MediaCorp Revamps Channel 5

SINGAPORE: MediaCorp's free-to-air Channel 5 is being relaunched in January 2015 with more of an emphasis on local content.

The "Local Upsize" lineup on the new channel will be aligned more with the Singapore identity and connect more closely with Singapore families. The English channel will increase its local content across all genres, including drama, comedy, infotainment and TV movies. The initiative kicks off at the start of 2015.

The move sees the launch of The 5 Show, a daily topical magazine program that will present the issues closest to Singaporeans. News 5 will be moved to a more accessible time, at 9 p.m. A long-running local serial drama will be introduced for the first time on Channel 5. Launching in mid-2015, it will feature local and regional artistes and weave in social issues.

Bernard Lim, the managing director of MediaCorp TV, said, “Channel 5 is a channel for all Singaporeans. The new 5 is a bigger commitment to local content and a huge move forward to being more relevant to our viewers and customers. Many of our viewers have grown up with us over the years and the channel has become an integral part of their lives. With these changes we want to deepen our engagement with our loyal viewers and welcome new viewers to Channel 5.”

Lim added: “Viewers should also expect even higher quality content. We have made a real commitment there and engaged international consultants behind successful shows like Malcolm in the Middle, The Academy Awards and Entertainment Tonight. They will share invaluable perspectives to producing key shows like The 5 Show, The 5 Search and the upcoming long-form drama. As we continue tapping and developing the local talent pool, we are delighted to announce that Chua Enlai, a homegrown talent and Asian Television Award recipient, has signed on as a MediaCorp artiste, managed by Fly Entertainment.”