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{{short description|Television programming block in Singapore}} |
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{{Infobox TV channel |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} |
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| name = MediaCorp TV12 okto (okto) |
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{{EngvarB|date=January 2019}} |
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| logofile = Okto.png |
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{{Infobox television channel |
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| logosize = 200px |
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| name = Okto |
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| logocaption = okto logo |
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| logo = Mediacorp Okto (2023).svg |
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| launch = 1 January 1984 as '''SBC TV12''' ('''TV12''')<br/>1 January 1994 as '''Premiere 12'''<br/>31 March 1996 as '''MediaCorp TV12 Central'''<br/>20 May 2001 as '''SPH MediaWorks TV Works'''<br/>1 November 2001 as '''SPH MediaWorks Channel i'''<br/>[[20 October]] [[2008]] as '''MediaCorp TV12 okto''' |
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| logo_size = 200px |
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| picture format = PAL 576i (SDTV) 4:3 |
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| 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)}} |
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| share = |
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| closed_date = {{End date and age|df=yes|2019|04|30}} <br />{{small|(as a standalone channel)}} |
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| share as of = |
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| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />{{small|(downscaled to [[16:9]] [[576i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)}} |
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| share source = |
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| network = {{ubl|[[TV12 (Singapore)|Mediacorp TV12]] (19 October 2008–30 April 2019)|[[Mediacorp|Mediacorp TV]] (1 May 2019–present)}} |
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| language = [[English language|English]] |
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| language = {{ubl|English|Chinese}} |
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| network = [[MediaCorp TV12]] |
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| country = Singapore |
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| owner = [[MediaCorp]] |
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| area = {{ubl|Singapore<br>[[Johor Bahru]], (Malaysia)|[[Batam|Batam/Batam Islands]], [[Riau Islands]] (Indonesia)}} |
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| slogan = '''Going further to bring you closer''' |
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| headquarters = Mediacorp Campus, 1 Stars Avenue, Singapore 138507 |
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| country = [[Singapore]] |
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| 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)}}}} |
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| broadcast area = Nationwide |
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| former_names = |
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| headquarters = Bestway Building |
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| sister_channels = |
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| former names = '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Kids Central]]'''<br/>'''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Arts Central]]'''<br/>'''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central]]''' (from '''[[MediaCorp TV12]]''' until 20 October 2008)<br/>'''[[SPH MediaWorks Channel i]]''' (from '''[[SPH MediaWorks]]''' until 20 October 2008) |
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| replaced names = '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Kids Central]]'''<br/>'''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Arts Central]]'''<br/>'''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central]]''' (from '''[[MediaCorp TV12]]''' until 20 October 2008)<br/>'''[[SPH MediaWorks Channel i]]''' (from '''[[SPH MediaWorks]]''' until 20 October 2008) |
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| sister names = '''[[MediaCorp Vasantham|MediaCorp TV12 Vasantham]]'''<br/>'''[[MediaCorp Suria|MediaCorp TV12 Suria]]''' |
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| timeshift names = '''oktoDAY'''<br/>'''oktoNITE''' |
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| web = [http://www.oktoday.sg oktoDAY]<br/>[http://okto.mediacorptv.sg/nite oktoNITE] |
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| terr serv 1 = MediaCorp - Analogue (PAL-B) |
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| terr chan 1 = Channel 30 (UHF 543.25MHz) |
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| sat serv 1 = MediaCorp - Digital (DVB-T) |
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| sat chan 1 = Channel 30 (UHF 543.25MHz) |
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| cable serv 1 = [[StarHub TV]] |
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| cable chan 1 = Channel 108 |
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| cable serv 2 = MediaCorp (via SCTV socket) |
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| cable chan 2 = Channel 25 (UHF 503.25MHz) |
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| sat radio serv 1 = |
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| sat radio chan 1 = |
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| adsl serv 1 = [[mio TV]] |
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| adsl chan 1 = Channel 8 |
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| online serv 1 = |
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| online chan 1 = |
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}} |
}} |
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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]]. |
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'''MediaCorp TV12 okto''' or '''okto''' is a television channel in [[Singapore]], managed by '''[[MediaCorp TV12]]''', which was officially launched on 20 October 2008 hence replacing the '''[[SPH MediaWorks Channel i]]''', '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Kids Central]]''' and '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Arts Central]]''' brands as '''oktoDAY''' and '''oktoNITE''' respectively. With the increased amount of broadcast time, the channel broadens the scope of '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Kids Central]]''' and '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Arts Central]]''' by offering more content for its viewers. okto resembles '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Premiere 12]]''' (managed by '''[[MediaCorp TV12]]''') which became defunct in 31 March 1996 and '''[[SPH MediaWorks Channel i]]''' (managed by '''[[SPH MediaWorks]]''') which also became defunct in 1 January 2005. |
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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. |
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The word "'''okto'''" means "'''8'''" in [[Greek language|Greek]]. To reflect this, both '''[[StarHub TV]]''' and '''[[SingTel]]''' '''[[mio TV]]''' carry this channel as Channel "'''8'''" (take note that this channel shouldn't be confused with '''[[MediaCorp Channel 8|MediaCorp TV Channel 8]]''', which is '''[[MediaCorp]]''' main [[Mandarin language]] channel). Despite the meaning of the channel's name, the channel is actually airing on channel 30 for those receiving channels via aerial or channel 25 for those using '''[[StarHub TV|Singapore Cable Television]]''' sockets. |
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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. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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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> |
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The idea of a new channel came in 1 January 2008 when the '''[[Parliament of Singapore]]''' decided to expand the [[Tamil language]] '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Vasantham Central]]''' into a standalone [[Tamil language]] channel. |
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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> |
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The result was a split of the '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Central]]''' channel where '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Kids Central]]''', '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Arts Central]]''' and '''[[SPH MediaWorks Channel i]]''' became '''okto''' on the same frequency as the old '''Channel i''' while '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Vasantham Central]]''' and '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central]]''' was also replaced by '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Vasantham|Vasantham]]''' still on the same frequency as the old '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Central]]''' channel. It also show Kids movies ('''OKTO@THEMOVIES''') on primetime Fridays and also showing you the live television broadcasting delayed relay simulcast coverage multi national and international sports event such as '''[[Olympic Games]]''' dividual such : '''[[Summer Olympic Games]]''' and '''[[Winter Olympic Games]]''', '''[[Paralympic Games]]''' dividual such : '''[[Summer Paralympic Games]]''', and '''[[Winter Paralympic Games]]''', '''[[Commonwealth Games]]''', '''[[Asian Games]]''', '''[[Southeast Asian Games]]''', '''[[Asian Youth Games]]''', '''[[Youth Olympic Games]]''' and more from 7pm to MN. |
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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" /> |
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==Transmission Hours== |
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Transmission hours are from 8:00 am to 12:00 am midnight in daily a day and public holidays from 8:00 am to 12:00 am midnight under same time daily it plays the national anthem. |
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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= |
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==Opening and Closing times== |
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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. |
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===Startup=== |
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okto start at 8:00 am. okto The [[Majulah Singapura|national anthem]] was played, followed by stations ident ('''MediaCorp TV12'''/'''MediaCorp TV12 okto''' : '''oktoDAY''' and '''oktoNITE''') The first programme of the day follows thereafter. |
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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)''' |
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===Closedown=== |
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okto closes down at 12:00 am midnight. The last programme, will be broadcast. and the [[Majulah Singapura|national anthem]]. Stations ident ('''MediaCorp TV12'''/'''MediaCorp TV12 okto''' : '''oktoDAY''' and '''oktoNITE''') The [[Philips PM5544|test card]] was broadcast at the end. |
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In the closing (offair) time okto is broadcasting [[Philips PM5544|testcard]] complete with date to time with text "'''MEDIACORP TV12 OKTO''' ('''OKTO DAY'''/'''OKTO NITE''') - '''SINGAPORE'''". |
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okto will feature a static image in the background [[MediaCorp okto|MediaCorp TV12 okto]] playing '''[[CNN|CNN Radio]]''' network by '''[[CNN|Cable News Network]]''' ('''CNN''') background of '''[[Windows Vista|Windows Vista Ultimate]]'''. |
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==Programming== |
==Programming== |
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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> |
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Okto is predominantly an [[English language|English]] channel with selected programmes in the language of the country of origin. The programming on the channel is similar to '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Kids Central]]''', '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Arts Central]]''' and '''[[SPH MediaWorks Channel i]]''', with preschool and children programms in the day and documentaries; lifestyle,news,current affairs, anime and art performances in the night. |
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Okto aims to be a one-stop channel that will enrich, engage and entertain, offering some of the best local and international programmes to the [[Singapore]] viewers. The channel has a special focus on the kids and arts communities and on '''User Generated Content''' ('''UGC''') enabling them to participate, grow and be an integral part of the channel. |
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===oktoDAY=== |
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'''oktoDAY''' replaces '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Kids Central]]''' and generally has kids programmes. |
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Transmission Hours: |
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*Mon to Fri: 8am to 7pm |
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*Sat to Sun: 8am to 7pm |
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Website: [http://www.oktoday.sg oktoDAY] |
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=====Children's shows===== |
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*[[Hi-5 (Australian TV series)|Hi-5]] |
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*[[Rugrats]] |
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*[[The Wild Thornberrys]] |
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*[[Rocket Power]] |
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*[[The Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends]] |
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*[[Barney & Friends]] |
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*[[Bigfoot Presents: Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks|Bigfoot Presents: Meteor & the Mighty Monster Trucks]] |
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*[[In the Night Garden]] |
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*[[Dinosapien]] |
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*[[Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks]] |
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*[[The Latest Buzz]] |
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*[[Martin Mystery]] |
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*[[Mickey Mouse Clubhouse]] |
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*[[¡Mucha Lucha!]] |
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*[[Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl]] Part 1 |
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*[[Power Rangers: Mystic Force]] |
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*[[Pretty Cure]] |
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*[[Sesame Street]] |
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*[[The Suite Life of Zack & Cody]] |
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*[[Team Galaxy (TV series)|Team Galaxy]] |
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*[[Teletubbies]] |
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*[[ToddWorld]] |
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*[[Totally Spies]] |
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*[[Transformers Animated]] |
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=====Original Productions===== |
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*[[Sketch (TV series)|Sketch]] |
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*[[Robbie and the Book of Tales]] |
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*[[Groom my Room]] |
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*[[Moon Face]] |
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*Magic Garden |
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*[[We are R.E.M]]/[[R.E.M:The Next Generation]] |
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*[[Schoolhouse Rockz]] |
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*[[Wushu Warriors]] |
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*[[Jobs for Juniors]] |
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*[[Record Breakers: Singapore Edition]] |
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*[[The Tales of Alex and Weero]] |
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*[[Ubin Boy]] |
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*[[Whizzes of the Void Deck]] |
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*[[Bring Your Toothbrush]] |
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*[[Kids United]] |
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*[[Double Chin]] |
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*[[Art Factory]] |
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*[[Einstein's Tingkat]] |
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*[[The Adventures of Super Einstein]] |
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*[[Hobby TV]] |
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*[[Looking for Natheniel]] |
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*[[Sports On]] |
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*[[Little Coach]] |
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*[[Why didn't I think Of That?]] |
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*[[Trick And Treats!]] |
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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"/> |
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===oktoNITE=== |
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'''oktoNITE''' replaces '''[[MediaCorp TV12 Central|Arts Central]]''' and has more programmes for adults. |
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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> |
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Transmission Hours: |
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*Mon to Fri: 7pm to 12am |
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*Sat to Sun: 7pm to 12am |
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== References == |
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Website: [http://okto.mediacorptv.sg/nite oktoNITE] |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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=====Documentaries shows ===== |
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* {{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20150404185221/http://tv.toggle.sg/en/okto}} (archived) |
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* '''[[Nanny 911]]''' |
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* '''[[Supernanny]]''' |
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* '''[[Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction]]''' |
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* '''[[Scariest Places on Earth]]''' |
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* '''[[List of Canadian films|Canadian films]]''' |
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{{ |
{{Mediacorp}} |
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{{Singapore Press Holdings}} |
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[[Category:2008 establishments in Singapore]] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mediacorp Okto}} |
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[[Category:2019 disestablishments in Singapore]] |
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[[Category:Television stations in Singapore]] |
[[Category:Television stations in Singapore]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Mass media in Singapore]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Mediacorp]] |
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[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2008]] |
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2008]] |
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[[Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2019]] |
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[[sv:Okto]] |
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[[Category:Television programming blocks in Asia]] |
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Latest revision as of 02:21, 9 January 2025
.svg) | |
| Country | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area |
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| Network |
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| Headquarters | Mediacorp Campus, 1 Stars Avenue, Singapore 138507 |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) |
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| Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed) |
| History | |
| Launched | 19 October 2008 (as a standalone channel) 1 May 2019 (as a children's block on Channel 5) 6 February 2021 (as a children's block on Channel 8) |
| Closed | 30 April 2019 (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]- ^ Wong, Alicia (1 March 2008). "Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels". Today (retrieved from NLB). Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Two more to savour". Today (retrieved from NLB). 21 October 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ^ Wong, Alicia (1 March 2008). "Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels". Today (retrieved from NLB). Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "MediaCorp Introduces the TV channel, okto" (PDF). Okto. 25 August 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "Okto's new lineup includes children". Television Asia Plus. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "MediaCorp serves up World Cup 2014 on Sports on okto". TODAY. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ Matthias Ang (20 February 2019). "okto closing down, merging with Channel 5". Mothership. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- ^ Toh Ting Wei (20 February 2019). "Mediacorp to integrate okto channel with Channel 5 from May". The Straits Times. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Hey Duggee heads up BBC Studios kids' content deal with Singapore's Mediacorp". C21media. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
External links
[edit]- Official website (archived)