Media Prima Television Networks unveils its strategies and line-up of programmes for next year. HIZREEN KAMAL writes.

Farid presenting the line-up for TV3’s programmes next year.

AMAZING. Compelling. Higher quality content.

These are the buzzwords Media Prima Television Networks are leveraging on next year in their effort to be the preferred platform for the local television audience.

In a strategic move to meet and even exceed the expectations of Malaysians across all age groups, Media Prima’s four television stations — TV3, ntv7, 8TV and TV9 — will collectively be investing about RM250 million on local and foreign content.

“We want to provide the best content regardless of type and genre, whether it is the best English series, movies, local drama, magazine, documentary, reality shows, news and current affairs, Chinese series or animation,” said Media Prima Television Networks Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farid Ridzuan at the Media Prima TV Networks 2009 Screenings held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre last week.
While forecasting that 2009 might be a challenging year, Farid, who is also Media Prima International chief executive officer, said TV viewership had increased with Malaysians spending more than three hours (or 50 per cent) of their leisure time watching TV.

While TV3 is by far the most watched station with a 22 per cent lead, its nearest competitor, TV9, is the second most watched channel among the Malays with a 12 per cent share.

ntv7 and 8TV are the No.1 and No. 2 Chinese networks with a 21 per cent and 17 per cent market share, respectively.

All four stations have a collective 50 per cent in all television audiences aged 4 years and above. From that amount, 58 per cent consists of Malays, 51 per cent urban youths and 41 per cent urban adults age 25 years old and above.

Farid said that even online TV had also emerged as an important vehicle for the four TV stations with over 20 million video views monthly. Popular programmes include Impak Maksima, Manjalara, Deal or No Deal, Age of Glory, Ghost, Ho Chak, Pak Pandir and Mari Bertaranum.

Meanwhile, he said with TV3 celebrating its 25th anniversary next year, a series of year-round activities have been planned to celebrate the milestone.

“TV3 is no longer just a TV station. Its brand and content cut across race, religion and creed. TV3 is an icon that informs and educates as well as entertain.

“This year, TV3’s run of prime-time success has been amazing. From Abadi Sebuah Cinta in the Samarinda slot, Kekasihku Seru in the Seram slot, Sindarela in the Lestary slot, right up to Impak Maksima in the Aksi slot, have all been huge successes,” he said, adding that these well-established slots would be further strengthened with new and exciting titles next year.

They include La Dolce Amira, which will premiere in the Lestary slot, and Rozana and Yusof in the Samarinda slot. The Seram slot will feature Keliwon and Tower 13.

Viewers will also be treated to entertaining sitcoms such as Pemandu Jutawan, directed by Aziz M.Osman.

Also worth mentioning is the prime time slots for TV3 which will be expanded next year. There will be high-rating programmes in the morning and evening with the new Senda Pagi slot featuring titles such as Ewah-Ewah, Berek and Chef Jo, and the all-new Roda Impian and Adikku Pandai Menari in the evening.

There will also be five new big shows with a new mega drama titled Nur Kasih, a CGI-laden drama series Bio-Nik, Sejuta Impian (a reality show where TV3 will celebrate its 25th anniversary by giving away RM1 million to a lucky participant), musical drama Tari Tirana and Rempit vs Impak Maksima the series, directed by Ahmad Idham.

Meanwhile, ntv7 will leap into the new year with pride after proudly garnering the sole Malaysian nomination in the prestigious Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Awards 2008 for The Arena, under the TV Sports category.

Local programmes such as Jangan Lupa, Elly, Nite of Soulful Stars and Aku Bukan Buaya also garnered nominations in the recent Anugerah Skrin 2008. Additionally, American shows aired on ntv7 such as Survivor, The Amazing Race and Rachael Ray also won awards at this year’s Emmy Awards.

ntv7 will up its offerings for its discerning audience next year with shows such as Shear Genius, The Ex-List, Fringe, Grey’s Anatomy Year 5, Private Practice Year 2, Samantha Who? Year 2 and Bones Year 4. It also marks their nationwide debut on ntv7.

For local feel-good favourites, Phua Chu Kang Sdn Bhd, What Men Want, The B.O.S.S., Celebrity Karaoke, Talian Hayat, 1..2..Jus Year 3, Wakenabeb! Year 4, Seekers Year 6 and the all-new The Breakfast Show, are sure to be entertaining.

The big highlight for next year will be the local Chinese content, mainly Mr Siao’s Mandarin Class, Age of Glory Year 2, Pasar, Lion Hearts, Oil is Thicker Than Blood, My Destiny, Unsolved Mysteries, Front Line, Roots, WOW and Project Laugh — apart from brand new TVB, Hokkien and Hakka drama series.

Fresh from winning multiple international and local awards such as the Phoenix Awards, Promax/BDA Awards and the recent Anugerah Skrin 2008, 8TV will continue to maintain its core focus on the best of Hollywood shows with award-winning series like Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Prison Break and Pushing Daisies.

The new line-up will include 90210, the spin-off of Beverly Hills 90210, Dollhouse and Cupid.

As for local content, there’s Blogger Boy (drama), The Last Passenger (game show), Cheerleader (reality), One In A Million Year 3 (reality), Ultimate Power Group (reality), I Wanna Be A Model Year 3 (reality), Double Triple or Nothing (game show) and Double Triple or Nothing Kids (game show).

Meanwhile, to further strengthen TV9’s positioning next year, the station is focusing more on the young and contemporary Malay, without forgetting its existing loyal viewers.

Viewers can expect vibrant, fresh and contemporary content where TV9 will showcase more comedy, sitcom and reality shows.

Among them are Akademi Al-Quran Year 4, Bong Year 5, Oh La La and Jaguh.

Farid also touched on the revamp for special events such as Jom Heboh (TV3), ntv7 At The Mall (ntv7), 8TV Youth Tour (8TV), and Suarasa (TV9).

The stations will continue to host awards shows with TV3 playing host to Anugerah Juara Lagu, Anugerah Bintang Popular and Anugerah Skrin.

ntv7 on the other hand, will continue to helm distinguished events like Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM), The Academy Awards, The Golden Globe Awards and a new Chinese awards called Golden Seven Awards, while 8TV will focus on The Shout Awards (local), The Grammy Award, Teen Choice Awards and the American Music Awards.

At the grand 2009 Screenings, about 2,000 media buyers, advertisers, corporate clients, media and celebrities had a glimpse of the programmes which will be aired next year.

Farid presented the programmes for TV9 and TV3, while 8TV chief executive officer Ahmad Izham Omar presented for 8TV and ntv7.

Artistes who performed include Faizal Tahir, Shila (One in a Million), Aizat (Akademi Fantasia 6) and Dina (One in A Million).

There was also a special performance by several key chief executive officers. With Farid on percussions and Izham on keyboard, the band also comprised Malaysia Airlines chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala on lead guitar/vocal, TM Group chief executive officer Datuk Zamzamairani Mohd Isa on guitar, Maybank chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar on bass guitar and Celcom chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazally Ramly on drums.

They rocked the stage performing Blues Gang’s Panasnya Hari Ini and Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water which saw them collaborating with Faizal Tahir.

The atmosphere was like a carnival of sorts, with booths set up by the various stations to further promote their respective TV programmes.