Malaysia’s radio station broadcasting industry has a rich history, tracing back to 1946 when Radio Malaya or the Department of Broadcasting of Malaya was established. It showcases a growth that extended to various cities and towns across Malaya, like Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, and Melaka.
Radio is a prominent medium in Malaysia, with a 94% reach, making it an effective medium to connect with almost the entire population of Peninsular Malaysia. The radio broadcasting industry, including commercial radio, non-commercial public broadcasting, FM radio and digital radio, has shifted towards digital with the rise of podcasts and social audio platforms like Spotify, Clubhouse and Facebook’s Live Audio Rooms.
Types of Radio Station in Malaysia
In Malaysia, radio stations cater to various audiences by broadcasting in different languages and covering diverse content genres. Here are the different types of radio stations in Malaysia based on language and content:
Language-based categorization of radio stations
Malay
Many radio stations broadcast in Malay or “Bahasa Melayu”, including Radio Klasik, Nasional FM, and Putra FM.
Sinar FM, known as Sinar, is a popular radio station in Malaysia that targets mature listeners with a mix of classic and contemporary music. It began broadcasting on 1 March 2004 and operates under Astro Radio Sdn Bhd.
Suria FM, now known as Suria, is Malaysia’s Malay language radio station. It operates under Star Media Radio Group and appeals to modern Malay audiences aged between 25 and 35.
Hot FM is a vibrant Malaysian radio station known for its youthful appeal. Broadcasting a mix of Malay, Indonesian, and English music, targets a broad listener base. It is owned by Synchrosound Studio Sdn Bhd, a Media Prima subsidiary. It airs from Sri Pentas in Bandar Utama.
English
Stations like BFM 89.9, TraXX FM, and ALL FM cater to English-speaking audiences.
Hitz FM, now branded as hitz, is Malaysia’s leading English-language radio station. It is known for playing contemporary hit music. It is owned by Astro Radio Sdn Bhd and caters to young listeners with its trendy music playlist, entertaining on-air personalities, and engaging programs.
Fly FM is a Malaysian radio station under Media Prima. It airs contemporary hits, pop, and rock in English and Malay. Broadcasting from Petaling Jaya on 95.8 FM, it targets the youthful demographic of 15 to 30-year-olds. Launched in 2005, it’s Malaysia’s second most popular English radio station.
Mandarin and Other Chinese Dialects
Eight FM, goXuan, and Ai FM broadcast in Mandarin, with Ai FM also providing content in other Chinese dialects like Cantonese, Teochew, Hokkien, and Hakka.
Melody FM, operated by Astro Radio Malaysia, is a Chinese-language radio station known for playing a classic mix of timeless hits and contemporary favourites, catering to a mature audience. With its eclectic music selection from the 80s and 90s and talk shows covering lifestyle topics, Melody FM holds a nostalgic charm.
Indian Languages
THR Raaga is known for broadcasting in Tamil as per the list of stations provided.
Arabic
Radio IKIM FM broadcasts in Arabic along with Malay.
Aslian Languages
Asyik FM broadcasts in Aslian languages including Jakun, Semai, Temiar, and Temuan alongside Malay.
Genre-based categorization of radio stations
Music
Various stations focus on music genres like oldies, adult contemporary, top 40 hits, and more. For example, Radio Klasik plays oldies, while Eight FM and goXuan focus on Mandarin and Cantonese pop music.
News/Talk
Stations like Nasional FM, BFM 89.9, and TraXX FM provide news and talk show formats.
Financial
BFM 89.9 also covers financial topics alongside news and talk content.
Religious Broadcasting
Asyik FM and Radio IKIM provide religious content, with Radio IKIM focusing on Islamic teachings.
Functions of Radio Station in Malaysia
Radio stations in Malaysia serve as a medium for disseminating information, entertainment, and education to the public. They vary in programming, reach, and language, reflecting the country’s multicultural and multilingual demographic. Recognising the different types of radio stations (e.g., AM, FM, online, community) helps target various audience segments and adhere to regulatory guidelines. For instance, some stations cater to specific linguistic or ethnic communities, while others have a broader or national focus.
Challenges in Radio Broadcasting
Radio stations in Malaysia are transitioning towards digital platforms, with smartphone apps replacing traditional digital radio. The transition also includes exploring 5G technology for radio broadcasting and getting radio stations onto smart speakers. One of the challenges is the limited frequency and transmission reach, prompting discussions with service providers for frequency replanning.
The market share distribution in the broadcasting sector is led by certain companies like ASTRO, indicating a competitive landscape within the industry. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) oversees the industry, implementing and promoting the government’s national policy objectives for the communications and multimedia sector.
Radio Station Ownership and Operations in Malaysia
Radio stations in Malaysia are either privately owned or government-operated. The government-operated stations function under the Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) group. In total, there are 24 private and 44 government-owned radio stations in the country.
Radio Stations Online Reach and Popularity in Malaysia
Some of the top radio stations in Malaysia by online reach are ERA, Hot FM, and SINAR in the Malay segment; HITZ, Fly FM, and LITE in the English segment; MY, 988, and MELODY in the Chinese segment; and RAAGA in the Indian segment. Among others listed in the provided sources, these stations create a rich radio broadcasting landscape in Malaysia, catering to its multilingual and multicultural populace.
History of Radio Broadcasting in Malaysia
The history of radio broadcasting in Malaysia traces back to 1921 when an electrical engineer, A.L. Birch, introduced the first radio set to the country, marking the inception of radio broadcasting through the establishment of the Johore Wireless Association, which commenced broadcasting on 300-meter waves.
The formal broadcasting service began with the establishment of Radio Malaya on 1 April 1946, initially located in Singapore before moving to Kuala Lumpur in 1950. This period also saw the inception of The Blue Network, an English-language radio station alongside Radio Malaya. By 1960, commercial advertisements were introduced to radio broadcasting, marking a significant evolution in the radio broadcasting sector in Malaysia. Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) emerged as Malaysia’s first and oldest broadcaster, established as Radio Malaya in 1946.
Currently, Malaysia hosts a mixture of private and government-owned radio stations. There are 24 private and 44 government-owned radio stations operating in the country. The government-owned stations function under the umbrella of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM). Besides local stations, international stations like BBC World Service, China Radio International, and Voice of Vietnam are also accessible in Malaysia via AM frequencies.