TV2 (Malaysian TV network)

Tamil News Title.

Logo of TV2 Malaysia (2011-2013).

The idea of a second television channel in Malaysia emerged as early as 1964. The previous year, Singapore gained two television channels (on channels 5 and 8). The plan for the second channel out of Kuala Lumpur was outlined as part of the arrival of equipment from the United Kingdom, which was set to arrive in April-May 1964. The second channel was scheduled to begin its services in June 1964.[1]

The then-Information Minister, Senu bin Abdul Rahman announced that Television Malaysia was going to start a second channel with the initial target date for its launch estimated to be on 8 February 1969.[2] The plan was to coincide with the move of the television facilities to Bukit Puteri (Angkasapuri).[3] The new channel would air programmes sponsored by commercial organisations.[4]

An attempt at starting an experimental broadcast was held in December 1968. The aim was not to disrupt the programming of the existing channel, which was temporarily blocked to air a Quran reading competition. The trial run of the "second channel" ran from December 9 to 14, and was limited to a six-day relay of the programming usually seen on the existing service.

The channel broadcast on the following frequencies:

• 8 (Kuala Lumpur, Penang)
• 9 (Ipoh, Malacca)
• 10 (Johor Bahru)
• 2 (Taiping)
• 6 (Kluang)

[5]

The initial launch date scheduled for 8 February 1969 was ultimately scrapped, being delayed to the end of the year[6] - initially, April was the new planned target.[7]

Recruitment for the new channel started in July in order to accelerate the process for its launch.[8] The launch date was announced in September: 17 November, commencing its broadcasts from Angkasapuri. The existing channel would be renamed Siaran Nasional while TV2 would be "somewhat commercialised", according to TV Malaysia director Ow Keng Law.[9]

TV2, then Rangkaian Kedua (Second Network) began operations on 17 November 1969, when Televisyen Malaysia (currently known as TV1) bifurcated into two channels and merge with Radio Malaysia to become the present-day broadcasting department. Then, TV1 was known as Rangkaian Pertama (First Network). The channel opened at 9pm, starting with a speech by Tunku Abdul Rahman followed at 9:15pm by a special programme introducing viewers to the new television facilities. The channel closed at 10:45pm. The frequencies were the same as the "emergency frequencies" used by what was now Siaran Nasional in December 1968.[10]

The new channel had a "dual role": entertainment and goodwill coupled by a nationalistic feeling.[11] Initially it wasn't available in the east coast, when TV Malaysia put wrestling matches on TV2 in 1970, when they were achieving its apex in popularity,[12] viewers in the area were deprived.[13]

Like TV1, TV2 started broadcasting in colour since 28 December 1978 in Peninsular Malaysia.[14] During its early years, it only broadcast in the evenings, with daytime broadcasts for schools under the TV Pendidikan banner from 1972 until 1999, when daytime transmission was introduced on the channel.

In May 1983, it was announced that TV2 would start broadcasting to East Malaysia on 31 August 1983, Malaysia's Independence Day (or Hari Merdeka), enabling the channel to have total nationwide coverage. The channel's nationwide operations cost a total sum of M$ 23 million.[15]

Since 3 April 2006, the channel began to broadcast 24 hours a day to offer more programmes for viewers who stay up late to watch television.[16] Its sister channel, TV1 followed suit more than 6 years later on 21 August 2012. On 1 April 2019, TV2 has started its HDTV broadcasting in conjunction of RTM's 73rd anniversary, and available exclusively through myFreeview DTT service on channel 102.

• List of television stations in Malaysia
• Radio Televisyen Malaysia
• TV1
• TV Okey
• Sukan RTM
• Berita RTM

• Official website