Requested a special Christmas card from Transdiffusion... and some reminisces of getting interested in foreign TV

A few days ago I've requested a Christmas card from Transdiffusion on Twitter. Transdiffusion (a broadcasting history preservation foundation) from the UK promotes sending Christmas cards with design from various TV stations in the UK and a few countries. A random design will be sent to those who send their name and address to Transdiffusion. The foundation has 100 Christmas card prints. The first time I knew they did this was last year. (They also had opened a Flickr page a year later but they had opened a Flickr group some years ago). I had the opportunity sending out my name and address via direct message to Transdiffusion. I hope that Transdiffusion can send me a beautiful Christmas card design. This would be the first time I will get a foreign TV memorabilia in a physical way, not digital or virtual (but I once had a presenter photo card from a foreign radio station that I found simply in my country).

I think I had followed Transdiffusion on Twitter after I followed TV Live around late 2012 or 2013. It was also the same time I started reading and getting familiar with TV Forum website from the UK and the Hosomania blog from Japan. But I started surfing the Transdiffusion website way back when I was in my late childlood years in August 2005, which was also the same time I started interested with foreign TV. 

UK was the first country I got interested with in foreign TV, followed by Australia in December 2005 (via a link given by TV Ark). I had started using Streamyx broadband at my home at that time. I was busy surfing the BBC website. I remember they promote a one-minute video making competition and from there I clicked on the BBC Cult section website. The BBC Cult section is a section of the BBC website which showcases some of the novelty things that British people loved in the past. The BBC Cult section has some features on broadcasting such as BBC 2 and the thing that came out before TV transmission starts which is the "test card". The test card featured was Test Card F. In the feature there were links given by the BBC Cult section so I clicked on some of them. I got familiar with such website that I couldn't find anywhere else. And they also helped me to understand what broadcasting is, not just test cards but TV presentation (the ones that appear in-between programmes and how the TV stations identify themselves, with the familiar jargons used only in the interest area such as idents, continuity, break bumper, mock and also some British words never used in my country which also expand my English vocabulary), radio, broadcast archiving, broadcast engineering, computer graphics and DXing. In recent years I learn more about digital TV and DXing in detail and got exposed with how TV broadcasting looks like in Japan and some foreign countries. I also keep two Twitter lists where I follow almost all of the Twitter users who are in the two lists that I made; one for British TV (for the Twitter users who concentrate on British TV) and one for Australian TV (for the Twitter users who concentrate on Australian TV).

The UK-based TV presentation websites I familiar with are MHP (the website that helped me learn what testcards are used in the UK and the world), Andrew Wiseman's Television Room, TV Ark (website concentrating on TV broadcasting videos), defunct ones such as The Mock Factory, TV Fetish, Afternoon Programmes Follows Shortly (concentrating on recreating or making imaginary TV stations) and a whole lot more. My younger brother got interested with my hobby in February 2006. And until now my passion has been broadcasting, along with experience that I have after seeing how TV looks like in foreign countries using the power of internet.

Additions to the blog

The only recent addition to the blog are the introduction of the blog's pages which are "Links", "Me elsewhere on the web", "About this blog" and "About me". Idea and preparation for these were made in early March 2014 but I started publishing these pages with some edit starting today.

I'm blogging again

I'm blogging again but before that I want to follow up what I had written in the post I made on August 8.

In March, the month where I started to be inactive from blogging, I became slightly interested in the MH370 crash ever since the news of MH370 missing came out right until I found out that the MH370 was lost in the Indian Ocean killing all the passengers. It was after that time where I was becoming hatred of the sad moment and felt that I shouldn't care at all about that although sometimes I feel a bit stressed. The sad moment of MH370 lasted for two to three weeks but for me it sounded like it lasted until a month. The sad moment period was the longest I ever experience in my life. It was also during that time in late March when I was sent to ARISMA to learn how to do house chores. I also went to an Animax convention at Mid Valley with my friend Jeffrey Zin during that time. I was waiting for Perman to air again in Malaysia until Disney Channel Asia aired a promo for Perman the next day after I went to the Animax convention.

Since my Bahasa Melayu grade in my SPM certificate is D, my parents recommended me to take Bahasa Melayu again in the SPM Ulangan. I had been revising the subject with my tution teacher for two and a half months and then completed the exam at a school near Taman Melati at Kuala Lumpur on June 12 and then went for an outing to KLCC using Putra LRT in the evening. The next day I made a birthday card for my Twitter friend Anju-san.

On the morning of June 16 I had a fractured left hand and was sent for X-ray check at Klink Kita branch at Wangsa Maju and at Hospital Tawakal. I had to recover from my fractured left hand for two weeks. Meanwhile I spent most of my time at home surfing the internet and using Twitter but not blogging. I had problem writing on my paper but I was able to do things with just my right hand even though I can't use my left hand as it is fractured.

The fasting month started just a few days before the month of July. And it was also during that time that haze occurred for most of the month. The MH17 crash happened in the middle of the month but I didn't care. The crash is not the same as the MH370 that occurred in March. It was also the time when my father's side of my grandfather passed away four days before Aidilfitri.

I will start furthering my education to Kolej Multimedia near Pusat Latihan Polis during the October intake. I've been on a break for almost a year. I don't know whether I can call this as my "gap year".

That's all I want to write for now. I'll write more later.

It's been some months

It's been some months after I didn't make any posts on my blog. Just to blog what I did while I was not blogging for a long period of time. I was busy tweeting on Twitter. My father's side of my grandmother passed away four days before Aidilfitri. MH17 has happened last month and has caused loss but I don't care about the event. And there were simply too many things that I cover on my Twitter account but not covered at all on my blog.

I'll try to start blogging tomorrow.

Blog correction made on 9.8.2014

Some changes to RTM news programmes

There has been some changes to RTM news programmes while I was not blogging since early March 2014.

TV1's Berita Nasional at 1:00 pm Saturday to Thursday is now known as Nasional 1 since 10.3.2014. It is now a full-hour newscast by merging the existing Berita Nasional at 1:00 pm, Info Sukan and other news programmes airing at the 1:00 pm hour. Nasional 1's logo is based on TV1's logo. And Nasional 1's graphics remind me of TV3's news graphics'. Berita Nasional at other times of the day remains unchanged.

TV2's News on 2 has a new look which debuted on 16.4.2014. The theme tune used since the change to existing look in April 2012 remains unchanged like how Berita TV9 did. Some weeks before the new look News on 2 changed some graphics to blue colour.

I also found out that Bicara Negara airs on the first to third Sunday night at 11:00 pm while Global@1 airs every last Sunday of the month also at the same time as Bicara Negara.

(Updated 13.5.2014)

Perman airs on Disney Channel Asia

It's been a while since I didn't do blogging, but I'm not late to say that Perman is going to air again in Malaysia. This time it's going to air on Disney Channel Asia on Astro ch 615 starting 5.5.2014 at 4:00 pm. I first know about this on 31.3.2014 in a promo airing on the channel. This will be the third time Perman will air in Malaysia; the last time it was aired was on TV9 until early January 2013.

Disney Channel Asia has already aired this anime first in other parts of Asia where Disney Channel Asia is available, especially the Philippines through its country feed where it started airing earlier in late March along with Ninja Hattori according to some videos captured by Christopher James Amposta. This is not the first time Disney Channel Asia airs a Fujiko anime; Disney Channel Asia had aired Chimpui between November 2012 and June 2013 (the channel had abruptly stopped airing the anime halfway through and probably haven't completed airing the remaining episodes).

The Disney Channel Asia's airing will have English dubbing using American English accent just like in Monster Kid which is airing on Disney XD Malaysia besides dubbing in Malay and Chinese. In other parts of Asia where Disney Channel Asia is available there might be a dubbing in their native languages.

Haven't been blogging for a month

Another two weeks has passed since I made my last post. I had no mood to do blogging during the period so I do tweeting, surfing the internet and scribbling on my papers instead. I had a dull mood because of MH370.

Just a reminder that I haven't documented anything happened throughout the period I was off from blogging; it was on my scribbling papers and on my Twitter account. Now I decided to actively do blogging again.

I will also prepare to do Bahasa Malaysia again this June through SPM Ulangan since I got D for the subject in SPM. Recently I got 3As and 5Bs for SPM. Currently waiting to appeal to intake to go to Pre university in May.

Haven't been blogging for a few weeks

I haven't been blogging for a few weeks since my last post. During the period I was busy tweeting on Twitter about TV schedule changes due to MH370 which was happened in March. I also had no mood to do blogging so I didn't write the regular "TV on-air presentation updates" posts.

TV on-air presentation update #10

What happened in the world of TV presentation last week?

RTM has confirmed the date of the live broadcast of the Laureus Sports Awards held in Kuala Lumpur this year which is on 26.3.2014 at 8:30 pm on TV2.

RTM has announced in a recent ABU conference held in Kuala Lumpur that RTM will start digital TV broadcast in two phases. Phase 1 will start at 3Q 2014 and end on 3Q 2015. Phase 2 will start at 4Q 2015 and end on 2Q 2016.


A news report on TV1's Info Sukan on 6.3.2014 saysRTM launched its 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign called Rio To Malaysia on 5.3.2014 with a 100-day countdown to the first day of 2014 FIFA World Cup. RTM as a licensed broadcaster for the World Cup will broadcast 24 live matches and 11 delayed matches. This is the eleventh time RTM airs the FIFA World Cup and has been doing so since the 1974 FIFA World Cup. The other broadcaster airing FIFA World Cup is Astro. Media Prima is simply promoting the FIFA World Cup without really broadcasting it although the broadcaster had aired the UEFA Euro matches, the AFC Cup matches and the 2013 African Cup of Nations. The video below is a capture of TV1 Rio To Malaysia on-screen logo animation loop spotted on 6.3.2014 which I took from TV1's livestream (tv1.rtm.org.my).


Speaking of TV3, the Mon-Thu 1:00 pm slot from this month onwards is now a mix of various programmes which are all reruns, not just drama reruns until last month. Monday is Spice Routes season 5, Tuesday and Wednesday is Iris and Thursday is Edisi Khas.

TV1 Mon-Thu 1:00 pm newshour schedule (as of March 2014)

This is how TV1's Monday to Thursday 1:00 pm newshour schedule looks like. I arrange it by myself according to my observation of the channel during that time.

1:00 pm Berita Nasional
1:30 pm Info Sukan
1:40 pm Diva
1:50 pm Niaga Nasional

Info Sukan and Diva are part of Berita Nasional while Niaga Nasional is a standalone programme. Niaga Nasional shares its graphics with Biz Malaysia.

Minor changes to my blog

Added a title to my Twiter widget.

TV on-air presentation update #9

What happened in the world of Malaysian TV presentation this week?

On 25.2.2014 during Buletin Pagi, I spotted TV3's 30th anniversary banner which has a days left countdown and "3 Dekad Bersama" slogan. This is the first sign of TV3's upcoming birthday in June. This countdown banner screenshot was taken furing Buletin 1:30 on that day.

RTM's Youtube channel uploaded a promo of the revived Mini Parlimen, an old children's programme. It will start airing on 8.3.2014 every Saturday 10:30 am on TV2.



Astro Awani reported on 18.2.2014 that Astro launched Malaysia's first multilingual TV guide in Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil. It would take six weeks to roll out to all Astro B.yond subscribers. A video tutorial on Astro's new TV guide has started airing this week on Astro channel 100. Astro has set up a website on the new TV guide which is available on www.astro.com.my/epg.

TV2 will air the Laureus Sports Awards which is going to be held in Malaysia for the first time live, as evidenced from this promo uploaded on 28.2.2014.

NTV7 will air American Idol starting March. American Idol was previously aired on Malaysian free-to-air TV through 8TV until last year.

TV3's Buletin Utama has added a new segment which is called Fakta Kes which contains brief news about crime. I spotted this on 17.2.2014.

TV on-air presentaton update #8

What happened in the world of Malaysian TV presentation last week?

The Anugerah Drama Festival was aired on TV3, complementing Drama Festival that was held on the weekend at Berjaya Times Square. It aired live on 22.2.2014 between 9:00 pm and 10:39 pm, followed by the next programme which is a telemovie as usual at 10:41 pm. A global livestream was set up for the live event on Anugerah Drama Festival's website. Early promos for Anugerah Drama Festival which was released on TV3 and TV9's Youtube channels show the two presenters of Anugerah Drama Festival standing at Studio B Sri Pentas. This is the first Anugerah Drama Fetsival event but I'm not sure whether this will continue next year. The new season of Bintang Mencari Bintang premiered the next day after Anugerah Drama Festival was held.

Tonton live TV streaming had set up a special global livestream which is the Johor Bahru Chingay Festival on 20.2.2014 for one hour at 4:00 pm which is simply a simulcast of 8TV's coverage without the commercial breaks inserted. Here are a few snapshots which are an advertisement on Tonton TV schedule and the latter two are slides.

Astro Tutor TV PMR changed its name to just Astro Tutor TV MR because the PMR examination has changed to a new one starting this year.

TV1 has reverted its new time banner (as reported in the last update post) to the old one which is the existing version which has the 1 Malaysia logo used since November 2013 when I last spotted the channel on 22.2.2014. TV1's new time banner is used for a short while. TV2's new time banner is still used as usual.

TV1's Berita Nasional at 8:00 pm made two reports about RTM's old children's programme Mini Parlimen. The first report was aired on 22.2.2014 which is about Mini Parlimen in its first incarnation in the 1980s and meeting with its original presenter and and some former Mini Parlimen's contestants. The next day's report was about Mini Parlimen's current incarnation.

TV1, TV3, NTV7 and Bernama TV carried the live broadcast of the launch of BR1M 3.0 in the morning of 22.2.2014. Bernama TV carried the live broadcast via relay from TV1. TV3 aired some episodes of Canimals after the live broadcast until 11:30 am. TV1 replayed a portion of the BR1M 3.0 launch which is the launching speech by the Prime Minister on the same day at 8:30 pm and ended at 9:06 pm.

Hypp TV confirmed via Twitter that it had carried the coverage of Winter Olympics.  It was carried on Hypp Sports 2 HD ch 702 and Hypp Sports 3 HD ch 703. Hypp TV and Astro are the only two Malaysian broadcasters that carry the Winter Olympics as far as I know.

Updated on 25.2.2014, Revised on 26.2.2014

Kaibutsu-kun airs in Malaysia again on Disney XD Malaysia

Kaibutsu-kun, an anime based on a manga created by Fujiko Fujio A gets its Malaysian airing again on Disney XD Malaysia under the name "Monster Kid". It will start airing on 22.2.2014 at 10:30 am on Astro ch 617 and 637 (HD).

Disney XD Malaysia advertises the anime as "brand new series", although it has been originally aired in Japan, later in some countries and in Malaysia first on TV9 between 2009 and 2011 and later on Astro Ceria in 2011. The anime's airing in Malaysia is originally dubbed in Malay translated from Japanese, but on Disney XD Malaysia dubbed versions in English (American accent), Chinese and Tamil will also available for the first time through Astro's multi language audio option. The screenshot below is from Disney XD Malaysia's website promoting Kaibutsu-kun's airing.

TV on-air presentation update #7 with some media news

What happened last week in the world of Malaysian TV presentation?

Two weeks ago I've heard in the news that TV2's Chinese sitcom 88 Kopitiam is temporarily suspended because one of the actors in the sitcom is believed to have been participated in a video clip that satirized Malaysian issues. RTM has said that it will contact the producer of the sitcom to confirm the actor's involvement in the video clip and to ensure that no misuse by irresponsible parties. Source: Utusan

On 15.2.2014, I found out that TV1 and TV2 changed their time banners that used since 2010 (the one which has the 1 Malaysia logo; also started used for non-news programmes since December 2011) to a new one. I'm not sure when they exactly change to the new ones but I'm sure it was during this week. TV1's new time banner is based on its existing time banner that was also used by TV2 while TV2 uses a brand new one. This montage of screenshots was taken from TV1 and TV2's live streaming sites at mystream.rtm.gov.my.

I also found out that RTM has changed the website address of its sports event livestreaming. The new address is aksisukan.rtm.gov.my.

On 10.2.2014, there have been news about plans to launch a joint Malaysian-Indonesian news channel called TV Nusantara. TV3 has reported that TV Nusantara will start broadcast in 2016. Plans to launch the channel is underway. On the same day I found out that Tonton live TV streaming started a livestream of a new channel which is World Fashion Channel. I also found out on the same day that Astro Awani's Bisnes Awani has started airing a English-language business news segment called The Edge Awani, in association with business newspaper The Edge.

TV9 has announced on Facebook on 13.2.2014 that its first broadcast of this year's AFC Cup will be a match between Malaysia's Selangor and Indonesia's Arema Indonesia on 25.2.2014.

The first episode of NTV7's Bella Hopes will air on 2.3.2014.

Bernama reported on 12.2.2014 that business radio station BFM was barred from airing an interview with Anwar Ibrahim on the Kajang by-election but was made available on the station's website saying that the interview was barred from broadcast. Bernama also reported on the same day that the news agency would like to cooperate with Palestine-based TV Alquds to increase viewership. The Minister of Communication and Multimedia made a visit to Sri Pentas on the same day while Media Prima's Chinese New Year open house was held on the same day too at a different place.

On the same day, TV9 held a launching ceremony of One Fighting Championship at Sri Pentas and also sponsor One Fighting Championship-related event called War of Nations which will be held at Stadium Negara on 14.3.2014.

On 13.2.2014, RTM held a preview ceremony of its revival of an old children's programme called Mini Parlimen. The ceremony was held at its Theaterette at Wisma TV Angkasapuri.

On 15.2.2014, I spotted NTV7 airing an animated purple coloured #Bananana hashtag banner during Crayon Shin Chan. I think this is not the first time I saw it. I also found out that NTV7 has stopped using the Chinese New Year-themed Spring Chorus breakbumpers and returned to using normal breakbumpers. The breakbumpers have been in use for almost two months. On the same day I found out that Tonton live TV streaming changed its background banner to the one which is Jemput Masuk Cef sponsored by Coca Cola just before 8 pm.

On 16.2.2014, I found out that TV3 did not switch off its logo again during each commercial break in Buletin 1:30. The logo might be a bit faulty.

I've realised that Johor-based radio station Best 104 had changed its name to Best FM. I don't know when exactly they change, but the change might had happened last year. 

TV on-air presentation update #6

What happened last week in the world of Malaysian TV presentation?

TV9 has already started airing TV3's Bismillah since 20.1.2014 replacing Muqaddimah. I checked it from Tonton TV schedule and found out that TV9 airs Bismillah episodes from 2013 starting from episode 1. I realised about this on 2.2.2014 while checking on Astro's TV guide. The current Bismillah airs on TV3.

On 3.2.2014, I found out that TV9 changed its "sekarang, selepas ini" menu bumper again which now just show "selepas ini". No change for the "malam ini" menu.

On 5.2.2014, I spotted an error on TV1's Niaga Nasional. The error is a pop-up info telling about the resolution of Windows' optimal resolution in the ticker generator. I believe that the ticker is generated using Microsoft Windows, also used by Biz Malaysia.

On 6.2.2013, I found out that Hypp TV will stop carrying KidsCo on Hypp TV ch 560 from 10.2.2014; confirmed via the black ticker at the top part of the screen.

TV9 will start airing AFC Cup matches again starting 25.2.2014. Confirmed via Instagram and Facebook.

On 7.2.2014, I spotted an intro animation of RTM TV's time banner on TV1. It appeared when TV1 returned to the second half of Fikrah after the news update at 10 am and Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah.

Astro will carry the coverage of 2014 Winter Olympics in SD on channels 820 and 821 and in HD on
channels 840 and 841.

On 7.2.2014 at around 6:00 pm, I saw AXN Astro ch 701 airing a promo that says Astro Bella offers a preview between January 1 and February 15. I think during this period the channel will be aired for free to all Astro subscribers. After the period the channel is only viewable to Mustika pack subscribers.

Works of some Malaysian dubbing voice actors

Here are the works of some Malaysian dubbing voice actors, whose names have been confirmed from a segment featuring Malaysian voice actors in episode on TV3's talk show Tunggu Sekejap hosted by Awie (except Azizah Jais). Please feel free to contribute to this post if you have more information or to correct information.

I also add a note after each voice actors' name which is the tone of the voice actors that I mentioned as a guide for those who have heard the voice actors' voices.

Filem Karya Nusa staff voice actors

1. Faizal Md Isa - fierce angry voice
Works:
- Naruto Uzumaki in Naruto
- Cosmo and various characters in The Fairly Oddparents
- Benson, Pops and various characters in Regular Show
- various (mostly relief voices) in Spongebob Squarepants
- Rancid Rabbit and various characters in Catdog
- Commentator in Wipeout USA airing on Disney Channel Asia on Astro
- various characters in Phineas and Ferb

2. Ruhaiyah Daharun - calm voice
Works:
- Doraemon
- Himawari and various characters in Crayon Shin Chan
- Mrs Puff, Pearl and various characters in Spongebob Squarepants
- various characters in Detective Conan

3. Azizah Jais - fierce angry voice
Works:
- Nobita Nobi in Doraemon
- Misae Nohara in Crayon Shin Chan
- various characters in Kid vs Kat
- various characters in Naruto
- various characters in Chalkzone
- various characters (mostly relief voices) in Atashinchi

Updated on 8.3.2014

TV on-air presentation update #5

What happened last week in the world of Malaysian TV presentation?

TV9's Rosalinda on Mon-Thu is now at 10:00 am-12:00 pm since 23.1.2014 with double episodes back to back instead of just 10:00-11:00 am where the 11:00 am hour was previously for local drama reruns. On Friday to Sunday airs for one hour only which is at 10:00 am.

On 28.1.2014, I spotted Primworks Studio's new endcap which has a new logo and new tune. The endcap is produced in 16:9 aspect ratio and is distributed in 16:9 letterbox and 16:9 full fitting the whole 4:3 aspect ratio screen. It replaces the existing endcap which has been used since March 2012. Here's my capture.



On 31.1.2014, I spotted that the desk at TV3's Nightline's virtual studio set has changed to a new one, so this is probably a minor change. Nightline changed its virtual studio set to a new one earlier in January. It has previously used a virtual studio set that is similar to Buletin Utama's.

NTV7's Global Watch had its new look late last year. Here are my snapshots of Global Watch's new title and virtual studio set that I made on 26.1.2014 from Tonton mobile app.

It seems that Astro Awani's Awani 7:45 had made some changes which has been going on since late last year. The presenter no longer stand at a studio that faces the control room which has been a feature since it was launched in 2009 but now standing in the newsroom, now having discussions about news topics and the guests are seen sitting in certain areas of Astro Awani's newsroom, Kini Trending is being integrated into Awani 7:45 as a segment instead of as a separate programme, the "seketika nanti" graphic changed, Awani 7:45 now extends to 8:30 pm and also air in the morning and Awani 7:45 now having its own hashtag which is #Awani745.

On 31.1.2014, "ivan tan" on YouTube saw TV Alhijrah airing its colourbars. The name banner at bottom-left is now known as "TVAH", not "TV ALHIJRAH". I think this is a one-off appearance. Nowadays TV Alhijrah during downtime rarely air a test pattern and aired a still caption saying they'll "be back on air at 6 am" instead. Below are "ivan tan"'s capture via Hypp TV and my screencap via Astro.

On the same day I spotted KIX having its new look replacing the existing one which has been used since KIX HD was on Astro since Astro started its HD package in late 2009. Below is KIX's new look logo and programme banner that I captured.

It seems that TV3, 8TV and TV9 share their this year's Chinese New Year branding, in terms of promo design which is more apparent, as seen in the screenshot below taken by me. NTV7 has its own.

On 2.2.2014, I spotted Bernama TV changing its look again, I think because it has celebrated its anniversary of its launch. Haven't see the whole thing yet.

Minor change to my blog

Changed my blog template to Picture Window.

TV on-air presentation update #4

What happened two weeks ago and last week in the world of Malaysian TV presentation?

On 19.1.2014 I saw TV3's Buletin 1:30 using Buletin Utama "seketika nanti" bumper. On 24.1.2014 I also saw Buletin Utama using Detik Niaga bumper; previously it was not shown at all and air on the Detik Niaga update at 10:00 am only. I also think that Detik Niaga had used the Bizworld branding for a while.

I saw RTM's sports website last weekend. It can be accessed via sukan.rtm.gov.my. The website offered a livestream of BWF Malaysia Cup match which supplement TV1's telecast of BWF Malaysia Cup. The link to RTM sports website doesn't appear at all at RTM's mystream website.

On 21.1.2014, TV9 on its YouTube channel uploaded a teaser for a sports programme called One Fighting Championship which will air soon. I think this will be the first time a free-to-air TV channel airing a mixed martial arts sport genre. One Fighting Championship has been aired on Tonton Sports section of Tonton video portal. Such programmes have been aired on pay TV such as KIX HD and Astro Supersport.

On the same day I also found out that Hypp TV has blocked TV1 for some part of the evening because Hypp TV does not have its broadcast right to air the Piala FA. This is not the first time I saw this and I have saw this blocking a few times but more specifically on football. I'm not sure whether Hypp TV blocks TV1's airings of Liga Malaysia and Liga Super football matches. Here's a snapshot of Hypp TV blocking TV1 on that day.

Parlimen Malaysia on Hypp TV ch 413 (see picture below taken on 21.1.2014) and RTM Parlimen live streaming is on break as of my check on 13.1.2014, in parallel with the Parliament session break which will go on until March.

On 25.1.2014 I spotted 8TV using their new classification warning with a new font and new background image which is related to 8TV's 10th anniversary celebration. Here's my capture.



Tonton made its Malaysian first e-sport (FSP Game) broadcast called CrossFire Stars Season II. The event will be recorded and uploaded later on Tonton Sports section, not streamed live. It is held on 25-26.1.2014 at Wakalab at Media Prima Digital, Balai Berita Jalan Riong, Kuala Lumpur. It is organised by Crossfire SEA.

On 27.1.2014, Tonton launched Tonton Music which is also on the same night where Anugerah Juara Lagu ke-28 was held.

Bananana local shows in January 2014

Media Prima's children's block Bananana has added some new local programmes in January 2014, with some returning ones and one-offs.

New ones are:

• Ryujin Juwara - localised version of Ryujin Mabuyer from Okinawa produced by Double Vision in association with Yomiuri TV and Mabui Stone Corporation, airing on TV3 every Friday at 7:30 pm since 17.1.2014)
• Vektor 58 - started earlier last December on TV9, airs every Saturday at 5:30 pm

Returning ones are:

• Boboiboy Season 3 with new episodes since 5.1.2014 on TV3 every Sunday at 7:00 pm
• Ummi Ceritalah Pada Kami which debuts on TV9 starting 18.1.2014 at 6:00 pm, also airing every Thursday at 8:30 am 

The one-off specials are:

• Milo-Hot FM Super 8 - children's football organised by Milo and Hot FM which was held last year and shown as a one-off hour-long highlights programme on TV9 on 12.1.2014 at 5:30-6:30 pm. Narrated by Hot FM DJ Deen (had been presenting Idola Kecil 6 on Fridays on the now-stopped Bananana Squad and Hot FM) and produced by Double Vision
• Tenggiling Perak - the first local animated short which is contested at Bananana The Next Big Thing to be aired on TV, airing first on TV9 on 26.1.2014 at 6:15-6:30 pm and on 4.2.2014 at 7:00-7:15 pm and later on TV3 on 29.1.2014 at 5:45-6:00 pm and on 2.2.2014 at 7:30-7:45 pm

Day trip to southernmost part Eurasian continent

On 14.1.2014, my father along with my father's brother went to Johor to visit the southernmost tip of the Eurasian continent located at Tanjung Piai in Johor. I woke up, prepared and go out early just before 4:30 am. First we send my mother and my mother's friend to LCCT because my mother wants to go to a holiday in Padang in Indonesia until 19.1.2014 where the flight starts at 7:50 am so they need to be there two hours early.

Then we went for a breakfast ate some nasi lemak at Dengkil R&R when it was just minutes before 6 am. After that me and my father fetched my father's brother near his house at Mentari Court near Bandar Sunway and then we're off to to our destination. We also passed USJ before going to fetch my father's brother where we can see the construction of MRT is underway.

We went to Tanjung Piai using the North-South Expressway. The weather was fine and the geography of the journey to Tanjung Piai has plain lands and some hills, not like the northern part which has mountain ranges, some limestone hills and some plain lands. My father and my father's brother take turn driving throughout the trip. We could also see the almost complete Bukit Gambir interchange which is located near Muar. I was sleepy at that time. My father and my father's brother take turn driving.

We exited the expressway at Sedenak interchange. After exiting the interchange, we went past pineapple estates and palm oil estates. Most of the land we went are flat and some are hilly. On the way to the destination we saw that most towns have Chinese primary schools and some have mukim (sub-district) offices. Even most houses we saw have tall TV antennas to receive TV signals from far away places such as Singapore and Indonesia like what I saw at Melaka.

We arrived at Tanjung Piai National Park just before 11 am where we were greeted by a lighthouse with a Easat satellite dish at the top and tall pinang trees that look so authentic. There's also a stall near the entrance of Tanjung Piai National Park where we bought some food from there. Then we took some pictures of ourselves at the front of a monument at the entrance of the park.

The whole part of Tanjung Piai National Park is surrounded by mangrove trees. The route to the southernmost part of Eurasian monument is connected by bridges. When we almost enter the monument, the route is surrounded by sea water waves, so we have to remove our shoes. We took pictures and reached the monument which is a globe. We can see nearby ports and ships in the sea and also feel the breezing wind.

After at the monument, I and my father's brother went to the jetty nearby where we can see nearby islands owned by Indonesia and also ships. We took some pictures there.

After at Tanjung Piai, we went to a nearby keropok stall and factory and ate some keropok sample and keropok lekor. The keropok lekor we ate is delicious and the keropok factory also made keropok in crackers size. The cracker size keropok taste good and I've never seen such cracker size keropok before.

We went to the next destination which is Johor Premium Outlet. We went past some towns before going to there. I was feeling sleepy again.

We went to Johor Premium Outlet via an interchange at LINKEDUA. I can see Gunung Pulai nearby. It is a two-storey open air duty-free shopping mall. My father said that Johor Premium Outlet is designed similar to a typical American neighbourhood shopping mall. We looked at some shops at Johor Premium Outlet. We ate lunch at an air-conditioned food court and bought some chocolate only.

We went back to Kuala Lumpur and then ate dinner at a mamak restaurat near my father's brother's house at Bandar Sunway. After that my father send my father's brother back home.

We enjoyed going to the southernmost part of Eurasian continent and also to the state of Johor after many years not going there.

Written by request of my father

Identifying songs used on Malaysian TV

Recently I downloaded Shazam app on my handphone. I remember that the Shazam app is used by one of my mother's brother to identify his favourite songs. I even get enthusiastic about using that app.

The first song that I identified using the Shazam app is the theme tune of a local programme that was aired on NTV7 in the late 2000s and airs on Emas on Hypp TV called Santai Selebriti. Shazam identified it as "Rivage by Jeff Burak". I felt happy at the time because Shazam can identify such tunes from the TV.

Another tune that I identified by myself after seeing it on the Real Time Top Tracks section of Shazam app is "Counting Stars by OneRepublic". The minus one track of Counting Stars was once used by TV9 for its New Year 2014 branding called Evolusi 2014. The track is used for its breakbumpers, "sekarang selepas ini" lineup and "Malam ini" lineup. The song is a bit similar to Ylvis' The Fox.

I will use the app more often to identify any songs that I don't know that appear on TV or radio.

TV on-air presentation update #3.5

What happened in late December 2013 in the world of TV on-air presentation in Malaysia? (Just a few, more to come)

Malaysia Hari Ini has started using its brand new ticker since late December 2013 replacing the existing one. The new ticker has blue and white colour while the old one is yellow in colour. This screenshot was taken on 23.12.2013 when I first spotted this.

On 21.12.2013, Buletin Pagi was aired from near-the-newsroom studio instead of Studio A at Sri Pentas.

TV on-air presentation udpate #3

What happened last week in the world of TV on-air presentation in Malaysia?

TV1's Semasa news updates has got a new look for the new year. I've spotted the new look on 10.1.2014. My brother Hafiz who had listened to the Semasa news updates' music theme said that the music theme is still the same but with one pitch forward than normal pitch. The Semasa news updates' music is taken from RTM radios' former news updates music theme. Here's a snapshot of how TV1 Semasa virtual studio set looks like.

My brother Hafiz also spotted in my recording of the 50 Tahun TV Malaysia documentary on TV1 via livesreaming that the 1 Malaysia logo on the left side of TV1 (and TV2)'s time banner which had a new look after a by-election in November 2013 has a 2D logo turn animation instead of the 3D logo turn animation in the previous time banner look.

I have confirmed that NTV7's Bella still airs as usual after Bella Weekend stopped airing since January 2014, but now I saw Bella also airing on Fridays beside on Monday to Thursday.

Here's another shot of TV3's Nightline new virtual studio set taken on 11.1.2014. I've mentioned about Nightine's new virtual studio set in my previous post.

Speaking about Maulidur Rasul, TV Alhijrah has a new Maulidur Rasul branding for 1435H. It is a stylised version of writing Muhammad in Arabic script. Meanwhile TV1's branding look a bit dull; in fact the animation was made in 16:9 aspect ratio and then rescaled back to 14:9 letterbox (TV1 did the same for its Aidiladha branding in late 2013 for the first time). And TV9 reuses its previous Maulidur Rasul branding; in fact it also air the old generic promo which was aired a few years ago in the early 2010s.

Speaking about TV9's slight changes to its on-air presentation,  I've spotted Raudah Lin Nisa' ident on 11.1.2014.

Discovery Channel now has its own programme name banner which has been used since the start of the new year It is located just near the edge part of the top black bar of 16:9 letterbox. It also has a next banner which appears in the last part of any programme.

TV3's Soal Jawab has a new look for the new year. Johan Jaafar via Twitter sent a picture of Soal Jawab's new studio set along with its presenters.

Program "Soal Jawab" berwajah baharu, Norzie dan Saiful mewawancara YB @Khairykj, mlm ini 11.00 di TV3 pic.twitter.com/Tts8FURvp4
— Johan Jaaffar (@Johan_Jaaffar) January 8, 2014

My first handphone is an iPhone 5C

On 8.1.2014, my father bought an iPhone 5C. This is my first handphone and I was glad because I have this kind of handphone for the first time. My brother Haziq is the first to have his handphone which was a Blackberry that my father previously used. I'm the second to have a handphone. The next day my father made a white cover on my handphone. I also charged my handphone for the first time later at night on 10.1.2014. Now I can use the handphone that my father gave to me to watch videos on YouTube, take pictures, keep files on Dropbox and download new apps.

Revised on 17.1.2014

TV on-air presentation: Media Prima maintenance works on 8.1.2014

In the early hours of this morning, Media Prima TV stations were having their maintenance works at Sri Pentas. The last time I know that maintenance works happened was in early October 2013, involving TV3.

I woke up suddenly just after 3 am, switched on the TV and found out that TV3 was airing TV3's own Philips PM5544 test pattern instead of normal programming. I was feeling excited at that time because I found out that the test pattern was never aired on TV3 after nine years of absence. TV3 used colourbars since 2005 which replaced the test pattern which was used since its launch in 1984. TV3 has never used colourbars in recent years. 8TV was the first to use colourbars since its test transmission in December 2003 before its launch the next month. TV9 also use colourbars while NTV7 has its own Philips PM5522 test pattern used since its launch.

TV3 did say on its Facebook page that they will be doing maintenance works late night before the actual maintenance works was made.

During this time I checked what happened using Tonton live TV streaming and tweeted about it on Twitter.

The maintenance works started around 2 am when TV3 closed down after airing its usual night programming. TV3's maintenance works consist of airing a test pattern which started after its closedown at 2 am, airing yesterday's episode of Bismillah at 4:50 am, some Motivasi Pagi and accidentally aired a feed from Dubai TV before switching back to test pattern at around 5:30 am. TV3 returns to 24-hour broadcasting at 5:59 am with Negaraku, some promos and Azan Subuh before going to the first programme of the day which is Bismillah.

TV9 on the other hand also do maintenance works, which consists of airing some music videos from TV3 and 8TV such as Wanita Hari Ini theme song MV, The Ultimate Song theme song MV from 8TV, some Bananana and TV3 Wanita Inspirasiku breakbumpers before settling down with a still image of TV3's promo endboard and continue with airing an episode of Catdog called Curiosity Killed the Cat, an episode of Penguins of Madagascar which was aired yesterday and then return to colourbars at around 5:30 am before starting its normal programming again at 6:30 am.

NTV7 and 8TV each other started their maintenance works at around 4:30 am by airing yesterday's episodes of some programmes airing at primetime. NTV7 also accidentally aired a technical fault caption at the end. They return back to test pattern at around 5:30 am.

In short, the maintenance works that I saw this early morning reminds me of what I saw in July 2007 and July 2008 where Media Prima TV stations air some promos and test pattern during the maintenance works event. I think this thing happen once in a blue moon or when Media Prima required to do it such as when Media Prima TV stations had technical problems in early October 2013 or when they require a system upgrade such as changing station logo designs.

TV on-air presentation update #2

Bananana Squad on TV3, NTV7 and TV9 has stopped airing (or hiatus) as of Janaury 2014. It had been aired for the whole year of 2013. There are no replacements as of the time of writing.

NTV7's Bella Weekend has stopped airing since January 2014. Bella airs as usual on Monday to Thursday.

Media Prima has started its 2014 World Cup campaign called Riuh di Brazil. It has started since 3.1.2014 with a launching ceremony at Sri Pentas which was shown live during Buletin Utama's sports segment and the appearance of the World Cup trophy which is on exhibition in Malaysia two days later at PWTC. Media Prima TV stations have started airing Destination Brasil one-minute capsules which airs during primetime since 5.1.2014.

Moving on to TV3 news presentation. I've just found out that Buletin Utama's Seantero segment now has different music. In late December 2013, I also found out that the music for the bumper before the world segment after the break has been changed.

On 4.1.2014 I found out that Nighline has a totally different virtual studio design. It's diferent than the other TV3 news programmes.

I also found out that Buletin 1:30's ender now is just a wide shot of Buletin 1:30's virtual studio set (although sometimes also do video segment enders like Buletin Utama) and also credits just like Buletin Utama.


TV9 had made slight changes to its on-air presentation at the start of the year. The idents for Raudhah programme block and Saranghae movie block have been changed to a new one. Raudhah now has a sub-brand for women called Raudhah Lin Nisa' which was also first used for one of Raudhah Di Hatiku's booths. The brand will air programmes such as Shoutul Quran, SIS, Hijab Stailista and Safiyya. During the transistion to the new year TV9 used the Evolusi 2014 branding for promos, breakbumpers and Malam ini menus.

Berita TV9 had a new look on 1.1.2014, replacing the existing one used since 2011. Berita TV9's studio set is slightly bigger than usual. A digital clock is added for its newscasts. No change for its theme music.

On 5.1.2014 at 10:00 pm I spotted TV3 airing special programme name corner animation which uses the characters from the TV3 primetime schedule revision promos. It supplements the usual programme name corner animation used since late June 2013.


NTV7 has stopped using "15 years of feel good" branding since 4.1.2014 and reverted back to its normal branding that they used since March 2012. I've also managed to record some "15 years of feel good" idents and breakbumpers and uploaded them to YouTube.

NTV7 has started airing Chinese New Year telemovie promotion breakbumpers since late December 2013 replacing the usual breakbumpers. They are used to promote NTV7's Chinese New Year special telemovie called Spring Chorus. So far I've recorded two versions of it and uploaded to YouTube.

Media news daily: TV9's changes in 2014

TV9 has just made some changes for 2014. New programmes and schedule revisions.

New programmes that will air on TV9 in 2014 are Shoutul Quran, Ke Korea Ke Kita and Ya Beda Bedu. Returning programmes are SIS and Hijab Stailista. Just months before 2014 new programmes start to air such as Korean variety Two Days and One Night, Vektor 58 and Apa Saja FBI which is returning for a new season. The new Korean programmes that air on TV9 gives me an indication that TV9 now concentrates more on Korean programming like how TV2, NTV7 and 8TV did. TV3 also do Korean programming again after a long time with airs a Filipino adaptation of the Korean drama Full House every Wednesday at 10:30 am (Correction made on 28.1.2014. TV3 has definitely not airing a single Korean programming unlike other channels; checked from Pereka Cerita blog).

While TV3 has its own Drama Festival related programme which is Festival on Sunday evenings, TV9 has its own which is called Shorties which airs short movies made by Drama Festival contestants. It will air every Saturday at 7:00 pm.

In terms of schedule revisions, this has happpened a few months before 2014. The schedule revision affected Bananana on TV9 and TV9's closing time. On 25.11.2013, the weekday 1:30 to 2:30 pm slot has been changed to local drama re-runs, replacing Bananana Whizz Bang block which also aired on weekday mornings on NTV7. The block aired cartoons from Warner Bros. Animation which has been previously aired on TV3 such as Xiaolin Showdown, Baby Looney Tunes and Static Shock.

For 2014, SIS and Hijab Stailista which returns for the new year with Season 2 now airs its weekly new episodes on Fridays at the 7:00 pm hour, which replaces the usual Bananana block at 7:00 pm and Hot TV at 7:30 pm which now moves to Sundays at 7:00 pm. The Saturday 11:00 am hour is now for the programmes' repeats instead of weekly new episodes in the first half of last year. If SIS and Hijab Stailista go for a hiatus in the second half of the year like how they did last year, then the Friday 7:00 pm hour and Saturday 11:00 am hour slots may be reserved for other Raudhah programmes.

9X programme block has also added another timeslot on weekends which is at the 7:00 pm hour. It supplements the Monday-Wednesday 10:30-11:30 pm timeslot. The Sunday 7:00 pm timeslot and later the Saturday 7:00 pm timeslot was previously used by Bananana until it was replaced by 9X in the latter part of 2013.

Local childrens programming under the Bananana branding is also increasing with new programmes such as Vektor 58 and Ninja Cat Ichi Ni San on TV9, Ema Emyliana and a not-yet-airing and unnamed action series inspired from some Japanese tokusatsu series on TV3, unlike in the past until seven years ago when there were almost no local children's programmes at all and lots of foreign cartoons. TV9 also no longer air any anime like Kochikame and Perman other than TV3 and NTV7.

TV9's closing time is now slightly earlier after Rosalinda ended its TV9 run at weekdays 11:30 pm to 12:30 am slot on late December 2013. Rosalinda now airs daily as a rerun at 10:00 am since it began airing on weekends on 4.1.2014 replacing drama reruns (I previously said that it airs on weekdays at 10:00 am). The last programme of the day on Monday to Friday and Sunday is Tanyalah Ustaz. This means TV9 will now close at varied days on Mondays to Thursdays and Saturdays at 12:30 am and Fridays and Sundays at 1:30 am. The last time TV9 changed its closing time to just 1:30 am instead of 1:00 am was in February 2012 where TV9 changed some of its programmes' airtimes.

Revised on 3.1.201, 5.1.2014 and 28.1.2014

Media news daily: TV3 revises its schedule again for 2014

TV3 for the new year of 2014 has made another revision of its schedule. What TV3 refers about the schedule revision is the primetime slot.

According to the recent press release made by TV3, Cik Sherina Mohamed Nordin who manages TV3 and TV9 said that TV3's revised schedule made in June last year received positive response from its viewers. She says that TV3 has a viewing share of 44%. TV3 once again makes a schedule revision for its programmes at primetime for 2014 with only some changes to the programmes' airtime and airing day while the others still remain at the same airtime and airing day (effective 1.1.2014), as said in my previous related post.

Mondays and Tuesdays at the 9:00 pm hour is now reserved for documentaries where 999 and Bersamamu moves to Tuesday instead of the usual Thursday. Majalah 3 still remains on Monday.

Wednesdays and Thursdays at the 9:00 pm hour is now reserved for local drama where Lestary moves to Thursday instead of the usual Tuesday. Aksi still remains on Wednesday. In a related note, the drama which is currently running on the Lestary drama block which is Ku Cinta Kau Seorang has its premiere on Tonton 48 hours before its airing on TV3 through Tonton Premier.

The Pearl Screen movie block which airs Chinese movies moves back to Monday instead of Thursday.

Wrestling sport programme Worldwide Entertainment Wrestling moves back to Thursday at 11:00 pm instead of Monday. I didn't notice this in my previous related post.

The weekend which is Saturday and Sunday is still reserved for entertainment programmes such as Mat Three Four (a dramedy), Res Q (water themed game show) and Kintang Kintung (comedy talk show talking on specific topics which varies in each episode).

A brand new programme block which is set to air on Sunday at 10:00 pm is called Festival. It is not related to the block of the same name which airs local telemovies on NTV7 in the latter part of 2000s. The slot will air telemovies and dramas directed by the speakers of the upcoming Drama Festival 2014.

Other programmes in the primetime are still at the same airtime and airing day.

Speaking about TV3's schedule revision again, this time in other parts of the day other than primetime, Tonton TV schedule has revealed the revised schedule. The revised schedule affects programmes on weekdays between 9:30 am and 12:00 pm, Mondays to Thursdays between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm and Sunday mornings between 9:30 and 11:00 am.

On weekday mornings (effective 1.1.2014), Bananana programmes on weekdays at 9:00 am has been stopped, being replaced by a new local drama called Julia which airs Monday to Thursday at 9:30 am and a new Islamic motivation programme called Positif Pagi (tentative title is Sinergi Hati 2014 according to Tonton TV schedule) which airs Fridays at 9:30 am. Programmes on Mondays to Thursdays that start airing at 10:00 am are now airing 30 minutes later which is at 10:30 am. Other programmes are not affected. This means that TV3 might effectively remove all Disney related programmes which usually air at 9:30 am and has been a norm in the 1990s and 2000s, except for telemovies that air on Saturdays during Bananana Movie Magic and on school holidays.

On Monday to Thursday late afternoons between 5:00 and 7:00 pm (effective 6.1.2014), the local drama reruns which air on Monday to Thursday at 5:00 pm will decrease its length to just 30 minutes instead of a full hour. Bananana on Mondays to Thursdays will now air between 5:30 and 6:30 pm for Monday to Wednesday and 5:30 pm only for Thursday, with local programmes on the former and foreign programmes on the latter. Local programmes will now air at 5:30 pm instead of 6:00 pm with Boboiboy on Mondays, Dunia Eicak on Tuesdays, Saladin on Wednesdays and Bola Kampung on Thursdays. Foreign programmes now air at 6:00 pm instead of 6:30 pm with Kiteretsu on Mondays, Me and My Robot on Tuesdays and Larva on Wednesdays. This means that Bananana on TV3's Monday to Thursday airtime is decreased with a few programmes on Monday to Wednesday late afternoons, only one programme on Thursday late afternoons. The Monday-Thursday 6:30 pm timeslot is now reserved for local comedy series reruns with Simpang 3 on Monday and Tuesday and Pemanduku Jutawan on Wednesday and Thursday.. Other programmes are not affected.

On Sunday mornings (effective 5.1.2014), Spongebob Squarepants and The Troop move their airtime 30 minutes later to 10:00 am and 10:30 am to give way for Fanboy and Chum Chum at 9:30 am. Other programmes are not affected.

Revised on 5.1.2014

My first post for 2014

Happy New Year 2014, my dear readers of my blog. Welcome to the new year. This is my first blog post for 2014. This is my first year after leaving school and completed my SPM examination. I'll be making new posts for the coming days. In two months time, my blog will turn two. As of now I have no further plans to make changes on my blog other than a few changes that I made after I had my SPM examination.