1921–1946: The birth of local broadcasting

History of local broadcasting in Malaysia began in 1921 when an electrical engineer from the Johor Government, A.L. Birch, brought the first radio set into British Malaya. He then established the Johor Wireless Association in 1923 and commenced broadcasting through 300 meter waves. Similar associations were also established in Penang (Penang Wireless Association) in 1925 and in Kuala Lumpur (Malayan Wireless Association) in 1928.^[8][9]

In 1930, Sir Earl from the Singapore Port Authority commenced its short wave broadcast every fortnight either on Sundays or Wednesdays. The same effort was emulated by the Malayan Wireless Association, broadcasting from Bukit Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, via 325 meter waves. Penang Wireless Association led by Khoo Sian Ewe launched Station ZHJ – Malaya's first radio station on 24 August 1934, which operates out of George Town, Penang. British Malaya Broadcasting Corporation (BMBC) was formed on 21 July 1935 and awarded a broadcasting license by the British crown on 1 June 1936 as a radio network.^[10] On 1 March 1937, Sir Shenton Thomas opened the BMBC Studio and its transmitter at Caldecott Hill in Singapore. The Corporation was taken over by the Straits Settlements Government in 1940, subsequently nationalised and reorganised as the Malaya Broadcasting Corporation and was placed under the British Department of Information.^[11][12]

During World War II in 1942, the Imperial Japanese Army occupied British Malaya and used the existing radio channels in Penang, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Singapore to transmit Japanese propaganda. Malaya Broadcasting Corporation was renamed Syonan Hoso Kyoku ('Light of the South' Broadcasting Corporation), the local counterpart to the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (Nippon Hoso Kyokai, NHK for short). Meanwhile, the Radio Station in Penang was renamed Penang Hoso Kyoku (Penang Broadcasting Corporation).^[13] After the war, the British came back into power and reclaimed the radio station, with the station managed by the interim government – British Military Administration (BMA).^[14]

1946–1969: Early history

On 1 April 1946, Radio Malaya or Department of Broadcasting of Malaya was established at Caldecott Hill in Singapore.^[15] Apart from its headquarters in Singapore, it also had broadcast stations in cities and towns across Malaya such as Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Malacca. Radio Malaya consists of five language services – Malay, Aslian, English, Chinese and Tamil language, the latter three became known as the Blue, Green and Red Networks in 1959.^[16] Blue, Green and Red Networks were also used to refer to regional stations and programmings and radio broadcastings were done using amplitude modulation (AM) or short and medium wave transmissions during those times.^[17][18][19]

In the British Crown Colonies of North Borneo (now Sabah) and Sarawak, Radio Sarawak was launched on 7 June 1954, while Radio Sabah was launched on 9 November 1955 after test broadcast since 1952. These two radio stations offers language services in Malay, Chinese and English, in addition to the native languages of Iban for Sarawak and Kadazan for Sabah.^[20][21]

With the independence of Malaya on 31 August 1957, Radio Malaya was split into two separate stations: the original studios in Singapore were taken over by a new station called Radio Singapura and Radio Malaya moved to Kuala Lumpur going on air from the new location – the 5th to 6th floor of the Federal House on 1 January 1959.^[22] It would be later renamed Radio Malaysia on 16 September 1963, with the transmissions beginning with its trademark words Inilah Radio Malaysia (This is Radio Malaysia) on the day the Malaysia of today, a federation which consists of the States of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore (until 1965) was born. On the same day, Radio Sabah, Radio Sarawak and Radio Singapura became part of the Radio Malaysia network as state stations for Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore listeners respectively. Radio Malaysia's flagship international shortwave radio service, Voice of Malaysia (Malay: Suara Malaysia, VOM) was launched on 15 February the same year to promote the country, with three languages in the beginning: English, Mandarin and Indonesian.

Television services under the name Televisyen Malaysia or Malaysia Television (Malaysia TV) started on 28 December 1963 in time for the national New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur and regional telecasts in the Klang Valley in Selangor state, with its first studios being located in Jalan Ampang.^{[23][24][25][4]} The then 10-month-old Television Singapura (launched on 15 February 1963) became part of Televisyen Malaysia in January 1964 as its state station for Singapore viewers, a role served until 1965, when Singapore became independent. During its time as part of Malaysia, Singapore like its three other partners–Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya had its own radio network, but it was the only state to have its own television network. The state's radio and television broadcast right were included as an annex in the Malaysia Agreement, which it garnered autonomy in this area, among others.

Upon joining Radio Malaysia, Radio Sabah consisted of two language networks: the main Malay language network and the Blue Network for Kadazan, Murut, Dusun, Bajau, English and Mandarin language. Radio Sarawak on the other hand, consisted of four language networks: the main Malay language network, the Blue network for Bidayuh language, the Green network for Iban and Kayan/Kenyah languages and the Red network for English, Mandarin, Bisaya and Murut language programming.^[20][21]

1969–2001: Merger and expansion of radio and television operations

Radio and Television operations merged on 11 October 1969 as the new Angkasapuri headquarters was inaugurated. Thus Radio Malaysia and Televisyen Malaysia's identities merged to become Radio Televisyen Malaysia, abbreviated as RTM. A second TV station opened on 17 November in the same year as its rebranding.^[4][15] On 19 April 1971, Radio Malaysia's Malay language unit became the first radio station to broadcast 24 hours a day nationwide, thus becoming National Network (Malay: Rangkaian Nasional) in the process. On 5 November 1973, RTM launched a radio station named Radio Ibu Kota (Capital City Radio) specifically for the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. On 20 June 1975, Radio Malaysia's first Stereo FM format radio station went on the air, mainly broadcast pop music and initially focus on the Klang Valley area.^[26][27]

By 31 August 1978, Voice of Malaysia had expanded its broadcast to include 5 other language services namely Thai (1 January 1972), Arab (1 November 1972), Tagalog (22 October 1973), Burmese and Malay. On 17 April 1995, an international Islamic service called Voice of Islam was added to the Voice of Malaysia network and broadcasts in English and Malay languages.^[28][29] All language services were transmitted from Kajang, Selangor, except for Tagalog service which was transmitted from Tuaran, Sabah.

Radio Malaysia went off the air for a few days during the recent floods.^[30]

In March 1972, RTM's television channels (known as TV Malaysia) began airing weekly local 30-minute dramas and monthly local hour-long dramas.^[31]

In December 1972, RTM planned to have colour television in 1975, starting with foreign programmes, local programmes in colour by 1978 when colour television is extended to Sabah and Sarawak and to have TV2 in colour by 1980.^[32]

To smoothen the transition to colour television, RTM began producing documentaries in colour in mid-1978.^[33] RTM began transmission tests of colour television in early September 1978. The two outdoor broadcasting vans, imported from the United Kingdom, arrived in mid-September 1978.^[34] RTM would also air monthly live programmes in colour in 1979, aimed at a youth audience.^[35]

RTM began planning on "decentralising" televsion production to regional centres in Penang, Kota Bharu, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu in 1979, aiming to better highlight the problems of the people in those regions. Each centre would have a recording facility and an audiotorium.^[36]

Following the construction of earth satellite stations in Beserah, Kuantan, Pahang and Kinarut, Papar, Sabah for communications and television broadcast via the Indian Ocean Intelsat III satellite, TV1 was introduced to viewers in the Bornean states of Sabah and Sarawak on 30 August 1975 (just in time for the 18th anniversary of Hari Merdeka). RTM began broadcasting in colour since 28 December 1978 in Peninsular Malaysia and 31 August 1980 in East Malaysia. TV1 was the first channel to broadcast in colour, followed by TV2 on 7 May 1979. RTM used to have a third TV station solely for Sabah which was launched on 28 December 1971. However, it ceased to air by mid-1985 after TV2 made its debut in East Malaysia on 31 August 1983.^[37] Between 1972 and 1999, Televisyen Malaysia shared time with TV Pendidikan – the national education channel in the daytime. TV1 introduced daytime transmissions on 1 March 1994,^[38][39] thus resulting in TV Pendidikan ceased broadcasting on TV1, while TV2 introduced daytime transmissions in 2000.

Voice of Malaysia extended its reach to Indochina countries, Japan and Europe in 1980.^[40]

In 1981, under the Fourth Malaysia Plan, RTM was allocated RM 120 million to improve its services. ^[41]

In early 1982, RTM's Malay television news broadcasts moved to 9 pm.^[42]

In 1982, a viewer preference survey reported that viewers in Johor prefer to watch RTM's Malay programmes than its news programmes, which "still lacks professionalism". Meanwhile, Malay viewers in Singapore were satisfied with entertainment programmes provided by RTM compared to Singapore's SBC's Malay offerings.^[42]

Advertising on RTM as of 1982 was up to five minutes an hour on television and seven minutes on radio. At that time RTM only air commercials between programmes.^[43]

In mid-1982, RTM began allowing private companies to sponsor feature films.^[44]

RTM began introducing a new format for its television news broadcasts on 18 October 1982, introducing a two-newscaster format, aiming at improving news presentation.^[45]

RTM had problems acquiring old Malay films from Cathay Organisation and Malay Film Productions in 1983 due to "prohibitive price tags".^[46]

While RTM had used to one advertiser sponsoring programmes, it planned to introduce "multiple-sponsorship" sometime in 1984, where one or more advertisers sponsor a programme.^[47]

In February 1984, RTM's television channels began to air a digital time display which appear at the bottom-left of the screen.^[47]

RTM's news division was reorganised in 1984. It also had plans to give journalism training for its staff,^[48] sending them to the United States.^[49]

RTM was still airing operas for the minority of its viewers in 1985.^[50]

Drama Swasta, a slot for dramas produced by private companies, debuted in 1985. The slot is aimed to revive the then-ailing local film industry. It aired on Monday evenings.^[51]

In a viewership study carried by Survey Research Malaysia in September and October 1985, RTM's entertainment programmes made to the top 10 shows thanks to the position of being aired at 8:30 pm where viewers were mostly at home. Notably, the Malay movies slot was in the first place of the top 10 list with 3.754 million viewers. The number of viewers of RTM's television channels were 4.197 million in September and 4.563 million in October respectively.^[52]

Plans for FM mono transmissions in Sabah and Sabah were considered in late 1985.^[53]

Due to the launch of TV3, RTM lost RM 5 million and RM 11 million in advertising revenue for 1984 and 1985 respectively. Plans to privatise RTM's advertising division in 1986 were in the works,^[54] where the Information Ministry would appoint an agency to handle RTM's advertising system.^[55]

In August 1986, RTM decided to buy RM4.5 million worth of satellite receiving equipment, drafted in the amendment of the then-Broadcast Act. At that time, RTM was using the Telecom Departments' satellite receiving equipments where it had to pay RM1.7 million annually to the Telecom Department.^[56]

RTM began introducing national, regional and international news programmes in mid-1987.^[57]

The amount of local programming on RTM's TV1 and TV2 in 1986 were 65%.^[56]

On 14 June 1987, RTM slightly reduced the broadcasting hours of its television channels, particularly removing the midnight movie slot, saving the broadcaster about RM 2 million a year.^[58]

Over 200 million people tuned in to RTM's broadcasts in Asean countries in 1987.^[59]

RTM's Voice of Malaysia shortwave broadcasts were upgraded in 1987. ^[60]

In late 1987, RTM began airing local productions produced on videotape instead of film to reduce the high costs of film productions and the then-current limited film market.^[61]

RTM began producing locally-produced Tamil dramas in 1988 as an effort to increase Tamil programming, despite the lack of advertisers and sponsors.^[62]

RTM spent RM 12 million in upgrading FM stereo radio broadcasts in 1988. It also had plans have other languages broadcast in FM in the near future. ^[63]

On 11 September 1988, RTM aired the 1988 Sport Aid, consisting of a 24-hour telethon starting at 7 am, a marathon event (Sport Aid Malaysian run and Race Against Time run) and the First World Carnival charity concert at 12 am. RTM contributed 15 minutes of the charity concert coverage and 7 minutes of marathon footage for the worldwide Race Against Time broadcast through a satellite link to London.^[64]

RTM aired the 1988 Summer Olympics through its two television channels, with TV2 taking the morning and afternoon coverage from 7 am to 5:30 pm and TV1 airing the main events at 7 pm. Evening summaries which consist of delayed broadcasts were aired at 8:30 pm.^[65]

The earth-satellite complex in Angkasapuri opened in 17 December 1988, costing RM 3 million. It marked the start of RTM's entry into "direct satellite broadcasting".^[66]

The advertising revenue for RTM in 1987 was at RM 57 million,^[67] becoming RM 60 million in 1988^[68] and increasing to RM 140 million in 1989^[69] after outsourcing their advertising sales to GT Consultants.^[67]

In April 1989, the government approved a project to improve television and radio broadcasts, set to be handled by Transponder Services Sdn Bhd. The project, which cost RM 50 million and planned to start in phases from next year, involved setting up parabolic antennas to feed radio and television broadcasts, including RTM's two television channels. The project would be completed in phases starting in mid-1990.^[70]

Radio 4, 5 and 6 began broadcasting 18 hours a day instead of 10 hours in 1990.^[71]

In January 1990, RTM was working on an agreement to supply news footage to CNN and One World Channel.^[72] It was later finalized.^[69] It would renew the contract with the former in July 1994 for another three years, allowing RTM to remove material not for local broadcast.^[73]

As of 1990, RTM's television channels were being seen through the Palapa satellite, reaching viewers in Asean countries, Papua New Guinea and Australia.^[69]

In 1990, RTM was having problems recruiting staff who are proficient in Mandarin for Radio 5 and TV2 due to a lack of suitable candidates, and had resorted to use part-timers.^[74]

RTM had plans to transform itself into a corporation, first in 1983,^[75] and later revived in 1989, aimed to enhance its "effectiveness in nation-building".^[76] A cabinet proposal was presented in 1989.^[77] It was also going to conduct studies through an "independent party",^[78] completed around August 1991.^[79] RTM planed to be privatised in stages in 1993,^[80] going under the name Penyiaran Nasional (PEN) and to be established on 1 September 1993.^[81][82] The plan was scrapped in March 1993, to "maintain contact with the people" and continue to spread "government information".^[83] However, RTM revived the plan again in late 1997, "to maintain ratings" of its television channels.^[84] It may also look to go corporatised and later privatised.^[84]

RTM's gross advertising revenue in 1991 was around RM 200 million; by this time RTM was able to become self-sufficient and no longer rely on government funds.^[68]

As part of the expansion of Radio 3, a mobile radio station was set up during the Information Ministry's Family Day held on 29 December 1991, with mobile radio stations planned to be added in more states later.^[85]

In 1992, the amount of local programming on RTM's TV1 was at 80%, with TV2 at 35%. The former had achieved the government's target of 80% locally-produced content by the year 2000.^[86]

In July 1992, RTM announced that it will introduce different formats for its television channels, catering to its viewer's taste. The news formats would be different as well.^[87]

RTM's five radio stations across Malaysia began to broadcast in FM in late 1992, in an effort to refrain Malaysians living in border areas from listening to radio broadcasts from neighbouring countries.^[88] Radio transmitters would also be replaced.^[88]

On 1 December 1992, RTM made a major reshuffle which involves 23 of its senior officials as a preparation to be corporatized.^[89]

In 1993, the prime time slots on TV1 and TV2 were extended to 11:30 pm in stages instead of 7 pm to 10 pm.^[90]

In January 1993, RTM have generates revenue of RM257.4 million in total from radio and TV adverts throughout 1992.^[91] It also ruled that it would not prioritised international programming and focused on local content instead.^[92]

The then-Information Minister, Mohamed Rahmat said that there will be the major revamp on his ministry's senior officials on 4 February 1993,^[93] while stating that about 80% of RTM's employees will transferred into the new entity when RTM will privatized as Penyiaran Nasional in September.^[94]

RTM restructured and reorganized program schedule for its television and radio stations gradually in mid-April 1993.^[95]

In May 1993, RTM planned to prioritise airing of films with positive moral values. It already has a rule to stop broadcasting films that contain sex and violence.^[96][97] RTM also decided to reduce the airplay of rock and rap songs which it considers to be "street culture".^[97][98]

Apart from its headquarters at Angkasapuri, RTM has branches in every state of Malaysia (except Selangor which is based in Angkasapuri) and the Federal Territory of Labuan. In addition to managing radio stations, RTM state branches also produced shows and news content for television broadcast. The Peninsular States began to have their own state radio stations by the early 1990s, with Perlis being the last to do so on 1 June 1991. In East Malaysia, the territorial radio station of Labuan was established on 31 August 1986.^[99] RTM began to gradually replace Amplitude Modulation broadcast with Frequency Modulation broadcast since the 1980s (a process which still continue to this day) and adopted numbering system for its Radio Stations in 1993. The names of the radio stations were as follows:

• Radio 1 Malay language service
• Radio 2 Music service, rebranded from Stereo FM.
• Radio 3 Local services, with the name format of Radio 3/Radio Malaysia followed by place name in Malay language.
• Radio 4 English language service
• Radio 5 Chinese language service
• Radio 6 Tamil language service
• Radio 7 Aslian language service

Original Malay Melody Radio service (Malay: Radio Irama Melayu Asli, RiMA), precursor of present-day Radio Klasik began broadcast on 11 March 1998.^[100][101]

RTM was responsible for the Highway Radio project along with local private company Time Engineering in 1993.^[102] Both parties were also responsbile for Radio Tourism, a temporary radio station based in Langkawi which would be launched in November 1993 for the Visit Malaysia Year 1994.^[102] A science and technology radio, Radio Teknologi, was planned to start in 1994.^[103]

As of 1993, RTM's overseas service Voice of Malaysia broadcast in Malay, English, Indonesian, Thai, Myanmar, Tagalog, Mandarin and Arabic, with plans to start broadcasting in Japanese, Khmer, Vietnamese and Lao.^[90]

In March 1994, RTM partnered with oil and gas conglomerate, Petronas to produced a special radio programme titled Memandu Bersama Petronas, which aired on four RTM radio stations. The programme provides tips and reminder to listeners on road safety.^[104]

RTM ended the BBC World Service Television news broadcast in May 1994, with the BBC demanding that it would stop supply their content to Malaysia and should air their content without cuts.^[105][106] RTM decided that it will seek other news providers, including CNN and ABU.^[107]

In November 1994, RTM was ordered by the Ministry of Information to setup the Television Detector Unit to oversee all contents in satellite television in Asia.^[108]

RTM introduced sign language in its television news broadcasts in late 1995. RTM had attempted sign language broadcasts in 1990 but ended due to "a lack of skilled people".^[109]

The RTMNet website was launched on 27 December 1995, becoming the first broadcaster in Asia to broadcast over the internet with six national radio stations streaming over the service.^[110] It would also became the first broadcaster in Asia to stream the Budget on the internet on 25 October 1996, partnering with local computer company MCSB Systems.^[111]

The gross revenue for TV1 and TV2 in 1996 was reported to be at RM 57 million.^[84]

RTM planned to start an "information radio" station set to launch in 1996, using the broadcast spaces of Radio 7.^[112] The station was given the name "Radio Penerangan", launching on 25 September 1997 and air for eight hours a day in the Klang Valley area.^[113] Other radio stations planned include RiMA, then only described as a "24 hour" "Malay traditional music and songs" radio station,^[114] Radio Konsumer, a consumer radio,^[115] Radio Wanita, a women's radio^[115] and a tourist radio station for Langkawi.^[115]

RTM began transmitting from the Kuala Lumpur Tower in August 1996.^[116]

In December 1996, RTM acquired 60% of its programming content from Bumiputera production companies that registered with the Federal Treasury,^[117][118] which was welcomed by local film producers.^[119]

In 1997, RTM improved its payment procedures to TV producers, to avoid them having financial difficulties.^[120]

RTM began broadcasting its Malay and English Suara Islam radio to Malaysian listeners in late 1997.^[114] Plans for the launch began in 1995.^[121]

In December 1997, RTM reduced its annual spending on programmes by 20% due to the then-ongoing financial crisis.^[122]

It was announced in 1999 that RTM would be corporatized in April 2001 in order to "disseminate information and knowledge about government policies in an effort to create an informed society".^[123] The plan was later scrapped.

In October 2000, RTM signs a memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreement with Japanese broadcasting company, Fuji Television for the TV programs and news exchanges.^[124]

2001–2015: Rebranding and transformation

In 2001, RTM reorganized and restructured scheduling time for TV1 and TV2 to adapt with current situation.^[125] It also planned to introduced a new formula to allocate broadcast time to 54 production companies by 2002.^[126]

In 2002, RTM planned to launch two more channels, as TV1 and TV2 could not accommodate its ever-increasing programming.^[127] It also announced that it would launch a specialty channel dedicated to sports and recreation, which would later become Sukan RTM.^[128]

In 2003, RTM revived its corporatization plan and expected to be corporatized as Radio Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (RTMB) with the name and logo change took effect in March, but later postponed to June and August. However, the plan was abolished as RTM remains a government-owned.^[129][130]

In conjunction with its 59th anniversary on 1 April 2005, RTM's radio stations underwent rebranding and renaming.^[131][132]

• Radio 1 Malay language service was rebranded as Nasional FM.
• Radio 2 Music service was rebranded as Muzik FM.
• Most Radio 3 Local service radio stations adopted names based on place names in Malay language followed by FM. Sabah's non-Malay language service was rebranded as Sabah V FM, while Sarawak's English and Chinese language and Bumiputera language services were rebranded as Red FM and Wai FM respectively.
• Radio 4 English language service was rebranded as Traxx FM.
• Radio 5 Chinese language service was rebranded as Ai FM.
• Radio 6 Tamil language service was rebranded as Minnal FM.
• Radio 7 Aslian language service was rebranded as Asyik FM.
• Original Malay Melody Radio service was rebranded as Klasik FM.

On 12 August 2006, Nasional FM merged with Klasik FM to form Klasik Nasional FM,^[133] and broadcast classical Malay music together with its main program 24 hours a day.^{[134][135][136]} However, the merger survived for only five years, as the station began losing listeners to sister stations and private competitors such as Hot FM, Sinar FM and Era FM, as well as then-upstart Bernama's Radio24 which took over the frequencies of Klasik FM. Thus, Klasik Nasional was demerged on 4 January 2012 at midnight and split into the original two radio stations, with Nasional FM using the same frequencies as the former Muzik FM (discontinued in late 2012) and Klasik Nasional became Radio Klasik.^[137] Owing to the diminished effectiveness of a shortwave radio service over time with changing technology and media consumption habits, Voice of Malaysia was dissolved on 31 August 2011. Prior to this, the Arab, Burmese and Thai language services ceased broadcast by 1 May 2009.^[138]

In 2007, RTM dominates 17% of television viewership market in Malaysia, after Media Prima (54%) and Astro (29%).^[139]

In 2008, RTM through its two free-to-air channels, TV1 and TV2 gained the increasing of viewership ratings and revenue in the last six months.^[140][141] In December the same year, RTM considers its idea to setup the new channel that focuses on the live broadcasts of Parliament conferences, which later became RTM Parlimen.^[142] Later, RTM launched a Disaster Unit to broadcast and gathers news reports related to disasters through its radio and TV stations.^[143][144]

In January 2009, RTM restructured contents on its two main terrestrial channels, TV1 and TV2.^{[145][146][147]}

In 2010, RTM was in talks with Media Prima to working on several areas, which includes news exchange and joint production.^[148]

TV1 broadcast overnight many times since the early 1990s, but daily 24-hour transmissions did not come until 2003, which was later cancelled. Permanent 24-hour broadcasting was introduced on 3 April 2006 on TV2 and on 21 August 2012 on TV1.

On 28 December 2013, RTM celebrates 50th anniversary of television in Malaysia.^[149]

2015–present: Transition to digital

In 2015, RTM implementated a transformation program through the implementation of its strategic initiatives.^[150]

In 2018, it was announced that RTM and Bernama will merged to form a standalone public broadcasting corporation as part of the government's efforts to reduce operation costs. However, the merger plan was abandoned.^{[151][152][153][154]}

On 1 April 2019, RTM launches a visual radio, collectively known as Conty News in conjunction with its 73rd anniversary.^[155][156]

In November the same year, the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia announced that it would introduce a new channel through RTM, with programs on these channels being documentaries that would provide information to the public.^{[157][158][159]}

Three new TV channels were launched during the digital television broadcasting era: TV Okey on 21 March 2018,^[160][161] news channel Berita RTM on 25 June 2020^[162] and sports channel Sukan RTM on 1 April 2021.^[163] TV Pendidikan returned to RTM on 6 April 2020 and began to air on TV Okey.^[164][165]

On 1 April 2021, RTM celebrates its 75th anniversary and unveils its new corporate logo.^[1] A special stamp was launched in collaboration between RTM and Pos Malaysia to commemorate with RTM's 75th anniversary.^[166]

On the midnight of 30 April 2022, the Voice of Malaysia's Tagalog service ceased broadcasting after nearly 50 years.^[167][168]

In November 2023, RTM signs an MoU agreement with the Indian public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati during the 6th India-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in New Delhi, India. The MoU was approved by the Indian cabinet.^{[169][170][171]}

Headquarters and branch offices

Angkasapuri

RTM Perlis

RTM Langkawi

RTM Kedah

RTM Pulau Pinang

RTM Perak

RTM Negeri Sembilan

RTM Melaka

RTM Johor

RTM Pahang

RTM Terengganu

RTM Kelantan

RTM Sarawak

RTM Sri Aman

RTM Sibu

RTM Bintulu

RTM Miri

RTM Limbang

RTM Labuan

RTM Sabah

RTM Keningau

RTM Sandakan

RTM Tawau

RTM headquarters and branch offices

Local stations

List of RTM local stations by establishment date

No.	Name	Establishment date	Notes
1	Penang	1 April 1946	The first branch station of RTM. Initially headquartered at Chinese Recreational Club, it moved to United Engineers Building at Bishop Street in 1948, the Sepoy Lines Road in 1955 and the present building at Burmah Road in 1961, which was opened on 30 October 1965.
2	Malacca	1 April 1946	The second branch station of RTM. Initially stationed at the Stadthuys, it moved to a wooden building in Downtown Malacca in 1948 and the present building at Jalan Mata Kuching (now Jalan Taming Sari) in 1961, which was opened on 17 August 1965.
3	Sarawak	7 June 1954	The first and main station of Sarawak and the first station in East Malaysia.
4	Sabah	9 November 1955	The first and main station of Sabah and the second station in East Malaysia. Initially headquartered at Brace Hill in Kota Kinabalu, it moved to Wisma Radio at KM 2.4 Jalan Tuaran in 1963, and later the Ministry of Communications Complex in 2012.[20]
5	Kelantan	16 November 1963
6	Johor	4 June 1966
7	Perak	13 May 1967
8	Pahang	10 February 1968
9	Limbang	17 April 1971	The second station in Sarawak.
10	Terengganu	1 March 1973
11	Sibu	7 December 1974	The third station in Sarawak.
12	Miri	2 September 1975	The fourth station in Sarawak.
13	Kedah	31 August 1979	The first and main station of Kedah. Initially housed at Alor Setar Federal House, it moved to the Sultan Abdul Halim Information and Broadcasting Complex in 1992.
14	Sri Aman	21 October 1982	The fifth station in Sarawak.
15	Labuan	31 August 1986
16	Tawau	31 August 1987	The second station in Sabah.[20]
17	Negeri Sembilan	16 August 1990
18	Selangor	16 August 1990
19	Perlis	1 June 1991
20	Sandakan	5 January 1992	The third station in Sabah.[20]
21	Langkawi	1 November 1993	The second and latest station in Kedah.
22	Keningau	1 January 2009	The fourth and latest station in Sabah.
23	Bintulu	12 April 2011	The sixth and latest station in Sarawak.

Radio

RTM offers 34 FM radio channels – 6 national and 28 local stations, which are collectively known as Radio RTM or Radio Malaysia. Each station has different frequencies, depending on the area of coverage.

Television

RTM offers six terrestrial TV channels in Malaysia: TV1, TV2, Okey, Berita RTM, Sukan RTM and TV6. While Malay and English are main languages used for its programmes, three out of six channels also offer vernacular language programmes for its non-Malay native population (widely known as Bumiputera), as well as Chinese and Indian minorities. TV1 and TV2 carry commercials, whereas TV Okey, Berita RTM, Sukan RTM and TV6 does not.

Name	Availability	Language	Programming	24-hours	Ref.
TV1	Free-to-air, Satellite, IPTV	Malay and English	News, culture, entertainment and children		[195]
TV2	Free-to-air, Satellite, IPTV	Malay, English, Chinese (Mandarin), Indian (Tamil and Hindi), Korean and Turkish	News, culture, entertainment and children		[195]
TV Okey	Free-to-air, Satellite	Malay, English, Chinese (Mandarin), Indian (Tamil and Punjabi), Bajau, Dusun, Kadazan and Iban	News, culture, entertainment, children and education		[196]
Berita RTM	Free-to-air	Malay, English, Chinese (Mandarin), Indian (Tamil), Bajau, Dusun, Kadazan and Iban	News		[197]
Sukan RTM	Free-to-air	Malay and English	Sports		[198]
TV6	Free-to-air	Malay	Films, entertainment, variety and drama series from the RTM archives		[199]

Corporate logos

• 
  Radio Malaya and Radio Malaysia logo (1957–1969).
• 
  Televisyen Malaysia logo (1963–1969).
• 
  RTM logo (1969–1978).
• 
  RTM logo (1978–1987).
• 
  RTM logo (1987–2004).
• 
  RTM logo (2004–2021).
• 
  RTM logo (2021–present).

Slogans

• Teman Setia Anda (Your Loyal Companion, 1987–present)
• Setia Bersama Membina Negara (Be Loyal Together to Building the Nation, 2016)^[15]

Reports on Dili shooting incident

On 23 September 1992, a broadcast of segment on the 1991 Dili shooting incident in East Timor, Indonesia on TV1's 10pm news have caused outrage and sparked protests in Indonesia. The segment shows the Indonesian soldiers opened fire into a group of demonstrators and killing 50 people. It also reported that the republic have raided the East Timor islands and the troops opened fire to local residents.^[217]

The then-Information Minister, Mohamed Rahmat explained that the RTM's airing of the segment "was a mistake", while claiming that it is "not intended to embarass the Indonesian Government". Furthermore, Indonesia has strongly objected over the incident's footage while also claiming it as an "insult" to them.^[218][219] On 27 September, RTM submitted the footage at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for investigation.^[220] Later on, the investigation of footage's airing was completed and Mohamed said it was made by staffs from RTM's news division who was responsible for the telecast in which he said it is "upon their own consideration".^[221][222] He also said that the Dili incident airings does not reflect the government's stance on the issue.^[223] Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security, Sudomo assesed that the issue was "considered closed".^[224]

Corruption scandals

In 2019, three including two RTM senior officials was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission due to misappropriation of money belongs to a zakat institution for the broadcaster's paid programs. They remanded for four days, but the remand custody period for two RTM senior officials were extended to five days.^{[225][226][227]}

On 14 November 2023, Suhaila Md Zaini, a producer of RTM's Radio News Section of the News and Current Affairs Division was charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court for receiving RM10,000 from a company owner in 2018. Six days later, on 20 November, she was charged again for receiving RM18,000 from a 41-year-old women between 17 April and 5 June 2019. She, however, pleaded not guilty.^[228][229]

Hamas as 'militant' in Mandarin news

On 11 May 2021, the Mandarin news segment shown on Berita RTM broadcast a report of Israel's airstrike against Palestine, which the news presenter mistakenly labelling Hamas as a 'militants'. Following the incident, two RTM Mandarin news editors have been called to give an explanation and have been issued a show-cause letters.^[230][231] RTM later issued an apology in its Twitter account over the incident.^[232]