Malaysia to cut television time

Malaysia to cut television time

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's state-owned television station plans to reduce the air-time of its two television channels to cut operating costs amid a decline in advertising revenues, reports said on Sunday.

Deputy Information Minister Suleiman Mohamad said the proposal was likely to be implemented in January next year and would result in Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) saving 30 million ringgit ($7.9 million) a year.

With shorter airtime, the station could cut down on slots without sponsors or which brought in low revenue, he was quoted as saying by the New Sunday Times.

Suleiman said the first television station, TV1, might start broadcasts on Mondays to Thursdays at 2.30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. Jakarta time). At present it goes air at 7 a.m.