What is the future radio station of FM 92.5MHz in Kuching?

The Kuching new radio station FM 92.5MHz began transmission since April 2016. It was City Plus FM trial transmission. FM 92.5MHz is operated by Cense Media Sdn Bhd, which owns Kupi-Kupi FM 96.3MHz in Kota Kinabalu and City Plus FM 106.0MHz in Klang Valley/Negeri Sembilan.

FM 92.5MHz is transmitted in SACOFA Bukit Djin (formerly Bukit Antu). Before City Plus FM began trial transmission in Gunung Telapak Burok for Klang Valley and Negeri Sembilan on FM 106.0MHz, City Plus FM was only available of its trial transmission in Kuching.

City Plus FM is first Chinese business radio station in Malaysia, it was officially launched on 2nd May 2017. For Kuching frequency 92.5MHz, City Plus FM is not available there, instead FM 92.5MHz still carries trial transmission. Kuching FM 92.5MHz still never carries City Plus FM programmes from Klang Valley FM 106.0MHz.

City Plus FM has no plan to expand coverage in Kuching as Klang Valley programmes may not fit to Sarawak listeners tastes. Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak listeners have huge different taste. From my view, Sabah and Sarawak listeners need more local contents on the radio, than Peninsular Malaysia contents. Astro Hitz, ERA, and My FM have localized programmes in Sabah, Sarawak, ERA FM Sabah carries 24 hours Sabahan Malay programmes since 24th April 2017, no more relay from Peninsular main programmes.

When I visit Cense Media website, it stated that it would launch 3rd radio station in Kuching after Kupi-Kupi FM and City Plus FM.

Regarding to 3rd radio station in Kuching, it is unknown that which radio station will carry over 92.5MHz.

Until today, Kuching FM 92.5MHz is still carrying City Plus FM trial transmission, playing all same Chinese music over again 24/7. In my opinion, I may think that City Plus FM 92.5MHz will be completely ceased transmission in Kuching by next year. Then, FM 92.5MHz will be rebranded by a local radio station which targets Sarawakians, operated by Cense Media Sdn Bhd.

In Kuching, there are six Chinese radio stations, such as:

- MY FM Sarawak
- One FM
- Red FM Sarawak (Chinese & English)
- Melody FM
- Ai FM
- Tea FM (Chinese & English)

Tea FM is the first Sarawak and Sabah only Chinese radio station (with minority English programmes).

For FM 92.5MHz Kuching, I may not think it will be remained as Chinese radio station as result the number of station is enough there.

There are many Iban in Sarawak. For Sarawak ethnics languages radio stations station, there are only RTM Wai FM (Iban/Kayan/Bidayuh) and Cats FM, but Cats FM is billingual radio station which broadcasts in Ibanese and Sarawak Malay.

Following the demographics in Sarawak, Iban is the largest population among all ethnics in Sarawak.

Seriously there is lack of radio stations to target Iban listeners. Only Cats FM targets Iban listeners as commercial radio in Sarawak. From my view, Cense Media Sdn Bhd can rebrand FM 92.5MHz as Sarawakians radio station (mainly Iban) to attract Sarawakians, just like Kupi-Kupi FM targets Kadazan and Dusun listeners, also broadcasts in Sabahan Malay, Kadazan and Dusun language.

If Cense Media launches Iban radio station on FM 92.5MHz Kuching, it will become first Iban commercial radio station in the state. In my opinion, to attract other races in Sarawak together with Iban, FM 92.5MHz Kuching also can carry Kenyah, Kayan, Bidayuh, Melanau language programmes, but as commercial radio station, I don't think it may not be effective.

For coverage of Cense Media 3rd radio station in Kuching, it is not enough if this Iban radio station is available only in Kuching. It shall be expanded to other Sarawak divisions where are Iban majority areas such as Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Mukah, and Limbang, but depends on commercial value of the divisions.

 

==CENSE Media radio stations==

1. Kupi-Kupi FM 96.3MHz (Kota Kinabalu): Sabahans radio (Sabahan Malay, Kadazan Dusun)

2. City Plus FM 106.0MHz (Klang Valley/Negeri Sembilan/Central Pahang/parts of Melaka): Chinese business radio station

3. FM 92.5MHz (Kuching): Iban language radio station???

What do you think if Cense Media launches its 3rd radio station in Kuching by launching Iban language radio station? Please share your thoughts by leaving comments on this post.