Raaga (radio station)

Raaga (THR Raaga)[1] is a Malaysian Tamil-language radio station operated by Astro Radio. In 2015, as according to Nielsen RAM Survey Wave #1, THR Raaga maintained its position as Malaysia's leading Tamil-language station with over two million listeners.[2] It also emerged as South East Asia's No.1 Tamil radio station by beating state-owned Minnal FM and Singapore-based Oli 96.8FM.

RAAGA
Broadcast areaMalaysia (Peninsular Malaysia)
Singapore and Indonesia (Raaga Johor only)
Programming
Language(s)Tamil
FormatContemporary hit radio
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
1 January 2005 (2005-01-01)
Former names
THR Raaga
(01.01.2005 - 31.12.2017)
Links
Webcastaudio1.syok.my/raaga
Websiteraaga.my

The station is well known for its breakfast show, Kalakkal Kaalai, which began broadcasting on 1 August 2006. The Hindi Power is also carried on the station since early 2010, which was previously broadcast on Gegar.

THR Raaga became a 24-hour radio station on all FM frequencies for the first time in July 2018, removing the entire Gegar broadcasts during 02:00 to 06:00. Previously, Raaga's broadcasts during these hours was only available via online and Channel 859 Astro.

History

The radio station began broadcasting on 9 September 1994, after having started test transmission nine days before (31 August). It was known as TIME Highway Radio until 2005 and includes segments in Malay (Gegar), English and for a short period, in Mandarin (Mun Toh Tak), with Tamil-language segment (Raaga) being introduced later, as well as Hindi Power, a segment that focused mainly on Bollywood music. By March 2002, Tamil programs on THR accounted for 40 percent of THR's daily broadcasting time.[3] AMP Radio Networks acquires the radio station in 2005 to relaunch a brand new radio channel to broadcast in Tamil.

From 2 January 2018, with the reformulation of radio stations owned by Astro, the "THR Raaga" name was simplified to Raaga, ending the usage of THR name. The change also happens to THR Gegar, which is now known as Gegar. As with other radio stations within Astro Radio group, the "FM" suffix is no longer used and a new logo was given to each of the radio stations.[1]

Frequency
Frequencies Broadcast area Transmitter site
99.3 MHz Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Mualim, Manjung, Hilir Perak, Bagan Datuk, Batang Padang and Tapah, Perak Bentong, Genting Highlands, Bukit Fraser, Karak, and Janda Baik, Pahang Nilai, Seremban, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan Gunung Ulu Kali
Penang and Bandar Baharu, Kedah, Kerian, Perak Bukit Penara
102.4 MHz Alor Setar, Kedah,Perlis and Kerian Mount Jerai
101.9 MHz Langkawi, Kedah Gunung Raya
102.1 MHz Taiping, (North), Kuala Kangsar, Parit Buntar, Semanggol, Alor Pongsu, Batu Kurau, Kuala Kurau, Selama, Kamunting, Changkat Jering, Matang, Simpang, Kuala Sepetang, Tanjung Piandang, Bagan Serai, Rantau Panjang Selama, Perak and Bandar Baharu, Kedah Bukit Larut
97.9 MHz Ipoh, Kampar, Tanjung Tualang, Teluk Intan, Sitiawan, Manjung, Langkap, Manong, Lahat, Menglembu, Pusing, Teronoh, Batu Gajah, Simpang Pulai, Parit, Beruas, Pantai Remis, Chenderong Balai, Lumut, Pulau Pangkor, Chemor, Tanjung Rambutan, Bota, Hutan Melintang, Bagan Datuk, Selekoh, Seri Iskandar, Changkat Keruing, Ayer Tawar, Ulu Bertam, Jeram (Perak), Malim Nawar, Sauk and Lenggong, Perak Gunung Kledang
101.5 MHz Seremban, Tampin, Port Dickson, Jempol, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan Gunung Telapak Buruk
99.7 MHz Malacca and Northern Johor Mount Ledang
103.7 MHz Johor Bahru, Kluang, Mersing, Kulai, Pontian, Kota Tinggi, Johor and Singapore Mount Pulai

(Via satellite TV)

Note: Raaga can be received in Pahang via existing frequencies below:

- 99.3 MHz in Bentong, Karak, Raub, Lurah Bilut, Lanchang, Temerloh, Mentakab, Benta, Padang Tengku, Kuala Lipis, Sungai Ruan, Chenor, Maran, Jengka, Pekan, Gambang and part of Kuantan. (from Gunung Ulu Kali)

- 101.5 MHz in Bandar Bera (from Gunung Telapak Burok)

- 99.7 MHz in Kemayan, Teriang, Jerantut, Raub, Mengkarak, Kota Shahbandar, Bandar Muadzam Shah, and Bandar Tun Abdul Razak (Keratong) (from Gunung Ledang)

- 97.9 MHz in Cameron Highlands (from Gunung Kledang)

Awards
  • Kancil Festival 2007 - Silver Award
  • Previous logo.
    Previous logo.

References
  1. "Astro Radio refreshes 11 brands to deliver better value to fans". Astro. 2 January 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  2. "71% of Malaysians Listen to Astro Radio". Astro. 19 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  3. Musthafa, Saharuddin (3 March 2002). "Format baru THR.fm - Tidak berniat bersaing dengan radio ERA". Utusan Malaysia. Retrieved 12 July 2016.

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