TV2 (Malaysian TV network) explained

RTM TV2
Country:Malaysia
Area:
Headquarters:Angkasapuri, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Language:
Picture Format:16:9 HDTV (1080i)
Owner:Radio Televisyen Malaysia
Sister Channels:
Launch Date:

Closed Date:

Former Names:
  • Rangkaian Kedua
  • RTM 2
  • TV2
Terr Serv 1: myFreeview
Terr Chan 1:Channel 102 (HD)
Online Serv 1: RTMKlik
Online Chan 1:Watch live
Website:RTM TV2

RTM TV2 (stylised as tv2) is a Malaysian free-to-air public television channel owned and operated by the Radio Televisyen Malaysia, a broadcasting department of the Malaysian Government. Launched on 17 November 1969, TV2 is the second and second oldest TV station in Malaysia. The channel features mostly English, Mandarin and Tamil news and talk shows, the latter two languages were mainly produced for the dominant minority Chinese and Indian communities, whilst the English news functions for the nation's multiracial population whose dominant lingua franca or first language is the latter. It also offers some in-house, local and international entertainment programs, including reality shows, films and dramas as well as sports programming.[1] [2] [3] [4]

History

See main article: List of programmes broadcast by TV2 (Malaysia).

Setup

The idea of a second television channel in Malaysia emerged as early as 1964. The previous year, Singapore gained two television channels (on channels 5 and 8). The plan for the second channel out of Kuala Lumpur was outlined as part of the arrival of equipment from the United Kingdom, which was set to arrive in April-May 1964. The second channel was scheduled to begin its services in June 1964.[5]

The then-Information Minister, Senu bin Abdul Rahman announced that Television Malaysia was going to start a second channel with the initial target date for its launch estimated to be on 8 February 1969.[6] [7] The plan was to coincide with the move of the television facilities to Bukit Puteri (Angkasapuri).[8] The new channel would air programmes sponsored by commercial organisations.[9]

An attempt at starting an experimental broadcast was held in December 1968. The aim was not to disrupt the programming of the existing channel, which was temporarily blocked to air a Quran reading competition. The trial run of the "second channel" ran from 14 to 19 December and was limited to a six-day relay of the programming usually seen on the existing service.

The channel broadcast on the following frequencies:

[10]

The initial launch date scheduled for 8 February 1969 was ultimately scrapped, being delayed to the end of the year[11] - initially, April was the new planned target.[12]

Recruitment for the new channel started in July in order to accelerate the process for its launch.[13] The launch date was announced in September: 17 November, commencing its broadcasts from Angkasapuri. The existing channel would be renamed Siaran Nasional while TV2 would be "somewhat commercialised", according to TV Malaysia director Ow Keng Law.[14]

1969–1984

TV2, then Rangkaian Kedua (Second Network) began operations on 17 November 1969, when Televisyen Malaysia (now known as TV1) bifurcated into two channels and merge with Radio Malaysia to become the present-day broadcasting department.[15] [16] Then, TV1 was known as Rangkaian Pertama (First Network). The channel opened at 9pm, starting with a speech by Tunku Abdul Rahman followed at 9:15pm by a special programme introducing viewers to the new television facilities. The channel closed at 10:45pm. The frequencies were the same as the "emergency frequencies" used by what was now Siaran Nasional in December 1968.[17]

The new channel had a "dual role": entertainment and goodwill coupled by a nationalistic feeling.[18] Initially it wasn't available in the east coast, when TV Malaysia put wrestling matches on TV2 in 1970, when they were achieving its apex in popularity,[19] viewers in the area were deprived.[20]

Like TV1, TV2 started broadcasting in colour since 28 December 1978 in Peninsular Malaysia.[21] During its early years, it only broadcast in the evenings, with daytime broadcasts for schools under the TV Pendidikan banner from 1972 until 1999, when daytime transmission was introduced on the channel.

Colour broadcasts began on 7 May 1979, with 14 hours a week of programmes in colour. [22]

In May 1982, it was announced that TV2 would start broadcasting to East Malaysia on 31 August 1983, [23] Malaysia's Independence Day (or Hari Merdeka), enabling the channel to have total nationwide coverage. The channel's nationwide operations cost a total sum of M$ 23 million.[24]

Post–1984

In March 1984, TV2 began airing Cantonese and Hokkien dramas, replacing its Wednesday evening Chinese movie slot. Such dramas, produced in Hong Kong and Taiwan respectively and contain no violence, would be sourced from a local distributor. TV2 had previously aired the TVB-produced Cantonese drama One Plus One in December 1983,[25] and in 1981, replacing its two Mandarin drama slots which were on "annual leave".[26] The first regularly-airing Cantonese drama, Women CID, began on 7 March 1984, airing two episodes back-to-back on Wednesdays at 8:30 pm.[27]

The first locally-produced Cantonese drama, The Shell Game, began airing in January 1987.[28]

In late 1987,[29] TV1 along with TV2 revamped their programming to compete with rival TV3 with movies, American serials and Chinese dramas.[30] Public affairs programmes were planned to be included. Sports programming airs at 10 pm. [31] Sign off time were now at midnight on weekdays and 1 am on weekends.

English programmes and English news broadcasts airing on TV1 would move to TV2 as an effort to convert TV1 into an all-Malay channel in stages in late 1987.[32]

On 1 February 1988, TV2's English, Mandarin and Tamil news broadcasts became 25 minutes long instead of 20 minutes.[33]

TV2 began adding a weekly Chinese action drama series in late 1988 to complement the existing Chinese programmes. RTM had planned to add the series in July 1988.[34]

RTM had plans to introduce separate primetime news programmes for TV1 and TV2 in 1991. At that time, TV2 simulcast TV1's 8 pm news. The Information Ministry believes that along with TV3's news, it would provide "a wider range of information through the electronic media" and "keep viewers informed of developments" from Malaysia and abroad.[35] In July 1992, RTM decided that TV2's news will be on local, foreign and economy. The English news broadcast would also be moved from its 11:30 pm slot.[36]

As a response to requests by viewers in states where Friday is a holiday, TV2 began adding six hours for its Friday broadcasts starting January 1992.[37] Along with that, TV2 will start Friday-to-Sunday weekend broadcasts at the same time as TV1, which is at 8 am.

TV2 began reducing the airing of Chinese programmes in 1991 to promote the production of local Chinese content that reflected the Malaysian Chinese culture,[38] using the airtime saved from not airing action films from Hong Kong. The airtime for Chinese programmes in 1992 was at seven and a half hours,[39] with an hour more added in 1993.[40]

In April 1993, TV2 and TV1 underwent news broadcast timeslot reschedulling.[41] [42] [43]

Starting in 1994, RTM revamp TV1 and TV2 programmes by airing religion, information and educational programmes in primetime slot.[44] TV2's English news began aired during primetime on 27 December 1994.[45] In April 1995, TV2 and its sister channel, TV1 facing a disruption of broadcast transmissions for two hours due to power surge after Tenaga Nasional's cables went damaged.[46]

In conjunction with RTM's 50th anniversary on 1 April 1996, TV2 began 18 hour broadcast while its sister channel, TV1 began 24 hour broadcast.[47] [48]

In April 1998, TV1 and TV2 decided to decrease transmission hours and save RM50 million in costs. Its sister channel TV1 would lose one hour of its broadcast day,[49] with the sign on time now at 7 am. A similar proposal made in November 1998, meant to start in January 1999, was to "cut operating costs" and would save RM30 million.[50] In April 2001, in conjunction with RTM's 55th anniversary, TV2 and its sister channel, TV1 underwent restructuring on their respective scheduling time to adapt with current situation.[51]

On 1 January 2003, TV2 and its sister channel, TV1 underwent programme reschedulling in order to "give a satisfaction" to its viewers and to attract its advertisers.[52] The new schedulling saws both channels aired programmes in English.[53] In August the same year, both channels went on to reschedulling their news broadcast.[54] [55]

Upon RTM's new logo launching in August 2004,[56] TV2 along with TV1 launches their respective new logo and image branding.[57] At the same time, TV2 adopt a new slogan, "Saluran Famili Anda" (Your Family Channel)[58] and began to airing more variety and informative shows.[59] In February 2005, TV2 and its sister channel, TV1 programmes began to aired on MiTV until the latter's shutdown in November 2006.[60]

On 1 April 2006, in conjunction with RTM's 60th anniversary, TV2 and its sister channel, TV1 went rebranding and reverted back to their respective 1978 brand name.[61] [62] [63]

Since 3 April 2006, the channel began to broadcast 24 hours a day to offer more programmes for viewers who stay up late to watch television.[64] Its sister channel, TV1 followed suit more than 6 years later on 21 August 2012.[65]

In 2008, TV2 along with TV1 gained the increasing of viewership ratings and revenue in the last six months.[66] [67] On 1 January 2009, RTM2 along with its sister channel RTM1 reverted to its old primary name, which has been used since 1990, and at the same time, their respective new logo was introduced.[68]

TV2 and its sister channel, TV1 also airs programmes during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration annually.[69]

On 1 April 2019, TV2 has started its HDTV broadcasting in conjunction of RTM's 73rd anniversary, and available exclusively through myFreeview DTT service on channel 102.[70] [71]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: TV1, TV2 stuggle to regain footing. New Sunday Times. 10 September 2000. 7 March 2021.
  2. News: Mohamed: TV1 and TV2 still have strong following. New Straits Times. 13 June 1997. 2 January 2020.
  3. News: 'Golden Channel' loses shine. New Straits Times. 6 March 1995. 2 January 2020.
  4. News: TV2's brilliant tactic to win more viewers?. Fatimah Abu Bakar. New Straits Times. 15 April 1991. 22 January 2021.
  5. Web site: 14 February 1964 . Two-channel television is expected in June . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  6. Web site: 22 July 1968 . A second channel for TV Malaysia next year . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  7. News: Saloran kedua TV Malaysia mulai Februari—Senu. Berita Harian. 22 July 1968. 21 January 2018.
  8. Web site: 17 February 1968 . A SECOND CHANNEL ON TV AFTER THE BIG MOVE: SENU . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  9. Web site: 18 February 1968 . Before the end of year, says Senu - Channel 2 . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  10. Web site: 5 December 1968 . A second Channel for Koran contest . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  11. Web site: 29 January 1969 . Non-stop 9-hour television four days a week . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  12. Web site: 29 January 1969 . Sabah to have own TV in New Year . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  13. Web site: 23 July 1969 . Ministry readies for second TV channel . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  14. Web site: 6 September 1969 . Second TV channel on Nov. 17 . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  15. News: Siaran Talivisyen dari Angkasapuri Mulai Isnin. 5 October 1969. Berita Harian. 10 December 2020.
  16. News: TV fees. The Straits Times. 11 October 1969. 21 January 2018.
  17. Web site: 17 November 1969 . Page 15 Miscellaneous Column 2 . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  18. Web site: 18 November 1969 . Dual role for TV Malaysia's second channel: Tengku . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  19. Web site: 5 November 1970 . WRESTLING MOST POPULAR TV MALAYSIA PROGRAMME . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  20. Web site: 14 February 1970 . Television wrestling . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  21. Book: My Convergence. RTM: 70 Years Together With The Nation. 14. 47. Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. 2016. 2 January 2018.
  22. News: Channel 10 going colour on May 7 . 13 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 20 April 1979.
  23. News: Second TV channel for Sabah and Sarawak next year . 15 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 16 May 1982.
  24. Web site: 11 May 1983 . Channel 10 to go nationwide . 25 September 2023 . The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB).
  25. News: RTM will televise dialect shows regularly . 21 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 20 February 1984.
  26. News: KL may televise more Hongkong dialect dramas . 21 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 3 December 1983.
  27. News: Women CID serial to be aired in Malaysia . 21 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 25 February 1984.
  28. News: SBC wins prime-time war with quick switch . 21 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 24 April 1987.
  29. News: KL to black out TV violence, obscenity . 16 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 20 June 1987.
  30. News: TV3: 10 years on . 12 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 1 May 1994.
  31. News: Minister sets out aims of Broadcast Bill . 16 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 6 October 1987.
  32. News: RTM One to go all-Malay in stages . 12 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 26 August 1987.
  33. News: RTM to privatise most local TV shows . 14 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 30 January 1988.
  34. News: New Chinese action series soon on RTM 2 . 12 January 2024 . The Straits Times . 25 August 1988.
  35. News: RTM may have 2 different primetime news bulletins . 12 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 25 October 1991.
  36. News: RTM to introduce different formats for two TV channels . 14 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 21 July 1992.
  37. News: TV2 to run longer on Fridays, says minister . 21 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 30 December 1991.
  38. News: Time for Chinese TV programmes 'cut drastically' . 13 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 29 June 1992.
  39. News: TV time for HK violence films cut to 4 hours a week . 13 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 13 February 1992.
  40. News: TV stations limited to 8 hours of Chinese shows a week . 13 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 16 February 1993.
  41. News: RTM buat perubahan tiga slot berita. Berita Harian. 9 April 1993. 13 March 2022.
  42. News: Slot berita tarik minat penonton. Zainuri Misfar. Berita Harian. 14 April 1993. 13 March 2022.
  43. News: Changes in RTM news slot. Ainul Zaharah. The Malay Mail. 7 April 1993. 13 March 2022.
  44. News: RTM ubah program TV1, TV2. Berita Harian. 22 November 1993. 2 January 2020.
  45. News: TV2 English news to go prime time from Dec 27. New Straits Times. 8 December 1994. 13 March 2022.
  46. News: Power surge disrupts TV1, TV2 programmes. New Straits Times. 10 April 1995. 13 March 2022.
  47. News: RTM celebrates its 50th anniversary. Ainul Zaharah. The Malay Mail. 30 March 1996. 9 March 2021.
  48. News: RTM celebrates golden anniversary with special shows. Melanie Proctor. New Straits Times. 4 April 1996. 9 March 2021.
  49. News: RTM may cut transmission time . 12 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 30 April 1998.
  50. News: RTM may cut air time . 12 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 29 November 1998.
  51. News: RTM susun semula jadual rancangan. Akmal Abdullah. Berita Harian. 2 April 2001. 19 December 2001.
  52. News: RTM1, RTM2 disaran jadual semula program. Berita Harian. 13 January 2003. 7 March 2021.
  53. News: TV1, TV2 dikuasai program Inggeris. Berita Harian. 9 January 2003. 9 March 2021.
  54. News: RTM jadual semula berita TV1, TV2. Hafizah Iszahanid. Berita Minggu. 27 July 2003. 9 March 2021.
  55. News: 'News on 2' moving to TV1 slot after revamp. Tan Choe Choe. New Sunday Times. 27 July 2003. 9 March 2021.
  56. News: Kadir unveils new RTM logo. New Straits Times. 2 August 2004. 9 March 2021.
  57. News: TV1, TV2 mampu jadi kuasa media utama. Ismail Basmawi. Berita Harian. 16 December 2004. 7 March 2021.
  58. News: Saluran Famili Anda cogan kata baru TV2. Berita Harian. 21 August 2004. 8 March 2021.
  59. News: WAJAH BARU TV2. Ramlah Zainal. Harian Metro. 24 August 2004. 24 January 2020.
  60. News: MiTV siar semula program TV1, TV2. Berita Harian. 22 February 2005. 9 March 2021.
  61. News: KADIR PUAS HATI PROGRAM RTM. Ramlah Zainal. Harian Metro. 29 October 2005. 24 January 2020.
  62. News: RTM BELUM TANDUS IDEA. Harian Metro. 28 December 2005. 24 January 2020.
  63. News: Kadir: Rebranding of TV1 and TV2 a success. The Malay Mail. 22 June 2005. 9 March 2021.
  64. Web site: RTM to launch third channel. Mumtaj Begum. 24 March 2006. The Star (Malaysia). 30 October 2022.
  65. News: Agenda menarik TV1, TV2. Murshid Eunos. Harian Metro. 3 August 2012. 24 January 2020.
  66. News: Syabas RTM, tetapi jangan leka dengan persaingan. Zainuri Misfar. Berita Harian. 9 January 2008. 8 January 2020.
  67. News: Ratings, revenue jump for RTM since June. The Malay Mail. 7 January 2008. 8 January 2020.
  68. News: RTM1, RTM2 kembali jadi TV1, TV2. Rozdan Mazalan. Berita Harian. 29 December 2008. 24 January 2020.
  69. News: TV1, TV2 sarat program raya. Wan Asrudi Wan Hassan. Harian Metro. 9 September 2010. 24 January 2020.
  70. News: Selepas 73 tahun RTM masih relevan dan kukuh, kata Gobind. Malaysiakini. 1 April 2019. 8 March 2020.
  71. News: 73 years on, RTM as relevant as ever, says Perak MB. The Malaysian Insight. 13 April 2019. 8 March 2020.