RTM to launch third channel

KUALA LUMPUR: RTM will celebrate its 60th year of transmission this year by renaming its two channels and launching a third channel.  

TV1 and TV2 would be known as RTM1 and RTM2 from its anniversary date – April 1, Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin told a press conference at Angkasapuri yesterday. 

“We want to emphasise that the name itself is historical in its own right,” he said. 

Zainuddin, however, could not say when RTM3 would begin transmission. However, he did say that from April 3, RTM2 would possibly go on air 24 hours a day. 

As part of the special events and programmes planned for RTM’s 60th anniversary, there will be a concert on April 2 at Padang Semarak Angkasapuri with stalls manned by local celebrities such as Rosyam Nor and Saiful Apek. 

An outdoor event, Fiesta 60, will be a daily affair from March 31 until April 3 from 10am to 10pm also, at Padang Semarak Angkasapuri. Among the activities are concerts, karaoke competitions, dance competitions and auditions.  

Beginning midnight March 31, there will also be 60 hours of non-stop live transmission from various locations all over Malaysia featuring entertainment, information and sports-related programmes. 

Both RTM's radio and TV stations will feature special programmes from now until May. Besides new programmes, there will be reruns of classic serials produced by RTM such as Bila Kompang Berbunyi, a popular series that was aired in the 1960s.  

“We are working towards screening only good quality programmes,” Zainuddin said.