Astro Radio

Astro Radio Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Airtime Management and Programming Sdn Bhd or AMP Radio Networks) is a Malaysian radio network company owned by Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd that is owned by Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Astro Radio Sdn Bhd
TypeBroadcast radio network
Country
Malaysia
AvailabilityNational
OwnerAstro Malaysia Holdings Bhd
Launch date
1996
Former names
Airtime Management & Programming Sdn Bhd (AMP Radio Networks)
Official website
astroradio.com.my

Company background

Airtime Management & Programming Radio Network Sdn Bhd (AMP Radio Network) has revolutionised Malaysian airwaves since 1996, introducing format-specific programming; a new concept to commercial radio in Malaysia. It operates eight high-ranking terrestrial FM networks, namely ERA fm, MY FM, Hitz fm, MIX fm, LiteFM, SINAR fm, Melody FM & THR (Raaga and Gegar). AMP is South-East Asia’s furthest-reaching and most successful multi-lingual broadcaster, broadcasting in four languages and with 11.5 million Malaysians tuning in weekly.

Now into its 15th year of operation, AMP has many milestones as part of its dynamic history. In little more than a decade, AMP has chalked up many achievements as Malaysia’s pioneer for format radio, the sole provider of 19 satellite radio services (which include the nine FM services and are available to all ASTRO subscribers in Malaysia and Brunei), the pioneering South-East Asian broadcaster to utilise LIU (local insertion units) for local or regional advertisers and in utilising Dynamic RDS (Radio Data System) as a commercial tool. Internationally, AMP has also had a strong involvement in the growth of the radio industries in India, Indonesia and China.

AMP continues to be one of the most advanced radio broadcast facilities in Asia and is a constant award-winner in various categories of creativity and technology. AMP develops complementary platforms to extend the value of radio including on-air, on-ground, on-line and mobile technologies. For businesses, this highly effective combination allows multi-platform communication directly to a particular target audience.

On 1 January 2018, Astro Radio dropped the suffix “FM” as part of the rebranding for all its 11 radio stations, to focus on digital platform, inline with the current technology development.[1][2][3]

"...Over the years, social media has proven to be a great platform to engage with our fans. Delivering content in this digital age means; engaging with our fans through various interactive platforms that drive talkability and social engagement. Platforms like these enable us to build a community of fans centered on tastemakers, such as our own talent who are household names,”[1]

— Jake Abdullah, Chief Operating Officer of Astro Radio.

Stations
StationExplanationLanguageYear of launchAstro channel
HitzThe latest English songs, focused on younger listeners. Rebranded, with a dot, in 2001. One of the first radio channels by AMP to be launched in 1996English1996852
MixThe oldest and latest English songs, focused on mature listeners. One of the first radio channels by AMP to be launched in 1996English1996855
LiteThe oldest and latest songs for mature listeners. It was previously known as Light & Easy. One of the first radio channels by AMP to be launched in 1996English1996854
EraThe latest songs from domestic and international repertoire, focused on younger listeners. The radio station is the first private radio station, to be broadcast completely in Malay language, after being dominated by government-owned radio station for yearsMalay1996 (as an Astro-only audio channel), 1998 (as an FM radio station)856
SinarThe oldest and latest songs from domestic and international repertoire, focused on mature listenersMalay2004857
MelodyThe oldest and latest songs, focused on mature listenersChinese1996 (as an Astro-only audio channel), 2012 (as an FM radio station)858
RaagaThe Raaga station plays Tamil songs for the West CoastTamil1994 (original), 2005 (acquisition)859
GegarThe Gegar station plays Malay songs for the East CoastMalay1994 (original), 2005 (acquisition)863
MyChinese songs for all ages. Formerly known as Chuan Zhen Xin Qu Tai or 傳真心曲台Chinese1996 (as an Astro-only audio channel), 1998 (as an FM radio station)853
ZayanThe latest songs from domestic and international repertoire, focused on modern and contemporary Muslim listenersMalay2017876
goXuanThe latest songs and digital first Chinese entertainment, focused on young listenersChinese2017877

SYOK

Astro Radio has launched a multilingual entertainment and lifestyle platform known as SYOK in July 2019. The SYOK platform can allow users to listen from 25 Astro Radio brands (including online-only stations or Direct-To-Home [DTH] stations that are available on Astro TV, and East Malaysian stations) via live online streaming, enjoy podcasts of all live radio and exclusive content, watch original short-form videos, read current articles, news and traffic updates and participate in contests for a chance to take home prizes. It can be accessed via the website or download the app (which replaced all individual station apps).[4]

User can download SYOK app through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store through this link : http://onelink.to/syok

Defunct radio stations

Both radio stations, were originally two of the five first radio stations, when it was launched in 1996. Over the one year, demand grew for radio content in Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese, as radio listeners who were exposed to AMP’s English brands wanted the same formats but in other major local languages. This compelled AMP to make changes to its line-up and swapping two of its English FM brands, namely Classic Rock and TalkRadio, for ERA FM (Bahasa Malaysia) and MY FM (Chinese), respectively. Later, due to a high demand that Chinese listeners who need a channel that focuses on older listeners like Lite FM and Sinar FM, but mostly has been the current format. Melody FM was launched on 15 August 2012 to replace XFM on FM and Astro.

StationExplanation
Classic RockThe oldest and latest songs from rock music. However, it continues to be broadcast on Astro and via online only
TalkRadioNews and talk radio show; ceased broadcasting in 1998
XFMSongs from Malaysian artists only, focused on younger listeners. However, it continues to be broadcast as an online station before stopped working in 2017

References
  1. Astro.com.my. "Astro Radio refreshes 11 brands to deliver better value to fans | Press Release | Mediaroom | Astro". www.astro.com.my. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  2. "With multiplatform the new reality, Astro Radio drops 'FM', refreshes 11 brands". Digital News Asia. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  3. "Astro Radio hits refresh button on 11 brands". Marketing Magazine. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  4. "Astro Radio introduces SYOK app, Everything Got!". Marketing Magazine. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
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