Asian pay television channel
Television channel
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). 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.
History
Hallmark Entertainment Network (1995-2001)
Hallmark 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.
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)
In 2001, Hallmark Entertainment Network was rebranded as the Hallmark Channel following a global rebrand.
Diva Universal (2010-2014)
Hallmark Channel Asia was officially rebranded as Diva Universal on September 19, 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 February 1, 2014.
Diva (2014-2019)
On 16 June 2014, Diva Universal was renamed as Diva.
Closure
As part of a restructuring at NBCUniversal International Networks and the official full launch of Hayu in Asia at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day 2020, Diva, along with its sister channel E! Entertainment Television, officially ceased broadcasting after the very final programme, About Time, aired. The closing ceremony was held at Universal Studios Singapore with the station ident/logo of DIVA Be Yourself. The national anthem, Majulah Singapura, was played with translated subtitles in Singapore English/Singlish, and the laserdisc label was provided by Kowloon Video Pte Ltd.[1]
After the closure of Diva, a black screen is displayed for two minutes before a closure message for providers that broadcast the channel appears. The message displayed by Indonesian providers reads, "THIS CHANNEL HAS CEASED BROADCASTING. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER FOR DETAILS." NBCUniversal channels in Asia retained DreamWorks, CNBC Asia, and Golf Channel.
