tvOne
An Indonesian free-to-air television network focused on news, current affairs, sports, and live events.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
tvOne is an Indonesian free-to-air television broadcaster specializing in news, current affairs, sports, and live-event programming. The network is based in East Jakarta and operates primarily for an Indonesian national audience. It was originally established as Lativi, one of several new terrestrial television networks licensed to broadcast nationally during Indonesia’s television-industry expansion in the early 2000s. Lativi made a test transmission on January 17, 2002, and formally launched on July 30, 2002. The original network was associated with Abdul Latief, a businessman known for the Pasaraya department-store group and for serving as Indonesia’s Minister of Labor. Lativi operated through the 2000s but later encountered financial difficulties and bankruptcy-related problems. In 2007, ownership was transferred to Aburizal Bakrie and Erick Thohir. The change brought the network into the business orbit of Visi Media Asia, a media company connected with the Bakrie Group. The broadcaster was relaunched as tvOne on February 14, 2008. The rebranding marked a strategic shift toward a more clearly defined news-and-sports identity rather than the broader general-entertainment positioning associated with its predecessor. tvOne’s schedule includes regular news bulletins, current-affairs coverage, political and public-interest discussions, sports programming, and live events. It also provides short news summaries at regular intervals, including a three-minute bulletin each hour according to descriptions of its programming. Sports and live-event coverage are particularly prominent during afternoon, evening, and weekend schedules. The network has gained visibility during major political moments in Indonesia, including legislative elections and presidential or vice-presidential election debates, when television news audiences and demand for live analysis increase. Its programming model combines continuous news updates with discussion and analysis, while retaining sports as an important part of the schedule. In February 2020, tvOne revised its station identification and on-air themes for its twelfth anniversary. The principal logo remained in use until a further anniversary-related update around the network’s fifteenth anniversary in 2023. These changes refreshed the channel’s visual presentation without altering its basic identity as a national Indonesian news broadcaster. One of the network’s notable controversies occurred in late 2006, while it was still operating as Lativi. Public criticism followed the death of a nine-year-old boy who was reported to have sustained fatal injuries while attempting to imitate staged wrestling moves associated with WWE Friday Night SmackDown!. In response to public pressure, the network removed that program and other WWE programming from its schedule. Authorities subsequently cautioned against assuming a direct causal connection between the broadcast and the child’s death; a Bandung police official said there was no reason to conclude that watching wrestling had caused the death. The episode nevertheless became an important example of the regulatory and reputational risks associated with televised combat entertainment. Today, tvOne’s brand is defined by Indonesian-language news coverage, current affairs, election-related programming, sports, and live broadcasting. Its corporate position reflects the ownership structure of Visi Media Asia and the broader Bakrie Group, while its consumer-facing identity remains that of a national television news network.
History
tvOne originated as Lativi during the expansion of Indonesia’s national terrestrial television sector. The network was among five new broadcasters to receive a nationwide broadcasting license during the 2000s. It was initially owned by Abdul Latief, the Pasaraya department-store owner and former Minister of Labor. Lativi conducted a test broadcast on January 17, 2002, and began regular operations on July 30, 2002. The network’s first phase was marked by the challenges faced by several newer Indonesian broadcasters competing for viewers, advertising, programming, and distribution. By 2007, Lativi had experienced severe financial problems and bankruptcy-related difficulties. Ownership was transferred that year to Aburizal Bakrie and Erick Thohir. Through the subsequent corporate structure, the broadcaster became associated with Visi Media Asia and the wider Bakrie Group. On February 14, 2008, Lativi was relaunched under the tvOne brand. The new identity emphasized television news and current affairs, while also retaining sports and live-event broadcasting as central components of the schedule. tvOne’s programming has included daily news bulletins, frequent short news updates, political and public-affairs coverage, sports programming, and live events. Its audience profile and public visibility have been especially important during legislative elections and presidential or vice-presidential debates, when the network can combine live coverage with discussion and analysis. Before the rebrand, Lativi was involved in a public controversy concerning WWE programming. In late 2006, a nine-year-old boy died from injuries reportedly sustained while attempting to imitate staged wrestling maneuvers associated with WWE Friday Night SmackDown!. Public criticism followed, and the network removed the show and other WWE programs. Authorities later played down the assumed connection between the broadcast and the death. A Bandung crime and detective-unit official stated that there was no reason to believe the child’s death was caused by watching wrestling. The incident nevertheless demonstrated the reputational and public-safety concerns that can arise when televised combat entertainment reaches young viewers. The tvOne brand continued to evolve visually after its launch. For the network’s twelfth anniversary on February 14, 2020, its station identification and thematic presentation were revised. The logo remained unchanged until a further update associated with the fifteenth anniversary in 2023. These refreshes were identity and presentation changes rather than a departure from the network’s news-centered strategy. tvOne remains an Indonesian free-to-air television network with a national operating focus. Its core service is the production and distribution of television news, current affairs, sports coverage, and live-event programming. The brand’s history therefore combines the transformation of a financially troubled general broadcaster into a more specialized news network with the continuing influence of its corporate owner, Visi Media Asia, within the Bakrie Group.
- 2023
Fifteenth-anniversary visual update
[1]The network updated its logo presentation around its fifteenth anniversary.
- 2020
Station identity refreshed
[1]tvOne revised its station identification and on-air themes for its twelfth anniversary.
- 2008
tvOne brand launches
[1]Lativi was relaunched as tvOne on February 14, establishing the network’s modern news-and-sports identity.
- 2007
Ownership transfers after financial difficulties
[1]Ownership moved to Aburizal Bakrie and Erick Thohir after Lativi encountered bankruptcy-related problems.
- 2002
Lativi conducts its first test broadcast
[1]The predecessor network carried out a test transmission on January 17, 2002.
- 2002
Lativi launches
[1]Lativi formally launched on July 30 as a nationwide Indonesian terrestrial television network.
Products and positioning
A national Indonesian free-to-air broadcaster positioned around news, current affairs, sports, and live events.
Television news
News bulletins
Regular Indonesian-language news bulletins form the foundation of tvOne’s schedule. The network also provides short news summaries at frequent intervals, including a three-minute update each hour as described in reference material. This format supports continuous headline coverage while allowing the channel to interrupt or complement longer current-affairs programs with concise updates.
News and public affairs
Current-affairs programming
tvOne produces and broadcasts discussion, analysis, and current-affairs programming focused on Indonesian public issues. Political coverage is particularly visible during elections and major national debates, when the network combines live reporting with interpretation and commentary.
Sports television
Sports broadcasting
Sports is a major programming category for tvOne. Sports broadcasts are scheduled alongside the network’s news output, with coverage described as especially prominent during afternoon, evening, and weekend periods. The specific rights portfolio may vary over time and is not specified in the supplied reference material.
Live television
Live-event coverage
The network carries live events as part of its broader news-and-sports proposition. Election coverage, legislative contests, and presidential or vice-presidential debates are important examples of events that can draw substantial attention to the channel.
Controversies
2006
WWE programming controversy
While operating as Lativi, the network faced public criticism after a nine-year-old boy died from injuries reportedly sustained while imitating staged wrestling moves associated with WWE Friday Night SmackDown!. Lativi withdrew the program and other WWE content. Authorities later stated that there was no reason to conclude that watching wrestling caused the death.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Fifteenth-anniversary brand update
Indonesia
The network introduced a further visual update around its fifteenth anniversary.
Outcome. The update ended the period in which the principal logo had remained unchanged since the earlier tvOne identity.
- 2020Twelfth-anniversary station identity refresh
Indonesia
tvOne revised its station identification and on-air themes for the network’s twelfth anniversary.
Outcome. The refreshed presentation updated the channel’s on-air identity while its logo remained unchanged at that stage.
Brand decisions
2008
Rebranding from Lativi to tvOneStrategyBackground
Following the 2007 ownership transfer, the broadcaster was repositioned under new ownership.
Action taken
Lativi was relaunched as tvOne on February 14, 2008.
Aftermath
The tvOne brand became associated with Indonesian news, current affairs, sports, and live-event broadcasting.
2007
Transfer of Lativi ownershipM&ABackground
Lativi faced financial difficulties and bankruptcy-related problems during the 2000s.
Action taken
Ownership of the network was transferred to Aburizal Bakrie and Erick Thohir.
Aftermath
The ownership change preceded the network’s relaunch under the tvOne name in 2008 and its stronger focus on news, current affairs, sports, and live events.
2006
Withdrawal of WWE programmingOtherBackground
Public criticism followed the death of a nine-year-old boy who reportedly attempted to imitate staged wrestling moves after watching WWE programming.
Action taken
Lativi removed WWE Friday Night SmackDown! and other WWE programs from its schedule.
Aftermath
Authorities downplayed a direct causal connection between the broadcast and the death, but the network’s programming decision followed the public controversy.
Recent events
TV One announces upcoming film The Neighbor[3]
Reported:
TV One announced its original film The Neighbor, reported that production had wrapped in Tennessee, and said it was slated to premiere in 2022.
TV One announces sponsors for URBAN ONE HONORS[4]
Reported:
TV One announced that Amazon, Ford Motor Company, McDonald's, PNC Bank, Toyota, and Verizon were partnering as sponsors of the URBAN ONE HONORS tribute special, scheduled to air May 16, 2021, on TV One and simulcast on CLEO TV.
TV One joins Philo’s streaming lineup[5]
Reported:
TV One and Philo formed a distribution agreement, under which TV One was added to Philo’s streaming lineup. The article says the deal was TV One’s first vMVPD distribution deal.
- Unconfirmed
Philo and TV One announce distribution agreement[6]
Philo and TV One announced a distribution agreement that adds TV One to Philo’s channel lineup; the deal is TV One’s first vMVPD distribution agreement.
Sources6 sources
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