Awesome TV
A Malaysian Malay-language free-to-air digital television channel.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Awesome TV is a Malaysian Malay-language television channel operated by Awesome Broadcasting Sdn. Bhd., a company formerly associated with the name Awesome Media Network. It was established as a digital free-to-air broadcaster serving viewers in Malaysia and presents a mixture of locally produced original programming, news, and acquired Malaysian and foreign content. The channel began trial transmissions on 28 July 2020 and moved into full operation on 3 August 2020. Its launch was notable because the service broadcast using digital encoding through the DVB-T2 terrestrial television system rather than relying on an analogue transmission model. During the trial period, viewers could receive the channel through compatible digital television set-top boxes. Awesome TV initially operated without a principal scheduled news bulletin. The broadcaster expanded its distribution beyond terrestrial digital television in January 2021, when it announced that it would become available on Astro from 18 January. On the satellite and pay-television platform, it used channel 123, a position previously associated with Astro Ria HD after Astro’s channel-numbering changes in 2020. This carriage arrangement gave Awesome TV access to a broader Malaysian television audience, although its programming identity remained that of a local Malay-language channel. A major programming development came on 1 February 2022 with the introduction of Berita 7:57, a live prime-time news programme. The bulletin was positioned as a significant news offering for the channel and was initially broadcast from premises on Jalan Rakyat in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, before the operation later moved to Persiaran KLCC. The programme subsequently became the focus of several public and regulatory disputes concerning editorial content, alleged politically sensitive reporting, copyright-related matters, and compliance with broadcasting requirements. In 2023, Awesome TV faced additional commercial and regulatory pressure. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission opened investigation papers concerning possible non-compliance with licence conditions, and the broadcaster was later reported to have received a RM250,000 fine over several offences, including operating under a licence issue involving a different corporate entity. The network also became embroiled in disputes concerning unpaid or contested payments to producers and other suppliers. These developments affected its relationship with industry associations and public officials. The channel’s distribution footprint changed again in 2024. Awesome TV ceased broadcasting on Astro from 1 August 2024, alongside GEM on Unifi TV, as part of a stated strategy to become a fully virtual platform. Before that change, MYTV Broadcasting announced that it would suspend Awesome TV’s terrestrial platform access from 2 November 2023 because of continuing commercial issues relating to access-fee payments. Awesome TV disputed the fairness of the charges and argued that it should remain available on the MYTV platform until August 2025. The available reference material does not establish whether the channel subsequently ended all operations, so its broader current status is retained as active but requires verification.
History
Awesome TV is a Malaysian Malay-language television service operated by Awesome Broadcasting Sdn. Bhd. The broadcaster is described as having previously operated under or been associated with the name Awesome Media Network. It was created for Malaysia’s digital television environment and became one of the country’s free-to-air digital channels. The service began trial broadcasting on 28 July 2020 and entered full operation on 3 August 2020. Its transmission model relied on digital encoding and the DVB-T2 standard, allowing viewers with compatible set-top boxes to receive the channel through Malaysia’s digital terrestrial television system. At launch, its schedule focused on general television programming rather than a dedicated main news bulletin. Its content mix consisted of first-run local productions together with other Malaysian and foreign programmes. Awesome TV broadened its reach in early 2021. On 7 January, it announced through its official Facebook account that it would be carried by Astro from 18 January. It occupied channel 123, a position associated with Astro’s earlier channel configuration after the platform’s 2020 renumbering. This arrangement supplemented the broadcaster’s terrestrial availability and placed its programmes within a major Malaysian pay-television distribution system. The channel developed a more explicit news identity on 1 February 2022, when it launched Berita 7:57. The programme was a live prime-time news bulletin and was initially produced from a location on Jalan Rakyat in the Brickfields area of Kuala Lumpur. The operation later moved to Persiaran KLCC. The news service became central to the channel’s public profile, but it also generated criticism and regulatory scrutiny. In November 2022, a Berita 7:57 item encouraging Malay voters to vote in force in the 15th Malaysian general election was widely criticized on social media as racist and as reflecting a partisan editorial position. Awesome TV’s representative said that the news clip had allegedly been manipulated by parties supporting Bumiputera agendas. In February 2023, the programme’s editor manager, Mohd Ilyas Pakeer Mohamad, resigned. Around the same period, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that Awesome TV had committed six copyright-related infringements connected with fake reports, according to the reference account. The broadcaster was also called to discussions with MCMC after publishing a report claiming that the government would dismiss more than 800,000 civil servants. Awesome TV denied having links with Astro or political parties and rejected statements by politician Lokman Noor Adam as false and provocative. Regulatory concerns intensified during 2023. On 21 February, MCMC opened investigation papers under Section 206 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 concerning compliance with licence conditions. In May, Awesome TV was reported to have been fined RM250,000 for several offences, including operating without a valid licence. The reported licensing problem involved a licence issued to Awesome Broadcasting being used by the company identified as Awesome Media Network. The broadcaster also faced commercial disputes with producers and other suppliers. On 29 May 2023, Fahmi Fadzil urged the network to settle unpaid debts in cases involving producers. Awesome TV replied that the minister should not interfere in its commercial relationships. The response was criticized by industry organizations including the Film Directors Association of Malaysia and the Malaysian Film Producers Association, which called for an apology and urged the broadcaster to resolve payment issues involving producers and performers. Distribution problems followed. Awesome TV was removed from a planned list of companies participating in the 2023 National Day celebration; the minister explained the decision as a consequence of limited time available for the parade. In October, MYTV Broadcasting announced that it would suspend the channel from its platform on 2 November because of unresolved commercial issues over access fees. Awesome TV described the charges as unfair and argued that it should remain on MYTV until August 2025. The channel subsequently ended its Astro carriage from 1 August 2024. This withdrawal was presented as part of a strategic move toward becoming a fully virtual platform. The available material does not provide enough evidence to establish the broadcaster’s complete current operating status, its audience size, or its present distribution arrangements.
- 2024
Astro distribution ends
[1]Awesome TV ceased broadcasting on Astro from 1 August while pursuing a fully virtual platform strategy.
- 2023
Regulatory investigation opened
[1]MCMC opened investigation papers concerning possible breaches of broadcasting licence conditions.
- 2023
MYTV suspension announced
[1]MYTV announced a planned suspension of Awesome TV over unresolved access-fee issues.
- 2022
Berita 7:57 launches
[1]The channel introduced its own live prime-time news bulletin on 1 February.
- 2021
Astro carriage announced
[1]Awesome TV announced that it would join Astro’s channel lineup from 18 January.
- 2020
Trial broadcasting begins
[1]Awesome TV began trial transmissions on 28 July using Malaysia’s digital terrestrial DVB-T2 environment.
- 2020
Full channel operation starts
[1]The channel moved from trial transmission to full operation on 3 August.
Products and positioning
A Malaysian Malay-language digital broadcaster combining local original productions, news programming, and acquired domestic and international content across terrestrial and platform-based distribution.
Free-to-air digital television · 2020
Awesome TV channel
The core Awesome TV service is a Malaysian Malay-language digital television channel. It was designed for terrestrial reception through DVB-T2-compatible equipment and also received carriage on Astro for part of its operating history. Its schedule combines locally produced original programmes with acquired Malaysian and foreign content. The channel’s distribution model changed over time, including the reported suspension from MYTV and the end of Astro carriage in 2024.
Television news · 2022
Berita 7:57
Berita 7:57 is Awesome TV’s live prime-time news programme, launched on 1 February 2022. It was initially broadcast from Jalan Rakyat in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, before the news operation moved to Persiaran KLCC. The programme became one of the channel’s most visible offerings and was subsequently involved in public controversy, personnel changes, and regulatory scrutiny.
Controversies
2023
News accuracy and copyright allegations
The broadcaster faced allegations concerning fake reports and copyright infringement. The communications minister stated that six copyright-related infringements had occurred, while MCMC sought discussions after a report claiming that more than 800,000 civil servants would be dismissed.
2023
Licence compliance investigation and fine
MCMC investigated possible non-compliance with licence conditions, and Awesome TV was later reported to have received a RM250,000 fine. The reported issue involved a licence issued to Awesome Broadcasting being used by Awesome Media Network.
2023
Commercial disputes with producers
Awesome TV was criticized over reported unpaid debts involving producers and performers. A public exchange with Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil prompted film-industry associations to call for an apology and resolution of the outstanding commercial issues.
2023
MYTV access-fee dispute
MYTV announced that it would suspend Awesome TV because of continuing disputes over access-fee payments. Awesome TV challenged the charges as unfair and argued for continued carriage.
2022
Election-related editorial controversy
A Berita 7:57 segment encouraging Malay voters to vote decisively in the 15th Malaysian general election was criticized as racist and politically charged. Awesome TV said the clip had allegedly been manipulated by parties supporting Bumiputera-related agendas.
Brand decisions
2024
Move toward a fully virtual platformStrategyBackground
The broadcaster’s platform relationships had become affected by commercial and distribution disputes.
Action taken
Awesome TV ended its Astro distribution from 1 August and described the change as part of a plan to become a fully virtual platform.
Aftermath
Its post-Astro distribution and complete operating status are not established by the available reference material.
2022
Launch a dedicated prime-time news serviceProduct launchBackground
Before 2022, the channel did not have a main news slot.
Action taken
Awesome TV launched the live Berita 7:57 bulletin on 1 February.
Aftermath
The news programme increased the channel’s editorial profile but became associated with later controversy and regulatory scrutiny.
2021
Add Astro distributionStrategyBackground
The broadcaster sought wider availability beyond its terrestrial digital audience.
Action taken
Awesome TV announced carriage on Astro beginning 18 January 2021 on channel 123.
Aftermath
The channel gained a second major distribution route in Malaysia until its Astro carriage ended in 2024.
2020
Launch as a digital terrestrial channelProduct launchBackground
Awesome TV entered Malaysia’s digital television environment with trial broadcasting in July 2020 and full operation in August.
Action taken
The broadcaster transmitted using digital encoding through DVB-T2-compatible terrestrial reception.
Aftermath
The channel established a Malaysian free-to-air service centered on local and acquired programming.
Recent events
- 2024
Awesome TV leaves Astro distribution[1]
Other
Awesome TV stopped broadcasting on Astro from 1 August 2024 as part of a stated plan to become a fully virtual platform.
- 2023
Awesome TV omitted from 2023 National Day celebration lineup[1]
Other
The broadcaster was removed from a list of companies expected to participate in the 2023 National Day celebration. The communications minister attributed the change to limited parade time rather than providing a disciplinary explanation.
- 2022
Awesome TV launches Berita 7:57[1]
Product launch
The broadcaster introduced its own live prime-time news programme, Berita 7:57, on 1 February 2022.
- 2021
Awesome TV expands to Astro[1]
Other
The channel announced that it would begin broadcasting on Astro from 18 January 2021, using channel 123.
- 2020
Awesome TV begins trial broadcast[1]
Product launch
Awesome TV started trial transmissions on 28 July 2020 before entering full operation on 3 August 2020 as a Malaysian digital terrestrial television channel.
Sources2 sources
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