THR Raaga Kuantan frequency review and comment

For this moment, THR Raaga does not have transmitter in Kuantan since THR Gegar was launched on 88.8MHz in Kuantan due to the demographics in Kuantan. Back to early 2000's, THR Raaga Kuantan frequency was on 88.8MHz, but fully replaced with THR Gegar. Before THR.FM joining Astro Radio (fka AMP Radio Networks), the THR.FM 88.8MHz was bilingual radio stations, after Chinese and English slots were withdrawn. Last year, Astro engineering department called me regarding the feedback of THR Raaga Kuantan frequency that I made on July 2013. He said that THR.fm is 1 station for whole Peninsular Malaysia, they divided THR.FM into two programmes, mainly Gegar (Malay) and Raaga (Tamil) since 2004. In addition, he mentioned that Malays are more than Indians in Kuantan and East Coast. Therefore, this is the reason why Astro Radio launched THR Gegar in Kuantan, instead of Raaga. About the listnership, with THR Gegar, the radio ratings of THR.FM can gain 3.5 millions. If Astro does not launch THR Gegar in East Coast, the radio ratings of THR.FM would not get as high as today ratings.

Currently Thr Raaga and Gegar broadcast in West Coast and East Coast respectively. If The Raaga and Gegar expand broadcast in East Coast and West Coast respectively, I believe that the radio ratings of THR.FM will break 4 millions since high number of listeners of THR Gegar in West Coast. To me, it is not possible to do that so because THR.FM is only 1 station, but divided.

Although THR Raaga does not have Kuantan frequency at current moment, THR Raaga still can be heard in Pahang state on 99.3MHz, 101.5MHz, 99.7MHz and 97.9MHz, depends on the area located.

In my opinion, since there is many Indians in East Pahang (Kuantan), Astro can launch another frequency in Bukit Pelindung for THR Raaga in order to compete with Minnal FM in East Coast. In Kuantan, there is much of empty frequencies there, such as: 88.3MHz, 102.2MHz, 101.6MHz, 98.5MHz and etc.

Currently THR Raaga FM frequencies in West Coast are airing THR Gegar from 2 am till 6 am daily. If THR Raaga launched its FM frequency in Kuantan, the THR Gegar Malay slots (2 am to 6 am daily) on THR Raaga frequencies should be phased out to prevent programme interference. THR Gegar slots on Raaga frequencies were minimized to 4 hours currently.

Alternatively, the THR Raaga listeners in East Coast can listen through online, Astro DVR, and mobile apps.

In my opinion, THR Raaga will be better with Kuantan frequency.

==My suggestion regarding THR Raaga Kuantan==
Frequency: 102.2MHz
Transmitter location: Bukit Pelindung, Kuantan
Power: 10kW (for Pahang and Terengganu) or 5kW or 2kW
Area coverages: Kuantan, Gambang, Maran, Pekan, Bandar Muadzam Shah, Kuala Rompin, Pekan, Kemaman, Chukai, Cerul, Kijal, Kemasik, Kerteh, Paka, Dungun, Cherating, Tioman Island

Results: THR FM will have two different programmes in Kuantan, mainly 88.8MHz Gegar and 102.2MHz Raaga (suggestion).

20 years anniversary of THR.FM established in Malaysia

This year (2014) will be 20 years anniversary of THR.FM established in Malaysia.

THR.FM (Time Highway Radio) was established in 31 August 1994 on 99.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali, after the second private radio station in Malaysia after Best 104 launched.

THR.FM broadcasts in English (80%) and Malay (20%) in 1994.

Its slogan was "More Than Just Great Music" in the 1990's.

The Malay programme was known as "THR Gegar".

In mid-1990's, THR.FM expanded its broadcast coverage in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Perak, Kedah, Penang and Perlis, meanwhile East Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan transmitter were launched in early 2000's.
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In early 2000's, THR.FM launched Chinese and Tamil programmes, known as "Mat Tou Tak" (乜都得，anything can) and "Thr Raaga" respectively, meanwhile the English programme was known as "THR Xtreme". THR.FM broadcasted in four languages in early 2000's, mainly Malay (Gegar), English (Xtreme), Chinese Mandarin/Cantonese (Mat Tou Tak) and Tamil (Raaga)

Since THR.FM had stiff competition with other English radio stations in early 2000's, the THR.FM English programme was dropped. The short-life Chinese programme of THR.FM was also dropped at the same time. Therefore, THR.FM remained two languages programmes.

In 2005, THR.FM joined Astro Radio (formerly known as AMP Radio Networks), THR.FM in West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia became THR Raaga, meanwhile THR.FM in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia became full fledged Malay radio station, known as THR Gegar.

THR Raaga was the first Tamil private radio station in Malaysia, ended monopoly of RTM Minnal FM (formerly known as Radio 6) in Malaysia.

Initially, THR Raaga only broadcast in West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia from 0600 hours till 1900 hours, meanwhile 1900 hours till 0600 hours programme slots were THR Gegar from East Coast.

Since early 2010's, THR Raaga expanded its broadcast hours until 0200 hours, THR Raaga broadcasts from 0600 hours till 0200 hours on FM frequencies, meanwhile 0200 hours till 0600 hours programme slots were THR Gegar.

THR Gegar programme on THR Raaga FM frequencies was decreased to 4 hours.

THR Raaga still broadcasts its Tamil programme online and Astro at 0200 hours till 0600 hours.

Although THR Raaga and THR Gegar did not broadcast in East Coast and West Coast respectively, but listeners still can listen via online, mobile apps and Astro decoder. In addition, THR Raaga listeners still can receive THR Raaga on "99.3FM" (Central and West), "101.5FM" (Bera), "97.9FM" (Cameron Highlands) and "99.7FM" (South West) in Pahang, depends on the areas.

The slogan of THR Raaga is "Aaha! Sirantha Isai.", meanwhile the slogan of THR Gegar is "Permata Pantai Timur".

THR Gegar was established many years ago, compared to Raaga.

THR Raaga frequencies in Pahang

THR Raaga frequencies in Pahang:

99.3MHz in Bentong, Karak, Raub, Lurah Bilut, Lanchang, Temerloh, Mentakab, Benta, Padang Tengku, Kuala Lipis, Sungai Ruan, Chenor, Maran, Jengka, Pekan, Gambang and part of Kuantan.

101.5MHz in Bera, Triang, Temerloh, Jerantut, Chenor, Mentakab, Lanchang (alternative frequency to 99.3)

99.7MHz in Kemayan, Teriang, Raub, Mengkarak, Kota Shahbandar, Bandar Muadzam Shah, and Bandar Tun Abdul Razak (Keratong)

97.9MHz in parts of Cameron Highlands

Overall: 57% of Pahang areas are able to receive THR Raaga.

==FULL FREQUENCIES LIST of THR Raaga==

99.3FM in Klang Valley, South Perak and West Pahang

101.5FM in Negeri Sembilan and Bera, Pahang

99.7FM in Malacca, North Johor and South-West Pahang (Endau Rompin, Keratong)

103.7FM in Johor Bahru and Singapore

97.9FM in Ipoh, Central Perak and parts of Cameron Highlands

102.1FM in Taiping and North Perak

99.3FM in Penang

102.4FM in Kedah, Perlis and Langkawi

ASTRO Channel 859

#Frequency directory