10 Facts About Okto, the Channel That’s Leaving Our TV Screen from 1 May 2019

Have you not heard the news?

If not, here’s what you should know before crying and reading this: Okto, the channel that took the place of the beloved Kids Central (and the less sought after Arts Central) in 2008 is going to disappear from our screens in a few months’ time.

It will be integrated into Channel 5, to form what Mediacorp calls a “definitive English-language channel for families in Singapore”.

No doubt this sparked a wave of snide comments and laments – are they really integrating for “definitive channel”, or are kids nowadays watching “Baby Sharks” on YouTube instead of TV?

Since there is enough negativity out there, let’s take the time to appreciate Okto and give it a more exuberant farewell with these 10 facts.

First thing First: What is Okto?

In case you aren’t already familiar with the channel in question, Okto features kid-centric series and cartoons from 9:00 a.m. on weekdays or 7:00 a.m. on weekends, while covering sports content and major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and ASEAN School Games 2017.

So yes, it’s not just a kids’ channel. It’s also our only legit and free gateway to sports, other than the PE lessons you’ve had in school.

Okto Actually Has a Vision

The dual focus of kids shows and sports is inline with the vision for Okto to be “the #1 channel for kids to fulfil their maximum potential and the #1 channel to rally Singaporeans to lead active lifestyles through sports”.

Though you’ve got to wonder…

Okto is the Most Popular Kids’ Channel

According to Mediacorp, Okto is the favoured channel for children in Singapore, with an average weekly reach surpassing the cumulative reach of other kid centric cable channels like Disney channel or Nickelodeon.

But once again…

Back Then, Okto Replacing Kids Central Wasn’t the Only Change 

Here’s some background information:

The original channel, Central, comprised Kids Central, Vasantham Central and Arts Central. As mentioned, Okto was the merger of Kids Central and Arts Central into a single channel. Moreover, Vasantham Central became the independent channel, Vasantham.

Of course, the removal of Kids Central took up most of our attention. Till this day, the news released made many weep afresh over Okto’s 11-year-dead predecessor instead of Okto itself.

Okto’s Content Will Not See Major Change

That’s what they say, anyway.

Word has been given that there will not be any drop in the quality or quantity of children’s programmes after the shift to Channel 5. The sports component of Okto will be carried across Mediacorp’s platforms, and we can continue to anticipate coverage of major sporting events, and selected finals of national school games, with priority given to any event where Team Singapore is involved.

But let’s face it: did you watch the World Cup Final on Okto or Toggle? #justsaying

Okto Had Some Great Cartoons

For all you older kids, Okto’s current TV guide may be rather unfamiliar. Here’s a reminder of some of what used to air, which we watched because we refused to pay for cable:

SpongeBob SquarePants – the enimatic bunch of mutated marine life forms that live on the seabed under Bikini Atoll

Phineas and Ferb – the stepbrothers who occupy themselves with bizarre and epic projects while their sister, Candace, is driven to insanity

Teen titans – the team of 5 young superheroes that features Robin and Raven the humans, Cyborg the half human, Beast boy who is sometimes human, and Starfire, who is not.

It Also Had Popular Reality TV Shows

Recognise this logo?

Not quite? Well never mind, here’s a fun fact: the Groom My Room (which features kids’ rooms being transformed into better kids’ rooms) series and format was sold to Vietnam’s HTV3, and it’s now called Dream Rooms.

Kind of remind you of some streaming service’s show that featured a certain Japanese who sparks joy, no?

It Has Several Animes as Well

These usually played fairly late and they were great, except the wonderful dubbing may never leave you.

Yu-Gi-Oh– something about trading cards

Hellsing– something about vampires

And of course, one which is about monsters. Pocket Monsters, to specific.

Okto Hasn’t Been Doing Too Well

When Mediacorp shared the good (and rather shocking, to be honest) news that its free-to-air (FTA) channels saw an increase in viewership in 2016, Okto was the only exception to the fact.

Surprised? Maybe you shouldn’t be.

With the overall increase in viewership, as well as the fact that 85.5% of local tuned in to FTA television as compared to 83.1% using the Internet each week, Mediacorp’s assessment that most Singaporeans prefer to consume news and entertainment through free-to-air (FTA) TV is reasonable.

However, when we focus on the demographic that watches Okto, it is probable that the converse is true. Children born in this century frequent the web for their recreation, abandoning the huge screen in the living room for their tiny phones and tablets.

I mean, ask any kids if they’ve heard “Baby Sharks” and chances are they’re going to start singing without any prompting.

However…

This Won’t Be the Last You See of Okto

Okto will remain online on Toggle, Mediacorp’s digital entertainment service.

Now, doesn’t that make perfect sense?

It’s OK TO change.

It’s OK TO say goodbye.

It’s OK TO to merge channels because there isn’t enough viewership and it’s OK TO save money in the process.

And I’m sure it’s OK TO go fully online.

After all, a Mediacorp’s newspaper has gone fully online and it’s performing well with several exclusive news, no?