Mediacorp to Discontinue TV Mobile Broadcast (Including SBS Buses)

December 16, 2009

By Wayang Times

tv mobile television

In a press statement, MediaCorp said that the company will discontinue TVMobile (TVM), the free-to-air mobile digital television broadcast service on 1 January 2010.

When TVM was launched in 2001, it was the only platform that offered quality digital content to public commuters taking SBS Transit buses. Unfortunately there was alot of complains received after the launch, specifically about the noise created by the TVM service and the jarring screech made by the system when the signal is poor. Even though the TVM service has since improved and the teething problem were resolved, anedoctal evidence suggested that public support for TVM continued to be poor.

mediacorp sbs transit tv mobile to discontinue in 2010

While Mediacorp acknowledged that TVM provides a rich source of entertainment and information to commuters, the resources required to operate and maintain the service are substantial. Having carefully evaluated the viability of the service, MediaCorp has decided to discontinue the service upon expiry of its current agreement with SBS Transit.

Reactions of Singapore’s netizens online range from the more muted responses to those who expressed relief that TVM will no longer be a distraction. It appears that few will miss the TVM service. There were also some concerns that owners who own DVB-T only tuners will be rendered useless unless Mediacorp re-use the broadcasting station islandwide for Digital 5, Digital 8 and Channel News Asia.

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