Phoenix Chinese News and Entertainment Channel
A London-based, 24-hour Chinese-language free-to-air television channel serving Chinese-speaking audiences across Europe and Africa.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Phoenix Chinese News and Entertainment Channel, also known as Phoenix Chinese News and Entertainment or Phoenix CNE Channel, is a Chinese-language television service operated within the Phoenix Television family. The channel originated in the United Kingdom in 1993 under the name Chinese News and Entertainment, commonly abbreviated as CNE. It was created to serve Chinese viewers in Europe and initially relied on programming supplied by Asia Television in Hong Kong and China Central Television on the mainland. Local production and advertising formed a smaller part of its early schedule. CNE began as a limited satellite service, broadcasting approximately two hours per day on Astra in its first year. Its schedule expanded to five hours daily in 1994, and a distribution agreement with Telewest followed in November 1995. These developments helped extend the channel beyond a small satellite audience and strengthened its availability to Chinese-speaking households in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe. Phoenix Television acquired CNE in August 1999 and took a 70 percent stake. The service was subsequently rebranded as Phoenix CNE and incorporated into Phoenix Television's international channel portfolio. During the same period, it moved toward a full-day service, beginning digital transmission through the Sky Digital platform in the United Kingdom and Ireland. A 24-hour schedule was introduced after the acquisition, and broadcasts via the Eutelsat-II-F4 satellite began on 1 December 1999. The channel's role is primarily that of a pan-European Chinese-language news and entertainment outlet. Its programming has included general news, coverage relevant to Chinese communities living in Europe, cultural material, and entertainment supplied through the broader Phoenix network and other content providers. By 2015, its European-oriented output was described as focusing mainly on general European news and news concerning the Chinese diaspora in Europe. The service also presents itself as a platform for cultural exchange and for closer economic relationships between China, Europe, and Africa. Phoenix CNE broadcasts across the continent through satellite distribution and is described as reaching 91 countries and regions in Europe and Africa. Reference material associated with the channel reports potential distribution to more than 56 million households and penetration of approximately 80 percent among European Chinese audiences. Those figures describe reported reach rather than independently verified audience ratings. The channel's strategic value within the Phoenix portfolio lies in its geographic focus: it adapts Chinese-language television to audiences in Europe and extends relevant coverage to parts of Africa, while connecting viewers with news, culture, and developments involving China and the overseas Chinese community.
History
The channel's history began in 1993, when Hong Kong businessman Tsui Tsin-tong established Chinese News and Entertainment in the United Kingdom. The service was designed for Chinese viewers in Europe and was commonly referred to by the initials CNE. Its initial content model combined programs supplied by Asia Television of Hong Kong and China Central Television with a limited quantity of material produced or sold locally, including advertising. At launch, CNE was a small satellite service carried on Astra and broadcast for about two hours each day. In 1994, it increased its daily output to five hours. A distribution agreement with Telewest was signed in November 1995, giving the channel an additional route into British television distribution and helping it develop beyond its initial satellite footprint. A decisive change came in August 1999, when Phoenix Television acquired CNE and took a 70 percent stake. The channel was renamed Phoenix CNE and became part of Phoenix Television's European operations. The acquisition was accompanied by a technical and scheduling expansion. Phoenix CNE began digital transmission through the Sky Digital platform in the United Kingdom and Ireland and adopted a 24-hour schedule. On 1 December 1999, it also began broadcasting through the Eutelsat-II-F4 satellite. Following its integration into Phoenix Television, Phoenix CNE developed as a pan-European Chinese-language channel rather than a narrowly British service. Its output has included general news affecting Europe, news relevant to Chinese communities living in Europe, entertainment, and cultural programming. The channel's stated purpose extends beyond television distribution: it aims to encourage cultural exchange and closer economic connections among China, Europe, and Africa. In that role, it provides a media platform through which Chinese enterprises and Chinese provinces can present trade and investment opportunities in European and African markets. By 2015, the channel's European programming was described as consisting primarily of general European news and reporting related to the Chinese diaspora in Europe. It has been distributed as a free-to-air service by satellite and is described as reaching 91 countries and regions in Europe and Africa. Reference material reports potential access to more than 56 million households and approximately 80 percent penetration among European Chinese audiences. These are reported distribution and penetration figures, not independently documented audience measurements. Phoenix CNE remains one of the channels associated with Phoenix Television. Its historical development reflects three stages: a small, schedule-limited satellite channel launched for European Chinese viewers; a progressively distributed service supported by agreements such as the Telewest arrangement; and a Phoenix-owned, digitally distributed, 24-hour international channel with a broader Europe-and-Africa remit.
- 1999
Acquisition by Phoenix Television
[1]Phoenix Television acquires a 70 percent stake in CNE and renames the service Phoenix CNE.
- 1999
Digital and 24-hour expansion
[1]Phoenix CNE begins digital transmission on Sky Digital in the United Kingdom and Ireland, adopts 24-hour broadcasting, and starts Eutelsat-II-F4 transmission on 1 December.
- 1995
Telewest distribution agreement
[1]CNE signs a distribution agreement with Telewest in November, strengthening its British distribution.
- 1994
Daily programming expands
[1]CNE increases its Astra satellite schedule from approximately two hours to five hours per day.
- 1993
CNE is established in the United Kingdom
[1]Tsui Tsin-tong establishes Chinese News and Entertainment to serve Chinese-speaking viewers in Europe. The service initially broadcasts a limited daily schedule via Astra.
Products and positioning
A pan-European Chinese-language television channel combining news, entertainment, and cultural programming for Chinese-speaking viewers in Europe and Africa, with an additional role in promoting China–Europe–Africa cultural and economic exchange.
Television channel · 1999
Phoenix CNE Channel
The core Phoenix CNE service is a 24-hour, Chinese-language, free-to-air television channel based in London. It uses satellite distribution to reach viewers across Europe and parts of Africa. Its programming mix includes European and international news, reporting relevant to Chinese communities overseas, entertainment, and cultural material. The channel is positioned as both a media service for Chinese-speaking audiences and a platform for cultural and economic exchange between China, Europe, and Africa.
Original television service · 1993
Chinese News and Entertainment (CNE)
The predecessor service launched in the United Kingdom in 1993 under the CNE name. It began with a short daily Astra satellite schedule, using programming from Asia Television and China Central Television and adding a limited amount of local programming and advertising. CNE later expanded its hours and distribution before Phoenix Television acquired it and rebranded it as Phoenix CNE.
Brand decisions
1999
Phoenix Television acquires CNEM&ABackground
CNE had been operating as a United Kingdom-based Chinese-language satellite channel serving viewers in Europe since 1993.
Action taken
Phoenix Television acquired a 70 percent stake in CNE in August 1999 and renamed the channel Phoenix CNE.
Aftermath
The channel became part of Phoenix Television's European portfolio, expanded to a 24-hour schedule, and moved into digital distribution through Sky Digital in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
1999
Transition to digital, 24-hour broadcasting, and additional satellite distributionGeneration changeBackground
The post-acquisition service was being integrated into Phoenix Television's international distribution network.
Action taken
Phoenix CNE began digital broadcasting on Sky Digital, adopted a 24-hour schedule, and commenced transmission through Eutelsat-II-F4 on 1 December 1999.
Aftermath
These changes expanded the channel's technical availability and established the full-day format associated with its later European service.
Sources2 sources
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