TV3 (Malaysian TV network)

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TV3, short for Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad, is Malaysia’s long-running free-to-air TV channel owned by Media Prima. Based in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, it launched on 1 June 1984 as Malaysia’s first private television station and remains one of the country’s top-rated channels.

Aimed largely at the Malay-speaking audience, TV3 also airs programs in English and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) and offers a mix of local and imported content. Over the years, its regional reach has grown beyond the Klang Valley to parts of Malaysia and neighboring countries, helping pave the way for private television in the country.

Key milestones
- 1984: TV3 begins broadcasting, becoming Malaysia’s first private TV channel.
- 1985–1995: Expansion across West Malaysia with a national schedule and a mix of Malay, Chinese, and English programs.
- 1997: Starts 24-hour broadcasting for the first time.
- 2003: Launches Jom Heboh, a big carnival-style promotion across its brands.
- 2010 and 2015: Returns to 24-hour broadcasting in stages (first in 2010, then again from December 2015).
- 2016–2020: CJ Wow Shop blocks roll out across Media Prima channels (eventually rebranded as Wow Shop in 2020).
- 2021: TV3 remains a leading broadcaster; around October 2021 it held a significant share of the Malaysian TV audience.
- 2024–2025: News operations move to Media Prima’s Balai Berita, and the Sri Pentas complex begins a transition period with logos removed from the building in 2025.

Notable notes
- TV3 is considered Malaysia’s third-oldest TV station and, for many years, the most-watched free-to-air channel, often competing closely with its sister channel TV9.
- The network has occasionally faced controversy and regulatory scrutiny over programming choices, language policy debates, and specific ads or programs.
- TV3 and its sister channels form part of Media Prima’s broader media ecosystem, including online streaming and digital services such as Catch-Up TV (now rebranded as Tonton) and related brands.

TV3 remains a central part of Malaysia’s television landscape, continuing to shape private broadcasting while evolving with new platforms and audience needs.