Astro Radio

Last updated

Astro Radio
FormerlyAMP Radio Networks
(1996 - 2012)
Company type Subsidiary
Industry Radio network, Broadcasting
PredecessorAirtime Management and Programming Sdn. Bhd.
Founded1996;28 years ago (1996)
HeadquartersAll Asia Broadcast Centre,
Technology Park Malaysia,
Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Area served
Key people
Kenny Ong Chun Eng
Chief executive officer
Brands
Parent Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad
Website astroradio.com.my

Astro Radio (formerly known as Airtime Management and Programming or simply AMP Radio Networks) is a Malaysian radio network company which operates radio broadcasting services and more since 1996. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. Astro Radio owns and manages 13 private radio stations which are transmitted through the FM (frequency modulation) radio spectrum. As of November 2021, Astro Radio still remains as the number one and largest radio network company in Malaysia with 77.7% of Peninsular Malaysians and 15.6 million listeners tuning in to its stations weekly, together with its Media Prima counterpart, Media Prima Audio, according to the GfK Radio Audience Measurement (RAM) Wave 1 in October 2021. [1] Era being at top of the list with the most audience reach estimated at 6,000,000 listeners, followed by Sinar and Gegar.

Contents

Company background

Astro Radio was officially launched on 1 June 1996 as Airtime Management and Programming Sdn. Bhd. with the very first time five opened audio only including Hitz, Mix, Light & Easy, Classic Rock and TalkRadio.

Airtime Management and Programming Sdn. Bhd. (now AMP Radio Networks) operates eight terrestrial FM networks: Era FM, MY FM, Hitz FM, Mix FM, LiteFM, Sinar FM, Melody FM & THR.fm (now THR Raaga and THR Gegar). AMP broadcasts in four languages with 11.5 million Malaysians tuning in weekly.

AMP is the sole provider of 19 satellite radio services (which include the nine FM services and are available to all Astro subscribers in Malaysia and Brunei), the first South-East Asian broadcaster to utilise LIU (local insertion units) for local or regional advertisers and utilises Dynamic RDS (Radio Data System) as a commercial tool. Internationally, AMP also had involvement in the growth of radio industries in India, Indonesia and China.

AMP develops complementary platforms including on-air, on-ground, on-line and mobile technologies.

In 2012, as part of the expansion of its operations, AMP Radio Networks became Astro Radio Sdn. Bhd.

In October 2017, Astro Radio announced the launch of two new radio brands - goXuan FM and Zayan FM for a new generation of smart, technology and socially connected along with the new generation of listeners who are trendsetters and influencers in the digital and social media space. Zayan is the first Malaysian radio brand for modern Muslims, it aspires to serve this growing community by delivering music, content and dialogue that reverberates among them. While GoXuan goes where the trendsetting Chinese Gen Z are making their mark. Astro Radio has built a state of art live broadcast studio from which the brand will stream live entertainment content via its digital platforms throughout the whole day. Unlike any other radio brand in Malaysia, goXUAN is visually-led. [2]

On 1 January 2018, Astro Radio dropped the suffix “FM” as part of the rebranding for all its 11 radio stations, to focus on digital platform, inline with the current technology development.

"...Over the years, social media has proven to be a great platform to engage with our fans. Delivering content in this digital age means; engaging with our fans through various interactive platforms that drive talkability and social engagement. Platforms like these enable us to build a community of fans centered on tastemakers, such as our own talent who are household names.” [3]

Jake Abdullah, former Chief Executive Officer of Astro Radio.

Other brands

Raku

Astro Radio launched a radio and music streaming service platform known as Raku and then DVR Player in April 2015 through mobile and web. Raku is a short-form for Radio Aku (‘My Radio’ in Malay). Through Raku, Malaysians can stream millions of songs, videos and playlists curated by top local artistes including Yuna, Paper Plane Pursuit, Dasha Logan and many more. Users can also listen to more than 20 live radio stations through the free and premium versions of Raku. The application also provides local community updates such as articles, news, traffic and sports. Raku is available in English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. However, Raku services were rebranded into the new Syok platform in 2019. [4]

Syok

Astro Radio launched a multilingual entertainment and lifestyle platform known as Syok, stylised as SYOK in July 2019. The platform can allow users to listen to 26 Astro Radio brands (including online-only stations or Direct-To-Home [DTH] stations that are available on Astro TV, and East Malaysian stations) via live online streaming, listen to podcasts of all live radio and exclusive content, watch original short-form videos, read current articles, news and traffic updates and participate in contests. [5] [6]

Syok also offered pop-up stations, featuring tracks for some occasions, such as Public holidays in Malaysia. In addiction, they also provide Featured Radio, which include partnered radio stations such as Red Radio (in partnership with AirAsia), Rakita, AFO RADIO, and ABS-CBN Corporation (TeleRadyo, MOR Entertainment and MyxRadio).

Stations

StationExplanationLanguageYear of LaunchAstro Channel
Hitz The latest English songs, focused on younger listeners. Rebranded, with a dot, in 2001. One of the first radio channels by AMP to be launched in 1996.English1996852
Lite The oldest and latest songs for mature listeners. It was previously known as Light & Easy. One of the first radio channels by AMP to be launched in 1996.English1996854→
Mix The station plays adult contemporary music from the 90s and now, targeting listeners between the ages of 25 and 39.English1996 (as an Astro-only audio channel), 1997 (as an FM radio station)855
Era The latest songs from domestic and international repertoire, focused on younger listeners. This radio station is the first private radio station, to be broadcast completely in Malay, after being dominated by government-owned radio station for years.Malay1996 (as an Astro-only audio channel), 1998 (as an FM radio station)856
My Chinese songs for all ages. Formerly known as Chuan Zhen Xin Qu Tai (傳真心曲台) during the early years of broadcast.Chinese1996 (as an Astro-only audio channel), 1998 (as an FM radio station)853
Sinar The oldest and latest songs from domestic and international repertoire, focused on mature listeners. Formerly known as Wirama Melayu during the early years of broadcast.Malay1998 (as an Astro-only audio channel) , 2004 (as an FM radio station)857
Gegar A Malay-language radio station targeting the East Coast area.Malay1994 (original, as THR), 2005 (acquisition)863
Raaga Astro Radio's only Tamil-language radio station, targeting the West Coast area.Tamil1994 (original, as THR), 2005 (acquisition)859
Melody The oldest and latest songs, focused on mature listeners.Chinese1998 (as an Astro-only audio channel), 2012 (as an FM radio station)858
Go Xuan The latest songs and digital-first Chinese entertainment, focused on young listeners.Chinese2017877
Zayan The latest songs from domestic and international repertoire, focused on modern and contemporary Muslim listeners.Malay2017876

Defunct radio stations

AMP changed its line-up, swapping two of its English FM brands, namely Classic Rock and TalkRadio, for ERA FM (Bahasa Malaysia) and MY FM (Chinese), respectively. Melody FM was launched on 15 August 2012 to replace XFM on FM and Astro.

StationExplanationLanguageYear of Launch
Classic RockThe oldest and latest songs from rock music. However, it continues to be broadcast on Astro and via online only.English1997
TalkRadioNews and talk radio show; ceased broadcasting in 1998English1997
XFMSongs from Malaysian artists only, focused on younger listeners. However, it continues to be broadcast as an online station before ceased broadcasting in 2017Malay2004
Hitz SabahThis radio station was discontinued on 1 October 2023 and its frequency was taken over by Hitz.English2010
Hitz SarawakThis radio station was discontinued on 1 October 2023 and its frequency was taken over by Hitz.English2010
My SabahThis radio station was discontinued on 1 October 2023 and its frequency was taken over by My.Mandarin2010
My SarawakThis radio station was discontinued on 1 October 2023 and its frequency was taken over by My.Mandarin2010

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">THR.fm</span> Radio station in Kuala Lumpur

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astro Malaysia Holdings</span>

Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad is a Malaysian media and entertainment holding company that began as a paid digital satellite radio and television service, Astro. The company is owned by Usaha Tegas Sdn. Bhd., which also owns Astro Overseas Limited. It serves 5.7 million homes or 72% of Malaysian TV households, 7,500 enterprises, 17.2 million weekly radio listeners, 14.7 million digital monthly unique visitors and 3.1 million shoppers across its TV, radio, digital and commerce platforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hitz (radio station)</span> Malaysian national radio station

Hitz is a Malaysian national radio station managed by Astro Radio, a subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. The radio station name was changed from Hitz.FM to Hitz FM in 2014. In 2015, as according to Nielsen RAM Survey Wave #1, Hitz FM maintained its position as Malaysia's leading English-language station with over 1.2 million listeners. Hitz FM has a weekly audience of more than 2.2M listeners on radio. It targets listeners between the age of 10 to 29, according to Astro Radio. The radio station's slogan is "Malaysia's #1 Hit Music Station."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mix (Malaysian radio station)</span> Radio station in Kuala Lumpur

Mix is a Malaysian national radio station managed by Astro Radio, a subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. The station plays adult contemporary music from the 90s and now, targeting listeners between the ages of 25 and 39. In 2015, as according to Nielsen RAM Survey Wave #2, Mix FM recorded an average weekly audience of 245,000.

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Red FM is a defunct Malaysian English language-private radio station that used to broadcast across Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. It was managed by Star Media Radio Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Star Publications (M) Bhd. Red FM began broadcasting on 1 September 2001 and was one of Malaysia's top five English radio stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Era (radio station)</span> Radio station in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching

Era is a Malaysian Malay-language radio station operated by Astro Radio. The radio station broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The radio station went on air on 1 August 1998. In the past few years, this station played a wider mixture of music from the 1980s to current-day, but now it plays Malaysian and international hit songs, including Korean songs. It is also has regional stations in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. In 2015, as according to Nielsen RAM Survey Wave #1, Era FM maintained its position as Malaysia's leading Malay-language station with over 4.8 million listeners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital FM 88.9</span> Radio station in Kuala Lumpur

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lite (radio station)</span> Malaysian national radio station

Lite is one of Malaysia's English-language radio stations managed by Astro Radio, a subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. The station mostly plays Classic hits from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s which targeting listeners between the age of 35 to 49. Unlike any other stations by Astro Radio, Lite have the lowest weekly listeners based on GfK Radio Audience Measurement (RAM), Wave 1 in June 2019, Lite dropped by 0.24% to 831k weekly listeners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinar (radio station)</span> Radio station in Kuala Lumpur

Sinar is a Malaysian Malay-language radio station operated by Astro Radio. The radio station began broadcasting on 1 March 2004. The radio station focused on mature listeners and plays classic music from both local and foreign artists, compared to its sister station, Era, Gegar and Zayan), which target younger and East Coast listeners, respectively. In 2015, as according to Nielsen RAM Survey Wave #1, Sinar maintained its position as Malaysia's second leading Malay-language station with over 3.7 million listeners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melody (radio station)</span> Radio station in Kuala Lumpur

Melody is a Malaysian Chinese-language radio station. It is managed by Astro Radio, a subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. Melody FM was launched since 15 August 2012. Its frequencies were formerly used by radio station XFM (Xfresh). It was the second Astro Chinese radio station in Malaysia after My FM. In addition, Melody FM was the fifth Chinese radio station in Malaysia. The radio plays the Retro Chinese hits and some new easy listening music. Its music selections and content target mature audience which ages between 25–49 years old. In 2015, as according to Nielsen RAM Survey Wave #1, Melody FM had reach 398k listeners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raaga (radio station)</span> Radio station in Kuala Lumpur

Raaga is a Malaysian Tamil-language radio station operated by Astro Radio. In 2015, as according to Nielsen RAM Survey Wave #1, THR Raaga maintained its position as Malaysia's leading Tamil-language station with over two million listeners. It also emerged as South East Asia's No.1 Tamil radio station by beating state-owned Minnal FM and Singapore-based Oli 96.8FM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My (radio station)</span> Radio station in Kuala Lumpur

My is a Malaysian-Chinese language radio station managed by Astro Radio, a subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. In 2015, as according to Nielsen RAM Survey Wave #1, My FM maintained its position as Malaysia's leading Chinese-language station with over 2.0 million listeners, it was challenged by 988 which is currently the leading Chinese radio station there.

Zayan is a Malaysian Malay language radio station operated by Astro Radio. The radio station went on air on 2 October 2017. Its frequencies were formerly used by The Star's former radio station, Red FM. The radio station targets Muslim listeners aged 18–35 and plays music from local and international artists, as well as mainly Islamic-related content. It is the first Islamic radio station operated by Astro Radio.

GoXuan is a Malaysian Chinese language radio station operated by Astro Radio. The radio station went on air on 2 October 2017 and targets Chinese Generation Z listeners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gegar (radio station)</span> Radio station in Kuala Lumpur

Gegar is a Malaysian Malay language radio station operated by Astro Radio. The radio station targets East Coast Peninsular listeners and plays music from local artists, as well as some Islamic-related content. In late 2017, the former THR Gegar is rated as the No. 1 radio brand in the East Coast with 2.8 million weekly listeners by the GfK's Wave 2 Radio Audience Measurement (RAM). The rebranding on 1 January 2018 removed the "THR" name from Gegar, and the change also happened to Raaga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molek FM</span> Radio station in Selangor, Malaysia

Molek FM, stylised as molek fm is a Malaysian private radio station operated by Media Prima Audio, a radio subsidiary of Malaysian media conglomerate, Media Prima Berhad, serving the East Coast areas of Peninsular Malaysia. It operates 24 hours daily from the company's Sri Pentas headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. It is targeted to listeners aged 18 to 39, as well as East Coast peninsular listeners aged 24 to 34.

References

  1. "Post Survey 2021 S1 | Astro Radio". astroradio.com.my. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  2. "Astro Radio launches two new brands for its 15.4 million weekly listeners". RadioInfo Asia. 1 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  3. Astro Radio refreshes 11 brands
  4. "RAKU, a music & radio streaming mobile app from Astro". MalaysianWireless. 17 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  5. "Astro Radio introduces SYOK app, Everything Got!". Marketing Magazine. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  6. "Syok Official website".