Tamil radio station market in Malaysia

Currently Malaysia Tamil language radio stations are Minnal FM and THR Raaga.

Back to the pre 2000s generation of Malaysia, there is only one Tamil radio station, known as Radio6 or Red Network (Rangkaian Merah in 1960s), now becomes Minnal FM.

Minnal FM is owned by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), which is under Ministry of Information of Malaysia government.

Minnal FM was monopolizing Tamil radio station market in Malaysia for five decades, from 1950s till 1990s, but when came to 2001 there is a new Tamil radio programme on Time Highway Radio, known as THR Raaga. It ended the monopoly of Minnal FM in Malaysia, and THR Raaga is currently monopolizing Tamil radio market since 2001.

Basically THR Raaga was not a radio station, instead it was just a radio programme of Time Highway Radio until acquired by Astro in 2005. After THR was acquired by Astro, THR Raaga became full fledged Tamil radio station in Malaysia, meanwhile the simulcast relay from THR Gegar on THR Raaga frequencies was deceased phase by phase.

Compared to other language stations, English was the earliest to end the monopoly of RTM, there was Time Highway Radio, ended the monopoly of Radio 4 (Traxx FM) in 1994, following by Chinese commercial radio station, Redi FM 988, ended the monopoly of Radio 5 (Ai FM) in 1996. Then, Malay commercial radio, Era FM, ended the monopoly of Radio1, Radio Muzik and RTM state stations in 1997.

In terms of music taste, THR Raaga mainly plays latest and some older Tamil songs, which targets all age of Indians, same as Minnal FM, but RTM Minnal FM plays older Tamil songs more than latest, which targets majority older Indians.

Minnal FM does not only play music, it also carry some talks, including Islamic talks in Tamil.

I'm Chinese, I also have Indian friends too. During high school era, most of my Indians told me that they were listening to THR Raaga, rather than Minnal FM. Then I also shared to them too, stated that most of my Chinese friends preferred listening to My FM, One FM and 988, rather than Ai FM.

In Malaysia, most of Malaysians are listening to commercial radio, rather than government radio (RTM) because there has many factors.

Although I don't really understand every single words of Tamil language, but I was used to try to listen to Tamil radio station in Malaysia, mostly Minnal and THR Raaga. In term of taste, I felt that THR Raaga is nicer. Minnal FM is ok too, but the name "government radio" makes me feel "meh".

Religion talk (mainly Islamic) normally broadcasted on Malay radio stations mostly among all RTM stations (never include IKIM FM, despite IKIM is semi commercial radio), Ai FM and Traxx FM never usually air religion talk at all, just very minor slot of religion talk on the air. Back to 2013, I went to a barber shop to have hair cut, the barber shop owner was listening to Minnal FM, I heard Minnal FM aired religion talk on 11am, I believed that Minnal FM also had another targeted audience too. Minnal FM did not only target Tamil speaking listeners, also including Indian Muslims in Malaysia, so there was a establishment of religion talk, in cooperated with Jakim on Minnal FM resulted.

Now talk to the competition of Tamil radio stations in Malaysia. After THR Raaga launched in 2001, the popularity of Raaga grew rapidly, but most obvious since 2005. In addition, THR Raaga listenership went more stable and higher since 2009. In terms of coverage, Minnal FM is wider than THR Raaga because the station is funded by government, even Minnal FM is available in Terengganu and Kelantan, meanwhile THR Raaga does not go to any East Coast region.

Imagine if THR Raaga has frequency in Kuantan, together with Malay East Coast station THR Gegar, I think Minnal FM will feel threatened in Kuantan and some Terengganu areas and the competition gets stiffer.

Look at Media Prima, and Star Radio Group, these two giant media airs few stations in Malay, Chinese and English, but currently Media Prima and Star Radio Group haven't operated any Tamil radio yet, even Media Prima does not have any Tamil TV station too. Star also closed down its English radio (Red and Capital) since 31st December 2015, then Media Prima 8TV and NTV7 English programmes got decreased heavily since 2016.

Astro has two different music genre stations in three languages:

- Malay
1. Era (hot contemporary)
2. Sinar (classic)
3. THR Gegar (mix format, but for East Coast)

- English
1. Hitz (Hot contemporary, Top40)
2. Mix (90s, 2000s and adult mainstream contemporary)
3. Lite (classic hits and easy listening)

- Chinese
1. My (hot contemporary)
2. Melody (classic)

- Tamil
1. Raaga (hot adult contemporary 80%; classic 20%)

Look at this list, Astro still lacks of Tamil retro station, but Astro has Osai on Astro satellite radio. On September 2016, Astro acquired Red and Capital.

If Red FM is rebranded to Osai FM, and the Tamil retro station is launched by Astro, the competition of Tamil radio market will be stiffer than current.

Minnal FM is not only threatened  by THR Raaga, but it will be threatened again by Osai FM.

Talk about Tamil radio stations in South East Asia, currently there have Raaga, and Minnal from Malaysia as well as Oli from Singapore. Based on the popularity, THR Raaga is currently the most famous Tamil radio in South East Asia.

THR Raaga is also popular in Singapore.

Osai FM can become 4th Tamil radio station in South East Asia and join the battle of radio war.

Singapore is one of battle war place for Tamil radio stations.  The war can be liked this:

Raaga+Osai (from Astro) vs. Minnal (RTM) vs. Oli (Singapore)

Oli FM 96.8MHz only covers Singapore, Batam and Johor (Central and South), meanwhile Minnal covers whole Peninsular Malaysia and Raaga covers West Coast only.

The Astro classic radio station is grouped like below:
- English: Lite FM (since 1997)
- Malay: Sinar FM (since 2004)
- Chinese: Melody FM (since 2012)
- Tamil: Osai FM (to be 2017??)

For Malaysia domestic Tamil radio market, currently Minnal FM monopolizes East Coast Tamil radio market, meanwhile THR Raaga is unable reach East Coast (Kuantan) due to license condition. After Red FM is rebranded to Osai FM, I believe that Red FM Kuantan frequency 91.6MHz will air Osai FM, so Osai FM will end the monopoly of Minnal FM in Kuantan and the battle begins. This East Coast Tamil radio battle can spread until Sotuh Terengganu as Bukit Pelindung can cover there too. To be fair, Astro THR Raaga should reach Kuantan by modifying its license, so the battle among three Tamil radio stations in Kuantan can be started.

Note: This blog post is not fully truth, it is just a speculation, based on my opinion. For most accurate news of rebranding Red FM, please wait the news from Astro.

Possibilities of Capital FM rebranding after acquired by Astro

On 9th September 2016, Astro acquired loss making Capital FM and Red FM with RM42 Billions.

Capital FM Sdn Bhd holds Content Application Service Provider (CASP) license which can be allowed to broadcast Red FM and Capital FM.

Astro will rebrand these two radio stations to target new audience.

Previously I had speculated and predicted Red FM will be rebranded to a Tamil retro radio station, known as Osai FM (which currently only airing on Astro CH866), because there also may demand of Tamil listeners who want the classic music station like Malay station Sinar FM and Chinese station Melody FM.

Now, we will talk about the future of Capital FM.

Astro currently broadcasts nine FM radio stations, mainly Era, My, Sinar, THR Raaga, THR Gegar, Melody, Hitz, Mix, and Lite. In addition, Astro also owns Classic Rock, Bayu, Kenyalang, Opus, Jazz, Gold, India Beat and Osai.

Rumors state that Capital FM will be rebranded to a talk radio station like Astro Talk Radio FM 101.8MHz in 1997-98.

Let's analyze the Astro satellite stations which may be possible broadcasted on Capital FM frequency.

1. Opus
- In my opinion, I don't think Astro will rebrand Capital FM to Opus FM as less listeners will listen to classic opera music. Actually classic opera music station has no market in Malaysia, perhaps not all listeners love to listen to classic opera music.

2. Jazz
- Same answer with Opus. Jazz FM plays jazz music, less Malaysian people listen to jazz music on FM station. In addition, its sister station Lite FM also plays jazz music, alongside with easy listening music.

3. India Beat
- India Beat actually plays Northern Indian music. Malaysia Indians speaking language is Tamil, and some of them are speaking in Malayalam rather than Hindi. India Beat plays Hindi, Punjabi and Bengali music. Tamil language is origin from South India. In my opinion, I don't think Astro will rebrand Capital FM to India Beat perhaps Northern India music station market in Malaysia is very small, it is considered as minority market.

4. Bayu and Kenlayang
- Both are East Malaysia music stations. Never think Astro will launch in Klang Valley, instead they can launch in Sabah and Sarawak.

5. Osai
- I had mentioned previously regarding rebranding of Red FM. Briefly say that Osai FM is a Malaysia Tamil retro radio station which plays Tamil music from the 1970s till 1990s.

6. Classic Rock
- A rock station by Astro. In 1997, Classic Rock was aired on 103.3MHz (Klang Valley), then slots are taken over by Era FM due to high demand of Malay listeners. Sounds like BFM 89.9, because BFM 89.9 plays classic rock music, together with business and headlines talk. To me, there is also a chance of launching Classic Rock on Capital FM frequency, but they also may have possibility to take over Mix FM slot if Mix FM face loss making due to low listenership.

7. Gold (formerly Golden Oldies and Nostalgia)
- Gold FM plays the English songs from the 1950s till 1970s like Elvis Presley, Diana Ross, The Beatles, Bee Gees, James Brown etc. Light & Easy played English oldies before it renamed to Lite FM in 2006. Lite FM dropped the 1960s and 1970s songs as they want to concentrate on younger listeners, so Lite FM plays the songs beginning from the 1980s. After Lite FM is no longer playing 1960s and 1970s, but those 1960s and 1970s are played on Astro satellite only station Gold FM. In my opinion, the rebranding of Capital FM to Gold also could be the possible as Malaysia currently has no more oldies station which play the songs from 1960s and 1970s.

Other than these eight radio stations, I don't think Astro will return its defunct station XFM (Xfresh) as this station had been making loss heavily after 2010. In term of marketing, most of Malay listeners are listening to Era, Sinar, Gegar, Hot FM, Suria FM, Best 104 and Kool FM. XFM target audience is Malay teenagers and it plays Malaysia indie music like Pop Shuvit, Meet Uncle Hussein, Hujan, Poetic Ammo, Point Blanc.

According all the analysis made on six stations, India Beat, Jazz and Opus won't be aired on FM terrestrial radio by taking over Capital FM. Meanwhile Classic Rock and Gold, hmmm...Gold may result higher possibility than Classic Rock, but mostly Astro may return broadcasting of their long time defunct Talk Radio back to FM station.

Talk about the history of Astro early radio station, Talk Radio. It was launched in 1997, together with Hitz, Mix, Lite and Classic Rock, but it was ceased broadcasting in 1998 after taken over by My FM.

==Talk Radio==
88.9MHz: Klang Valley (Gn Ulu Kali)
107.6MHz: Penang (Bkt Penara)
103.3MHz: Johor Bahru (Metropolis Tower)
xx.xMHz: Ipoh (Gn Kledang)
xxx.xMHz: Seremban (Bkt Gan)
xx.xMHz: Malacca and Johor (Gn Ledang)

If Astro returns Talk Radio, in my opinion, I don't think Astro will expand the coverage to Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis/Langkawi as there have no commercial value. English radio market is not so big in these states.

In terms of commercial value, Gold and Classic Rock may result higher.

Analisa liputan THR Gegar Bukit Senggora FM 100.7MHz

Pada masa kini, kawasan Pahang Tengah dan Barat seperti Maran, Jengka, Temerloh, Bera belum menerima siaran THR Gegar. Terdapat satu tempat pemancar radio terletak di Pahang Tengah, iaitu Bukit Senggora, Maran.

Untuk meliputi kawasan Temerloh, Bera dan sebahagian Pahang Barat dari Bukit Senggora dengan field strength sekurang 54dBuV/m (STEREO) dan 48dBuV/m (MONO).

==Parameter THR Gegar untuk Pahang Tengah dan sebahagian Pahang Barat==

Frekuensi: 100.7MHz

Tempat pemancar: Bukit Senggora 

Kuasa diuji dengan: 3.5kW, 5kW

Ketinggian: 215m

Antenna gain: 6.4dBi

 

Berdasarkan pada peta liputan di atas, THR Gegar Bukit Senggora FM 100.7MHz pada kuasa 5kW lebih luas daripada 2kW dan 3.5kW. THR Gegar Bukit Senggora FM 100.7MHz boleh memancar sehingga kawasan Karak dan Lanchang pada 5kW, tetapi penerimaannya lemah, manakala Temerloh dan Mentakab boleh menerima siaran THR Gegar dalam STEREO.

Secara asasnya, Bukit Senggora tiada nilai komersil kepada pihak penyiaran swasta, tetapi liputannya lebih luas daripada Bukit Istana, Bukit Botak dan Bukit Sulai. THR Gegar mungkin ada nilai komersil di Pahang Tengah dan Barat (Bukit Senggora), berbanding dengan Era dan Sinar.

Sinar FM dan Era FM boleh diterima di Maran, Jengka, Temerloh pada 96.7MHz dan 103.3MHz dari Gn Ulu Kali masing-masing.

Secara keseuluruhnnya, Bukit Senggora adalah tempat sesuai untuk meliputi Pahang Tengah dan Barat, tetapi kuasa 5kW diperlukan.

Red FM becomes Tamil radio station? Capital FM becomes talk radio station?

On 9th September 2016, Astro acquired Red FM and Capital FM with RM42Million

Previously I had mentioned that Red FM and Capital FM may rebrand to a Tamil retro station, Osai FM.

Now I don't think Red FM and Capital FM will be rebranded together into one station because I hear that Capital FM will become talk radio station.

For my prediction, I strongly believe that Red FM English broadcast will not be continued after joining Astro, it will become Tamil radio station Osai FM.

==OSAI FM==

- 104.9MHz: Klang Valley and South Perak (Gunung Ulu Kali)
- 106.0MHz: Negeri Sembilan (Gunung Telapak Burok; return broadcasting after closed transmission in June 2009)
- 98.9MHz: Melaka and North Johor (Gn Ledang)
- 92.8MHz: Johor Bahru and Singapore (Gn Pulai)
- 106.4MHz: Ipoh (Gn Kledang)
- 98.1MHz: Kedah, Perlis, Penang and North Perak (Gn Jerai)
- 91.6MHz: Kuantan (Bkt Pelindung)
- 99.3MHz: Taiping (Bukit Larut; take over from THR Raaga Bkt Penara; THR Raaga can be received in Penang via 102.4MHz)

PS: Minnal FM will face stiff competition from THR Raaga and Osai FM

For Osai FM Negeri Sembilan frequency, Astro can reuse Red FM old frequency FM 106.0MHz which was ceased in June 2009, perhaps Seremban and Central Negeri Sembilan areas can't get 104.9MHz and 98.9MHz clearly. FM 98.9MHz is interfered by 988 FM 98.8MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali in most of Negeri Sembilan areas until some Melaka areas.

For Taiping and North Perak, I never think that Astro will reuse former controversial Red FM Bukit Larut frequency FM 98.2MHz. Astro can take over THR Raaga Penang frequency 99.3MHz by moving site to Bukit Larut for Osai FM Taiping frequency, perhaps THR Raaga 99.3MHz in Penang is quite "pointless" because Penang already has strategic frequency from Gunung Jerai Kedah, that's FM 102.4MHz.

Regarding to the future of Capital FM, rumors said that Capital FM will be rebranded to talk radio station, which focus on news and business like BFM 89.9.

For frequency coverage, currently Capital FM has only 88.9 for Klang Valley and 107.6 for Penang, I don't think Astro will expand this station to nationwide like Hitz, Mix and Lite because of market.

This talk radio language could be in English or Malay. If this talk radio is in Malay, Astro could expand to nationwide, but what if in English, Astro may not go nationwide.

The talk radio station would only target Klang Valley, Penang, Ipoh, Melaka, Johor and Seremban, but I don't think Astro will not have any plan to expand this talk radio station to East Malaysia and East Coast temporarily.

==Talk radio station==

88.9Mhz: Klang Valley (Gn Ulu Kali)
107.6MHz: Penang (Bkt Penara)
xxx.xMHz: Ipoh (Gn Kledang)
xxx.xMHz: Melaka, Johor (Gn Ledang)
xxx.xMHz: Seremban (Bukit Gan)
103.3MHz: Johor Bahru (Metropolis Tower)

封鎖朝鮮FM電台的建議 Suggestion of jamming North Korea FM signal parameter

以下是可以在韓國境內可以接收的朝鮮電台 (朝鮮平壤中央廣播電台):

- FM 92.5MHz (開城)
- FM 103.7MHz (海洲)
- FM 97.8MHz (海洲)
- FM 102.3MHz (海洲)
- FM 95.1MHz (元山)

為了防止韓國人民收聽具滿邪惡共產主義的朝鮮電台, 韓國通訊部在各地的發射站安裝jammer來封鎖朝鮮電台.. Jammer的作用是干擾一個電台

1. FM 103.7MHz
目前我看到的是朝鮮海洲電台103.7MHz被韓國封鎖 , 但是jammer是靜音的.. 發射地區是在南山 (Namsan)... 103.7MHz的jammer靜音是避免干擾首爾電台的SBS Love FM 103.5MHz.. 如果無線電干擾器是放出聲音在103.7MHz, SBS Love FM 103.5MHz也會自己遭殃.

在韓國江原道的春川, TBN FM也使用103.7MHz, 主要覆蓋江原道的整個省, 但是功率不大, 只是3kW. 基本上如果要在京畿道內干擾朝鮮電台, 韓國政府必須增加TBN FM 103.7MHz的發射功率至10kW. 

首爾方面, FM 103.9MHz也可以在冠岳山增設電台, 功率為10kW, 來封鎖朝鮮電台..

2. FM 92.5MHz
韓國政府在韓國首爾南山安裝電台干擾器 (jammer)來完全封鎖朝鮮電台92.5MHz, 所以在首爾的你, 如果把收音機的電台頻率調去92.5MHz, 肯定會聽到鳴聲 (beep).. 開城離開首爾的距離是不到100公里

3. FM 97.8MHz
韓國政府目前沒有在這個頻率安裝任何的干擾器, 因為KBS Cool FM已經在京畿道有了97.7MHz, 功率為0.2kW

4. FM 102.3MHz
韓國政府在首爾冠岳山可以增設新電台102.3MHz, 功率為5kW.

5. FM 95.1MHz
韓國政府可以在江源道增設FM 94.9MHz來封鎖來自元州的朝鮮電台, 功率為10kW. 其實韓國首爾冠岳山已經有了FM 95.1MHz, TBN FM.

==Suggested parameter for jamming North Korea FM signal in South Korea== (feat with antenna pattern)

1. FM 103.9MHz
Power: 10kW
Transmitting location: Gwanaksan, Seoul, South Korea

2. FM 103.5MHz (SBS Love FM)
Power: 15kW
Transmitting location: Gwanaksan, Seoul, North Korea

3. FM 102.3MHz
Power: 5kW
Transmitting location: Gwanaksan

4. FM 94.9MHz
Power: 10kW
Transmitting location: Neuratjae (Chuncheon)

International FM DXing: North Korea FM radio jamming in South Korea

In Seoul, and Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), there has some North Korea FM radio can be received there, transmitted from Kaesong and Hanju of North Korea.

Currently South Korea is jamming North Korea FM radio signal in South Korea territories.

- 92.5MHz: KCBS Pyongyang FM Pangsong from Kaesong is jammed by South Korea with beep signal.
- 97.8MHz: KCBS Pyongyang FM Pangsong from Kaesong is jammed by South Korea Jayu FM Bangsong from Cheorwon of Gangwon province FM 97.7MHz
- 103.7MHz: KCBS Pyongyang FM  Chosun Jungang Pangsong from Haeju is jammed by South Korea Military Jammer from Namsan, Seoul
- 102.3MHz KCBS Pyongyang FM  Chosun Jungang Pangsong from Kaesong


North Korea FM 103.7MHz is also jammed by SBS Love FM 103.5MHz from Seoul in Korean DMZ and Seoul metropolitan area, FM 103.5MHz by SBS Love FM is occupied with 10kW power.

In my opinion, South Korea still can jam North Korea signal by adding more FM stations in South Korea. Such as:

- FM 102.1MHz and FM 102.5MHz low power transmitters within Korean DMZ areas
- FM 92.5MHz in Seoul Korea with 10kW power to jam North Korea signal
- FM 103.8MHz low power transmitters within Korean DMZ areas

Jamming North Korea FM signal is not only done by playing beep sound, it can be done by launching commercial relay station, even can increase power of existing transmitter to jam North Korea signal.

==EBS Gyoyuk Bangsong parameter==
Frequency: FM 102.3MHz
Power: 10kW (suggested power)
Transmitting location: Weonhyobong (ccg)

==MBC Munhwa Bangsong==
Frequency: FM 92.3MHz
Power: 10kW
Transmitting location: Chuncheon/Daeryongsan (gan)

With increasing power of existing South Korea radio stations, the North Korea radio stations will face heavy co-channel interference within South Korea areas. So, listeners won't be able to receive North Korea stations there.
 
 

If Astro acquires Red FM and Capital FM from Star, what will the radio station become?

There is many speculation of Astro Radio Sdn Bhd had interest to acquire Red FM and Capital FM.

Red FM and Capital FM currently play non-stop music after ceased operations since 1st January 2016.

Unofficial news stated that Astro has interest to acquire Red FM and Capital FM from The Star, but acquisition dealing costs RM20millions.

Astro currently operates few satellite only radio stations such as:

- Gold (formerly was Golden Oldies and Nostalgia)
- Jazz
- India Best
- Osai
- Kenyalang
- Bayu

Astro already has its three retro radio stations in three different languages (Chinese, Malay and English), but so far no Tamil retro radio station yet.

THR Raaga is Tamil radio station like Mix FM, My FM, Era FM and Hitz FM.

In my opinion, Astro can transform Red FM and Capital FM to Osai FM, become Malaysia first Tamil retro station if acquisition is done. In addition, imagine if Astro launch Osai FM, it can compete with Minnal FM.

Minnal FM from RTM can face stiff competition from THR Raaga and Osai FM.

==Capital FM history==

Capital FM 1.0 was from 2008 till November 2011, it was independent radio station.

Capital FM 2.0 was from December 2011 till January 2016, it was acquired by Star Radio in May 2011.

Capital FM 3.0?? Acquired by Astro, then become Osai FM?

- ISY Holdings, which is the company of Capital FM will get more stable if join Astro, but sadly to hear that Malaysia loss two English radio.

Osai FM currently broadcasts only via Astro CH866 and online.

Here is the frequencies list of Osai FM if Astro acquires Red FM and Capital FM.

- 104.9MHz: Gunung Ulu Kali for Klang Valley, West Pahang and South Perak
- 98.9MHz: Gunung Ledang for Melaka and North Johor
- 92.8MHz: Gunung Pulai for South Johor and Singapore
- 106.4MHz: Gunung Kledang for Ipoh
- 107.5MHz: Bukit Larut for Taiping (ex: 107.6MHz Bukit Penara)
- 98.1MHz: Gunung Jerai for Kedah, Perlis and Penang
- 89.1MHz: Gunung Telapak Burok for Negeri Sembilan (ex: 88.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali) 

Back to 2009, Red FM already closed down its two frequencies. There are 98.2MHz Bukit Larut for Taiping, then 106.0MHz Gn Telapak Burok for Negeri Sembilan.

In my opinion, I don't think Astro will reuse FM 106.0MHz again for Osai FM in Negeri Sembilan, despite Astro acquires Capital FM 88.9 too. If 106.0MHz is reoccupied by Osai FM, 88.9MHz is nothing again.

The suitable way is modifying Capital FM 88.9MHz parameters like this:

- Frequency: 89.1MHz
- Transmitting location: Gunung Telapak Burok
- Conclusion: 88.9MHz will be blanked in Klang Valley and South Perak, but 88.8MHz can be occupied in Gunung Kledang Ipoh.

Another site is in Taiping, Osai FM can modify Capital FM 107.6MHz parameter like below here:

- Frequency: 107.5MHz
- Transmitting location: Bukit Larut

If 107.5MHz is occupied by Osai FM in Bukit Larut, Minnal FM Bukit Dedap frequency must be changed to 107.7MHz to avoid interference.

For frequency expansion, I may not think ARSB will expand Osai FM broadcast coverage in Kelantan, Terengganu and East Malaysia as no commercial value there, like what THR Raaga did. THR Raaga doesn't reach Kelantan, Terengganu, Kuantan and East Malaysia too.

Last time Astro another Chinese radio station (not My FM), Melody did not air on FM radio. Until July 2012, Melody FM broadcasted through FM radio by taking over XFM/Xfresh FM slots, Xfresh lost its revenue due to low listeners gained. In addition, Xfresh music genre is closed to Era FM, just different things. Era FM is more to mainstream, Xfresh is more to indie music.

Will Osai FM go on FM broadcast in the future? Will this happen? We don't know yet, but we need to get official news from ARSB.

Talk about the acquisition of Copyright Laureate Sdn Bhd by Media Prima, there is the formula.

==Media Prima==
Ultra FM (Klang Valley) + Pi Mai FM (Penang) = Kool FM (Malay retro station by Media Prima)

Astro acquisition on Red FM and Capital FM also can be the same way too.

==Astro Radio==
Red FM + Capital FM = Osai FM (Tamil retro station by Astro)

PS: If Astro acquire Red FM and Capital FM, I will hear Tamil old songs on FM 104.9MHz in Kuala Lumpur.

Red FM and Capital FM will be acquired by Astro Radio Sdn Bhd??

On December 2015, Star Media Group announced that Red FM and Capital FM would be the last day of broadcasting on 31st December 2015 due to these two stations lost the revenue.

31st of  December 2015, also the last day of 2015. I was listening to Red FM, from lunch hours, and back to home. My car radio stuck to FM 104.9MHz, even I tuned to 104.9Mhz until midnight. That time was the last day of Red FM. When it came to the corner, around 11.59pm, the station was nearly off air.

I did not turn off the radio when it came to 2359 hours, but I continued to listen to Red FM until 12.30 am, which was on 1st January 2016. Red FM and Capital FM started to play non-stop music (automation mode) from 1st January 2016, but Capital FM was earlier to start automation mode than Red FM.

Both radio stations have no any DJs, but only kept airing only news and traffic updates, even some advertisement.

Many people speculated that Red FM and Capital FM will not be sold off, but performed rebranding exercise. During these 8 months, I monitored these two stations occasionally and intermittently, although I listened to BFM 89.9.

None of any new updates from these radio stations yet until today.

Initially I believed only that Capital FM would be sold out and Red FM will be remained, but all speculation are false. I was told that Red FM and Capital FM studio equipment were being sold out, this gave me the hint that these two stations will be definitely sold out.

Talk about BFM 89.9... BFM 89.9 is seeking for Penang frequency, I was involved as volunteer. That time I had suggested BFM 89.9 to buy the frequency from Capital FM, which was 107.6MHz, but BFM 89.9 told me that Star did not decide to sell to them, and the amount of this acquisition costed about RM20Millions.

BFM launch Penang frequency..

- Acquired frequency from Capital FM 107.6
- Launch brand new transmitter in Bukit Tokun on FM 103.0MHz

Both I suggested, but in terms of costs, launching in Bukit Tokun 103.0MHz is cheaper than acquiring frequency from Capital FM.

Few weeks ago, I met a staff from The Star (not to mention the person name due to sensitivity) and we talked about Red FM and Capital FM. She stated that currently Star is seeking buyers to buy over these two radio stations, but during these eight months, currently nobody buys the stations as the acquisition costs are very expensive enough. It's RM 20Millions, this is definitely not a joke. RM20Millions cash can buy many things, at least can buy about 15 units of Maserati or Ferrari. 

Last few months, I also received the rumors about Media Prima will take over Red FM frequencies for Kool FM, but I did not see actions from Media Prima to buy Red FM.

Another rumors stated that Red FM and Capital FM will be sold to Astro Radio, but it is unofficial yet.

Astro Radio currently operated nine FM radio stations nationwide, there are:

- Hitz FM (English; target younger listeners)
- Mix FM (English; 1990s-beyond and target urban listeners)
- Lite FM (English; easy listening and classic hits)
- My FM (Chinese; Adult contemporary)
- Melody FM (Chinese; classic hits from 1970s-80s-90s and some 2000s)
- ERA FM (Malay; adult contemporary)
- Sinar FM (Malay; classic hits)
- THR Raaga (Tamil)
- THR Gegar (Malay East Coast)

If Red FM and Capital FM joins Astro Radio, what will be happened? Let's speculate

1. Could THR.FM be disbanded, THR Raaga and Gegar operate independently under Astro?
- Because of license condition, THR Raaga currently is unable to launch in Kuantan, then THR Gegar is unable to launch in West Coast

2. THR Gegar use Red FM frequencies in West Coast, then THR Raaga use Red FM Kuantan frequency

3. Can it become possible that Astro launch a brand new Tamil radio station, which target serious and mature Tamil listeners like Lite FM, Sinar FM and Melody FM?

4. Could Astro relaunch Xfresh again, which was closed down on 9th July 2012?

5. Could Astro launch sports news radio on Red FM frequencies?

If THR FM takes over the frequency from Red FM and Capital FM, it can be happened like this below:

== THR Raaga==
- 99.3MHz: Klang Valley and Penang
- 102.1MHz: Taiping
- 97.9MHz: Ipoh
- 101.5MHz: Negeri Sembilan
- 103.7MHz: Johor Bahru
- 102.4MHz: Kedah, Perlis
- 101.9MHz: Langkawi
- 99.7MHz: Melaka
- 91.6MHz: Kuantan  (from Red FM)

==THR Gegar==
- 88.8MHz: Kuantan
- 88.1MHz: Kota Bharu
- 106.8MHz: Kuala Terengganu
- 104.9MHz: Klang Valley
- 89.1MHz: Seremban (change the frequency of Capital FM 88.9 and shift to Gunung Telapak Burok; 88.9MHz will be empty in Klang Valley)
- 98.9MHz: Melaka
- 92.8MHz: Johor Bahru 
- 98.1MHz: Kedah, Perlis, Penang 
- 106.4MHz: Ipoh
- 107.5MHz: Taiping (modify the frequency of Capital FM 107.6 and shift to Bukit Larut) 

Or a brand new Tamil classic radio station by these frequencies?

==New Tamil classic radio station/OSAI FM==
- 104.9MHz: Klang Valley
- 89.1MHz: Seremban (change the frequency of Capital FM 88.9 and shift to Gunung Telapak Burok; 88.9MHz will be empty in Klang Valley)
- 98.9MHz: Melaka
- 92.8MHz: Johor Bahru 
- 98.1MHz: Kedah, Perlis, Penang 
- 106.4MHz: Ipoh
- 107.5MHz: Taiping (modify the frequency of Capital FM 107.6 and shift to Bukit Larut) 
- 91.6MHz: Kuantan

Anyway these speculations are unofficial and not accurate at all, what we need is the official statement from Astro and Star Media Group.

List of DVB-T2 channels in Southern Thailand where can be received in Malaysia

Malaysia can receive these digital TV from Thailand.

- Baling, Sik, Pengkalan Hulu, Gerik: from Betong

- Alor Setar, Kangar, Langkawi, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Jitra: from Satun and Songkhla

- Kota Bharu: from Narathiwat

- East Kedah: from Yala.

Penang can try to receive from Yala or Betong

Frequencies lists are above.

FM 95.5MHz frequency analysis in East Kedah and Yala Thailand

FM 95.5MHz parameters

Power: 1kW
Tested site:
- Bukit Palong Kedah
- Bannang Sata Yala
- Betong Yala Thailand
- Narathiwat Thailand

RF analysis of FM 95.5MHz

1. Bukit Palong Kedah
- 95.5MHz: Bukit Palong
- 95.7MHz: Bukit Penara
Status: 200kHz, OK

- 95.4MHz: Gerik
- 95.5MHz: Bukit Palong
Status: 100kHz, NOT OK

- 95.5MHz: Bukit Palong
- 95.5MHz: Satun
Status: 0kHz, OK

2. Betong Thailand
 Analysis same as FM 95.5MHz Bukit Palong Kedah 

3. Yala Thailand
- 95.5MHz: Yala
- 95.7MHz: Bukit Penara
Status: 200kHz, OK

- 95.4MHz: Gerik
- 95.5MHz: Yala
Status: 100kHz, NOT OK

- 95.5MHz: Yala
- 95.5MHz: Bukit Bakar
Status: 0kHz, NOT OK

4. Narathiwat Thailand & Sg Kolok Thailand 
Same result with FM 95.5MHz Yala

Conclusion: FM 95.5MHz cannot be used in Bukit Palong, Yala (Bannang Sata), Betong and Narathiwat.

Recommended frequencies:

- FM 95.75MHz: Yala