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World’s first Chinese-language TV station goes off-air in 2016 – SCMP archive

This article was first published on April 2, 2016.
by Eddie Lee
Staff, fans bid farewell to broadcaster
It was finally curtains for Asia Television last night (April…

By Samantha Johnson / April 1, 2026

This article was first published on April 2, 2016.

by Eddie Lee

Staff, fans bid farewell to broadcaster

It was finally curtains for Asia Television last night (April 1, 2016) after a couple of near-shutdowns last month and one dramatic twist after another to the embattled station’s chequered final episode.

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Just before the stroke of midnight, the cash-strapped broadcaster pulled the plug after airing a re-run of one of its trademark Miss Asia beauty pageants. The only fresh programmes on air yesterday were the 6pm Chinese news and the late newscast at 10.30pm.

Whether ATV, deprived of its licence, can continue to operate in other forms remains unknown.

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At issue is whether ATV’s major creditor Wong Ching, who is winding up the company to recoup his losses after an incomplete deal to sell a controlling stake to mainland investor Si Rongbin, will withdraw his petition in the High Court.

In the final hours yesterday, Si’s China Culture Media was still refusing to call it quits, even though the self-proclaimed saviour of ATV could not pay two months’ wages owed to staff.

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