Phoenix Movies Channel is one of the six channels that Phoenix Television operates. It was launched on August 28, 1998, and replaced Star Chinese Movies in Hong Kong and mainland China. It serves as an encrypted pay-television service. Currently, the encrypted signal is beamed via AsiaSat 3S across China, Vietnam (Via HTVC) and South Korea (Via SBS). At first, it was broadcast via cable in Hong Kong, and via satellite to Taiwan, and other regions worldwide. However, due to stiff competition from other Chinese movie channels, the channel was withdrawn from those regions.
To preserve the originality of the movies, all films are aired in their original language and are occasionally shown with Chinese subtitles (China) and Korean subtitles (South Korea).
Over 280 movie titles are shown each month, of which 80% are Asian productions from libraries including Golden Harvest, Golden Princess and Media Asia featuring renowned directors such as Wong Kar-wai and Tsui Hark, and star actors such as Jackie Chan, Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung, Maggie Chow, Andy Lau, Stephen Chow, and Leon Lai. The remaining 20% of the programming comprises Hollywood and international blockbusters.