KUALA LUMPUR – Local free-to-air television channel Awesome TV has hit back at its broadcaster, MYTV Broadcasting, for suspending it over commercial issues while in the midst of negotiations.
In a statement, Awesome TV said it was disappointed that MYTV had announced the suspension effective November 2 while talks were still ongoing.
MYTV had also treated the three year-old channel “poorly”, charging it higher payments compared to other free-to-air stations, Awesome TV’s management said in a statement responding to MYTV’s announcement earlier this evening.
“We have to pay a hefty amount to utilise MYTV’s platform for 30 months, while other start-up stations pay the same rate for 60 months,” it said.
“Based on the payments made, we can broadcast until August 2025.
“We were also denied MCMC subsidies given by MYTV for television operators,” Awesome TV added.
The channel said MYTV had an unfair advantage in commercial negotiations as it monopolised the broadcasting industry, thus creating an uneven playing field for television channel operators.
Awesome TV purported that MYTV’s charges are “not worthwhile” as most of the former’s viewership comes from satellite television platforms.
“Those watching television via MYTV is low as compared to satellite TV, as there is no effective marketing and low awareness among the audience.
“Only two million homes with TVs have used MYTV since 2020, and there has not been an increase until now. Only 40 to 50% of the number are active users.
“MYTV watchers are as low as seven million people, as compared to the total of 23 million television watchers in Malaysia,” it said.
Nevertheless, Awesome TV said it had worked to promote the MYTV platform to encourage viewership, and regretted that it did not receive the same courtesy.
MYTV is responsible for developing and operating Malaysia’s Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) infrastructure and network facilities under the National Broadcasting Digitalisation Project.
It is Malaysia’s only platform for free digital TV, currently accessed by 6.3 million viewers nationwide, with no monthly fees or charges.
Awesome TV is still available on Astro. – October 19, 2023