History – From PTS to TBS

PTS Act

Public Television Act (click to read full)
Promulgated by Presidential Order
Hua Tsung (1) I No. 8600139050 on June 18, 1997
Revised Articles 2 and 24 promulgated by Presidential Order
Hua Tsung (1) I No. 9000203930 on October 1, 2001
Amended on December 30, 2009

1980

Premier Yun-suan Sun calls for the establishment of a public broadcasting service.

1983

The Government Information Office drafts an outline for a Center for Producing Public TV Programs.

1984

The Public TV Program Production and Broadcasting Committee is established under the Government Information Office. Time slots are requisitioned from three terrestrial TV stations to broadcast programs.

1986

Program production is given to the Public TV Program Production and Broadcasting Team under the Chinese Public Television Broadcasting Development Foundation.

1991

The Public Television Preparatory Committee is established after the Executive Yuan approves guidelines for installation. Seven specialists and scholars are enlisted to formulate draft legislation for the Public Television Act.

1993

The Public Television Act is submitted to the Legislative Yuan for approval.

1996

Activists from the cultural community form the Public Media Lobbying Alliance.

1997

May 31st
The Public Television Act passes its third reading in the Legislative Yuan.

1998

The Nomination and Review Committee of the Legislative Yuan approves 18 nominees for the 1st Board of Directors and Board of Supervisors of the Public Television Service Foundation. In its first meeting, the Board of Directors elects Feng-shan Wu as chair.

1998

July 1st
The Public Television Service Foundation is established and launches broadcasting services.

2003

December 9th
The Legislative Yuan passes amendments to the Broadcasting and Television Act, Cable Television Act, and Satellite Broadcasting Act. These amended laws prohibit the government, political parties, party affair personnel, appointed government officials, and elected public officials from investing in the broadcasting and television industries. In addition, government and political parties must withdraw their investments within two years after implementation of these three laws. Based on the government’s initial plan, Chinese Television System (CTS) becomes publicly and privately owned.

2006

January 3rd
The Legislative Yuan passes the Statute Regarding the Disposition of Government Shareholdings in the Terrestrial Television Industry, ushering in a new era of media free of political parties, government, and military.

January 16th
Liming Foundation donates CTS shares to the PTS Foundation.

March 31st
The special CTS shareholders meeting elects the new CTS board of directors and supervisors. The board is composed of 11 PTS directors and supervisors, six experts recommended by PTS, and six representatives from private shareholders. The first meeting of the new board of directors and supervisors is convened, and PTS chairman, Dr. Louis Chen is elected CTS chairman without remuneration. During the meeting, the appointments of Yuan Li as CTS president, Wu-sung Kao as vice president, and other executives are also approved. CTS becomes a public entity in due process. The establishment of the Taiwan Broadcasting System (TBS), composed of PTS and CTS, is set into motion.

July 1st
Chinese Television goes public, and the Taiwan Broadcasting System is formed.

2007

January 1st
Hakka Television, Taiwan Indigenous Television and Taiwan Macroview Television merge to form the Taiwan Broadcasting System.

2009

September 16th
The Government Information Office transacts purchase of non-government-owned Chinese Television System (CTS) shareholdings under the Act on the Disposition of Government Shareholdings in the Terrestrial Television Industry. With a price audited by a commission of the Executive Yuan, CTS completes the purchase from non-government shareholders.

September 28th
Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation is established, equipped with media autonomy to plan and popularize Taiwan Indigenous Television.

2014

January 1st, New Year’s Day
Taiwan Indigenous Television (TITV) breaks away from the Taiwan Broadcasting System (TBS) and is now run by the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation.

2017

December 31st
Due to the drastic change in ways of program broadcasting, the service of Taiwan Macroview TV, a satellite television funded by the Overseas Community Affairs Council and operated by the PTS since 2000, is officially terminated.

2019

July 6th
On December 25, 2018, the Development of National Languages Act is passed by the Legislative Yuan. In accordance with this law, PTS establishes the “Taiwanese-language Channel” on July 6, 2019.