Awesome TV

Awesome TV
CountryMalaysia
Broadcast areaNationwide
HeadquartersMOF Inc Tower, Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Programming
Language(s)
Picture format1080i HDTV
Ownership
OwnerKoperasi Amanah Pelaburan Berhad
(Awesome Broadcasting Sdn. Bhd.)
Key people
  • Johan Ishak
    (Managing director)[1]
  • Dato' Adam Ilyas
    (Chief Executive Officer)
  • TS Mazlan Mahdi
    (Chief Operating Officer)
  • Datin Ezzan Zalilah Zulfadzli
    (Director of Content Development Unit)
History
Launched3 August 2020; 4 years ago (2020-08-03)
Links
Websiteawesometv.my
Availability
Terrestrial
MYTVChannel 112 (HD)

Awesome TV is a free-to-air Malaysian television channel owned by Awesome Broadcasting Sdn. Bhd. (formerly known as Awesome Media Network). The channel features first-run local original production and foreign content. Awesome TV started its trial broadcast on 28 July 2020 and full operation started on 3 August 2020.[2] Awesome TV can be viewed for free nationwide via MYTV platform on Channel 112.

Overview

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Awesome TV is a digital television channel headquartered in Malaysia and being the first to officially commence broadcasting through the usage of digital encoding only via DVB-T2 set-top box for viewers in Malaysia. Viewers could watch this channel during trial broadcasting of this channel from 28 July 2020 at 12:00 pm to 3 August 2020 when it was finally launched. At this point of time, Awesome TV does not have any main news time slot either through standalone or from other broadcast television channel.[3][4]

On 7 January 2021, Awesome TV announced on their official Facebook account that the channel would broadcast on Astro starting 18 January. The channel broadcasts on channel 123 that previously occupied by Astro Ria HD following the renumbering of Astro channels on 1 April 2020.[5][6][7]

Starting February 1, 2022, Awesome TV broadcasts its own news, Berita 7:57, the same as Buletin Utama on TV3. The prime time news program is currently broadcasting live from 33, Jalan Rakyat, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur before it moved to Persiaran KLCC in Kuala Lumpur.[8][9]

The network ceased broadcasting on Astro starting 1 August 2024 after just three years, as part of Awesome TV's strategic plan to become a "fully virtual platform".[10]

Programming

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The channel airs original programs, news programs, and other local and foreign programs.

Controversy

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In November 2022, Awesome TV was accused by public due its racist editorial stance after its news programme, Berita 7:57 encouraging Malay voters to vote in full force in the 15th Malaysian general election to prevent the non-Malay politicians from gaining political powers.[11] In Twitter post, users slammed the news clip as "racist".[12] The TV station's spokesman later issued statements that Awesome TV's news programme was alleged to be manipulated by certain parties that support the Bumiputera agendas.[13]

In February 2023, Berita 7:57 editor manager, Mohd Ilyas Pakeer Mohamad resigned from his position following the controversy. At the same time, the Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil disclosed that Awesome TV has made six copyright infringement related to the fake reports.[14] Later on, Awesome TV was called by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to discuss a possible breach of news content publication after it published a news report claiming that the Malaysian government will sack over 800,000 civil servants.[15][16] Awesome TV later said that it did not have any connection with Astro or other political parties and denies statements issued by politician Lokman Noor Adam, which they described it as "false and a provocation".[17][18]

On February 21, MCMC opened investigation papers against Awesome TV under Section 206 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 over matters pertaining to the compliance of licence conditions.[19]

In May, Awesome TV was fined RM250,000 by the MCMC due to several offences including operating without valid licence. The licence was issued to Awesome Broadcasting but was being used by the network's parent company, Awesome Media Network.[20][21][22]

On May 29, Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil asked the network to settled unpaid debts in case of lawsuits between several producers. Awesome TV, however, in its counter statement urged Fahmi not to interfered in their commercial affairs with its suppliers. Two days later, several film associations including the Film Directors Association of Malaysia (FDAM) and the Malaysian Film Producers Association (PFM) criticized Awesome TV over its rude response towards Fahmi and urged the network to issued a public apology to him, and should be responsible in resolving payment issues involving producers and artistes.[23][24]

Awesome TV was excluded from the list of few companies that will take a part in the 2023 National Day celebration by the Ministry of Communications and Digital, without any reasons.[25] The sudden decision was informed through a letter dated 23 August 2023 signed by the Ministry's Chief Secretary, Muhammad Fauzi Md Isa.[25] Its Minister, Fahmi Fadzil explaining that the removal was due to the limited time allocation during the parade. Two other companies, Milo and Grab were also dropped.[26]

On October 19, 2023, digital TV service provider, MYTV Broadcasting announced that it will suspend Awesome TV on its platform effective November 2 following the ongoing commercial issues related to the access fee payments.[27][28][29] The network later cites the charged payment by MYTV as an "unfair" while claiming that it should be continued to operated on the MYTV platform until August 2025.[30][31]

Awards and accolades

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Year Award-giving body Category Recipient Result Ref.
2022 MCMC Star Rating Awards 2021 Best in Consumer Satisfaction for Free-to-Air Television Awesome TV Won [32]
[33]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Janice Tan (13 May 2020). "Media Prima's Johan Ishak joins Awesome TV as MD". marketing-interactive.com. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Akhirnya lahir sebuah lagi stesen TV swasta percuma di Malaysia" [Finally, the birth of another free-to-air private TV station in Malaysia] (in Malay). BebasNews. 2 August 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. ^ "AWESOME TV HD SALURAN BAHARU DI PLATFORM MYTV". BERNAMA. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  4. ^ "myFreeview perkenal saluran 'Awesome TV HD'". Utusan Borneo. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  5. ^ Wawann Mohd (20 January 2021). "Awesome TV percuma di Astro". Sinar Plus. Sinar Harian. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  6. ^ Fiza Kamaruddin (25 January 2021). "Pelanggan Astro Kini Boleh Nikmati Saluran Televisyen Awesome TV! Wow!". Astro Gempak. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  7. ^ Budiey (18 January 2021). "Saluran Awesome TV Kini Boleh Ditonton di Astro". Sensasi Selebriti. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  8. ^ Khadijah Ibrahim (13 April 2022). "Laporan 'Berita 757' berani, lantang angkat suara rakyat". BebasNews. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  9. ^ Fathullah Abu Bakar (15 April 2022). "Laporan Berita 7:57 berani, lantang angkat suara rakyat". Utusan Malaysia. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Awesome TV Tidak Lagi Bersiaran di Astro 123". Koperasi Amanah Pelaburan Berhad. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Netizens slam news bulletin for racism". The Sun Daily. 6 November 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  12. ^ "PRU-15: Penyampai berita Awesome TV Berita 7:57 didakwa keluarkan kenyataan perkauman". Harian Metro. 6 November 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Berita 757 Jadi Mangsa Manipulasi Politik - Awesome TV". Getaran. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  14. ^ Helmi Foad (21 February 2023). "Pengurus Editor Kumpulan Berita 757, Mohamed Ilyas letak jawatan serta-merta". Harapan Daily. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  15. ^ Rahimy Rahim; Tarrence Tan; Martin Carvalho (20 February 2023). "MCMC to meet TV channel after fake news report on reduction of civil service, says Fahmi". The Star Online. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  16. ^ "MCMC investigates Awesome TV over news report". The Malaysian Reserve. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Awesome TV nafi ada kaitan dengan Astro, parti politik". Kosmo!. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  18. ^ Norhayati Nordin (21 February 2023). "Awesome TV tiada agenda politik". Harian Metro. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  19. ^ "MCMC to open investigation paper on Awesome TV". The Sun Daily. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  20. ^ Mohd Amreel Iman Abd Malek (24 May 2023). "Awesome TV didenda RM250,000". Sinar Harian. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  21. ^ Putra Aziz (25 May 2023). "SKMM kompaun Awesome TV RM250,000 atas pelbagai kesalahan, termasuk beroperasi tanpa lesen". Soya Cincau. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  22. ^ Arjun Mohanakrishnan (24 May 2023). "Awesome TV compounded RM250,000 for licensing breach". The Vibes. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Persatuan filem: Kenyataan Awesome TV biadab". Malaysiakini. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  24. ^ "Awesome TV urged to apologise over rude statement". The Malaysian Insight. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Awesome TV digugurkan daripada acara perarakan Hari Kebangsaan". MalaysiaNow. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  26. ^ "Masa terhad, Fahmi perjelas pengguguran Awesome TV". Head Topics. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  27. ^ Mohd Iskandar Ibrahim (19 October 2023). "MYTV gantung siaran Awesome TV". Berita Harian. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  28. ^ Hilmi Malik (19 October 2023). "MYTV gantung siaran Awesome TV berkuat kuasa 2 Nov". Astro Awani. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  29. ^ "MYTV to suspend broadcast of Awesome TV from Nov 2". The Star Online. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  30. ^ "Awesome TV sepatutnya beroperasi sehingga Ogos 2025 di MYTV, bayaran dikenakan tidak adil". mStar Online. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  31. ^ Arif Zikri (20 October 2023). "Awesome TV claims unfair treatment after MYTV's decision to suspend the channel on its platform". Malay Mail. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  32. ^ A. Adied (28 December 2022). "Awesome TV Jadi Kegemaran Rakyat Malaysia, Rangkul Anugerah Cemerlang SKMM". Murai.my. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  33. ^ Najiy Jefri (24 December 2022). "Awesome TV terima anugerah". Harian Metro. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
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