Diva (formerly Diva Universal) was an English-language pay television channel in Singapore. It launched on 3 May 1995 as Hallmark Entertainment Network, along with E!, and was first owned by Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) to viewers across Southeast Asia and ASEAN. In 2010, as part of an agreement with NBCUniversal International Networks, the channel was renamed Diva Universal in 2010 and then Diva in 2014. It closed at the end of 2019 in anticipation of the launch of the streaming service Hayu in the region. It operated from Marina Bay Sands head office and headquarters in Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay, Downtown Core, Singapore.
 | |
| Country | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Southeast Asia/ASEAN (including Singapore) |
| Network | NBCUniversal International Networks Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) (3 May 1995-11 February 2001) |
| Affiliates | E! |
| Headquarters | Caldecott Broadcast Centre, Singapore (3 May 1995—22 June 2010) Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay, Downtown Core, Singapore (23 June 2010—31 December 2019) |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese) Indonesian Malay Thai Filipino Vietnamese |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV 16:9) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | NBCUniversal Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) (3 May 1995-11 February 2001) |
| Sister channels | CNBC Asia E! |
| History | |
| Launched | 3 May 1995 |
| Closed | 31 December 2019[1] |
| Replaced by | CNBC Asia |
| Former names |
|
| Links | |
| Website | divatv |
History
editHallmark Entertainment Network (1995-2001)
editHallmark Entertainment Network Asia was officially launched on 3 May 1995 as a Singaporean 24-hour English pay television channel, owned by Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) under license from Hallmark Entertainment. The channel had its headquarters in Singapore, while the channel was broadcast in Southeast Asia. It operated from Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) head office and headquarters in Caldecott Broadcast Centre, Singapore.
Hallmark Entertainment Network Asia was officially launched at the stroke of midnight Singapore Time with an opening ceremony by Tyra Banks. Hallmark Entertainment Network was an Asian version of the international TV brand, Hallmark Entertainment Network, which in turn was owned by Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) under license from Hallmark Entertainment. Hallmark Entertainment Network Asia's launch was celebrated on air in iconic locations; the Padang, Singapore and Changi Airport.
Hallmark Entertainment Network and E! Entertainment Television's production facilities were located in Singapore. One of the popular reality shows aired on the channel was Keeping Up with the Kardashians, featuring Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, and Kourtney Kardashian.
Hallmark Entertainment Network Asia was officially launched on Malaysia's Philips Astro on June 1, 1996. It was one of the first 22 television channels and the first five family television channels to be officially launched.
Hallmark Channel (2001-2010)
editIn 2001, Hallmark Entertainment Network was rebranded as the Hallmark Channel following a global rebrand.
On 23 June 2010, E! Entertainment Television and Hallmark Channel operations including its after new relocation its new broadcast studio, new production office, new telecast transmitter, new satellite telecast station, new media city, new telecast city, new media complex to shared with Marina Bay Sands head office and headquarters in Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay, Downtown Core, Singapore during officially opening ceremony of Marina Bay Sands.
Diva Universal (2010-2014)
editHallmark Channel Asia was officially rebranded as Diva Universal on 19 September 2010, following the closure of its brand licensing agreement with Crown Media as part of NBCUniversal and NBCUniversal International Networks's efforts to refocus its network portfolio.[2] Coinciding with the launch of its high-definition feed, the SD channel officially began broadcasting in high definition on 1 February 2014.
Diva (2014-2019)
editOn 16 June 2014, Diva Universal was officially simply renamed, and referred to as Diva.
On 28 January 2015 after one week of rebranding/rebrand of Singtel took place, the HD version of Diva was officially known, and called as DIVA HD was officially formal full grand opened and launched "ON AIR" took place on Singtel TV digital digital high-definition (HDTV) Internet protocol broadband television on Channel HD303 uses the HD 1080i60 image format with a 16:9 aspect ratio and Dolby Atmos sound format.
Closing Night
editAt the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day 2020, Diva officially ceased broadcasting and transmission after officially very final and last shutdown sequence commenced during the very final and last programme being About Time the end before going off-the-air.[1]
Former operating channels
editSee also
edit- Diva Universal in various countries
References
edit- ^ a b "Cessation of TV DIVA, E! Entertainment, &TVHD and GoodTimes | StarHub Business". Archived from the original on 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Diva Universal To Replace Hallmark". Media Research Asia.com. 5 August 2010. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2023.