TVS sets sights abroad

KUCHING: The state-owned television station TV Sarawak (TVS) has announced plans for collaborations with both local and international broadcasters from Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia starting this year (2024).

TVS deputy executive chairman and CEO Kushairi Abang revealed ongoing negotiations with Al Hijrah TV and Astro.

Further, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is in the pipeline with Radio Television Brunei (RTB), Brunei’s national public broadcaster, with a decision expected by February.

Discussions are also underway for potential collaboration with Indonesian broadcasters.

“We want to take our content abroad so this is what we want to do. We want the people and the world to know about Sarawak. It’s not just that we want to target only local Sarawakians to watch, but we are going towards global,” he said in a press conference after the unveiling of TVS’s new logo, attended by TVS chairman Datuk Norhyati Mohd Ismail today (Dec 31).

In a bid to enhance its digital footprint, TVS is revamping its digital and social media strategy, including launching a new website domain (www.tvsarawak.my), with an eye on national coverage and fostering regional integration within Malaysia.

Besides global outreach, TVS aims to bolster in-house content production and has planned a roadshow across Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

“God willing next year, we will have another billboard near Jalan Tun Salahuddin and it will subsequently be built in Sibu, Bintulu and Miri and hopefully will be completed by next year. On the roadshow, in Sarawak, it will be held in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri while in Peninsular Malaysia, it will be held in Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. This roadshow is aimed at getting closer to the people. We want to be felt, not just seen,” he added.

Further expansion plans include opening new offices in Sibu, Bintulu, Miri in the first quarter of this year, followed by an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Also present were Sarawak Media Group (SMG) board members Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir, Datuk Ahmad Shafiee Yaman, and Rafidah Nawawi@Narawie.