China Entertainment Television
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Satellite television |
| Founded | December 1, 1994 |
| Founder | Robert Chua |
| Defunct | December 31, 2016 |
| Headquarters | Shenzhen (since 2003), previously Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong , China |
Area served | Greater China |
Key people | Robert Chua (creator) |
| Owner | TOM Group (majority), Turner Broadcasting (36%) |
China Entertainment Television (CETV) was a satellite TV channel broadcasting in Mandarin Chinese, targeting audiences across the Greater China area. The channel was co-owned by TOM Group, which held the majority stake, and Turner Broadcasting from the United States, possessing a 36% share. Initially headquartered in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, CETV shifted its base to Shenzhen, China in 2003.
Upon its inception, CETV implemented a strict "no sex, no violence, and no news" guideline. The channel’s creator, Robert Chua—recognized for his work on the adult video publication Le Club—sought to merge Walt Disney’s commercial ethos with traditional Asian values, aiming to provide programming distinct from Western content. Trial broadcasts commenced on 1 December 1994 with a schedule of 12 hours daily, evenly split between original productions and reruns; the channel expanded to full 24-hour transmission on 11 March 1995.
Facing financial difficulties amounting to HK$13 million in debt, the network entered liquidation proceedings on 8 July 1998. CETV ultimately discontinued its broadcast operations on 31 December 2016.