Cost cutting prompts Channel i rebranding

The name change also comes four months after TV Works' operations were folded into Channel U, resulting in 68 people being retrenched. Man Shu Sum, SPH MediaWorks head of group operations, said: "Viewers can expect more integration between the two channels in terms of programming, events as well as the crossing over of artistes".

Cost reduction was the main reason behind integration. SPH MediaWorks' chief executive officer, Lee Cheok Yew, said: "We are aligning the English language station's cost base to its lower revenue base through innovative programming and creative resource sharing with Channel U." For example, Adrian Ang from the English station will be presenting a cooking show on Channel U. In last year's fourth quarter, TV Works's share was 2.6 per cent and Channel U was 18.1 per cent, according to Taylor Nelson Sofres.

In Singapore - where the majority are Chinese - Chinese stations always rate better, but TV Works' performance is still low since MediaCorp's English language station Channel 5 has a 13.4 per cent share.