Astro Radio (formerly known as Airtime Management and Programming or simply AMP Radio Networks) is a Malaysian radio network company which operates radio broadcasting services and more since 1996. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. Astro Radio owns and manages 13 private radio stations which are transmitted through the FM (frequency modulation) radio spectrum. As of November 2021, Astro Radio still remains the number one and largest radio network company in Malaysia, with 77.7% of Peninsular Malaysians and 15.6 million listeners tuning in to its stations weekly, together with its Media Prima counterpart, Media Prima Audio, according to the GfK Radio Audience Measurement (RAM) Wave 1 in October 2021.[1] Era being at top of the list with the most audience reach estimated at 6,000,000 listeners, followed by Sinar and Gegar.
Company background
Astro Radio was officially launched on 1 June 1996 as Airtime Management and Programming Sdn. Bhd. with the very first time five opened audio only including Hitz, Mix, Light & Easy, Classic Rock and TalkRadio.
AMP is the sole provider of 19 satellite radio services (which include the nine FM services and are available to all Astro subscribers in Malaysia and Brunei), and is the first South-East Asian broadcaster to utilise LIU (local insertion units) for local or regional advertisers and utilises Dynamic RDS (Radio Data System) as a commercial tool. Internationally, AMP also had involvement in the growth of radio industries in India, Indonesia and China.
In 2012, as part of the expansion of its operations, AMP Radio Networks became Astro Radio Sdn. Bhd.
In October 2017, Astro Radio announced the launch of two new radio brands - goXuan FM and Zayan FM intended for a new generation of listeners in the digital and social media space. Zayan is the first Malaysian radio brand for modern Muslims, and GoXuan follows Gen Z trends. Astro Radio streams live entertainment content via its digital platforms all day. goXUAN is visually-led.[2]
On 1 January 2018, Astro Radio dropped the suffix “FM” as part of the rebranding for all its 11 radio stations, to focus on digital platform and "drive talkability and social engagement".[3]
Move to Bukit Jalil
In October 2023, HITZ and MY broadcasts for Sabah and Sarawak were completely stopped by Astro Radio and were later returned to Bukit Jalil.[4][5]
In January 2024, ERA Sabah and ERA Sarawak officially started broadcasting from Bukit Jalil.[6]
Other brands
Raku
Astro Radio launched a radio and music streaming service platform known as Raku and then DVR Player in April 2015 through mobile and web. Raku is a short-form for Radio Aku (‘My Radio’ in Malay). Through Raku, Malaysians can stream millions of songs, videos and playlists curated by top local artistes including Yuna, Paper Plane Pursuit, Dasha Logan and many more. Users can also listen to more than 20 live radio stations through the free and premium versions of Raku. The application also provides local community updates such as articles, news, traffic, and sports. Raku is available in English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. However, Raku services were rebranded into the new Syok platform in 2019.[7]
Syok
Astro Radio launched a multilingual entertainment and lifestyle platform known as Syok, stylised as SYOK in July 2019. The platform can allow users to listen to 26 Astro Radio brands (including online-only stations or, until 2024, some of the Direct-To-Home [DTH] stations that are available on Astro TV) via live online streaming, listen to podcasts of all live radio and exclusive content, watch original short-form videos, read current articles, news and traffic updates and participate in contests.[8]
The oldest and latest songs for mature listeners. It was previously known as Light & Easy. One of the first radio channels by AMP to be launched in 1996.
The latest songs from domestic and international repertoire, focused on younger listeners. This radio station is the first private radio station, to be broadcast completely in Malay, after being dominated by government-owned radio station for years.
Malay
1996 (as an Astro-only audio channel), 1998 (as an FM radio station)
The oldest and latest songs from domestic and international repertoire, focused on mature listeners. Formerly known as Wirama Melayu during the early years of broadcast.
Malay
1998 (as an Astro-only audio channel) , 2004 (as an FM radio station)
The latest songs from domestic and international repertoire, focused on modern and contemporary Muslim listeners.
Malay
2017
876
Defunct radio stations
AMP changed its line-up, swapping two of its English FM brands, namely Classic Rock and TalkRadio, for ERA FM (Bahasa Malaysia) and MY FM (Chinese), respectively. Melody FM was launched on 15 August 2012 to replace XFM on FM and Astro.
Station
Explanation
Language
Year of Launch
Classic Rock
The oldest and latest songs from rock music. However, it continues to be broadcast on Astro and via online only.
English
1997
TalkRadio
News and talk radio show; ceased broadcasting in 1998
English
1997
XFM
Songs from Malaysian artists only, focused on younger listeners. However, it continues to be broadcast as an online station before ceased broadcasting in 2017
Malay
2004
Hitz Sabah
This radio station was discontinued on 1 October 2023 and its frequency was taken over by Hitz.
English
2010
Hitz Sarawak
This radio station was discontinued on 1 October 2023 and its frequency was taken over by Hitz.
English
2010
My Sabah
This radio station was discontinued on 1 October 2023 and its frequency was taken over by My.
Mandarin
2010
My Sarawak
This radio station was discontinued on 1 October 2023 and its frequency was taken over by My.
