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{{distinguish|text=[[8TV (Malaysian TV network)]], a Chinese-language television channel owned by [[Media Prima]]}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use Singapore English|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Channel 8
| logo = Mediacorp Channel 8 2023.svg
| logo_size = 
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1963|08|31|df=yes}} (Test transmissions)<br>{{Start date and age|1963|11|23|df=yes}} (Official)
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[16:9]] [[576i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| language = [[Singaporean Mandarin|Mandarin]]
| network = [[Mediacorp#Television|Mediacorp TV]]
| owner = [[Mediacorp|Mediacorp Pte Ltd]]
| sister_channels = [[Channel U (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel U]]<br>[[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]]<br>[[Suria (TV channel)|Suria]]<br>[[Vasantham (TV channel)|Vasantham]]<br>[[CNA (TV network)|CNA]]
| country = [[Singapore]]
| area = [[Singapore]]<br>[[Malaysia]] ([[Johor]])<br>[[Indonesia]] ([[Riau Islands]])
| headquarters = Mediacorp Campus, 1 Stars Avenue, Singapore 138507
| former_names = 
| website = http://tv.mewatch.sg/zh/channel8
| terr_serv_1 = Digital terrestrial television
| terr_chan_1 = Channel 3
| terr_serv_2 = [[MYTV Broadcasting|myFreeview]]
| terr_chan_2 = Channel 204 (<span class="ltr">HD</span>) ([[Sarawak]] only) {{small|(available on 20 November 2022)}}
| online_serv_1 = [[meWATCH]]
| online_chan_1 = Available on meWATCH website or mobile app<br>([[Singapore]] only)
}}

'''Channel 8''' ({{lang-zh|8頻道}}) is a [[Singaporean Mandarin]]-language [[free-to-air]] [[Television channel|terrestrial television channel]] in [[Singapore]], owned by state media conglomerate [[Mediacorp]]. The channel broadcasts general entertainment and news programming in the Mandarin language, including original and imported programming.

The channel began a series of experimental broadcasts on 31 August 1963, and officially launched on 22 November 1963. As with its sister [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]], the channel would initially air programming all four of Singapore's [[Languages of Singapore|official languages]], although having a particular focus on the [[Chinese Singaporeans|Chinese]]- and [[Indian Singaporeans|Tamil]] communities. In 1973, this scope was formalized, with Channel 8 primarily broadcasting Chinese and [[Tamil language|Tamil-language]] programmes. In compliance with the government's [[Speak Mandarin Campaign]], Chinese programming on the channel would later be broadcast solely in [[Mandarin Chinese]]. In 1995, Tamil programmes moved to [[Suria (TV channel)|Prime 12]], with 8 having since focused exclusively on Mandarin programming.

==History==
===Television Singapura/RTS===
When the television service was announced in January 1963, a second channel broadcasting on Channel 8 was announced, slated to begin operations "between August and September, depending on conditions".<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=3 January 1963 |title=S'pore TV starts next month |newspaper=The Straits Times |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19630103-1.2.15?qt=%22channel%205%22&q=%22Channel%205%22 |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>

Channel 8 began its test transmissions on Saturday, 31 August 1963, [[Independence Day (Malaysia)|Malaysia's national day]] (at the time known as Solidarity Day).<ref>{{cite news|date=31 August 1963 |title=Television Singapura to mark Solidarity Day |newspaper=The Straits Times |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19630831-1.2.98?qt=%22channel%205%22&q=%22Channel%205%22 |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref> Its first day consisted of a Hokkien film, repeats of India's participation in the South East Asian Cultural Festival and Singapore Celebrates.<ref>{{cite news|title=Television Singapura The Straits Times|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19630831-1.2.109.1?ST=1&AT=filter&DF=&DT=&AO=true&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=&SortBy=Oldest&k=%22programme+summary%22%26ka%3d%22programme+summary%22&P=183&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=%22programmesummary%22&oref=article|access-date=29 July 2020|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=31 August 1963}}</ref> A second test transmission took place between 16 and 20 September of that year and devoted much of its time to the week-long celebrations, to coincide with the historic [[Proclamation of Malaysia]], and the political campaigns leading up to the [[1963 Singaporean general election|1963 General Election]].

Following a period where the channel only broadcast on "special occasions" (as noted above), Channel 8 officially began broadcasting on 23 November 1963 at 7:40&nbsp;p.m. as "Saluran 8 Televisyen Singapura" and aired at first in [[Chinese language|Chinese]] (including Mandarin, dialects of Chinese and Cantonese) and Tamil, broadcasting daily for two and a half hours (closing at 10:10&nbsp;p.m.), aiming to increase to the same hours as Channel 5 soon. Its sister station [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Saluran 5 Televisyen Singapura]] was launched on 2 April that year with a mix of shows in every language of Singapore at the time. The channel rebroadcast the news broadcast from Channel 5 every day of the week except on Thursdays on tape delay (due to the lack of its own news service).<ref>{{cite web |title=S'PORE TV ON TWO CHANNELS FROM TODAY |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19631123-1.2.77 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) |access-date=8 August 2023 |date=23 November 1963}}</ref> Following the separation from Malaysia on 9 August 1965, Channel 8 became part of Television Singapore, and was later integrated as part of "Radio Television Singapore". This led to the expansions of the network, including a move to the new $3.6 million Television Centre in [[Caldecott Hill]] on 26 August 1966.<ref>{{cite web |title=New home for TV... |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19660827-1.2.48 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) |access-date=8 August 2019 |date=27 August 1966}}</ref>

In 1967, Channel 8 became the first Singaporean channel to begin regular weekday daytime broadcasts, when it began to broadcast the Educational Television Service (ETS)—a block of educational programmes produced by the [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]] for students of elementary and secondary levels. Following the ETS blocktime, the channel would have a transmission break to allow for the handover to its own broadcast crews.{{Cn|date=March 2024}}

On 27 March 1973, Channel 5 and 8 began to divide their programming based on languages, with Channel 8 focusing solely on Chinese- and Tamil-language content outside of ETS hours (which were multilingual).<ref>{{cite web |date=27 March 1973 |title=NEW TIMES FOR TV SCREENING FROM FRIDAY |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19730327-1.2.46?qt=rts,%20%22channel%205%22,%20tamil&q=%22RTS%22%20%22Channel%205%22%20%22Tamil%22 |access-date=14 August 2023 |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref>

Channel 8 began broadcasting in colour on 1 May 1974 (ETS would only be one of the last programs to switch to colour later). In 1978, all its Chinese language programming as well as advertisements, as a result of the government's [[Speak Mandarin Campaign]], began to be broadcast solely in the Mandarin dialect. 

At first, Channel 8 drama productions used 16mm film, before transitioning to videotape in 1987–88, in contrast its variety programming (either live or taped), as well as some children's programs, had always been videotape productions since the start of colour television.

==Logo Evolution==
<gallery>
RTS Channel 8 1965 logo.png|1965-1974
RTS Channel 8 1974 logo.png|1974-1980
SBC 8 1987 logo.svg|1980-1991
SBC8 logo.svg|1991-1994
Channel 8 1994.png|Early 1994 - Late 1994
TCSChannel8 logo 1994.svg|Late 1994 - 2001
CH 8 2015.png|2001-2012
Channel8 2012 logo.png|2012-2017
Channel-8-data.jpg|2017-2023
Mediacorp Channel 8 2023.svg|2023-present
</gallery>

===SBC 8===
In the fall of 1982, Channel 8 debuted the country's pioneer Mandarin language TV movie, ''Seletar Robbery'', the hit that would spawn the start of successful drama productions in the years that followed.

In January 1984, SBC 8 began airing local dramas two hours a week with the drama series [[The Awakening (TV series)|The Awakening]], the country's first full-length drama series on TV, and added another hour later in September. An additional hour was added in March 1985, becoming four hours. SBC targeted to have five hours a week of local drama by August 1985. <ref>{{cite news |title=More air time for local dramas |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19850207-1.2.24.39 |access-date=22 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=7 February 1985}}</ref>

SBC 8 began airing local hour-long weekday drama series at 9:30 pm on 1 January 1987. The drama series would have twelve different titles airing each year.<ref>{{cite news |title=SBC drama from Monday to Friday next year |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19860814-1.2.48 |access-date=22 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=14 August 1986}}</ref>

In April 1987, SBC 8 replaced the magazine show Family Hour with the back-to-back drama slot One Plus One, due to stiff competition from Malaysia's TV2 and TV3 which air Cantonese dramas in the 7 pm slot. Family Hour and Live From Studio One merged to become Studio One Presents and would air weeknights at 8:30 pm.<ref>{{cite news |title=SBC wins prime-time war with quick switch |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19870424-1.2.68 |access-date=21 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=24 April 1987}}</ref> One Plus One would be replaced by an hour-long drama slot in 1993.<ref name="small"></ref>

SBC 8 extended its broadcasting hours on Sundays in 1988. <ref name="small"></ref>

In October 1988, local Chinese dramas began airing ten-and-a-half hours a week instead of seven-and-a-half hours, with the addition of a 6:30 pm drama airing three times a week. <ref>{{cite news |title=More telecast time for SBC Chinese dramas from October |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19880513-1.2.67 |access-date=17 January 2024 |work=The Straits Times |date=13 May 1988}}</ref>

Beginning 1 August 1990, Channel 8 began airing in stereo all its Chinese and Tamil language productions.

SBC 8 gradually increased its broadcasting hours to six hours on Saturdays in January 1993 and three hours on weekdays in June 1993. Much of the expanded hours were filled with drama, children's programmes, game shows and documentaries. <ref name="small">{{cite news |title=Surprises on the small screen |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19921122-1.2.51.14 |access-date=21 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=22 November 1992}}</ref> A two-minute late evening news update was added on 1 January 1993. <ref name="small"></ref> The ETS service would be moved to Channel 12 as CDIS at the same time.

===Channel 8===

SBC 8 introduced a new logo and on-air graphics in June 1994. From this period, SBC 8 would be known as Channel 8. The relaunch was meant to reinforce Channel 8 as the channel "for the HDB homeland". Along with the relaunch, the evening news bulletin moved to 10 pm and drama series were shown at 9 pm. The image song was written and sung by Singaporean twins, Paul and Peter Lee. In preparation for the relaunch, a two-hour special programme, Be A Part Of 8 aired on 28 May 1994, followed by special programmes through the night. Tamil viewers are treated with an Indian musical and an hour-long variety show the next day. The relaunch was promoted through mini-exhibitions and roadshows.<ref>{{cite news |title=SBC revamps channel for the HDB heartland |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19940527-1.2.67.6.8 |access-date=22 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=27 May 1994}}</ref>

SBC 8's drama productions were 520 hours a year in 1994 compared to 20 hours a year in 1984. <ref>{{cite news |title=Is SBC 8 stretching viewers' credibility? |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19940703-1.2.70.2.8 |access-date=12 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=3 July 1994}}</ref>

Tamil programmes moved to Prime 12 in September 1995 and Channel 8 has since focused on the Chinese-speaking audiences of Singapore.<ref name="arts">{{cite news |title=More Malay, Indian programmes plus arts, sports |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950802-1.2.62.3.1 |access-date=9 February 2024 |work=The Straits Times |date=2 August 1995}}</ref>

It started airing 24 hours a day on 1 September 1995. It was privatised on 12 February 2001 as part of [[Mediacorp]].

In January 2005, MediaCorp took over Channel 8's competitor [[Channel U (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel U]] from [[SPH MediaWorks]], making it a sister channel. To emphasize the integration, Channel 8 also changed its name in Chinese from ''Dì bā bō dào (''{{zh|s=|t=第八波道|p=|l=}}) to ''Bā píndào'' ({{zh|s=|t=八频道|p=|l=}}) to match that of Channel U ({{Lang-zh|p=Yōu píndào|c=优频道}}).<ref>{{cite web |date=22 December 2004 |title=It will be Pin Dao from Jan 1 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20041222-1.2.46.5 |access-date=24 September 2023 |website=Today (retrieved from NLB)}}</ref>

==Channel 8i==
Channel 8 had a sister television channel named Channel 8i (Channel 8 International) that existed from 19 November 2011 to 1 December 2016. The channel launched exclusively on [[MNC Vision|Indovision]] and its schedule consisted exclusively of Mediacorp's Chinese dramas, airing on a 6-hour wheel.<ref>{{cite web |title=MediaCorp launches 8 International – a first all Chinese drama channel exclusive on Indovision |url=https://www.mediacorp.sg/corporate/news-release/media-releases/mediacorp-launches-8-international-a-fir-5855892 |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=Mediacorp |date=19 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608211527/https://www.mediacorp.sg/corporate/news-release/media-releases/mediacorp-launches-8-international-a-fir-5855892 |archive-date=8 June 2024}}</ref> The following month, it was introduced in Australia as part of [[Fetch TV]]'s Chinese package.<ref>{{cite web |title=8i plays Fetch |url=https://tva.onscreenasia.com/2011/12/8i-plays-fetch/ |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=Television Asia Plus |date=6 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025201703/https://tva.onscreenasia.com/2011/12/8i-plays-fetch/ |archive-date=25 October 2021}}</ref> It was made available in Singapore as a free channel on [[meWatch|Toggle]] on 1 February 2013, upon the service's launch.<ref>{{cite web |title=MediaCorp launches Toggle, its personal entertainment service on multiple devices |url=https://www.mediacorp.sg/corporate/news-release/media-releases/mediacorp-launches-toggle-its-personal-e-5855908 |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=Mediacorp |date=1 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608213203/https://www.mediacorp.sg/corporate/news-release/media-releases/mediacorp-launches-toggle-its-personal-e-5855908 |archive-date=8 June 2024}}</ref>

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150406074551/http://tv.toggle.sg/zh/channel8 Official Website]

{{Mediacorp}}
{{Chinese language television in Southeast Asia}}

[[Category:Chinese-language television]]
[[Category:Mediacorp|Channel 8]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1963|Channel 8]]
[[Category:Television stations in Singapore]]
[[Category:1963 establishments in Singapore]]