Phoenix Television

Phoenix Television is a Chinese-language television network established in 1996 as a joint venture involving Star TV, a private mainland Chinese investor, and China Central Television. It was created to serve audiences in Hong Kong, mainland China, and overseas Chinese-speaking communities, and has since developed into a multi-channel media group spanning television, news, documentaries, digital media, and international distribution. The network's first service, the Phoenix Chinese Channel, began broadcasting on 31 March 1996, replacing Star Chinese Channel in Hong Kong and mainland China. Its programming has included Mandarin and Cantonese news, current affairs, talk shows, documentaries, cultural programming, entertainment, and imported series. In its early years, the channel also carried Mandarin-dubbed American programmes during prime time, including The X-Files and Baywatch. Phoenix expanded internationally through Phoenix CNE in Europe from 1999 and the Phoenix North America Chinese Channel from 2001. It later added a dedicated Cantonese service, the Phoenix Hong Kong Channel, in 2011. Phoenix presents itself as a Hong Kong media organization, but its regulatory and ownership position is more complex. It operates in Hong Kong under a non-domestic television programme services licence, while a large proportion of its customers and non-current assets are located in mainland China. Its corporate registration is in the Cayman Islands, and its main operational centers are in Shenzhen and Tai Po. The Shenzhen office produces approximately half of the network's television output, with additional correspondent offices in Beijing and Shanghai. The network has generally occupied a position closer to Beijing than most Hong Kong broadcasters. Its founder, Liu Changle, previously worked for China National Radio and has held a senior position in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Media-monitoring organizations have characterized Phoenix as supportive of Beijing, although some observers have described its reporting as more open or varied than that of mainland state broadcasters. Former news executive Chung Pong testified that editorial programming was subject to guidance from central Chinese propaganda and foreign-affairs authorities. Phoenix's ownership has changed substantially since launch. Star TV and a private mainland company each initially held 45 percent, while CCTV held 10 percent. The stake associated with News Corporation and later 21st Century Fox was gradually reduced and was sold to TPG Capital in 2013. In 2021, Liu Changle sold most of his shares to Bauhinia Culture and Shun Tak Holdings, further increasing the influence of state-linked capital. The group has also pursued partnerships beyond conventional television. Phoenix New Media worked with the BBC to distribute programmes on digital platforms in 2011 and later entered an agreement with Canada's National Film Board to make animated shorts and documentaries available digitally in China. The network has received international recognition, including a Peabody Award for a report on a new generation of migrant workers in China. At the same time, it has faced political and regulatory controversy, including criticism over its coverage of the forced confessions of Hong Kong booksellers, the closure of a Phoenix-owned American radio operation by the United States Federal Communications Commission, and Taiwan's 2022 designation of the broadcaster as Chinese government-funded. Phoenix remains an active cross-border Chinese-language media brand, although its distribution and editorial operations are closely shaped by regulatory and geopolitical conditions.

Phoenix Television was formed in Hong Kong in the mid-1990s as a joint venture combining Star TV's distribution experience, private mainland Chinese capital, and participation by China Central Television. The original ownership arrangement gave Star TV and a private Chinese investor 45 percent each, with CCTV holding the remaining 10 percent. This structure allowed the network to operate with a commercially oriented Hong Kong identity while retaining close links to mainland institutions. The Phoenix Chinese Channel launched on 31 March 1996, replacing Star Chinese Channel in Hong Kong and mainland China. Its initial service mixed news, current affairs, entertainment, cultural content, and imported programming. The channel's Mandarin-language orientation gave it access to audiences beyond Hong Kong, while its Hong Kong base helped distinguish it from mainland broadcasters. Singapore distribution began later in 1996 through Singapore Cable Vision. International expansion followed. Phoenix CNE began serving Europe in 1999, and the Phoenix North America Chinese Channel launched in 2001. These services targeted overseas Chinese communities and extended Phoenix's role from a Hong Kong broadcaster into an international Chinese-language media network. In 2005, a Phoenix broadcast and engineering executive based in California, Tai Wang Mak, was arrested in a United States espionage-related case involving his brother. Tai Wang Mak was sentenced in 2008; the case became part of the broader scrutiny surrounding Phoenix's international operations and links to China. The network expanded its Hong Kong-language offering in 2011 with the launch of the Phoenix Hong Kong Channel, a service broadcasting exclusively in Cantonese. That same year, Phoenix InfoNews received a Peabody Award for its reporting on migrant workers in China. Phoenix also broadened its digital content strategy through a partnership with the BBC to distribute programmes online and through an agreement with the National Film Board of Canada covering animated shorts and documentaries for digital availability in China. Ownership evolved as the original Star-linked investment was reduced. News Corporation and subsequently 21st Century Fox gradually lowered their holding, culminating in the October 2013 sale of a 12.15 percent stake to TPG Capital. In February 2016, Phoenix broadcast forced confessions involving abducted Hong Kong booksellers. The broadcast drew substantial criticism and intensified debate over the network's editorial independence and relationship with Chinese authorities. Phoenix's regulatory position became increasingly contested outside China. In June 2020, the United States FCC ordered XEWW-AM, a Phoenix-owned radio station, to stop broadcasting in the United States. In April 2021, founder Liu Changle sold most of his shares to Bauhinia Culture and Shun Tak Holdings. Bauhinia Culture is wholly owned by the Chinese government, making the transaction important to the network's control and governance structure. In 2022, Taiwan designated Phoenix Television as a Chinese government-funded company and required it to cease operations there. Phoenix continues to operate television channels and related media services for audiences in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and overseas Chinese-speaking markets. Its Shenzhen and Hong Kong facilities remain central to production, with Shenzhen responsible for a substantial share of output. The brand's history is defined by the combination of commercial broadcasting, international Chinese-language distribution, Hong Kong institutional identity, and close relationships with mainland Chinese state and political organizations.

1. 2021State-linked ownership increases

   Liu Changle sold most of his shares to Bauhinia Culture and Shun Tak Holdings.

   Source
2. 2020United States radio authorization ends

   The FCC ordered Phoenix-owned XEWW-AM to cease broadcasting in the United States.

   Source
3. 2013TPG Capital acquires 21st Century Fox's stake

   TPG Capital purchased 21st Century Fox's remaining 12.15 percent interest in Phoenix Television for HK$1.66 billion.

   Source
4. 2011Phoenix Hong Kong Channel launches

   A Cantonese-language channel began broadcasting exclusively for Hong Kong-oriented audiences.

   Source
5. 2001North American Chinese channel launches

   Phoenix launched a dedicated North American Chinese-language service.

   Source
6. 1999Phoenix CNE launches in Europe

   The network began European broadcasting through Phoenix CNE.

   Source
7. 1996Phoenix Chinese Channel launches

   The flagship Phoenix Chinese Channel began broadcasting on 31 March, replacing Star Chinese Channel in Hong Kong and mainland China.

   Source
8. 1996Singapore distribution begins

   Phoenix programming became available in Singapore through Singapore Cable Vision.

   Source

A cross-border Chinese-language television and media network positioned between Hong Kong commercial broadcasting and mainland Chinese state-linked media, with a strong focus on news, current affairs, cultural programming, and overseas Chinese audiences.

• Phoenix Chinese ChannelMandarin television channel1996

  Phoenix Television's original flagship service, launched in 1996 for Mandarin-speaking audiences in Hong Kong, mainland China, and overseas markets. Its schedule has combined news, current affairs, interviews, cultural programming, entertainment, documentaries, and selected imported content. The channel established the brand's distinctive cross-border role between Hong Kong commercial media and mainland Chinese audiences.

• Phoenix InfoNews ChannelNews channel

  A news and current-affairs service focused on Chinese and international reporting. The channel received a Peabody Award in 2011 for a report on a new generation of migrant workers in China, contributing to Phoenix's international profile as a news broadcaster.

• Phoenix Hong Kong ChannelCantonese television channel2011

  A Cantonese-language channel launched in 2011 and designed to serve Hong Kong-oriented audiences. It broadened Phoenix's language and market coverage beyond the predominantly Mandarin profile of the original Phoenix Chinese Channel.

• Phoenix CNEEuropean television service1999

  Phoenix's European international service, which began broadcasting in 1999. It extended the network's Chinese-language news, cultural, and entertainment programming to Chinese-speaking audiences in Europe.

• Phoenix North America Chinese ChannelNorth American television service2001

  A Chinese-language service launched for audiences across North America. It formed part of Phoenix's early international expansion and was intended to reach overseas Chinese communities.

• 2012National Film Board of Canada digital content agreement

  Mainland China

  Phoenix entered an agreement with the National Film Board of Canada to make 130 animated shorts and documentary films available digitally in China.

  Outcome. Added international animation and documentary programming to Phoenix's digital distribution offering.

  Source
• 2011BBC digital distribution partnership

  Mainland China · International digital audiences

  Phoenix New Media partnered with the BBC to distribute BBC programmes through its digital media platforms.

  Outcome. Expanded Phoenix's digital content catalogue through an international public-service broadcaster partnership.

  Source

• 2021Transfer of Liu Changle's majority personal holdingsM&A

  Phoenix Television's founder and long-serving controlling shareholder restructured his holdings after the earlier withdrawal of the Fox-linked shareholder.

  What changed. Liu Changle sold most of his shares to Bauhinia Culture and Shun Tak Holdings.

  Aftermath. State-linked ownership became more prominent, with Bauhinia Culture becoming the largest shareholder.

  Source
• 2013Sale of 21st Century Fox's remaining stakeM&A

  The Star-linked ownership interest inherited by News Corporation and later held by 21st Century Fox had been reduced over time.

  What changed. 21st Century Fox sold its remaining 12.15 percent stake to TPG Capital.

  Aftermath. The transaction ended the principal strategic ownership position held by the Fox/Star group.

  Transaction value. HK$1.66 billion (October 2013)

  Source

• 2016Broadcast of forced confessions involving Hong Kong booksellersControversy

  Phoenix Television broadcast forced confessions involving kidnapped Hong Kong booksellers. The episode prompted criticism from press-freedom advocates and intensified concerns about political influence over the network's editorial output.

  Source
• 2005Arrest of Phoenix broadcast executive in United States espionage caseControversy

  Tai Wang Mak, a California-based broadcast and engineering director associated with Phoenix, was arrested in a case involving an alleged conspiracy to act as an intelligence agent for China. He was sentenced to ten years in prison in 2008.

  Source

• 2022Taiwan designates Phoenix Television as Chinese government-funded media

  Taiwan classified Phoenix Television as a Chinese government-funded company and required it to end operations in Taiwan.

  Regulation
  Source
• 2021Liu Changle transfers most of his Phoenix Television shares

  Liu Changle sold most of his shares to Bauhinia Culture and Shun Tak Holdings, strengthening state-linked ownership.

  M&ALeadership change
  Source
• 2020FCC orders Phoenix-owned XEWW-AM to stop broadcasting in the United States

  The United States Federal Communications Commission ordered XEWW-AM, owned by Phoenix Television, to cease broadcasting.

  Regulation
  Source
• 201321st Century Fox sells its remaining Phoenix Television stake

  21st Century Fox sold its 12.15 percent interest, held through Star, to TPG Capital.

  M&A
  Source
• 2011Phoenix Television launches its Cantonese Hong Kong channel

  The Phoenix Hong Kong Channel began broadcasting exclusively in Cantonese.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2011Phoenix InfoNews receives a Peabody Award

  The channel was recognized for its report on a new generation of migrant workers in China.

  Other
  Source

1. Phoenix Television