# CCTV-1 General

> television channel in China

**Wikidata**: [Q1023065](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1023065)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCTV-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cctv-1-general

## Summary
CCTV-1 General is a flagship television channel in China, operated by China Central Television and owned by China Media Group. Established in 1958, it serves as the primary comprehensive channel within the CCTV network, broadcasting via terrestrial frequencies and satellite. The channel is known by various aliases, including "CCTV General Channel" and "央视一套," and is available in high-definition and standard-definition formats across major Chinese cities.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: The channel began with a beta version on May 1, 1958, and was officially established on September 2, 1958.
- **Operator**: Operated by China Central Television.
- **Owner**: Owned by China Media Group.
- **Country**: People's Republic of China.
- **Network**: Part of the CCTV channel network.
- **Official Name**: 中国中央电视台综合频道 (China Central Television Comprehensive Channel) since May 1, 2003.
- **Headquarters**: Located at the China Media Group Headquarters.
- **Channel Numbers**:
  - **Digital Terrestrial (HD)**: DS-33 in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.
  - **Digital Terrestrial (SD)**: DS-32 in Beijing and Fuzhou; DS-23 in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
  - **Digital Terrestrial (General)**: DS-23 in Shanghai.
  - **Satellite**: (SD) 1 on ChinaSat 9.
  - **Analog (Historical)**: DS-2 in Beijing; DS-31 in Shenzhen; DS-35 in Zaozhuang.
- **Website**: http://tv.cctv.com/cctv1/
- **Streaming**: Available live at https://tv.cctv.com/live/cctv1/
- **Social Media**: Weibo user ID is cctv1dianshiju.
- **Classification**: Instance of a television channel, which is a subclass of channel and mass media.
- **Followed By**: CCTV-2 Finance.
- **Identifiers**: Freebase ID (/m/09jtw3).
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Article titled "CCTV-1" exists in 30 languages including ar, bg, ca, ceb, de, en, eo, es, et, fi, fr, gl, he, hu, hy, id, it, ja, ko, ms, nl, pam, pt, ru, th, tr, vec, wuu, zh, and zh_yue.

## FAQs
**When was CCTV-1 General launched?**
CCTV-1 General launched with a beta version on May 1, 1958, and was officially established on September 2, 1958.

**Who operates and owns CCTV-1 General?**
The channel is operated by China Central Television and is owned by China Media Group, with its headquarters situated at the China Media Group Headquarters.

**What are the different channel numbers for CCTV-1 General?**
Depending on the location and technology, the channel number varies: it is DS-33 for HD digital terrestrial in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong; DS-32 for SD digital terrestrial in Beijing and Fuzhou; DS-23 in Shanghai; and (SD) 1 on ChinaSat 9 satellite.

**What were the previous names of CCTV-1 General?**
The channel has held several official names throughout its history, including Beijing电视台 (1958–1978), 中央电视台 (1978–1987), and 中国中央电视台新闻·综合频道 (1995–2003).

**Where can CCTV-1 General be watched online?**
The channel can be streamed live via its official streaming URL at https://tv.cctv.com/live/cctv1/ and maintains a website at http://tv.cctv.com/cctv1/.

## Why It Matters
CCTV-1 General holds significant importance as the primary state television channel in the People's Republic of China, reflecting the country's media evolution since its inception in the late 1950s. As the flagship service of the China Central Television network, it functions as a primary vehicle for mass communication, disseminating information to a vast population across the nation. Its transition from analog signals to high-definition digital terrestrial television in major metropolitan areas like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen illustrates the modernization of China's broadcasting infrastructure. The channel's ownership by China Media Group places it at the center of the country's state-run media apparatus, playing a crucial role in cultural and political messaging.

## Notable For
- **Historical Longevity**: Operating since 1958, making it one of the longest-standing television channels in China.
- **Name Evolution**: Undergone five distinct official name changes, mirroring organizational shifts within China's broadcasting history.
- **Multi-Format Broadcasting**: Simultaneously broadcasts in high-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) across various digital terrestrial frequencies.
- **Broad Accessibility**: Available via multiple transmission methods including terrestrial, satellite (ChinaSat 9), and online streaming.
- **International Recognition**: Wikipedia coverage spans 30 different languages, indicating global awareness of the entity.

## Body

### History and Inception
CCTV-1 General traces its origins back to the founding of the People's Republic of China's television broadcasting era. The channel first launched as a beta version on May 1, 1958, under the official name "北京电视台" (Beijing Television Station). It was formally established as a legal entity on September 2, 1958. This inception period coincided with the early development of television infrastructure in China. The channel served as the predecessor to the broader China Central Television network.

### Ownership and Operation
The channel is operated by China Central Television (CCTV), a dominant state television broadcaster in China. It is owned by China Media Group, also known as CMG, which serves as the parent organization overseeing the country's major media outlets. The operational headquarters for the channel is located at the China Media Group Headquarters. As part of the CCTV channel network, CCTV-1 General is positioned as the primary or "General" service, followed in the network sequence by CCTV-2 Finance.

### Naming Conventions and Identity
Throughout its history, CCTV-1 General has undergone several official name changes that reflect its evolving scope and organizational structure:
- **1958–1978**: "北京电视台" (Beijing Television Station)
- **1978–1987**: "中央电视台" (China Central Television)
- **1987–1995**: "中国中央电视台第一套节目" (China Central Television First Program)
- **1995–2003**: "中国中央电视台新闻·综合频道" (China Central Television News and Comprehensive Channel)
- **2003–Present**: "中国中央电视台综合频道" (China Central Television Comprehensive Channel)

The channel is also known by numerous aliases, including CCTV General Channel, CCTV-1, CCTV 1, CCTV1, and "央视一套" (Central TV Set 1). International aliases include "中国中央電視台総合チャンネル" (Japanese) and "中国中央テレビ総合チャンネル" (Japanese).

### Broadcasting and Technical Specifications
CCTV-1 General is classified as a television channel, distinct from a television station or network, functioning as a specific frequency or virtual number for content distribution. The channel utilizes various transmission standards to reach audiences across different regions.

**Digital Terrestrial Television:**
- **High-Definition (HD)**: Broadcasts on DS-33 in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.
- **Standard-Definition (SD)**: Broadcasts on DS-32 in Beijing and Fuzhou; DS-23 in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
- **General Digital**: Broadcasts on DS-23 in Shanghai.

**Satellite:**
- Available on ChinaSat 9 as channel (SD) 1.

**Analog Terrestrial (Historical):**
- Prior to the digital transition, the channel was available on DS-2 in Beijing, DS-31 in Shenzhen, and DS-35 in Zaozhuang. These analog services were terminated by August 31, 2020.

### Online Presence and Digital Media
CCTV-1 General maintains a significant digital footprint to cater to modern viewing habits. The channel operates an official website at http://tv.cctv.com/cctv1/. Additionally, it provides a live streaming service accessible via the URL https://tv.cctv.com/live/cctv1/. The channel also engages with audiences on social media platforms, specifically through Weibo, where its user ID is cctv1dianshiju.

### Geographic and Classification Context
As a television channel in the People's Republic of China, CCTV-1 General operates within the context of the country's vast media landscape. The People's Republic of China, established in 1949, is the world's most populous country and the second-largest economy by nominal GDP. CCTV-1 General serves as a key component of the nation's mass media infrastructure, which falls under the broader industry classification of IAB Code 1001 (Television channels). The channel's presence is documented globally, with Wikipedia articles available in 30 languages, and it is linked to various knowledge bases such as Freebase (ID: /m/09jtw3) and Quora.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora