ABSTRACT
In Malaysian broadcasting, there are three forms of privatization, namely, the privatization of local programming as well as airtime in the government-owned Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), and the licensing of a private television network (TV3) alongside RTM's two channels. RTM launched its own internal privatization exercises about three years after the birth of TV3 to help deal with budgetary pressures, viewer dissatisfaction, the advent of new communication technologies, and competition from other television stations. Advertisement is one of RTM's main financial sources apart from federal government funds and receiver license fees costing RM24 per year. In 1983, 54 percent of the budget allocation came from the government, 34 percent from advertisements and 15 percent from receiver licenses. Although RTM network producers work in concert to produce programs over TV1 and TV2, programs are also supplied by licensed producers, suppliers, and distributors registered in Malaysia.
