TV AlHijrah collaborates with Telekom Malaysia to showcase programmes on demand via Hypp TV platform, writes Bibi Nurshuhada Ramli
VIEWERS can now watch the TV AlHijrah channel on HyppTV. The first Islamic On-Demand content TV, AlHijrah On Demand from Telekom Malaysia’s (TM) IPTV service provider, HyppTV, features Islamic contents in HD format.
The programmes are available for viewing at anytime, commercial free. With a monthly subscription fee of RM10, subscribers will be able to access a library of Islamic programmes on TV AlHijrah, from talk shows and documentaries to cooking shows, in both Bahasa Malaysia and English.
BEAUTY OF ISLAM
At the launch, AlHijrah Media Corporation chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Yusof Noor says: “From research, we have found that there are a lot of religious channels in developed countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
“With world events that may have misrepresented Islam, it is timely to use this platform to show the beauty of Islam, especially to those who want to learn and understand it better.”
He was initially worried that TV AlHijrah would not be well-received by Malaysians.
“With the government’s support, we have continued to steadily gain viewers. It is due to positive feedback from viewers that we decided to come out with AlHijrah On Demand,” he says.
A large number of viewers who interact with TV AlHijrah are university students. “It’s great to see the young interested in religious programmes and who use them as a mean to deal with crisis and as food for the soul,” says Mohd Yusof, adding that through religious shows from abroad, TV AlHijrah showcases how other countries package Islamic content on TV, which in turn helps viewers see Islam in a different light.
POPULAR SPIRITUAL SHOWS
One popular programme on AlHijrah On Demand is Cinta Ilmu, a talk show featuring ustaz and ustazah discussing various religious topics.
30 Minit Bersama Ustaz Don is another popular talk show available, where Ustaz Don shares his views on related Islamic topics with a young Muslim audience.
In conjunction with Ramadan, AlHijrah On Demand offers special programmes such as Hidangan Barakah, a cooking show by Chef Ammar El-Ali who prepares recipes from the Middle East and Mediterranean regions.
Also available is Madrasah AlHijrah Ramadan, an informal and educational Islamic programme that discusses various topics related to Ramadan.
“For now, we only supply in-house produced content for AlHijrah On Demand platform. However, if TV AlHijrah secures the rights for foreign content, we will do the same for AlHijrah On Demand,” says Mohd Mokhtar Abdul Rahman, general manager of TV AlHijrah’s acquisition and airtime management.
He adds that currently, only top TV AlHijrah programmes are aired on AlHijrah On Demand. “To add value to AlHijrah On Demand, we will premiere new programmes on this platform first, before airing them on the free-to-air TV AlHijrah.”
INTERACTIVE FEATURES
AlHijrah On Demand comes with interactive viewing features, so viewers can pause, rewind and fast forward for their viewing convenience.
“Viewers can now watch various religious programmes on AlHijrah On Demand at their convenience. It’s like being at a madrasah (religious school) but you’re actually at home,” says TM chairman Datuk Seri Dr Halim Shafie.
Subscribers can enjoy the channel on-the-go with the HyppTV Everywhere app that can be downloaded from Apple Store and Google Play.
AlHijrah On Demand is the second channel available from AlHijrah Media Corporation on HyppTV platform, after its free-to-air offering TV AlHijrah in HD (HyppTV Channel 114).
“We will continue to explore collaborations with local contentpreneurs to enable us to bring an enhanced viewing experience to Malaysians,” says Halim.
TV AlHijrah is one of 10 most favourite channels on HyppTV. Halim believes AlHijrah On Demand will win viewers’ hearts with its diverse high-quality programming.
AlHijrah On Demand (HyppTV Channel 834) is available for RM10 monthly subscription fee. Click VOD (Video On Demand) button on your HyppTV remote control and make your selection. Details at www.tvalhijrah.com.