Channel 9 to start trial broadcast on Friday

BY SHEELA CHANDRAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Channel 9 – the country’s fourth terrestrial television station – will start its trial broadcast on Friday before its official transmission begins on Sept 9. 

The trial transmissions, which start at 3pm and end at midnight, will initially be seen only in the central region from Raub to Seremban, including the Klang Valley. 

The test transmissions are expected to cover the whole peninsula within four weeks. 

Viewers can tune in to Channel 9 on channel 39 of the UHF band. Tuning-in details for viewers in other areas will be announced later. 

Channel 9 is owned and operated by Medanmas Sdn Bhd, which obtained the Content Application Service Provider licence from the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission in 2000.  

“We are targeting the 15 to 35 years old group because they comprise a valuable advertising group that is savvy, educated and has a strong disposable income.  

“We hope this circle of audience will grow and stay with us,” said its managing director, Jamal Hassim, at a press conference after the launch of Channel 9’s brand identity and web portal (www.ch-9.tv/) by Energy, Communications Telecommunications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Amar Leo Moggie here yesterday. 

From Sept 9, it will air from 1pm until 3am on weekdays and from 9.30am until 3am on weekends. 

Among the shows which would be aired are Men, Women and Dogs, Yes, Dear, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Titans, Odyssey 5, Fashion TV and Entertainment Tonight.