Broadcasting Companies in Malaysia: TV & Radio
A broadcasting company is a media organisation that produces and distributes audio or visual content to a large audience. Broadcasting companies operate across television, radio, and digital streaming platforms. In Malaysia, the broadcasting sector serves a multilingual population of over 33 million people across Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil, and indigenous language programming.
The Malaysian broadcasting industry is regulated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The sector includes government-owned broadcasters like Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), publicly listed media groups like Astro and Media Prima, and digital-first companies like REV Media Group. Malaysia’s broadcasting market generates over RM 6 billion in annual revenue from advertising, subscription fees, and content licensing.
List of Broadcasting Companies in Malaysia
Malaysia’s broadcasting landscape includes free-to-air television, pay-TV, radio networks, and digital streaming services. The following directory covers the main broadcasters operating in the country.
- Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) - Malaysia’s national public broadcaster, operated by the government. RTM runs TV1, TV2, TV Okey, and over 30 radio stations. It broadcasts in Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil, and indigenous languages.
- Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad - The country’s largest pay-TV operator with over 5 million residential customers. Astro offers more than 200 TV channels, radio stations, and the Astro GO streaming platform. The company is listed on Bursa Malaysia.
- Media Prima Berhad - Malaysia’s largest integrated media company. Media Prima operates free-to-air channels TV3, ntv7, 8TV, and TV9. It also runs the tonton streaming platform and several radio stations including Hot FM, Fly FM, and One FM.
- Bernama - Malaysia’s national news agency. Bernama operates Bernama TV and Bernama Radio, providing news coverage in Malay, English, and Arabic. The agency supplies news content to other broadcasters across the region.
- REV Media Group - A digital media company under Media Prima. REV operates online platforms including Says.com, OhBulan!, Rojak Daily, and the streaming platform Tonton. REV focuses on digital-first content for younger audiences.
- Alhijrah Media Corporation (TV Alhijrah) - A government-backed Islamic broadcasting channel. TV Alhijrah produces religious, educational, and family programming aligned with Islamic values.
- Telekom Malaysia (Unifi TV) - Malaysia’s telecommunications provider operates Unifi TV, an IPTV service bundled with Unifi broadband. Unifi TV carries local and international channels alongside on-demand content.
- Star Media Group - Operates dimsum entertainment, a Chinese-language streaming platform. Star Media also runs radio stations under the Star Radio Group brand.
- BFM Media - Operates BFM 89.9, Malaysia’s only independent English-language business radio station. BFM covers business news, economics, and current affairs.
- Measat Broadcast Network Systems - The satellite infrastructure company behind Astro’s broadcast network. Measat provides satellite services to broadcasters across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Other broadcasting services include Viu Malaysia (owned by PCCW Media) and iFlix (partially acquired by Tencent).
Overview of the Malaysian Broadcasting Industry
The broadcasting industry in Malaysia has shifted from analogue to digital over the past decade. This transition has reshaped how Malaysians consume television, radio, and online media content.
Malaysia completed its analogue TV switch-off in phases, moving to the MyFreeview digital terrestrial television platform. This shift improved signal quality and increased the number of free-to-air channels available to households. Over 95% of Malaysian households now have access to digital television through either MyFreeview, Astro, or Unifi TV.
The advertising market funds most free-to-air broadcasting. Media Prima and RTM depend on ad revenue, while Astro combines subscription and advertising income. Digital advertising has grown rapidly, with REV Media Group and other online platforms competing for ad spend that previously went to traditional TV and radio.
Content production in Malaysia is supported by FINAS (National Film Development Corporation Malaysia), which provides funding and tax incentives for local productions. Malaysian broadcasters produce dramas, variety shows, news programmes, and documentaries. The government requires a minimum percentage of local content on all channels.
Television Broadcasting in Malaysia
Television remains the primary broadcast medium in Malaysia, reaching over 90% of households. The market splits between free-to-air and pay-TV segments.
Free-to-air television is led by Media Prima’s four channels and RTM’s government-funded channels. TV3 consistently ranks as the most-watched free-to-air channel in Malaysia. Media Prima’s channels broadcast in Malay with some English-language programming during prime time.
Pay-TV is dominated by Astro, which holds the largest share of subscription television in Malaysia. Astro offers sports, entertainment, movies, and children’s programming across its channel lineup. The company has invested in original content production, including Malay-language dramas and entertainment shows.
Streaming platforms are growing rapidly. Astro GO, tonton, Unifi TV, Netflix, Disney+, and Viu compete for Malaysian subscribers. Local platforms like tonton focus on Malay-language content, while international services offer global libraries.
Radio Broadcasting in Malaysia
Radio broadcasting in Malaysia serves commuters, office workers, and rural communities across the country. The sector includes government, commercial, and community stations.
RTM operates the largest radio network with over 30 stations broadcasting in multiple languages. RTM’s national stations include Nasional FM, Traxx FM (English), Minnal FM (Tamil), and Ai FM (Chinese). These stations cover news, music, talk shows, and cultural programming.
Commercial radio is led by Media Prima’s stations (Hot FM, Fly FM, One FM) and Astro Radio’s lineup (ERA, Hitz, Mix, MY). Commercial stations focus on music and entertainment, targeting specific demographic and language groups.
BFM 89.9 occupies a unique position as Malaysia’s only independent business radio station. BFM covers economics, politics, technology, and business topics for English-speaking professionals.
How to Choose a Broadcasting Partner in Malaysia
Companies looking to advertise or distribute content through Malaysian broadcasters should evaluate several factors. The right choice depends on target audience, budget, and content type.
Audience demographics vary by broadcaster. Astro reaches higher-income households through its subscription model. Media Prima’s free-to-air channels have broader reach across income levels. BFM targets business professionals. RTM reaches rural and older audiences.
Content alignment matters. Religious content fits TV Alhijrah. Business content suits BFM. Entertainment and drama audiences watch TV3 and Astro. Digital-first brands should consider REV Media Group’s online platforms.
Budget and reach determine the best option. Free-to-air advertising on Media Prima channels offers mass reach. Astro provides targeted advertising through its data on subscriber viewing habits. Digital platforms offer lower-cost options with precise audience targeting.
Government Regulation of Broadcasting in Malaysia
The Malaysian broadcasting sector operates under a licensing framework managed by the MCMC. Broadcasters must comply with content standards, ownership rules, and technical requirements.
The Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 governs all broadcasting activities in Malaysia. This law covers licensing, content standards, and spectrum management. The Content Forum publishes the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Content Code, which sets guidelines for taste, decency, and accuracy.
FINAS regulates film and video content, including content produced for broadcast. All production companies must register with FINAS. The agency also administers the Film In Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), which provides rebates for productions filmed in Malaysia.
Content requirements include minimum local content quotas for television channels. Broadcasters must also follow advertising limits, restricting the number of advertising minutes per hour during prime time.