TVS: Empowering Sarawak, Inspiring Malaysia

TVS, a groundbreaking venture in Malaysian broadcasting, became the first and only television station outside the Klang Valley when it was officially launched on October 10, 2020.

Fully owned by the Sarawak Government, TVS also holds the distinction of being the first television station in Malaysian Borneo with national coverage, broadcasting on Channel 122 across MyTV, AstroTV, and Unifi TV. This strategic positioning allows TVS to reach audiences far andwide, not just through traditional television but also through its digital platform at www.tvsarawak.my and its active presence on social media.

Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, TVS is not just another television station. It is a pioneering force in East Malaysia, and it proudly stands as the only national station at a regional or state level. TVS has established itself as a leader in Sarawak’s growing broadcasting industry, playing an essential role in building the local workforce, particularly by nurturing talent among Sarawak’s youth. This focus on developing local expertise and creative capabilities positions TVS as a critical player in the regional media landscape.

The station’s dedicated team, which includes home grown journalists, producers, and crew members, is deeply committed to telling authentic stories that resonate with viewers. They travel extensively across Sarawak and beyond, ensuring that the station delivers fresh, unique, and culturally relevant content. This approach has positioned TVS as a rising force in both the regional and national broadcasting world. By continuously offering new content and innovative perspectives, TVS is helping transform Malaysia’s media landscape, especially in Sarawak.

As Sarawak’s first stateowned television station, TVS is committed to supporting the vision of Sarawak’s Premier. This vision emphasizes the importance of preserving culture, disseminating accurate and timely information, and showcasing the uniqueness of Sarawak’s diverse communities to both local and global audiences.

Being the first regional television media outlet with national coverage, TVS has moved beyond its regional focus to include news and stories from across Malaysia and around the world. Its programming is designed not only to inform but also to foster unity, mutual understanding, and togetherness among viewers.

Some of the station’s live broadcasts have had a particularly significant impact. For example, events like the Premier’s Townhall, Sarawak Decides, Malaysia Decides, AIFFA 2023, Sarawak Regatta and the SUKMA 2024—a national sports event that holds special symbolic importance for Malaysia—have all captivated audiences.

The SUKMA 2024, in particular, attracted more than 30 million viewers within 2 weeks of its live broadcast. By broadcasting these key events, TVS has demonstrated its commitment to celebrating and sharing Malaysia’s vibrant traditions with the world.

In addition to its live event coverage, TVS has made a notable impact by producing original creative content that resonates with local and national audiences. The station has successfully created and broadcast various documentary series, highlighting Sarawak’s unique stories, while travel and tourism programs showcase the region’s natural beauty and cultural richness.

Local cooking shows like Aroma Sungkei and Akik’s Stove have also gained a loyal following, blending entertainment with a celebration of Sarawak’s culinary heritage. Furthermore, TVS has successfully ventured into producing high-quality dramas and telemovies, as well as inspiring talk shows such as Inspirasi Duniamu and Dialog TVS, which feature stories of personal growth, community, and inspiration.

TVS’s dedication to delivering high-quality content and information has not gone unnoticed. Within just 4 years of its establishment, the station has received numerous prestigious accolades, reflecting its growing influence and commitment to excellence.

Some of the awards TVS has garnered include the Kenyalang Journalism Awards, the Spotlight Documentary Film Awards, the MPI-Petronas Malaysian Journalism Awards 2022, the 10th Anak Sarawak Awards 2023, and the OSH Practitioners and Media Award 2022. These accolades underscore TVS’s important role in the Malaysian media landscape, while also recognizing the hard work and creativity of its team.

As TVS continues to grow, it brings forwards new strategies for delivering content including utilizing the latest technology and embracing AI, one step at a time. The station’s programs go beyond simple entertainment; they reflect the identity, traditions, and aspirations of the people of Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole.

In doing so, TVS plays an important role in shaping and reflecting the cultural and social fabric of the nation. The station is also fully embracing the digital era. By leveraging the power of social media and other digital platforms, TVS has maintained strong connections with its audience and has adapted to the changing viewing habits of modern consumers. This digital presence allows the station to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving media environment, while also supporting the values and vision of the Sarawak government.

With Sarawak’s continuous economic progress, TVS is positioned to play a catalytic role in expanding the local advertising and creative industries, while also promoting Sarawak’s products to the national market. Homegrown brands like MOMA, along with international names such as Pepsi, have collaborated with TVS on successful seasonal campaigns.

As national advertising spending becomes increasingly fragmented, the station recognizes the potential to grow Sarawak’s own advertising expenditure (adex) and attract new advertisers from the region. By embracing both traditional and digital media, this combination offers a more effective way to reach its audience. TVS is also transforming the way advertisers use television by not solely focusing on individual program ratings, but instead offering run-of-station campaigns at competitive rates.

Looking toward the future, TVS has several exciting initiatives in the pipeline. Under the leadership of Sarawak Media Group (SMG), TVS aims to expand its reach even further by integrating traditional linear television broadcasting with emerging platforms like social TV, LED billboards, and event management. By early 2025, SMG shall have 5 giant LED Billboards, each located in the city centres of Sibu, Bintulu and Miri while Kuching will have 2 LED Billboards.

These outdoor billboards shall be complementing TVS in its drive to reach as many Sarawakians as possible. This approach reflects TVS’s forward-thinking strategy, which is designed to keep pace with technological advancements and changing audience preferences.

One of TVS’s key strategies for future growth is its plan to expand operations to new locations. The station is set to establish operational bases in Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, and Kuala Lumpur. By doing so, TVS will be able to further strengthen its presence both in Sarawak and across Malaysia.

Additionally, the station has ambitious plans to increase program exchanges with other states across Malaysia, as well as with neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, and even as far afield as Latin America. These exchanges will allow TVS to showcase the lives, stories, and diverse experiences of people from different regions, fostering greater understanding and connection between viewers.

TVS’s vision goes beyond simply expanding its geographic reach. The station aims to become a top choice for Malaysian communities, not only by providing quality programming but also by creating a lasting emotional connection with its audience. TVS doesn’t just want to be seen—it wants to be felt. This goal reflects the station’s deep commitment to producing content that resonates on a personal and cultural level with its viewers.

At the heart of TVS’s mission is its desire to reflect the unique identity and culture of Sarawak, while also promoting unity and understanding across Malaysia’s diverse communities. The station is dedicated to telling stories that matter, whether they are about local traditions, national events, or global issues. Through its programming, TVS seeks to inspire its audience and support the aspirations of Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole.

In conclusion, TVS stands as a trailblazer in the Malaysian broadcasting industry. As the first and only television station outside the Klang Valley with national coverage, it has already made a significant impact on both regional and national media landscapes.

With its commitment to excellence, its focus on nurturing local talent, and its ability to adapt to the digital age, TVS is poised for even greater success in the years to come. As it continues to grow and expand, TVS will remain a vital part of Sarawak’s cultural and media landscape, telling stories that inspire, inform, and entertain audiences across Malaysia and beyond.

After 20 years of evolving technology, shifting market trends, and adapting to changing consumer behaviour, the media landscape has nearly reached saturation.

We’ve optimised to the fullest, providing advertisers with abundant choices across technology, platforms, data-driven marketing, CTV, OTT, DOOH, influencer marketing, retail, etc.

Media specialists have diversified, but with more options comes the challenge of maintaining income growth. The industry is expanding, but revenue isn’t keeping pace.

Now, we’re at a TURNING POINT: time to explore and harness new sustainable revenue streams. While GroupM forecasts a 7.8% global ad revenue growth in 2024, challenges like antitrust regulation, AI and copyright issues, and platform bans persist.  

Collaboration is key: partnerships that thrive on synergy, shared values, and aligned goals are becoming increasingly essential.

Hence, the Malaysian Media Conference, in its 20th year, has assembled the partners and players under one roof on October 25 for a day of learning, sharing, and exploring.

 

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