Background

Prior to 1930 – no formal b/casting of any kind.

Radio transmitters were scattered across Peninsular

Stations operating in towns

1921 – A.L. Birch ( Post and Telegraph Dept) from the Johore Government brought the first radio set into the country.

Established Johore Wireless Association, Penang and then the Malayan Wireless Association (MWA) in KL

End of 1926 - the MWA finalized recommendation to the government of Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements for regulations of Radio as a new medium

1929 - The KL Amateur Wireless Society started experimental work and officially opened its regular broadcast service at 6.30 with tea dance Music from the Selangor Club.

¸ Radio organized by local residents rather than colonial authorities. Asian music and entertainment included in evening transmission

1930 - Sir Earl from Singapore Port Authority commenced its short wave broadcast

Malayan Wireless Corp broadcast from Bukit Petaling KL via 325 meter

1937 - Sir Shenton Thomas –opened the Studio of Broadcasting Corp of Malaya and its transmitter at Cadlecott Singapore

Programs - from Netherlands East Indies - Batavia Radio Society provide 2 hr program each day

Who are the listeners ?
Straits settlements, the federated and unfederated States of Malaya, Brunei, Sarawak and North Borneo.

ß Signals could be received from elsewhere – radio of Saigon and Manila, BBC became favorite

Japanese occupation

Following the Japanese invasion and the end of British rule in Singapore, radio channels were used as propaganda.

Broadcast consists of news and short music show in Malay Tamil Hokkien and Cantonese.

1939 – Formation of Directorate of propaganda

1942 – a small station was opened in Kuala Lumpur just before the Japanese occupation. The Japanese add 3 low-power stations in Penang,Malacca and S’ban.

Post war Malayan b/casting

1943 – The British came back in power and reclaimed the stations

1st April 1946 - Malaya reverted to British

- the Dept of B/casting was established in Singapore
- Radio Malaya was created using former equipment and administered from Singapore.

Emergency

Emergency – radio services developed.

1948 - the first great stimulus to broadcasting development – the outbreak of the Communist terrorism- which forced rapid radio expansion continuing through Independence ( 1957) and formation of Malaysia ( 1963)

1960 - Commercial advertisement first aired

1965 - Confrontation with Indonesia

January 1962 - commercial Radio B/casting was introduced

Independence (1957)

1960’s - formation of political parties / framework for governance of the new nation

1956 - studio moved to Federal house

b/casting in Malaysia grew
stations were established throughout the
country including Sabah and Sarawak

1963 - Suara Malaysia developed to offset Indonesia

propaganda in the nation
September 1963- Introduction to “Inilah Radio o Malaysia”

December 1963 - TV services were introduced from its studio Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman Jalan Ampang

Broadcast operation then moved to Angkasapuri Complex and began its telecast.

1969 - Radio and TV were merged / integrated into the Dept of B/casting under the Ministry of Information. A second TV station was set up.

1973 - Wisma Radio ( home of radio Malaysia)

First channel – Rangkaian Satu

National Radio Channel – offers round the clock services

Sabah and Sarawak – listeners tune in to their respective native languages via BLUE CHANNEL RTM Kota Kinabalu

Blue Channel, Green Channel, Red Channel

At policy level- b/casting is a major tool in developing national unity

At operating level – broadcasting in the West Malaysia : 4 languages

The importance of radio and TV in M’sia became apparent. Guidelines for Broadcasters:

1. to explain in depth and with wildest possible coverage government policies and programs to ensure maximum public understanding


2. to stimulate public interest and opinion to achieve its deserved changes


3. to assist in promoting civic consciousness and fostering the development of Malaysian art s and culture


4. to provide suitable elements of popular education general info and entertainment


5. to promise national unity – BM in a multiracial society towards the propagation of a Malaysian culture and identity.

Radio facilities:

Transmitting in short wave, medium wave and FM provides 6 services ( 5 domestic and one external service).

Transmitting and production centers – in 10 cities

Reception of foreign external service – those from Singapore

Besides govt b/casting, there are other much smaller and foreign-owned stations:

1972 : Reddifusion
Royal Australian Air force
Far East station of BBC

TV facilities

625 line monochrome system

Program telecast through channels

Channel 1
Channel 2 : vehicle for Malaysia’s ETV service

1976 – color TV

2 main external possibilities are available for TV Malaysia domestic productions:

1. spillover from Singapore
2. involves the earth satellite station in Kuantan opened in 1970 which linked M’sia with Indian Ocean satellite

Developments

1st March 1994 - early transmission ( 6 o’clock). Programming - introduced Selamat Pagi Malaysia. Dec 1996 - TV2 : launching of Moving on two

Early transmission enable news and updates to be aired frequently.

RTM News Centre 0 fully computerized with up-to-date editing and post production

1995 - Intro to RTM Website and enables listeners to tune to TV and Radio stations via the Internet. The Internet enhance the function of Radio and TV in disseminating information globally.

Governance

Radio and TV owned by the government

Chief exec of RTM is the DG of broadcasting and reporting to the Min of Information

Role of telecommunication Department

Licensing of Radio transmitters

Financing

Finance by license fee payments

Annual fee

Advertising is permitted

Sponsored programs

Programming and production

Made up of various languages

Programs ( music, news , current affairs)

Local program and imported

April 1st 1996 marked RTM 50th anniversary

1998 – historical year for RTM – Commonwealth games

1. The IBC became the center of broadcasting


2. excellence for this event.

TV3

IT was incorporated in 1983. Transmitted on April 22, 1984. Launched June 1, 1984, TV3 continues to be Malaysia’s premier channel, carving a niche in providing top quality news and entertainment programs. Despite competition from rival channels and cable TV. TV3 remains the pacesetter in the local broadcast industry. From the humble beginnings at Jalan Bangsar Kuala Lumpur, the station has grown in stature and currently occupies a sprawling complex at Bandar Utama, Petaling Selangor as its operations center.

In recent years the station has expanded and diversified not only in other sectors but also beyond the shores of Malaysia. TV3 is the proud owner of the first private station in Ghana - TV3 Network Ltd began transmission in Accra in 1997. TV3 philosophy "FIRST IN NEWS, BEST IN ENTERTAINMENT".

Sri Pentas or "The Stage" is TV3 Operation Center. It was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad on 22nd October 1996. Sri Pentas houses three main studios catering for both news and current affairs production. The master control room (MCR) and Conti are also located here. Apart from Sri Pentas, the premises at Jalan Liku in Bangsar is still being occupied by some of the production arms.

l Current Chief Executive Officer : Dato’ Ahmad Farid Ridzuan

8TV

A revolution. 8TV previously known as Metrovision (Channel 8) was launched on January 12th, 2004. You don't just watch it. You BELONG to it! And it's not one but two networks. 8tv provides an interactive platform for TWO distinct audiences: English urban (15-35 years old) and mass Chinese audiences. January 12th, 2004

The people in 8tv are from the target audiences average age is 27 years

Made up of specialized non-conforming talents at the top of various creative fields influenced and revolutionized Malaysians through TV, music, visuals, animation, newspapers, advertising… and are ready for more!

Chief Operating Officer : Ahmad Izham Omar

NTV7

Natseven TV Sdn Bhd or better known as ntv7 was launched nationwide on 7 April 1998. It is Malaysia's newest private, digital, free-to-air, terrestrial television station and its mission is to promote a happier and more enlightened Malaysia.

Believing strongly in the provision of wholesome entertainment, good family and community values, good corporate citizenship, and the promotion of national integration, the Station works on an appointment-based programming concept reflecting its philosophy of being "your amazing feel good channel".

As such, ntv7 is different from others in the Malaysian broadcasting industry in that it falls into the category of being a media brand rather than a television station. Programs are treated as products under relevant Brands - more commonly referred to as programming belts, and are managed by a team of Brand Managers.

The appointment-based concept is also new to the Malaysian broadcasting industry, where factors, such as who watches what and when, define when a program is slotted in the TV schedule.

The Station, which broadcasts on the UHF frequency band offers a combination of Malay, English, Chinese and Indian programs, produced locally as well as some from overseas.

With something in store for every member of the family and every race, ntv7's program line-up includes dramas, situational comedies (sitcoms), entertainment programs, game-shows, children programs and movies. In addition, there is also the Station's news bulletins in Malay, English and Mandarin, which aims to be independent and relevant at all times.

After being in operation since 1998, ntv7 is proud of its achievement in building a strong following amongst Malaysian television audiences. So much so that the public's perception is that the Station has been around for much longer than this.

The advertising industry has also paid attention to the entry of ntv7 into the highly competitive world of broadcasting. AC Nielsen notes that advertising expenditure on ntv7 increased many folds, where it has now secured 34% of the advertising expenditure on television.

NTV7 broadcasts from two centers located in Shah Alam, Selangor and Kuching, Sarawak. Broadcast signals go through a network of 10 transmitters dotted around the country. Daily transmission begins at 6 am until past midnight.

ASTRO

Network Systems Sdn Bhd (MBNS), is the operator of ASTRO, a Malaysia-based multimedia group with established DTH satellite pay TV, radio broadcasting and magazine publishing operations. MBNS has formed joint ventures in other countries to launch new broadcasting, multimedia and Internet services. The group has strategic alliances with leading software developers and content producers to jointly develop both technology and content to provide satellite-delivered, broadband, IP enhanced multimedia and interactive services over multiple platforms across the Asia Pacific region.

The ASTRO Direct-to-U (DtU) service is subscription-based and presently offers over 40 television channels and 16 radio channels inclusive of 5 FM radio in digital format. The DtU service includes a range of interactive applications such as ASTRO Stocklink, TV SMS and IPPV. There are plans to introduce a range of interactive applications, such as distance learning, home-shopping, home-banking and more download capabilities.

ASTRO is the largest multi-channel TV platform outside Japan in Asia. The company plans to forge ahead to the next million by investing in its service, particularly in increasing the relevance of its programming and services to its vernacular audience.

ASTRO's DtU service is delivered via the high-powered Ku-band spot beams of the MEASAT (Malaysia East Asia Satellite) System which are over Malaysia and other countries in the South and East Asia region, including India, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore and Brunei.

The MEASAT System also has a high-powered C-band footprint which covers a large part of East Asia stretching from coastal China to Indonesia and from Myanmar to the Philippines. MEASAT Broadcast has invested RM800 million in the development of the All Asia Broadcast Centre (ABC) which is reputedly the largest single digital broadcast and production complex in the world.

The ABC is established as a regional broadcasting hub and will be able to send and receive broadcast signals to and from the region.

The MEASAT system, together with its broadcasting frequencies approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the ABC, will enable MEASAT Broadcast to participate in broadcasting opportunities in the countries within the MEASAT footprint.

ß MEASAT Broadcast is a consortium company whose shareholding and capital structure has been approved by the Foreign Investment Committee. The shareholders include Khazanah Nasional Berhad, an investment holding company of the Malaysian Government, Bumiputra trusts and Usaha Tegas Entertainment Systems Sdn Bhd, a company ultimately owned by trusts associated with the family of Mr T. Ananda Krishnan.

MiTV

MGM Networks, a unit of MetroGoldwyn-Mayer Inc, will launch the MGM Channel in Malaysia

The channel will be seen on the country’s pay television MiTV.

MGM Networks, which produces and distributes the MGM Channel in the region through strategic alliance with CNBC Asia Pacific, has launched the channel in Taiwan.

In Taiwan, the channel can be viewed via Taiwan Broadband Communications.

MGM Channel was recently launched in Spain and a Russian-language version of MGM Channel will soon be launched for subscribers in Russia. MetroGoldwyn-Mayer owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising about 4,000 titles.

Tan Sri Vincent Tan's MiTV Corporation announced it will launch 50 channels of 'interactive pay-TV' that will include videos and games on demand, instant messaging and e-mail.

The MiTV move pits it against Malaysia's current sole provider of pay-TV operated by satellite TV firm Astro All Asia Networks Plc, owned by Tan Sri Ananda.

Unlike the satellite technology used by Astro, MiTV uses a 'homegrown' wireless technology .

MiTV uses what it calls Internet protocol over ultra-high frequency (UHF) for broadcast.

Simply put, the wireless technology delivers the programme right to your TV set via a normal UHF antenna. Access is controlled by a MiTV code for each subscriber.

FineTV

The new 18-channel TV, owned by Network Guidance Sdn Bhd -- a subsidiary of production house Eurofine (M) Sdn Bhd, is third after the country's first pay-TV operator, Astro, and the already announced second operator, MiTV.

ß 24/7 Media BPS, the global leader in multi-platform interactive marketing will provide a single point Video On Demand (VOD) solution in Malaysia to deliver targeted broadband content to consumers on Network Guidance's Fine TV, which provides video games, DVD movies, e-mail, and Internet access services.

As the prime contractor, 24/7 Media's BPS will provide Network Guidance Fine TV with the total end-to-end VOD solutions centering on e.merge, 24/7 Media's flagship software product for broadband digital media management and subscriber management.

e.merge, the next generation web-enabled back office applications suite, will allow Network Guidance to effectively track and manage VOD subscribers in real time and facilitate centralized management and location of digital media assets as well as distribution to various subscriber locations throughout Malaysia.

As a division of Eurofine, a producer of programming, Network Guidance will be responsible for providing the necessary VOD services and network solutions for Eurofine's video content to major cities in Malaysia.

Radio Networks

RTM (Nasional FM, Muzik FM, KL FM, Traxx FM, Ai FM, Minnal FM, Asyik FM, Klasik FM)

ASTRO has 7 terrestrial FM radio stations (Light and Easy, Mix FM, Hitz FM, Sinar, Era, Xfresh, MyFM) and 10 music channels

IKIM.fm

Best 104 FM

Thr

Rfm

Cats Radio

WA FM

988 FM