second Mediacorp's free-to-air television channels to shutdown outright after City TV which was closed on 11 January 2002.

On 6 February 2021, the Okto brand was extended to Channel 8's children's programming block 乐乐窝 (Lè Lè Wō), which was rebranded as Okto尽在8' (Okto on 8)

Programming

[edit]

Since its standalone channel era, Okto mostly aired English language-produced series with selected shows being broadcast in their original language. The channel aired mostly children's programmes, as well as some arts and sports programmes. The channel's target audiences were children aged 4–13, and adults aged 18–39.[6]

From June 2014 to 30 April 2019, Sports on Okto (later renamed as OktoSports) was introduced which showed sporting events live as well as recorded and delayed coverage. It occupied the nightly schedule from 9pm to closedown every night from 2017 to 2019.[5]

In September 2024, expanding upon existing agreements with the company, Mediacorp made its largest-ever acquisition of children's programmes from BBC Studios, covering 150 hours of programming (including series such as Go Jetters, Hey Duggee and JoJo & Gran Gran) to be carried by Okto and MeWatch.[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Wong, Alicia (1 March 2008). "Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels". Today (retrieved from NLB). Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Two more to savour". Today (retrieved from NLB). 21 October 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  3. ^ Wong, Alicia (1 March 2008). "Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels". Today (retrieved from NLB). Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  4. ^ "MediaCorp Introduces the TV channel, okto" (PDF). Okto. 25 August 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Okto's new lineup includes children". Television Asia Plus. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Mediacorp refreshes okto with new kids and premium sports content". Mediacorp.sg. 22 April 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  7. ^ "MediaCorp serves up World Cup 2014 on Sports on okto". TODAY. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  8. ^ Matthias Ang (20 February 2019). "okto closing down, merging with Channel 5". Mothership. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  9. ^ Toh Ting Wei (20 February 2019). "Mediacorp to integrate okto channel with Channel 5 from May". The Straits Times. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Mediacorp integrates English-language channels Channel 5 and okto". Channel NewsAsia. 20 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  11. ^ "Mediacorp integrates English-language channels Channel 5 and okto". Channel NewsAsia. 20 February 2019. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  12. ^ "Hey Duggee heads up BBC Studios kids' content deal with Singapore's Mediacorp". C21media. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
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