History
Phoenix Television originated as a joint venture between Star TV in Hong Kong, a private company in China, and China Central Television.[10]
The Phoenix Chinese Channel was launched on 31 March 1996, replacing Star Chinese Channel in Hong Kong and mainland China.[11] Broadcasts in Singapore began on 1 December 1996 via the Singapore Cable Vision network. In its early years, the Phoenix Chinese Channel also carried Mandarin-dubbed American series during primetime hours, including The X-Files and Baywatch.[12]
Phonenix CNE began broadcasting in Europe on 1 August 1999, and the Phoenix North America Chinese Channel launched for audiences across the Americas on 1 January 2001. In 2005, a California-based broadcast and engineering director for the network, Tai Wang Mak, was arrested for conspiring with his brother, Chi Mak, to act as an intelligence agent for China.[13] He was sentenced to ten years in prison in 2008.[14][15]
On 28 March 2011, Phoenix Television launched the Phoenix Hong Kong Channel, which broadcasts exclusively in Cantonese.[16]
On 31 March 2011, Phoenix InfoNews Channel was recognised with a Peabody Award for its "Report on a New Generation of Migrant Workers in China".[17]
In 2011, Phoenix New Media partnered with the BBC to distribute the broadcaster's programmes on its digital media platforms. In 2012, it entered into a similar agreement with the National Film Board of Canada, under which 130 animated shorts and documentary films were made available digitally in China.[18]
In October 2013, 21st Century Fox sold its 12.15% stake in Phoenix Television (held through Star) to TPG Capital for HK$1.66 billion (US$213 million).[19][20][21]
In February 2016, Phoenix Television broadcast forced confessions of kidnapped Hong Kong booksellers.[22][23][24]
In June 2020, the FCC ordered XEWW-AM, owned by Phoenix Television, to cease broadcasting in the United States.[25]
The Taiwanese government designated Phoenix Television as a Chinese government-funded company in April 2022 and required it to cease operations in Taiwan.[26]
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a Phoenix Television reporter was among the few foreign journalists to embed with the Russian military.[27]
