Oct.8.11 SETTV acquires MTV Taiwan, GTV idol Calvin Chen forced to "2-time" with GTV's rival

October 8, 2011
SETTV (Sanlih) acquires MTV Taiwan, GTV idol Calvin Chen forced to "two-time" with GTV's rival

Source: http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2011/new/oct/8/today-show21.htm
Translated by Nastyhobbit@AF



[Rough Translations]

In the past few days, MTV Taiwan has changed hands. After being purchased by SETTV, at the end of December, MTV's original staff will be part of SETTV's. The recent acquisition is believed to be so that SETTV sheds off its "local flavor" and becomes connected to an international brand. As well, MTV "first brother" Calvin Chen is himself a product of the GTV idol drama set. And his new boss is GTV's arch-enemy SETTV. Splitting loyalties will be very difficult.

Bought for 100 million TWD

MTV is an international brand, every capital around the world broadcasts MTV, and holds Video Music Awards and MTV Awards every year. Even though MTV was Taiwan's first music channel, over the years MTV Taiwan has had financial difficulties, especially since its rival Channel V has put its energy into home-made variety programs. And with the success of the Kpop invasion, even though MTV tries hard to catch up, its impact in Taiwan is relatively weak.

Reports indicate that MTV Taiwan went on sale for 60-70 million TWD, which is relatively cheap. So SETTV did not spend more than 100 million TWD to acquire MTV, and views the acquisition as a bargain. SETTV has a news channel, a society channel and a Taiwanese channel. Its drama series and variety entertainment programming are dazzling, but are always believed to have a deep "local flavor", so buying an international brand like MTV can give them that international connection.

MTV first brother not affected

MTV Taiwan's program "RHYYF" host Calvin Chen is not affected yet, but he has been a GTV idol drama actor for a long time, where his career was bright, but now he has suddenly become a host at the rival channel SETTV, and from MTV first brother he unexpectedly became "two-timing" first brother.

As far as MTV's acquisition is concerned, SETTV has been rather low-key. And only responded, "What happens at the top level is not our concern."