988 FM is a Malaysian Chinese-language radio station. The stations broadcast area covers West Malaysia (except Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu) and Singapore. The station is managed by Star Media Radio Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Star Media Group Berhad. 988 FM began broadcasting in 1996 as a trilingual radio station,[1] with 50% Chinese content and became a fully-fledged radio station in December 1997. The station aims to reflect and cater to the different Chinese-speaking cultures of Malaysia.[2]
 | |
| Broadcast area | Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Varies depending on its region |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Mandarin, Cantonese |
| Format | Top 40 (CHR) |
| Affiliations | Star Media Radio Group |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Star Media Group |
| Suria | |
| History | |
First air date | 8 May 1996 |
| Links | |
| Webcast | player |
| Website | www |
In the surveys conducted by GfK in the first half of 2022, 988 FM commanded a weekly listenership of 2.17 million. The amount contributed to 42% of listeners from the total listenership of Malaysian Chinese radio stations.[3] The station is the number one Chinese-language station in the northern region of West Malaysia (Perak, Kedah, Penang, and Perlis).[4]
988 FM is currently one of Malaysia's top three Chinese language radio stations, targeted at urban and suburban listeners, primarily professionals, managers, and adults. 988 FM plays the latest hits music, trends, and infotainment. 988 FM's tagline is "友声有色" (Sound of colours).
History
editThe radio station originates back to 4 August 1949, as the first commercial cable-transmitted radio station. In 1989, 49% of the stakes in Rediffusion was acquired by Arab-Malaysian Corporation, a company owned by Tan Sri Azman Hashim. The station changed its name to Rediffusion Radio Sdn. Bhd. in July 1991. In 1996, FM transmission was launched as a trilingual service. In December 1997, REDI-FM 98.8 was relaunched as a full-fledged Chinese radio station, ending the monopoly of the government-owned Radio 5 (now Ai FM) as the only Chinese radio station in Malaysia. At the same time, the station began 24 hour broadcasting.[2]
The station's Klang Valley frequency 98.8 reads as "forever prosperity" in Cantonese.[2]
By 1998, Redi FM had 1.3 million listeners and had twelve deejays based locally and from Taiwan.[2] The station targeted the 15 to 44 age group played pop songs in Mandarin (50% in its playlist), Cantonese, and other Chinese dialects such as Hakka and Hokkien, with Cantonese dominating the playlist.[2] The station also partnered with Commercial Radio Hong Kong for the 60-part radio drama adaptation of the film The Storm Riders and a Vox pop interview conducted by Jacky Cheung.[2]
In 27 January 2023, 988 FM started streaming their radio webcast through YouTube live on its channel.
Frequency
editRadio
edit| Frequencies | Area | Transmitter |
|---|---|---|
| 98.8 MHz | Klang Valley | Gunung Ulu Kali |
| 96.1 MHz | Perlis, Alor Setar, Kedah and Penang | Mount Jerai |
| 101.0 MHz | Taiping, Perak | Bukit Larut |
| 99.8 MHz | Ipoh, Perak | Gunung Kledang |
| 93.3 MHz | Seremban, Negeri Sembilan | Gunung Telapak Buruk |
| 98.2 MHz | Malacca | Mount Ophir |
| 99.9 MHz | Johor Bahru, Johor and Singapore | Mount Pulai |
| 90.4 MHz | Kuantan, Pahang | Bukit Pelindung |
Television
edit| TV Platform | Channel |
|---|---|
| unifi TV | 957 |
- 988 is also available online at www.988.com.my.*
Slogan history
edit- 友声有色 Sound Of Colours (2003 - 2008)
- 最好听 Best To Listen (2008 - 2013)
- 友声有色 Sound Of Colours (2013 - 2018)
- 全日Pick Up 爱哟哟 (Sept, 2018 - 2019)
- 坚持 • 敢言 | 坚持 • 好音乐 (2020 - 2022)
- 988 与你同行 988 Walk With You (Tactical theme for 25th Anniversary 2021)
Radio Announcer
edit- Chan Fong
- Danny Wan
- Joycelyn Chu
- Brandon Chan Ee Kiat
- Chrystina Ng
- Chloe Low
- Brandon Chew
- Cassey Soo
- Jeff Chin
- PM Wang
- Sin Xiu Lam
- Sean Lee
- Lizz Lee
- Neng Yi Qian
- Harn Nin
- Jaydern
- Tay Yi Kang
- Zhen Bin
Radio News Anchor
edit- Cynthia Tan
- Alsen Lee
- Stephanie Yu
- Chan Hong Lee
Former Radio Announcer
edit- Sam Mak
- Anson Kow (Currently based in Eight FM)
- May Lau
- Jason Poon (Currently based in Eight FM)
- Ng Hau Min
- Ooi Yin Yin
- Cheryl Lee (Current at Eight FM)
- Orange Tan
- Kyann Lim (Currently based in Eight FM)
- Jack Yap (Currently based in MY)
- Mike Jia Yi
- Lum Sook Pheng
- KK Wong
- Leaf Lum
- Luke Loke
- Wilson Xuan
- Wong Chu Yan
- Sum Joe Hong
- Stacey Chua
- Emily Yap
- Mansson Yong
- Louise Lau
- Jiun Too
References
edit- ^ Tri-Lingual Radio For Malaysia, Censorship Exemption In Korea. Billboard. 10 August 1996. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Need fresh air? Get Redi for 99.9". The Straits Times. 9 September 1998. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ "988FM comes out tops in popularity, exclusivity". The Star. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ "Star Radio getting louder". The Star (Malaysia). 28 November 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.