Phoenix Television

Phoenix Television originated as a joint venture between Star TV in Hong Kong, a private company in China, and China Central Television.^[12]

The Phoenix Chinese Channel was launched on 31 March 1996, replacing Star Chinese Channel in Hong Kong and mainland China.^[13] 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.^[14]

Phoenix CNE began broadcasting in Europe, while the Phoenix North America Chinese Channel launched for audiences across the Americas. 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.^[15] He was sentenced to ten years in prison in 2008.^[16][17]

On 28 March 2011, Phoenix Television launched the Phoenix Hong Kong Channel, which broadcasts exclusively in Cantonese.^[18]

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".^[19]

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.^[20]

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).^[21][22][23]

In February 2016, Phoenix Television broadcast forced confessions of kidnapped Hong Kong booksellers.^[24][25][9]

In June 2020, the FCC ordered XEWW-AM, owned by Phoenix Television, to cease broadcasting in the United States.^[26]

The Taiwanese government designated Phoenix Television as a Chinese government-funded company in April 2022 and required it to cease operations in Taiwan.^[27]

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a Phoenix Television reporter was among the few foreign journalists to embed with the Russian military.^[28]

At its launch, Star TV and a private company in China each held 45% of Phoenix Television, while state broadcaster China Central Television owned the remaining 10%.^[12]

The shares held by the original News Corporation (and later 21st Century Fox) through Star were gradually reduced over the years. In October 2013, 21st Century Fox sold its remaining stake to TPG Capital.^{[29][21][22][23]}

According to the company's 2018^{[needs update]} annual report, its ownership structure was as follows:^[1]

In April 2021, Liu Changle sold most of his shares to the state-owned publisher Bauhinia Culture and Shun Tak Holdings.^[30][31]

Liu Changle (劉長樂), founder and CEO of Phoenix Television, previously worked as a journalist for the Chinese Communist Party-controlled China National Radio following the Cultural Revolution. By the 1990s, he had become one of China's wealthiest individuals and maintained strong connections to the Beijing leadership.^[2][3]

Shuang Liu (刘爽) was appointed chief operating officer (COO) of Phoenix Television on 17 February 2014. He also serves as CEO of Phoenix New Media Ltd (NYSE: FENG), a Chinese digital media company.^[32]

Chung Pong, a former director of Phoenix Television news, testified under oath that the network's programming was "subject to the dictates of the leadership of the Central Communist Propaganda Department, Central Communist Overseas Propaganda Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."^[33]

• List of programs broadcast by Phoenix Television