ntv7 goes "farewell" on 16th February 2021 and rebranded completely as DidikTV KPM, but Media Prima denied of shutting down ntv7.

 

On 12nd February 2021, Malaysia Ministry of Education announced that a standalone education television channel, known as Didik TV KPM will be launched on terrestrial TV platform by 17.02.2021.

 

Didik TV KPM broadcasts everyday from 7am to 12am, so the broadcast duration is 17 hours.This Malaysia education TV station will be broadcasted on Astro CH147, MYTV digital terrestrial TV CH107, and ntv7 feed on UniFi TV.

 

We understand that school is not opened due to COVID-19 pandemic, so students have to learn from home via online class, but some of students suffer poor internet connectivity, hence they need education channel on terrestrial TV.

Not surprise if Malaysia government launches education TV channel because we were used to have TV Pendidikan in 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Not a new initiative in Malaysia... In Thailand, there are Thai PBS ALTV on terrestrial platform, and DLTV on satellite platform by Thai Royal, even National Broadcasting of Thailand also has education network radio station, known as Sor Wor Sor (AM 1467kHz in Bangkok area). China CCTV also has education channel, known as CCTV-10 Science and Education.

Technically DidikTV KPM will broadcast on ntv7 channel numbering such as Astro CH147, and MYTV CH107. After reading press release statement from Ministry of Education Malaysia, this indicates ntv7 will be ceased broadcast on 16.02.2021 and the channel will be entirely rebranded as DidikTV KPM on 17.02.2021.

 

Currently DidikTV is a slot on ntv7, broadcast for 11 hours per day, but after 17.02.2021, DidikTV will become full fledged education channel.

 

Rest in peace, ntv7. Thanks for entertaining fellow Malaysians for 23 years (1998-2021).

 

I don't feel surprise and shocked over the disposal of ntv7 by Media Prima because I already expected such happen in 2019 after I read its performance. From 2018 to 2021, Media Prima already performed three times on ntv7 rebranding, but unsuccessful rebrand because ntv7 is not able to get much revenue from 2018 to 2021, instead relying on Wow Shop revenue.

First attempt: Rebrand as Modern Malaysians content (5th March 2018 to 29th December 2018)

Second attempt: Revert back to Chinese content (30th December 2018 to 31st October 2020)

Third attempt: Rebrand again to Malay content, but more to magazine and talk show (1st November 2020 to 16th February 2021).

In terms of viewership rating performance, ntv7 is behind TV9 with 1%-3% audience share. Look at Media Prima TV network performance, TV3 and 8TV are having good performance, meanwhile ntv7 and TV9 performance are not good.

 

TV3 is Malaysia no.1 Malay TV channel, meanwhile 8TV is no.1 Chinese TV channel. In terms of performance ranking within Media Prima channels, here are the chart:

 

1. TV3 (30-50%)

2. 8TV (20-30%)

3. TV9 (2-3%)

4. ntv7 (1-2%)

 

On June 2020, ntv7 had ceased Chinese Mandarin news which was already aired for 21 years in ntv7's history because Media Prima merged ntv7 Chinese news into 8TV Chinese news. During that time, it also indicated Media Prima still faced difficult time to operate ntv7, although attempt to switch back to Chinese content to attract Chinese viewers, but those Chinese content are rerun of 8TV.

The rebranding of ntv7 to DidikTV KPM seems like Media Prima sold ntv7 to Ministry of Education due to loss making commercially and Media Prima does not decide to continue broadcasting ntv7. Sounds like speculation!

If it is not acquisition, Media Prima could directly switch off ntv7 and the feed will be carried by DidikTV KPM, same as Singapore Mediacorp OKTO (Arts Central + Kids Central) took over SPH Channel i frequency.

In my opinion, it is also good when Media Prima decides to dispose ntv7 as the TV channel is now a liability to the company since 2018. Besides that, people nowadays are less having demand to have more TV stations as they move to digital platform, so it is sufficient to Media Prima for focusing only TV3 and 8TV.

TV3 and 8TV are important channels to Media Prima as they're flagship. TV3 is Malay mass flagship channel, meanwhile 8TV is Chinese mass flagship channel.

 

ntv7 is likely be closed down on 16th February 2021 2359H (UTC+8) in conjunction of DidikTV KPM.

After disposal of ntv7, next will be TV9?? Still unknown yet. When DidikTV KPM takes over ntv7 channel multiplex, certain remaining programs on ntv7 will be affected or simply going to farewell such as Topik @ 7, Edisi Siasat, 7Edition.

(Update 16.02.2021) Media Prima denies of ceasing ntv7. (Source: NST)

(Update 17.02.201) NTV7 rebrands into DidikTV KPM for a year (Source: The Malaysian Reserve)

My commentary:

- It is likely a broadcast contract between KPM and Media Prima for 12 months. Further decision to continue Didik TV KPM or return ntv7 is unknown.

- When Media Prima says ntv7 is continuing operation, in my opinion, this means DidikTV KPM rent ntv7 platform. Hence, Ministry of Education pays rental fees to Media Prima for using ntv7 platform to broadcast DidikTV.