Taipei
TV & Internet in Taipei
As the capital, Taipei City is also the media centre for the country. It is the headquarters for many television stations, radio stations, and some of the country's largest newspapers. The media in Taiwan is considered to be one of the freest and most competitive in Asia.
Newspaper
- China Post
A Pan-Blue leaning news media in Taiwan. - Taipei Times
A Pan-Green leaning news media in Taiwan. - Taiwan News Online
Neutral news media in Taiwan
Magazines
- Highway 11 Magazine - A free east coast travel & lifestyle magazine in Hualien County - bilingual
- Xpat - a magazine dedicated to promoting Arts and Culture in Taiwan - English
- Lifestyle - info on Taiwan relating to what's on and current trends - bilingual
- Taiphoon - a magazine dedicated to promoting peace and environmental awareness in Taiwan - bilingual
- Journey East - a travel & lifestyle magazine for northern Taiwan - bilingual
TV
Television stations centred in Taipei include the CTS Education and Culture, CTS Recreation, CTV MyLife, CTV News Channel, Chung T'ien Television, Dimo TV, Eastern Television, Era Television, FTV News, Follow Me TV, Formosa TV, Gala Television, Public Television Service, SET Metro, SET News, SET Taiwan, Sanlih E-Television, Shuang Xing, TTV Family, TTV Finance, TTV World, TVBS, TVBS-G, TVBS-NEWS, Taiwan Broadcasting System, Videoland Television Network and Taiwan Television.
The majority of programming is in Mandarin Chinese. there are also programs available in Taiwanese and Japanese, with a few programs offered in English and Korean. Almost all programs are in the original language with traditional Chinese subtitles.
Star Chinese Channel is the Mandarin-language family entertainment channel produced specially for Taiwanese audiences. It ranks as one of the country's most popular cable channels.
Miniseries, called Taiwanese drama, are also popular. There is a station for Taiwan's Hakka minority, and a aboriginal channel.
- Taiwan Television (TTV): TTV Family, TTV Finance, TTV Health, TTV World
- China Television (CTV): CTV News Channel, CTV MyLife
- Chinese Television System (CTS): CTS Education and Culture, CTS Recreation, CTS News Channel
- Formosa TV (FTV): FTV News, Follow Me TV
- Public Television Service (PTS): Dimo TV, HiHD
Satellite TV
Satellite is not widely available.
Cable TV
Cable TV is popular with about 80% of the population using services. There are cheap subscription rates (typically around NT$550-700 per month). The cable television system comprises around one hundred different channels, ranging from news, sport, variety, game, music, children's, foreign, movie and documentary channels.
Digital TV
The Republic of China government was responsible for a push to include digital television services. There are plans to replace analogue broadcasting with a digital system by 2013. To assist lower-income families with the switch to digital television, the government plans to provide NT$300 million in aid to purchase converters or for the purchase of new digital televisions.
Internet
Taiwan's people are the leaders in internet use in Asia, rivalled only by Korea. About 70.1% of the population regularly uses the internet. This is rapid growth from 2000 when about 28.1% of the population was on.
Taiwanese websites have a .tw code.
Providers
Almost all new apartments in Taiwan come hardwired with broadband. Internet access should cost NT$700-up /month.
A 1 year contract usually results in lower rates. Check company websites for attractive deals. You will need a passport with an Alien Resident Card to get hooked up through your own account. You may also need a Taiwanese guarantor. Many rented apartments/housing keep utilities listed in the owners name, and renters are only responsible for the bills. For most companies, foreigners may fax application or apply in person, then they can bill your credit card in the future.
ADSL or cable internet, can be combined with TV service. Providers:
- Giga - www.gigigaga.com Toll Free: 0800-017-357 ext.9.
- Hinet - http://hineteng.hinet.net/; most popular; TEL: (02) 2361-5123, Toll Free 0800-080-412.
- Foreigners need to go to any branch of Chung Hwa Telecom (parent company of Hinet) in person. Hinet is able to bill you by mail (or charge your credit card for the service.)
- Seednet - www.seed.net.tw; Toll call: 4050-9000 ext.7
- For English Service So-Net - www.so-net.net.tw; cheapest; TEL (02) 2655-3255, 2655-3556
Internet Cafe
Internet cafes are plentiful and can be found on any street corner. They are also inexpensive and usually only charge NT$ 15-20. A majority of local users are actually at cafes for gaming. Cafes are usually found on the first or second floor of a building. Some machines may be coin operated. For free internet access go to the library.
Wifi
In big cities, it is easy to wifi spots at cafes, hotels, etc. There are about 4,100 hot spot. There is also a wireless internet accessing net covering all of Taipei City. before 2006 the service was free, but it is now necessary to purchase credit. Credit can be purchased at most convenient stores in Taipei.
For a directory of wifi, here is a helpful listing.
Update 10/12/2010
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