TV Okey
TV Okey is a Malaysian free-to-air television channel operated by Radio Televisyen Malaysia dedicated to the people of Sabah, Sarawak and urban youth. It was launched on 21 March 2018 replacing TVi.
On 1 April 2019, TV Okey has started its HDTV broadcasting in conjunction of RTM's 73rd anniversary, and available exclusively through myFreeview DTT service on Channel 110. Viewers are advised to turn the decoder on standby mode to receive the changes.
Background
TV Okey was mooted to better relay Government messages to the people in Sabah and Sarawak, and to enhance the creative industry in Sabah and Sarawak and promote new talents. The name “TV Okey” was chosen because it was unpretentious and easy to say and remember. The word “okey” is an acronym for “opportunity”, “knowledge”, “experience” and “yours”.TV Okey airs programmes featuring other dialects such as Iban, Kadazan, Dusun and Bajau.
History
Summary
| Date | Name | Job |
| March 2000 | RTMi | Test launch |
| March 2007 | RTMi | Official launch |
| 16 March 2009 | MUSIK AKTIF | The rebranding |
| 10 April 2011 | TVi | The new rebranding as the Di Hati section |
| 1 January 2014 | TVi | Up to the Generasiku di TVi rebranding |
| 1 April 2017 | TV5 | TVi's brief closure |
| 7 April 2017 | TV5 | Online website's error and removal of its Facebook page |
| 8 April 2017 | TV5 | Reversion to TVi |
| 8 April 2017 | TVi | Graphics relaunch |
| 21 March 2018 | TV Okey | TVi closed down in favour of TV Okey's launch |
As RTMi
TVi was launched along with the initial DVB-T tests available in the Klang Valley under the name RTMi. Its test broadcast began in 2000 chosen residential homes surrounding Klang Valley for 6 months starting in September 2006, using the DVB-T standard. The test ended in March 2007, involving the installation and the interpretation of the "Set Top Boxes" in the respective homes. During the period, the channel broadcast daily from 7:00 p.m. until 12 midnight, previewing programmes that are shown on RTM1 and RTM2. This digitalisation test was estimated to cost over RM76 million. The transmitters used were provided by Harmonic Inc.During the off air hours, RTM no longer uses the Philips test card, instead opting for a colour bar. The Philips test card was eventually only aired on TV1 and TV2, while the new colour bar cards are used for the remaining channels.
In April 2007, RTM had announced that digital transmission will persist despite the test period being over due to the positive response received during the period and plans for further testing involving different video/audio codecs.
For a brief period, transmission was moved to channel 43, however, the frequency was restored to channel 44 at the time RTMi was shut down.
At that time, Digital TV availability in Malaysia is limited to the few expensive USB tuners sold by computer stores and set top box handed out by RTM to selected households, hence the limited availability of the channel. During this time, RTMi was transmitted over DVB-T UHF Channel 44. The channel was transmitted on and off until 2009 with the deferral of the analogue shutdown to 2015 from 2012, when it was shelved in favour of three different channels- Muzik Aktif, Arena and Berita Aktif. At the time of closing, the types of programmes that RTMi had shown were repeats of dramas already airing on RTM1/RTM2, as well as music videos.
As RTM Muzik Aktif
RTM Muzik Aktif launched by RTM on 16 March 2009 as a successor to the RTMi channel. The channel was available via satellite using Astro platform at channel 180, and to DVB-T receiver owners on DVB-T UHF Channel 44.RTM Muzik Aktif is a music channel in Malaysia. It is the first Malaysian music channel, taking the place of RTMi on the RTM Digital trial signals. On 10 April 2011, Muzik Aktif on Astro is replaced with the new RTM channel focusing on East Malaysian viewers, TVi. However, Muzik Aktif is still available over DVB-T to those in the Klang Valley.
As TVi
As the Malaysian government aims to promote understanding between Peninsular Malaysia and the Borneo states, RTM in conjunction with the Sabah and Sarawak state governments planned to launch TV channel which will promote Sabahan and Sarawakian culture.On 10 April 2011, RTM launched the new TV station TVi, which focused on East Malaysian programmes. The channel broadcast via channel 180 Astro, replacing RTM Muzik Aktif. On digital terrestrial in the Klang Valley, the channel broadcasts on UHF channel 46, multiplexed with the digital simulcasts of RTM1 and RTM2. While the channel replaced Muzik Aktif on Astro, the channel actually airs alongside Muzik Aktif on the RTM Digital trial signal. TVi airs alongside RTM's other digital-only channels such as SinErgi, Panggung, and Pelangi. SinErgi, Panggung and Pelangi are multiplexed and transmitted in DVB-T on UHF channel 44.
As of late 2011, TVs with onboard DVB-T tuners are becoming available in the country. While the lack of set top boxes being sold still inhibits the ability to get the channel terrestrially to those unwilling to buy a new TV, many with DVB-T capable TV sets in the Klang Valley are now able to enjoy these 5 channels. However, all of these has since been stopped and now replaced by more advanced DVB-T2 system.
The channel was previously available on Astro’s Channel 180, which also previously broadcast RTM Muzik Aktif. The channel had been replaced by TV5 and moved to Astro Channel 109. But the situation was reversed just a few days later, when RTM quietly reverted the channel as TVi.
TVi was officially closed on 21 March 2018, and was relaunched as TV Okey the same evening.