988 FM

988 FM
Broadcast areaPeninsular Malaysia and Singapore
FrequencyVaries depending on its region
Programming
Language(s)Mandarin, Cantonese
FormatTop 40 (CHR)
AffiliationsStar Media Radio Group
Ownership
OwnerStar Media Group
Suria
History
First air date
8 May 1996; 28 years ago (1996-05-08)
Links
Webcastplayer.listenlive.co/63371
Websitewww.988.com.my

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]

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

[edit]

The 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

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Radio

[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

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  • 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

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  • Sam Mak
  • Anson Kow (Current at Eight FM)
  • May Lau
  • Jason Poon (Current Director of Eight FM )
  • Ng Hau Min
  • Ooi Yin Yin
  • Cheryl Lee (Current at Eight FM)
  • Orange Tan
  • Kyann Lim (Current at Eight FM)
  • Jack Yap (Current at 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]
  1. ^ Tri-Lingual Radio For Malaysia, Censorship Exemption In Korea. Billboard. 10 August 1996. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Need fresh air? Get Redi for 99.9". The Straits Times. 9 September 1998. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  3. ^ "988FM comes out tops in popularity, exclusivity". The Star. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Star Radio getting louder". The Star (Malaysia). 28 November 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
[edit]
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