The Star: 29th. October 2004

MGM Channel to debut in Malaysia via MiTV

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

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.

“We are pleased to add the key markets of Taiwan and Malaysia to the channels’ current reach in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Macau and Thailand,” MGM Networks executive vice-president Bruce Tuchman said in a statement.

He said the channel received overwhelming response from distributors across China and South-East Asia.

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.

ANyone still remember when Astro used to carry MGM? :D

That is like so so long ago ;)

Yuppz... I think dat time Mega TV still exists... :D

MiTV will be the first first pay TV in the world to use Internet Protocol over UHF technology... and it's a home grown technology!!

Source: The Edge Daily

MiTV set-top box to offer more interactive features (Updated)
By Tong Yee Siong

MITV Corporation Sdn Bhd says its set-top box, an Internet Protocol (IP)-enabled unit connected to TV antennas for programme reception, would offer more interactive features.

“It is basically a PC in a box. It is smarter than the incumbent decoder,” its deputy chairman and chief executive officer Datuk Rosman Ridzwan said.

However, the MiTV receiver unit is likely to be priced higher than the decoder deployed by Astro All-Asia Networks Plc. But the company believes that this will not make Malaysia’s second pay television, which is ready to launch its services next month, less attractive to viewers, said Rosman after MiTV signed an agreement in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 5 with Bank Pembangunan dan Infrastruktur Malaysia Bhd for a RM30 million loan.

The loan is made up of a RM25 million six-year term loan facility and another RM5 million under convertible redeemable secured loan stocks.

He said MiTV was considering allowing the purchase of the set-top box on a deferred payment basis, adding that the price was expected to trend downward gradually.

“Compared to the first batch of boxes that we ordered from Korea for testing purposes, the second batch is about US$50 (RM190) cheaper for each box,” he said.

MiTV had said it would need only 13% of Astro’s subscriber base of 1.4 million to break even.

It is targeting 100,000 subscribers within a year after its launch in December. This is expected to grow by 150% to 250,000 in 2006 and 40% to 350,000 in 2007.

Since its soft launch in the Klang Valley last month, MiTV has given hundreds of set-top boxes to selected households and company employees as part of its plan to test its transmission and reception technology.

MiTV is 40% owned by tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun, who is the company chairman. Rosman and his management team hold another 40% stake. The remaining shares are held by private investors.

MiTV chief operating officer Jonathan Chan said the monthly subscription fee would be more competitive than Astro in terms of cost per channel.

He said MiTV was ready to launch its services in the Klang Valley next month as it had signed up with enough content providers to roll out its targeted 50 channels.

He said MiTV would expand its services to cover the northern and southern regions in the first half of 2005. This will be followed by the east coast in the second half before Sabah and Sarawak receive the programme in the first half of 2006.

On the RM30 million loan facility, he said the money would be for capital expenditure and infrastructure cost, mainly the construction of some 30 small transmitters and full-scale transmission towers.

Chan said MiTV would have dedicated channels for local content, which would be sourced from local productions houses.

Source: The Edge Daily

[Since its soft launch in the Klang Valley last month, MiTV has given hundreds of set-top boxes to selected households and company employees as part of its plan to test its transmission and reception technology.


Already had its soft launch :? Didn't know at all. Why still cannot get the channel then :?

Already had its soft launch :? Didn't know at all. Why still cannot get the channel then :?


This is a pay-TV service lah....where can get free tranmission wan? Only selected household and employees get it lar! :bash:

And since this is a pay-TV service it consist of a lot of channels; just like ASTRO ;)

This is a pay-TV service lah....where can get free tranmission wan? Only selected household and employees get it lar! :bash:

And since this is a pay-TV service it consist of a lot of channels; just like ASTRO ;)

Ye lah...no news pun about the soft launch. I need to know more information about it. I want to subscribe mah :D

I think after raya only they launch to the public...

Ye lah...no news pun about the soft launch. I need to know more information about it. I want to subscribe mah :D


hmmm.....the soft launch is just for test-run lah.....I dun think it is open to consumers yet ;)

wow, my house currently already have two remote controls, one for local n another for astro, and if someone (definitely not me) subcribes this, then they'll have 3..plus the highfive set remote control, the air-con, the video..

a new technology should introduce to solve this wheres-the-other-remote-control problem...

There's already remote management hardware wat... like Philips Pronto or Onkyo Chad... with this gadget it will be all-in-one touch-screen remote!

wow, my house currently already have two remote controls, one for local n another for astro, and if someone (definitely not me) subcribes this, then they'll have 3..plus the highfive set remote control, the air-con, the video..




My living room has got these remote controls so far:

1) TV
2) DVD + Amp
3) ASTRO
4) ceiling fan
5) Air-cond

Before this worst.......cos I've decided to moved my other equipment elsewhere.

The previous line-up was:

1) TV
2) ASTRO
3) VCR
4) LD player
5) DVD player
6) ceiling fan
7) Amp
8) Air-Cond

:D :D :D

There's already remote management hardware wat... like Philips Pronto or Onkyo Chad... with this gadget it will be all-in-one touch-screen remote!


well.....the touch-screen punya equipment kinda expensive lah. A better sugggestion would be to get some of the learning remotes like those from Sony and Marantz.

The Sony one is about RM80 and the Marantz punya is RM800+ hehehe.......I am not up-to-date bout the prices or if there's any other new models but these are the ones I knew ;)

Hmmm... dat day I saw non-branded learning remote controls at Pasar Road... very cheap indeed!!! They even have all sorts of remote control replacements... the Astro ones are even cheaper there... price ranges from RM5 to RM70...

Al Jazeera plans to make KL its Asian hub

KUALA LUMPUR: Arab satellite TV network Al Jazeera plans to spend up to US$30mil (RM114mil) to launch an English-language news channel by the end of 2005, a spokesman for the network said yesterday.

The Qatar-based broadcaster will hire more than 300 people and operate out of three regional centres, including Kuala Lumpur as its Asian hub, Jihad Ballout said by telephone from Doha.

“We plan to spend US$25mil (RM95mil) to US$30mil initially,” Ballout said. “We hope to go on the air in November next year.”

The network has said that the new channel, to be called Al Jazeera International, will try to counteract “unbalanced reporting” from Western networks such as CNN and BBC.

“We believe there's a market for it out there,” Ballout said. “We hope to be a channel of choice about the developing world and the Middle East.”

Ballout said Kuala Lumpur was chosen over Hong Kong and Singapore as the Asian hub mainly due to economic factors.

“It was a very close decision, everything was taken into consideration –manpower costs, location and communication facilities,” he said.

The network will also house regional hubs in London and Washington besides its headquarters in Doha.

The channel plans to distinguish itself from other English-language channels by emphasising news stories from the developing world.

The network is funded by the Qatar government. – Reuters

it's good to have two different sides that have different point of views....

Channel 9 to end transmission pending re-launch


KUALA LUMPUR: Private television station Channel 9 has been sold to a new owner and will cease transmission from Jan 31 pending a re-launch.

Sources said the deal, said to be worth RM25mil, has been finalised and is expected to be announced early next week.

The deal also included the sale of THR.fm, the radio station owned by Ch9 Media Sdn Bhd.

Channel 9 had been put up for sale for some time after the station failed to take off in an already crowded TV market.

It is the country's third private free-to-air television station.

The sources said the major problem plaguing the station was its inability to extend its transmission beyond the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, thus limiting its advertising support.

Channel 9 went on the air on Sept 9, 2003, targeting the younger age group as well as the Mandarin-speaking market.

But soon after its launch, TV3, the pioneer private television station, came out with a sister television station, 8TV, which also eyed the same niche audience.

“This, and the lack of transmission reach, put Channel 9 in the back of the queue. Channel 9 lost its audience as the ratings continue to drop,” sources familiar with the deal said.

It is believed that Channel 9 was put up for sale at the initial price of RM50mil but there were no takers.

To break the impasse, THR.fm, a popular radio station formerly known as Time Highway Radio, was thrown in as a sweetener that finally clinched the deal. – Bernama

Channel 9 to go off the air from Feb 1


SHAH ALAM: After 16 months, Malaysia’s third private television network Channel 9 will temporarily go off the air from Feb 1 for restructuring operations.

The revamp, which is expected to take a year, will pave the way for a relaunch in February 2006 with new investors.

In a statement issued by Channel 9’s Corporate Communications Department, the station said it was currently undergoing a “systematic and comprehensive corporate and debt restructuring scheme”.

This, it added, was aimed at drawing the interest of new investors.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Media Prima group was close to acquiring the TV station and its sister radio station THR.fm for close to RM50mil.

Media Prima will most likely hold a controlling stake in Channel 9. The group currently owns a 100% stake in Sistem Television Malaysia Berhad (TV3) and 43% of The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.

It also has an effective interest of 80% of Metropolitan TV Sdn Bhd, which owns the country’s latest private television network, 8TV.

However, according to the report, TV3’s chief executive officer Datuk Farid Ridzuan said a deal had not been finalised yet.

wow!! media prima sound very rich:eek:

MiTV to be launched in second quarter of this year


KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Malaysia’s much-awaited second pay television station, MiTV, is expected to be launched in the second quarter of this year.

MiTV Corporation Sdn Bhd’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Rosman Ridzwan, said the delay was due to some fine tuning that would have to be done to their systems.

“We also have a lot of government rules and regulations to follow and that is the reason the launch has been delayed,” he told reporters after signing a partnership agreement with MTV Networks Asia to launch four new 24-hour music entertainment channels.

Channel 9 licence put on hold


KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has given Channel 9 management the approval to put on hold its licence and take a year off without transmission while restructuring the company, Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik said here yesterday.

“They will ask for permission once they’re ready (to rebroadcast),” he said when asked if there was the possibility of other media companies buying it over. Lim was speaking to reporters after the launch of ZTE (M) Corporation Sdn Bhd.

Channel 9 owner Tan Sri Rashid Manaf was reported to have denied on Monday that the private TV station was being sold to a renowned media group, calling it “purely speculation”.

According to a statement issued by Channel 9’s corporate communications department earlier this month, the television station would cease operations on Feb 1 to facilitate the credit and corporate restructuring of the company before its relaunch by February next year. – Bernama

licence put on hold just to restructure the company? any further story?

licence put on hold just to restructure the company? any further story?


Have to......if your company is like darn messy...how to function properly. And then there is also the issue of who is financing the company to keep it running ;)

MiTV grabs MGM channel


KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s second pay-television operator, MiTV Corporation Sdn Bhd, has signed an agreement which will see the MGM channel become part of its channel line-up for future subscribers.

The MGM Channel carries shows like Stargate SG-1, She Spies and The Outer Limits. The channel also has more than 4,000 film titles in its library.

The agreement was signed between MiTV and MGM Networks, which owns the MGM channel at the DiGi IMAX Theatre in Berjaya Times Square yesterday.

In the past few weeks, MiTV has signed up several other channels for its line-up, and is expected to continue doing this for a few more months.

MiTV’s other channels so far include MTV India, MTV Indonesia, MTV Mandarin, VH1, Channel News Asia as well as three South Korean and three Chinese channels. MiTV is scheduled to begin broadcasting in the second quarter of this year.

MiTV adds interactive services to its 50-plus channels

MALAYSIA’S second pay television MiTV Corp Sdn Bhd will include a bunch of interactive services on its basic subscription that already offers 50-plus channels.

Deputy chairman and chief executive officer Datuk Rosman Ridzwan said the services included e-mail, instant messaging and account management.

The services will tag along with another service called “Affordable Transaction,” which includes video-on-demand, music-on-demand, games-on-demand and e-learning-on-demand.

“So far, we have signed agreements with 40-plus content providers (channels),” Rosman told reporters after signing a partnership agreement with MGM Channel Asia, a unit of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc (MGM) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Rosman signed on behalf of MiTV while MGM was represented by its Channel Asia marketing and communications director Omar A. Gepiga.

MGM is a global entertainment content provider that develops, produces and distributes theatrical mo-

tion pictures, television programmes, home videos, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise.

The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films with about 4,000 titles.

The MGM Channel is produced and distributed in the region by MGM Networks through a strategic partnership with CNBC Asia Pacific.

MiTV is expected to be launched in the second quarter this year. – Bernama

Rebranding Of RTM Radio Stations In April
February 26, 2005 14:14 PM




KOTA KINABALU, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Radio and Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will complete the rebranding of its 32 radio stations soon following the successful "makeover" of its two TV stations.

Information Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said the rebranded radio stations were expected to be launched on April 1 to mark RTM's 59th anniversary.

The rebranding exercise was to ensure RTM's TV and radio stations continue to attract viewers and listeners, he told reporters after opening the annual management meeting of the Broadcasting Department here Saturday.

Besides the rebranding details, the three-day meeting which began Friday would discuss digitalisation, content strategy, programming for TV, radio and news broadcast until the year 2010 and human resource needs.

Abdul Kadir said RTM TV and radio stations must change in order to compete in the broadcasting industry.

"Unless RTM keeps pace with the intense competition in the industry, it may lose viewers and listeners, and this will weaken the dissemination of government policies to the people," he said.

He said the rebranding of TV1 and TV2 last year succeeded in increasing their share of the television audience.

Market research company AC Nielsen's figures showed viewers of TV1 rose four per cent to 13 per cent of the total television audience while the rating of TV2 went up one per cent to 22 per cent.

Responding to appeals from Sabah for RTM to carry programmes in the Kadazandusun language, Abdul Kadir said the matter was being considered as it was RTM's policy to include more cultural elements of Sabah and Sarawak in its programmes.

-- BERNAMA

RTM To Promote Products Of Smart Communities
February 26, 2005 23:28 PM




KOTA KINABALU, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- RTM will promote products produced by the Smart Community in its state news bulletins every week, Deputy Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin said Saturday night.

In view of this, he called on small-scale industry entrepreneurs to take part in the Smart Community programme so that their products, whether in the agriculture or tourism sector, could be promoted over RTM.

Other than helping businesses, the Smart Community programme could also unify the people through holding joint activities, he said when opening the Smart Community Convention here.

He said the success of Smart Community activities depended on the role played by information officers in the districts to monitor such activities.

State Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail said the state had 62 Smart Communities and Labuan nine.

-- BERNAMA

24-hour broadcast plan for RTM1 put on hold



KANGAR: The Information Ministry has deferred plans for RTM1 to broadcast 24 hours daily due to budget constraints and low demand from viewers in the country.

Deputy Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai said the plans had been put on hold until a suitable period in the future.

“It is costly to broadcast 24 hours daily. Furthermore, there is no demand from viewers as there are already private stations and Astro beaming programmes round-the-clock,” he said after opening the Perlis Chinese Assembly Hall’s Lunar New Year gathering here.

Lim said RTM1's viewing time was now 20 hours daily and 16 hours for RTM2. The viewing hours were adequate to relay the Government’s objectives through “infotainment”.

He said RTM was now focusing on improving its visual and voice quality and would embark on the RM1.5bil digital broadcasting pilot project.

He said RM70mil would be spent to digitalise existing transmission services in the Klang Valley under the project’s first phase this year.

The entire country would be able to enjoy digital broadcasts within 15 years, with better visual and voice quality besides receiving interactive services.

Lim said private stations such as TV3, NTV7 and 8TV would be invited to participate in the digital broadcasting services.

Earlier, Lim announced that the number of viewers for RTM2’s 30-minute Mandarin news programme grew from 200,000 last year to the current 600,000, following the change in its time slot from 6pm to 8pm daily.

There are plans to upgrade the news programme by improving its backdrop and news presentation quality.

Among those present at the gathering were state MCA Wanita head Oui Ah Lan, assembly hall president Lee Yew Koon and state Chinese chamber of commerce president Ch’ng Ban Pai.

Is TV3 now 24hrs? :?

M'sia-S'pore May Co-Produce TV Dramas
March 08, 2005 19:57 PM





SINGAPORE, March 8 (Bernama)-- Malaysia and Singapore are expected to co-produce dramas which will bring together artistes from both neighbours in the efforts to establish closer relationships.

Information Minister Datuk Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said the possibility of striking a deal to co-produce dramas between the Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and MediaCorp Singapore had been discussed when he met the Singaporean Information, Communications and Arts Minister Dr Lee Boon Yang, here Tuesday.

The programme may involve the co-production of drama series or "docu-dramas" which will pool the resources of the directors, script writers and artistes from both countries.

"I believe it will be easy to co-produce because the two multi-racial countries share things in common," he told Bernama after the meeting with Dr Lee.

He said the language to be used in the programmes had not been ascertained, but he did not foresee any problem because it could be dubbed or supported with sub-titles.

Abdul Kadir said Malaysia and Singapore also agreed to revive the musical programme "Rampai Sari" which had been held alternately annually between the Orkestra RTM and the Singapore Orchestra Symphony.

The programme, which had been stopped several years ago, will be renamed 'Muzika Extravaganza Singapura-Malaysia' and is expected to be launched in Singapore on April 2 and telecast directly to both countries.

He said that the bilateral tie between the two countries was better now and there were many exchange of visits between the ministers and trade missions.

"It should always be that way as we are neighbours and have good business ties and family relationships," he said during his one-day visit.

He also touched on the bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Republic's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong in Kuala Lumpur a few days ago, saying that it had been positive.

"Let's hope all discussions are treated with confidence until an agreement is reached. Otherwise, there will be a lot of views, which can impede the progress," he said.

-- BERNAMA

More Viewers Now For National Geographic Channel On Astro
March 08, 2005 22:16 PM





KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 (Bernama) -- National Geographic Channel International (NGCI) today said that viewers for its channel on the subscription based television operator, Astro, were growing annually.

Currently there is about 1.4 million subscribers for the channel, said its vice president, marketing National Geographic Channel Asia (NGCA), Pauline Goh.

However, she did not give details on the viewership figure for last year.

NGCA rolled out a new on-air look and brand campaign themed "Think again" beginning February 27.

"Our brand campaign with the new slogan is to make viewers rethink the way they look at the world with new way and perspective, whether in science, investigation, people and culture," she said at a media briefing, here Tuesday.

"We are evolving National Geographic brand, not only to reach out to loyal viewers, but to also reach new younger viewers. Our aim is actually appeal to them and we hope to grow the audiences, along with Astro," she said.

Up-coming programmes in the channel are expected to include a feature on the Petronas Twin Tower, the Borneo jungle and the Malaysian forest.

"We are positioning ourselves as the authoritarian documentaries channel, whether about wildlife, science, investigation, mystery, history, people and cultural," she said, adding that NGCA would present itself as both an entertaining and informative channel.

-- BERNAMA

Always love National Geographic...:D

Astro to tap Indon market via Lippo Group tie-up



Astro All Asia Networks Plc may agree as early as this week to expand its reach in Indonesia, according to a company source.

The source said that Astro, controlled by tycoon Ananda Krishnan, might tie up with the Lippo Group to tap the Indonesian market, which was about 11 times bigger than Malaysia’s.

“It’s probably this week and it could be the Lippo Group,” the source told Reuters. A venture with the Lippo Group would be the second under the group of companies controlled by Ananda.

In January, top mobile phone firm Maxis Communications Bhd said it would buy a 51% stake in a small cellular operator, in which Lippo Group was the only other shareholder.

Astro has said it is keen to expand in the region, particularly in Indonesia, China and the Indian subcontinent.

Last year, it launched its Chinese movie channel in China and entered into a joint venture in India to make and distribute programmes.

Speculation of a joint venture in Indonesia gathered pace when CIMB Securities told its clients in January that Astro was close to securing a deal with an Indonesian pay-TV operator.

Analyst Kelvin Goh raised his investment recommendation on Astro to a “trading buy” from “market perform”, due in part to the possibility of an Indonesian venture.

“We believe the capex in Indonesia should be fairly low. Astro does not need to build a broadcasting facility as it already has one in Malaysia,” Goh said in a report dated Jan 5. – Reuters

MiTV targets 100,000 subscribers in 1st year



MALAYSIA's second pay TV operator, MiTV Corp, expects to sign up 100,000 subscribers for the first year following its targeted launch in May, said chairman Datuk Rosman Ridzuan.

“We are confident of achieving the targeted number of subscribers because our focus is on community programmes in multilingual languages that will give our audience a wide variety of choices,” he said at the signing of an agreement with CTi Asia for the purchase of a few programmes in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Taiwan's CTi Asia channel caters to Mandarin-speaking viewers.

The channel operates a 24-hour programme with 16 hours of live news content daily. It also provides coverage on social, economic, lifestyle issues, dramas and infotainment and concerts, as well as offers unbiased news coverage.

MiTV plans to have 15 Chinese channels, mainly from Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan, in addition to its locally made Mandarin and Cantonese programmes. It will have 11 Malay and 10 Tamil programmes.

“We will definitely seek more partnerships overseas and also focus on producing our in-house programmes,” Rosman said.

The company's competitive edge lies in its interactive services on content of demand, email, instant messaging and account management.







http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/3/9/business/b_pg06rosman.jpg

(From left): MiTV Corporation CEO Ho Meng, MiTV Corporation chairman Datuk Rosman Ridzwan, CTi Television president Jack Wang and CTi Corporation CEO David Chen








MiTV also plans to launch its PCTV that allows viewers to watch programmes on computers and laptop TV channels to provide flexibility and easy accessibility.

These will, however, be launched only after MiTV's pay TV takes off.

How much ah is the subscription fee for MITV? Intrigue la to get it...better alternative than ASTRO :D

Malaysia To Broaden News And TV Programme Exchanged With China
March 13, 2005 11:11 AM





By Vincent Low

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will broaden the existing news and TV programs exchange with China to include journalist exchange programmes and technical support co-operation, said Deputy Information Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai.

He said the co-operation would include the training of technical personnel on the digital broadcasting technology as Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) planned to implement its digital broadcasting technology by the end of this year.

"I will be attending the fifth Joint Committee on Information Co-operation Meeting (JCIM) during my visit to Beijing and meet the vice-minister of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television of China, Tian Jin," he told Bernama here Sunday.

Lim is leading an eight-member delegation from the Ministry of Information for the meeting which would be held in Beijing on March 14.

Members of the delegation included Deputy Secretary-General Mohd Noor Ishak, RTM Deputy Director-General Datuk Aminah Din, RTM News and Current Affairs Director Zainal Abidin Iberahim, TV Production Director Normah Rokiah Ramli and Radio 5 Controller Lee Woo Sioh.

The others included Head of Bernama Mandarin News Service Vincent Low and Bernama Media and Strategic Service Unit Executive Liew Kok Ling.

Lim said after the meeting, the delegation would take the oppurtunity to visit the Xinhua News Agency headquarters in Beijing and would hold a discussion with its Deputy Editor in Chief, Zhou Shuchun.

"Both parties will discuss the extension of the existing news exchange to include Mandarin News by the Bernama Mandarin News Service,

"Both news agencies will look into the possiblity of having journalist exchange programmes proposed by Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk Azman Ujang when Xinhua editor-in-chief Nan Zhenzhong visited Bernama last year," he said.

He said the delegation would also visit the state-owned Beijing Television and China Central Television (CCTV) headquarters, also in Beijing to study the digitalisation process of the China broadcasting industry.

Later, Lim said the delegation would visit the Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Macau and meet officials from the Macau Government Information Centre, the Teledifusao de Macau TV and Lusa News Agency.

The delegation will also visit the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong to meet officials from the China News Service (CNS) and Television Broadcast Limited (TVB-Jade).

"We would hold meetings with several local Chinese media to introduce the Bernama Mandarin News service. This is particulary to promote the Bernama Mandarin News Service which would be launch on March 29," said Lim.

-- BERNAMA

Third Pay-TV Operator Running Tests
March 14, 2005 21:16 PM





KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's third pay television -- Fine TV -- is running technical tests for selected viewers before expanding to cover the larger Klang Valley viewership by the middle of this year.

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.

Guidance Network General Manager Naharriah Mohamed said plans were progressing on schedule.

"We are very focused on the exercise. This is to ensure that everything will be at its best when we meet the viewers later," she told Bernama when contacted Monday.

Naharriah said the company would reveal the launch date after all the technical tests had been completed.

"This is part of our strategy (to give the best). Through the exercise, we will improve the service and the programme quality ... we will announce the launch date when everything is ready," she said.

Eurofine's Managing Director Ida Rahayu Md Noor had said the TV service would be introducing the "pay-per-view" concept where viewers only have to pay based on the number of programmes viewed.

However, Ida Rahayu said viewers had to pay a low monthly subscription fee.

Fine TV would use the broadband technology through the telephone line, said Ida Rahayu, explaining that transmission would be fine even when it rains, unlike in the case of satellite-based TV.

-- BERNAMA

wah!! more TVs!! :eek:

Last time I still remember back in 1997 selected houses in SS15 were sent memo about cable tv installations there for tests including my housemaster's. But no news till now :D

Malaysia To Buy More TV Programmes In Mandarin
March 19, 2005 22:11 PM





From Vincent Low

HONG KONG, March 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will buy more TV programmes in Mandarin from China and Hong Kong, Deputy Information Minister Datuk Donald Lim said Saturday.

He said the government wanted more Chinese TV programmes in Mandarin to improve the standard of the language among Malaysians.

"The government thinks that television programmes in Chinese should be mainly in Mandarin and not dialects such as Cantonese," Lim told Bernama when asked to comment on the outcome of his six-day visit to Beijing, Macau and Hong Kong which ended Saturday.

He said even in Hong Kong, a Cantonese-speaking city, more Mandarin TV programmes were being shown as the language was gaining importance.

"We are happy that Hong Kong TVB is willing to meet our request by supplying TV series with both Mandarin and Cantonese narration," he said.

Lim, who led a delegation of eight ministry officials, attended the fifth meeting of the Joint Committee on Information with the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television of China.

He also visited Beijing Television, China Central Television, Macau Information Centre, Macau Television, LUSA News Agency, China News Service Hong Kong branch, Xinhua News Agency and its Hong Kong branch, and Hong Kong Television Broadcast Limited (TVB).

Lim said Malaysia would like to broaden its cooperation with the television networks in the three cities, including sending government officials and technicians for training in electronic media.

He said the productions of China Central Television were of high quality and he did not rule out the possibility of RTM bringing in more TV programmes from China, especially those featuring the country's culture and scenery.

"This would help promote understanding and tourism between both countries," he said.

Commenting on the news exchange agreement between Bernama and Xinhua News Agency, he said Xinhua had agreed in principle to extend the scope to include Mandarin news by Bernama Mandarin News Service.

"I hope both parties would start discussion on the details soon and hopefully get the agreement signed in two to three months time," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Zainuddin Regrets 'No-show' By Private TV Stations At Anti-Drug Meeting
March 22, 2005 23:04 PM





PUTRAJAYA, March 22 (Bernama) -- Deputy Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin said he was disappointed with private television stations which did not attend the action committee meeting on an anti-drug campaign Tuesday.

Apart from Astro, all other private television stations failed to send representatives despite being invited by the National Anti-Drug Agency, he told reporters after attending the meeting at the Education Ministry here.

"The meeting was very important as it discussed publicity strategies to make people aware of the danger of drugs," he said of the meeting attended by deputy ministers, secretaries-general, directors-general and representatives of the police and other government agencies.

He said the meeting discussed an integrated approach to build awareness through education, prevention measures and publicity.

He said the Information Ministry was committed to the effort and had coordinated anti-drug campaigns nationwide but without the cooperation of the private television stations, which had high viewership, the impact would not be great.

In the coordinated campaign, he said, the Information Department, Broadcasting Department, Filem Negara, Special Affairs Department (JASA) and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) had set up sub-committees at the respective organisations to combat the nation's number one enemy.

The approach adopted by the Information Department was direct communications through civic lectures and meet-the-people programmes with the cooperation of the police, National Anti-Drug Agency and Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam).

"The Smart Community platform will be used to organise anti-drug campaigns, Pentarama will deliver anti-drug messages through performances held, and posters, fliers and publications on drugs will also be distributed by the Information Department," he said.

The Broadcasting Department, through Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), would slip in drug abuse stories and activities, the latest statistics and anti-drug messages in the Berita Perdana while JASA would hold face-to-face communications from the spiritual perspective.

RTM's radio stations would air discussions and interactive programmes on the issue with the public while Filem Negara would produce several new trailers and documentaries for private television stations.

"Bernama will produce articles for newspapers on the latest developments on drug addiction and abuse with a view to making the people feel disgusted with drugs and those involved in drug peddling through the power of pictures and Bernama's Internet portal," Zainuddin said.

The efforts would be carried out continuously, he said.

"In this matter, the Information Ministry and Broadcasting Department hope that private television and radio stations will also take part in making the campaign a success by airing capsules, trailers, documentaries and songs produced by the ministry," he said.

-- BERNAMA

TV3 programme hosts tie knot
Wednesday, May 11, 2005


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Aidid and Norzie exchanging wedding rings.


Aidid Marcelo and Norzie Pak Wan Chek, hosts of TV3 programmes Remaja and Majalah 3 respectively, tied the knot last Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, after more than a year of courtship.

The couple looked resplendent in songket wedding attire for the akad nikah ceremony.

“Songket is a form of Malay identity, and it is passed down from our forefathers,” said the bride.

She added that she would continue to host Majalah 3 after marriage. However, Aidid will no longer be qualified to host the Remaja show.

Norzie, 30, said Aidid, who is five years younger than her, won her over with his patience, tolerance and maturity.

Aidid of Malay-Italian parentage is the eldest of three siblings, while Norzie is the youngest of her family.

Aside from relatives and friends, TV3 CEO Datuk Farid Ridzuan also attended the ceremony.

The couple will also hold a reception this Saturday at Sri Pentas in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.

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MiTV signs retransmission deal with RTM
21-02-2005
By Jimmy Yeow



Second pay-television operator MiTV Corporation Bhd, which signed a retransmission agreement for TV1 and TV2 programmes with Radio Televisyen Malaysia, wants to cut more such deals with other free-to-air television networks.

“We are working on it and we hope to finalise it soon,” MiTV chairman Datuk Rosman Ridzwan said on Feb 21.

He said the company had reached a deal with another free-to-air network, which he declined to disclose, before inking an agreement with national broadcaster RTM. Besides RTM, the other free-to-air networks are TV3, 8TV and ntv7.


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Speaking to reporters at the signing of the retransmission agreement at Angkasapuri in Kuala Lumpur, Rosman said the deal with RTM would allow the free-to-air operator to interact with its viewers.

“We have an interactive platform for the TV operators to get feedback and input from their viewers,” he said.

Deputy Information Minister Datuk Donald Lim, who was present at the signing ceremony, said the agreement does not involve any commercial deals.

“It’s just another platform for RTM to get more viewers for TV1 and TV2 such as with Astro (the other paid TV operator),” he said.

Rosman said MiTV, which is expected to begin transmission by the second quarter of the year, expects to reach its critical subscriber base mass of 280,000 by the end of its second year.

The network has signed up 40 channels and it is also working with content providers to add more channels with. These channels cover a broad spectrum of genres such as music and general entertainment, lifestyle, movies and news in English and three main vernacular languages.

Rosman said MiTV has yet to finalise its subscription rate, which is expected to be cheaper than the

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MiTV on track for commercial launch by July
08-03-2005
Reese Loh



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Datuk Rosman Ridzwan (left) signing
documents with Jack Wang


MiTV Corporation Bhd is on track for its commercial launch by the middle of the year after having obtained all the necessary approvals from the censorship board on its broadcast contents, says its chairman Datuk Rosman Ridzwan.

“We are ready now. The last thing we need is the approval from the censorship board and we have already obtained it last month,” he said.

Rosman said the company had targeted to secure at least 100,000 subscribers in its first year of operations as the vendors that it had secured could easily supply up to 100,000 sets of its transmission devices during this period.

He was speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony between MiTV and Taiwan-based CTI Asia channel in Kuala Lumpur on March 8. He signed on behalf of MiTV while CTI Asia was represented by CTI Television Incorporation’s president Jack Wang.

MiTV’s newly appointed chief executive officer Ho Meng said the company would also work towards providing a basic decoder for subscribers to minimise the entry cost of subscriptions for its users.

Ho, who was previously the chief financial officer of DiGi.Com Bhd, said the basic decoder would allow users to receive all the broadcast transmissions while the Internet Protocol box would feature the additional interactive services provided by MiTV.

Rosman said the company would also be signing an additional 10 television channels prior to the launch as part of its promise to offer over 50 channels to its subscribers. It has already acquired over 40 channels with content providers worldwide.

On the agreement with CTI Asia, he said MiTV Corp would broadcast up-to-date 24-hour programmes live from Taiwan, with 16 hours of fresh content daily.

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Astro may enter Indonesia
08-03-2005



Malaysia's sole pay-TV firm, Astro All Asia Networks Plc, may agree as early as this week to expand its reach in Indonesia, a company source said yesterday.

Astro, controlled by tycoon Ananda Krishnan, may tie up with the Lippo Group to tap into the Indonesian market, which is about 11 times bigger than Malaysia's.

"It's probably this week and it could be the Lippo Group," the source told Reuters. An Astro official declined to comment.

A venture with the Lippo Group would be the second under the group of companies controlled by Ananda. In January, top mobile phone firm Maxis Communications Bhd said it would buy a 51% stake in a small cellular operator, in which the Lippo Group is the only other shareholder.

Astro on March 8 closed five sen higher at RM5.30. Astro has said it was keen to expand in the region, particularly in Indonesia, China and the Indian sub-continent.

Last year, it launched its Chinese movie channel in China and entered into a joint-venture in India to make and distribute programmes.

Speculation of a joint-venture in Indonesia gathered pace when CIMB Securities told its clients in January that Astro was close to securing a deal with an Indonesian pay-TV operator.

Analyst Kelvin Goh raised his investment recommendation on Astro to a "trading buy" from "market perform", due in part to the possibility of an Indonesian venture.

"We believe the capex in Indonesia should be fairly low. Astro does not need to build a broadcasting facility as it already has one in Malaysia," Goh said in a report dated Jan 5.

According to CIMB Securities, pay-TV penetration rate in Indonesia is a low at 1.5% compared with Malaysia's 26%. Indonesia has 56 million TV households compared with Malaysia's five million. -- Reuters

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Astro to begin Indonesian operations within 4 months
March 11, 2005



Astro All Asia Network has teamed up with the Lippo Group to provide pay-tv and multimedia services in Indonesia. Astro will own 51 percent of the joint-venture company, to be called PT Astro Nusantara.


The services, to cost as much as US$200 million within a four-year period, are expected to be launched within four months using satellite transponders on Measat-2.


Astro group chief executive Ralph Marshall said in Kuala Lumpur today the joint-venture company hopes to target 3.5 million homes within the next five years. PT Astro Nusantara expects to achieve profitability in the fourth year of its operations.


On another development, Astro has announced better than expected results for its financial year ending January 31, 2005 on higher subscribers base and raised monthly charges.


It recorded a net profit of RM155.4 million for the period, against RM12.3 million the previous year. Revenue rose to RM1.72 billion from RM1.41 billion in 2004.


Astro, controlled by billionaire T. Ananda Krishnan, has 1.5 million subscribers as at the end of January, 2005

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Astro targets 40% TV market share in 3 to 5 years
07-04-2005
By Surin Murugiah



Astro All Asia Networks plc is targeting to capture 40% of the local household television audience in three to five years by introducing programmes with better content and relevance to subscribers, says its director of programming, Zainir Aminullah.

As at financial year ended Dec 31, 2004, its subscriber base totalled 1.5 million households, representing about 30% of the market. "We feel there is opportunity to grow it to a level of 40% penetration,” he said.

“For us to achieve that, we must make the service relevant to a wider audience, which is why we are exclusively packaging channels like Sun TV so that the service is appealing to more subscribers,” he said.

On MiTV's impending launch, Zainir said: “So far, we have been a dominant content provider in Malaysia. We were not the first, there was another provider before us, and so we welcome competition.”

“With competition, viewers can choose their preferred service based on the programme content that they want and internally, it will give Astro a more competitive mindset to address our subscribers’ needs with regards to MiTV as well our target market,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after the launch of Astro’s additional Indian-language channel Sun TV in Kuala Lumpur on April 7.

“Sun TV on Astro evolved as a result of our determination to meet the demand of our Indian subscribers for alternative Indian programming.”

Zainir said the Indian market segment contributed 15% towards Astro’s revenue with a subscriber base of 200,000. He added that the Indian subscription rate was growing with 1,000 new customers monthly.

He said Sun TV would start broadcast at 6am on April 14, coinciding with the Tamil New Year and would be available to subscribers on Channel 73 under its Family Package at no additional cost.

Zainir said Sun TV was part of the RM95 million joint venture (JV) between Astro and Sun TV Private Ltd to originate and distribute programmes for a global audience. The JV was signed last December.

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Astro hopeful of strong growth in 2006
14 January 2005



Astro All Asia Networks is optimistic that 2006 will be a fiscal year of strong growth for the company despite the incoming of another pay television operator sometime in the second quarter of this year.

Astro says it is not afraid of competition, in fact it welcomes it as long as it expands the view of television.

What will fuel performance for the pay-TV in fiscal 2006, that starts February, is the domestic television business as it hopes to sign-up more subscribers. As of October last year, Astro channels are beamed to almost 1.47 million households around the country.

With that, Astro will be doubling up its expenditure to produce more local programmes in the coming financial year. At present it spends about RM460 million on programming. Of that RM100 million is devoted to local content.

And today, the pay-tv operator added another channel to its stable. Pheonix InfoNews Channel is to cater to its Chinese viewers, in which Astro boasts to have half of the Malaysian Chinese TV households.

Also, after Astro managed to pared down debts with its listing proceeds, its balance sheet is now stronger and puts it in a better position to acquire businesses in the region.

With net cash of about RM300 million, it's eyeing the Indonesian market and is in talks with a few players there. Butorac declined to give further details.

Charity enters realm of local TV reality shows
Friday May 20, 2005
BY IZATUN SHARI


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CARING VIPS: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
and Rosmah at the launch of TV3’s ‘Bersamamu’. With them are Siew
Ling (left) and Mohd Syahmi.


PETALING JAYA: Charity has now entered the realm of reality shows.

TV3 will be airing the first charity-based reality programme, which will feature the plight of underprivileged people, from May 30.

Dubbed Bersamamu, the programme aims to raise funds from the public and corporate bodies to lessen the burden of those portrayed.

“We normally relate reality television to entertainment, but the difference with Bersamamu is that it will highlight current issues or problems relating to the sufferings, sacrifice, tragedy or hardship of the less fortunate community,” said the Deputy Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor when launching the programme at Seri Pentas TV3 last night.

“The programme will be an eye opener for the public. Sometimes we are unaware of the plight of the poor in our own neighbourhood. We only see the plight of the unfortunate people who are further away from us.”

The 13-episode show is a collaboration between TV3, the Women, Family and Com-munity Development Ministry and Amanah Raya Bhd.

Three underprivileged individuals who will be featured in the programme were present at the launch.

They are eight year-olds Mohd Syahmi Najib from Perlis and Wong Siew Ling from here.

Mohd Syahmi is suffering from a hole in the heart while Wong is disabled.

Also to be featured is Jeyapura Krishnan, 28, from Perak who is suffering from chronic illness due to problems in the intestine.

Rosmah said the ministry, which had a database of the poor and needy could ensure that contributions would be channelled to deserving applicants who had not received assistance from other government agencies.

She said the ministry would investigate and verify each case and would check with the hospitals to determine the cost of any medical treatment re-quired.

M'sian-Based Satellite TV Channel To Go Big Time From September
June 09, 2005 17:09 PM



KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) -- Jia Yu Channel will become the first Malaysian-based satellite channel to go worldwide with 24-hour breaking news and current affairs, dramas and entertainment, it was announced Thursday.

The channel will combine productions from Cosmos Discovery Sdn Bhd, a local production and media company, and Guangdong TV (GDTV), one of the largest provincial TV stations in southern China.

Cosmos, whose office is in Damansara Perdana near here, is majority owned by MSC Venture One Sdn Bhd and MSC Venture Corporation Sdn Bhd, both owned by Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn Bhd, a company in turn owned by the Ministry of Finance, Inc.

Datuk Zawawi Mahmuddin, communications director of Cosmos, said the channel would have a soft launch at the 11th Shanghai TV Festival on Sunday.

It is expected to be full operational by September.

Zawawi said the satellite channel has huge potential to tap into the overseas Chinese population in markets outside China like South East Asia, Australia, North America and Europe as it would provide a vernacular platform for them to be entertained and informed.

Cosmos, which was founded in 1997, began its international operations in 2000 with the establishment of an office in Guangzhou to provide production facilities and manage the marketing and distribution of productions from Cosmos in China.

It has so far built up a syndicated network of 152 TV stations in China.

-- BERNAMA

Media Prima Acquires Channel 9
June 10, 2005 20:09 PM



KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- Media Prima Bhd has increased its free-to-air television network to three channels with the RM40.61 million acquisition of a 98 percent stake in Ch-9 Media Sdn Bhd, which operates the country's third private television station, Channel 9.

In a statement Friday, Media Prima said it will also assume the amount owing by Ch-9 to its shareholders amounting to RM28.56 million.

It said the total consideration for both equity and shareholders advances was payable over a three-year period to match against the expected potential revenue accruing from the operations of the station in the future.

Channel 9 was launched on Sept 9, 2003, and had initial transmission coverage over the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

However, due to the prevailing intense competition within the television industry, the station ceased transmission in February this year to undertake a comprehensive corporate and debt restructuring exercise to resuscitate its operations.

Media Prima said it intended to continue and complete the existing corporate and debt restructuring currently being undertaken by Ch-9 Media before re-commencing the station's operations in 2006.

It said the acquisition will minimise the cycle of destructive discounting of advertising rates currently prevailing in the television industry which affects all players and would assist in its efforts to grow the share of television advertising in line with regional and global levels.

Media Prima's media assets now include TV3 and 8TV, and various daily publications under New Straits Times (Press) Malaysia Bhd.

-- BERNAMA

RTM To Have A Third Channel By Year End
June 07, 2005 22:20 PM



KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 (Bernama) -- Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) will launch its third TV channel by the end of the year, after the digitalisation process of its two existing ones is completed, Information Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said Tuesday.

He said the digitalisation contract for the government-run networks had been tendered to a consortium under KUB Berhad last month and that a pioneer project involving selected households in the Klang Valley which would be issued free signal decoders would be launched soon.

"We have not thought of a name for the new channel yet," he told reporters after a visit to the Utusan Malaysia newspaper headquarters, here Tuesday.

Also present were Information Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Arshad Hashim and its director-general, Datuk Abdullah Morad.

Kadir said there had been many demands on RTM to broadcast programmes and events of the various ministries and that a third channel could help in this.

On another matter, Kadir also supported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi's view that the singing of the national anthem in cinemas should be encouraged.

-- BERNAMA

Astro Reports Strong First-Quarter Results
June 10, 2005 20:09 PM



KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- Astro All Asia Networks PLC has reported another quarter of strong financial performance on the back of continued growth in all its core operating businesses.

The company said in a statement Friday that its consolidated revenues rose 21 percent to RM473.2 million for the first quarter ended April 30, 2005, as the pay-television business registered its strongest first-quarter gain in subscribers.

It added that the profit after tax was RM39.8 million, compared to RM19.7 million in the previous corresponding quarter.

Astro, its pay-TV business, achieved gross additions of 108,000 subscriptions during the first quarter, traditionally its slowest quarter, the company said.

These additions include significant growth in penetration of the Malay sector, it said.

Net of churn, its television service, added 63,000 subscriptions, bringing the total residential subscriber base to 1.629 million, which represented 31.4 percent of total Malaysian TV households as at April 30, 2005.

The company said Malay households now account for 665,000 or 41 percent of its subscriber base, making it the largest single customer group.

Commenting on the group's performance, Astro chairman Datuk Badri Masri said the continuing growth in profitability and cashflow in its existing business would provide strong support as the group extended its multimedia platform and content businesses into the region.

He said among its immediate focus would be the roll-out of its joint-venture pay-TV multimedia service in Indonesia which will be ready for launch later this year.

In a separate statement, Astro announced a joint venture with Yes Television (Hong Kong) Ltd to continue to develop and strengthen content through two 24-hour channels dedicated to football fans in the region.

Astro said the joint venture was in line with its strategy to expand its multimedia businesses in the region.

-- BERNAMA

ASTRO HIGHER ON INCLUSION IN KLCI INDEX
Updated : 15-06-2005
Media : AFX
Story By : Chew Lee Fun



(XFN-ASIA) - Astro All Asia Networks Plc was higher in early trade after Bursa Malaysia announced yesterday that the pay-TV operator has been included as a component stock of the benchmark Kuala Lumpur Composite Index, dealers said.

Astro was up 0.05 rgt at 5.35 on volume of 38,800 shares.

Besides Astro, AirAsia Bhd, Bursa Malaysia Bhd, KLCC Property Holdings Bhd, Scomi Group Bhd and Uchi Technologies Bhd have been added to the KLCI.

The Exchange has dropped Mesiniaga Bhd, Computer Systems Advisers (M) Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd, Manulife Insurance Malaysia Bhd and Measat Global Bhd.

Beauty tips from new reality series
Wednesday June 15, 2005


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Misha Omar is hosting TV3’s Felisa Beauty Makeover.



Makeover tips for free? Yes, just tune in to TV3’s reality TV series Felisa Beauty Makeover. SHEELA CHANDRAN has the story.

IF YOU are a fan of What Not to Wear (Tuesdays, 11pm on 8TV) and religiously follow the tips provided by its hosts, style experts Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, you’ll be pleased to know that TV3 will be screening a similar show.

While What Not to Wear has the two fashion gurus helping women enhance their fashion sense, TV3’s new programme is aimed at transforming 24 “plain Janes” into trendy and confident individuals.

The programme, Felisa Beauty Makeover, is a joint venture between TV3 and beauty product Felisa Cosmetic. The 13-episode series will see 24 participants, between 18 and 25 years, undergoing a makeover by image consultant Ema Kamaruddin.

Award-winning singer and actress Misha Omar will host the show.

“This show should receive good response from women who want to discover a new look for themselves and find out more about skincare and beauty secrets,” said TV3 general manager of entertainment, sports and recreation Azhar Borhan after the launch of Felisa Beauty Makeover recently.

The first 12 episodes have Misha and TV3’s camera crew making surprise visits to the contestants’ homes to observe their beauty routines and conduct interviews with their family members.

Ema will provide guidance on choosing the right clothes, make-up techniques and hairstyle for each contestant.

For example, a clerk who aspires to be a model will undergo a makeover session to enable her to look the part.

Following the input from Ema, the contestant has to do the makeover herself. Ema will comment and help the participant to further improve.

The final episode will see the selection of the winner, who will walk away with RM10,000.

Fifty percent of the marks come from the professional jury and the balance is from SMS votes.

“This is the first ever beauty reality TV show produced by TV3. We felt it was timely and essential as it teaches women the various ways of grooming themselves,” said Rasidah Karim.

It is the first time Misha is hosting a series. She has recorded two episodes and looks forward to doing more.

“I never thought that I would be selected as many celebrities also attended the audition. I was apprehensive and didn’t know what to expect.

“Luckily, the production crew was helpful and made my job a breeze,” said the petite singer.

In order to do the job well, Misha had to do some homework and learned various hosting techniques.

She said: “Hosting is totally different from singing. I have to be focussed and need to relay information to the viewers. Initially, I was nervous and shy in front of the camera. But I’ve gotten used to it now and it has boosted my confidence.

“It’s t’s been a great experience. I’m going through a transformation being a singer, an actress and a show host. Hosting is challenging, but I am confident that I will succeed in this field.”

Felisa Beauty Makeover makes its debut today on TV3 at 5.30pm.

wah!! Media Prima so damn rich!!

hope to see Channel 9 back soon

TM looks at offering broadband TV
Updated : 20-06-2005
Media : The Star
Story By : B.K. SIDHU in SINGAPORE



BROADBAND TV (BBTV) will become a reality in Malaysia once Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) sorts out some technical issues over the stability of video quality.

Dozens of telcos globally are offering video as well as voice and data to their end-users but few are packaging all three on a single IP (Internet protocol) platform. That is why experts are saying that “triple play? is the biggest thing in fixed-line telecommunications. The bundling of the three can be delivered over existing copper wires.

The BBTV offering would be a major step forward for TM, given that it has often been criticised for not being able to capitalise on its over four million fixed-line subscribers.

The move would also boost TM's revenue stream that now relies largely on voice revenue from its fixed network although it does offer Internet access to pockets of the population via its fixed line network.

An expert pointed out that a lot of telcos have invested heavily in their fixed line networks and they are not trying to get a return by offering video and data as well.

TM group chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Wahid Omar said: 'We are actively looking at offering BBTV in Malaysia but do not want to commit a date when we would offer it.''

Speaking to Malaysian journalists at the CommunicAsia 2005 conference in Singapore, he said TM had been conducting trials in Subang Jaya since the middle of last year and found that some “technical issues need to be resolved?before it could offer BBTV.

With technological advancements, BBTV can be made available using the 1.5- to 2-megabit bandwidth instead of the earlier requirement of 3.5-megabit. However, some countries are using the 8 to 10Mbps (megabits per second) bandwidth.

In South Korea where BBTV was available, Wahid said the provision of such service required connectivity to the home where via a set-up box, there could be a connection for Internet and another for television.

Ericsson AB marketing manager Andrei Dulski said fixed line operators that provided ADSL Internet access could, with some upgrading, use the same network to deliver TV services to their fixed line users.

But why should users of free-to-air or pay TV options opt for BBTV?

'It is all about the value proposition that fixed line operators can provide users. The ultimate delivery is in the content,' he told StarBiz.

Malaysia's Astro plans new Asian TV channels
Updated : 20-07-2005
Media : Reuters


(Reuters) - Malaysia's sole pay-TV operator, Astro All Asia Networks Plc , plans to invest 300 million ringgit ($79 million) to develop new channels for Malays, Indians and Mandarin-speakers, Astro said on Wednesday.

The firm, which recently set up a joint venture with Lippo Group to tap into the Indonesian market, also plans to start a pay-TV service there by end-2005, Astro said in a statement.

Channel Nine to be relaunched early 2006
Updated : 03-09-2005
Media : Business Times
Story By : ZAIDI ISHAM ISMAIL




MEDIA Prima Bhd, the new owner of CH-9 Media Sdn Bhd which operates Channel 9, will relaunch the television station in the first quarter of next year following minority shareholders approval yesterday.

Media Prima chairman Datuk Abdul Mutalib Mohamed Razak said the free-to-air TV station is expected to break even within the next 24 months.

Channel 9, which already has five transmitters, will build three more at a cost of RM9 million (RM3 million each), intended for the East Coast.

By next year, the whole of Peninsular Malaysia will get Channel 9 coverage, and later on we will extend to the whole of Sabah and Sarawak, Abdul Mutalib told reporters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, yesterday.

He had earlier chaired an extraordinary meeting with shareholders who agreed for Media Prima to buy the loss- making TV station for RM41.4 million.

Abdul Mutalib said the deal is a good buy for Media Prima because it is a clean purchase due to already available equipment, no employees, and the debt restructure is limited to RM20 million.

Media Prima group managing director and chief executive officer Abdul Rahman Ahmad said the concept of the station will be unveiled in the first quarter of next year.

On plans to purchase Natseven TV Sdn Bhd, which operates ntv7, Abdul Rahman said the focus for now is on assisting the company in its debt restructuring.

We are hopeful that creditors will approve the corporate and debt scheme, and after that we'll see what is the next step.

Abdul Mutalib said that apart from its television station in Ghana, the country's largest integrated media group has no plans to expand further. However, it will not sweep aside any good opportunities which may arise.

On another front, Abdul Rahman said the ringgit de-peg will benefit the group, especially its newspaper division under the New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd stable.

This is because an appreciating ringgit means it has to fork out less ringgit to buy newsprint paper, which is mainly imported.

About 40 per cent of Media Prima's 40 per cent content cost is denominated in the US dollar, so a stronger ringgit will benefit NSTP's bottom line, he said.

He added that a lower TV advertising expenditure is seen this year, in line with the country's slower economic growth.

However, results have shown that we registered a 22 per cent rise in revenue, which has not slowed Media Prima's growth.

So we are cautiously optimistic and confident because the country's economic fundamentals are still strong and we will continue to prosper.

Media Prima's net profit rose twofold in the second quarter ended June 2005, helped by strong operational results from its broadcasting subsidiaries.

For the second quarter to June, it made a net profit of RM7.2 million against RM3.6 million in the same quarter last year.

Third RTM TV Channel To Go On Air In January
Updated : 10-09-2005
Media : Bernama



The third RTM television channel, RTM 3, will go on air in January next year.

Information Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, who said this Saturday, added that the concept and programmes of the new channel were being finalised.

"Initially the service will be made available to Klang Valley viewers before being extended nationwide," he told reporters after launching the "Semarak Bakti Nasional FM" programme here.

On the Semarak Bakti Nasional FM, Abdul Kadir said it was an effort to foster closer relationship between RTM's radio stations and the people.

"All this while, listeners only know the voices of the deejays, but this programme will enable them to get better acquainted with RTM staff," he said.

Abdul Kadir reminded the public that RTM, as the official broadcaster, had a responsibility to disseminate important information on the government and its policies and could not devote air-time solely to entertainment.

"We cannot be compared to the private stations as we have to fulfil a social responsibility," he said.

He also said his ministry should not be faulted if the current fierce competition among private TV stations resulted in them airing "intemperate programmes" to boost viewership.

The ministry's previous power to monitor TV programmes had been handed over to the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications with the adoption of the Communications and Multimedia Act in 1998, he said.

He said he had proposed that the power be returned to his ministry but the Cabinet disagreed because it felt that information was no longer solely disseminated to the public via television or radio but also through other means such as the internet, and as such should be monitored by the ministry in charge of multimedia.

However, Abdul Kadir said, officials of his ministry were included in the monitoring committee under the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications, and they were contributing their views to keep tabs on television content.

Channel 9 Now Fully Control By Media Prima
Updated : 23-09-2005
Media : Bernama



KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Media Investment group, Media Prima announced Friday that it had completed the acquisition of Ch-9 Media Sdn Bhd, holder of content application service provider licensed to operate Channel 9.

Last June, the group had announced the acquisition of Channel 9 from Anaza Sdn Bhd, Fine Associates Sdn Bhd and Jempol Persona Sdn Bhd.

The acquisition was approved by the shareholders of Media Prima at the extraordinary general meeting held on Sept 2, 2005.

It said in a statement Friday that the corporate and debt restructuring of Channel 9 had also been completed.

Channel 9, which ceased its transmission in last February, is expected to be re-launched by the first quarter of next year, it added.

The completion of the acquisition would provide Media Prima an additional platform to expand its share of television audience and advertising revenue. apart from adding value to the shareholders and investors of the group in the medium to long term.

Currently, Media Prima owns a 100 percent equity interest in TV3 and an 80 percent in Metropolitan Television Sdn Bhd (operator of 8TV).

For the print media, the group owns a 43 percent equity interest in The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd.

It also has interest in radio broadcasting (Max Airplay Sdn Bhd which operates and manages Fly.Fm), content creation (Grand Brilliance Sdn Bhd), event management (Toga Events Sdn Bhd) and outdoor advertising (The right Channel Sdn Bhd).

Overseas, the group currently has a stake in TV3 Network Ltd. a Ghana's private free-to-air television network.

Reality show sets out to find beauty
Wednesday November 2, 2005
By MAIZATUL NAZLINA



http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/11/2/central/m_07beauty.jpg

Some of the 15 finalists who will be participating
in Malaysia’s Most Beautiful.



THE WINNER of Malaysia’s Most Beautiful, a new reality show to discover real beauty, will receive a condominium worth RM240,000, Rafflesia jewellery worth RM150,000 and RM10,000 cash.

The first hour-long episode of the show will be broadcast over 8TV on Nov 10 from 9.30pm with 15 finalists participating.



http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/11/2/central/m_07lam.jpg

Lam explaining the concept behind the reality programme.



The finalists' ages range between 18 and 43 years and they include, among others, a nurse, a lawyer, a student, a classic Indian dancer and an English teacher.

The finalists were picked from the more than 1,000 people who had swarmed 8TV’s office for auditions in August.

Every week, one finalist will be eliminated by a panel of judges comprising Sheila Majid, Tate Ghazi, Yasmin Yusuf and invited guest judges. When only three finalists remain, viewers will be given the chance to vote via SMS to determine the eventual winner.

The show will be hosted by Sharifah Sofea and will also show behind the scene snippets during the competition period.

Sheila Majid said the finalists are a balanced group that represented all ages, races and professions.

She said the programme aimed to educate the public on how they viewed beauty based on Asian culture that stressed good values.

“These finalists have special qualities that we find in them and this is the time where they should prove to viewers that beauty is not only about physical appearance but also includes inner beauty,” she said after breaking fast with the finalists, 8TV staff and sponsors at Sunway Lagoon Hotel recently.

8TV chief operating officer Ahmad Izham Omar and business development manager Lam Swee Kim were also present.

The reality programme is being sponsored by Revlon, Marie France, Nivea and Rafflesia.

Lam said the response was amazing with people lining up in front of 8TV’s offices as early as 7am, adding that this was a reality show with a difference.

“Through Malaysia’s Most Beautiful, 8TV will showcase the looks, intelligence, personality and confidence that make a beautiful woman,” she said, adding that there were many women with substance and looks but not many avenues for them to display this balance.

hmm... Malaysian babes....

150 TV channels available next year
Tuesday December 27, 2005


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian television viewers will have access to over 150 channels by next year as the country's rapidly growing broadcast industry continues to develop.

The presence this year of two new pay-TV stations, MiTV and Fine TV, has provided more alternatives for the country’s 5.5 million television-owning households.

MiTV – owned by MiTV Corp Sdn Bhd, in which Tan Sri Vincent Tan is a major shareholder – offered 41 channels in September. It may increase the number to at least 50 next year, while Fine TV, owned by Network Guidance Sdn Bhd, will be offering 18 channels when it begins operation this week.

Astro, owned by corporate figure T. Ananda Krishnan, currently offers 51 channels and is reportedly planning to have an additional 50 with the launch of the Measat 3 satellitesoon.

These include the free channels – RTM’s TV1 and TV2, as well as TV3, ntv7 and 8TV, all owned by Media Prima.

Analysts regard the rapid growth in the industry as a good sign that is in line with Malaysia’s aspiration to be a developed country by 2020.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Assoc Prof Dr Asiah Sarji said all parties would benefit from this development if the owners of the television stations or its decision makers fully understand the Government’s aspirations.

Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Modern Languages and Communication Faculty lecturer Saiful Nujaimi Abd Rahman said the Government should study the need for a “blueprint” for the industry.

Petronas - Merdeka 2003 - Param's Bicycle (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-367704564747762500&q=petronas)

Maxis Hotlink Malaysia Hearts Color SMS Advertisement (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1175347867245141597&q=advertisement+malaysia)

New reality TV show
20 May 2006
NewStraitTimes


KUALA LUMPUR: Another reality television show is in the making, this time a nation- wide treasure hunt with a grand prize worth RM100,000 up for grabs.

Called Adventurace 2006, 12 finalists will compete along a route from Kuala Lumpur to scenic Langkawi in the two-day one-night final audition.

Organiser ESP Smart System Sdn Bhd is kicking off a roadshow tomorrow for participants to sign up at the Sunway Pyramid Shopping Centre from 10am to 6pm. Details are available at www.adventurace.com.

Print media partners the New Straits Times and the Malay Mail will also run an "Adventurace" newspaper competition for readers to predict the winner of the race.