TV1 marks the start of Malaysian television. The channel began broadcasting by the end of 1963 as the first ever terrestrial channel in Malaysia. The media branch of the Malaysian Government, Radio Television Malaysia, is the owner of the channel. The channel was renamed and rebranded many times and now exists as TV1.
TV1’s first color broadcast started in 1978. Over the years, RTM upgraded the quality of this channel according to the demand of the era. TV1 finally started HD broadcasting in 2012.
TV1 Live remains Malaysia’s top free-to-air channel. It specializes in current news and talk shows, entertainment, and even cultural programs.
TV1 is a government channel; therefore, it can be streamed on KlikRTM for FREE!
Media in Malaysia Before TV1
Malaysia became an independent state in 1957. The people relied mostly on the Radio and newspapers as their main source of news, educational information, and entertainment. International films were shown in local cinemas.
As the world moved towards telemedia, a Malaysian media company that owned the majority of Radio channels, took the initiative and started the first ever television channel of the country.
History Of TV1
The first program on TV1 was aired on 28 December 1963, exactly six years after independence. The headquarters were located in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. TV1 was originally called Televisyen Malaysia, being the only channel in the country.
Due to early limitations of broadcasting, the channel was only available to the people of the Klang Valley.
The initial programming of the channel was documentaries and cultural shows about Malaysia.
Official Name Change
Radio Television Malaysia was formed under the Ministry of Information in 1969, and the channel went under the jurisdiction of this company. The Malaysian government was directly involved in regulating the channel’s content.
Colored TV Broadcast
TV1 was a black and white channel. The trials of colored broadcasting started in 1971, and by 1979, all programs were aired in color.
Expansion Of Content
During the 1980s, entertainment had expanded into many genres; therefore, RTM widened the entertainment content on TV1 as well.
The newly launched programs on the channel included
- Dramas
- Reality Shows
- Variety Shows
- News Bulletin
- Government announcements.
Role Of TV1 In Malaysia
TV1 paved the way for television in the country. It set the standard for more channels. Since it was the only channel at the time and all viewers were watching only TV1, the programs on the channel played an important role in shaping the minds of people in Malaysia.
The primary language spoken in Malaysia is Malay. But the content on the channel was in various other languages, such as English, Tamil, and Chinese, to include viewers from different cultural backgrounds.
TV1 was used for educating the masses according to Islamic values and the cultural morality of the country.
Features that Make TV1 Popular
Oldest Channel
TV1 holds the title of the first channel in Malaysia. This feature belongs to TV1 only. Due to being the first and foremost channel, this channel has the trust of the masses in the country.
Government Representative
TV1 works under a direct government media company. All programs on the channel are regulated by the government to make them suitable for families and domestic viewing.
Most announcements from the government are made through TV1 and other channels under RTM.
Islamic Values
Malaysian media and content producers pay special attention to the religious aspect. All shows on TV1 are aligned with the Sharia Law. Morality and ethical values are a priority for TV1.
National Event Coverage
All government events, such as parades, parliament sessions, royal events, and elections, are live telecast on TV1. Although most RTM channels perform that duty, but most detailed coverage of national events in Malaysia can be viewed via TV1.
No Commercials
TV1 is not backed up by advertisements. It is a free-to-air channel run in favor of the national interests. Therefore, no programs on TV1 are interrupted by commercials or advertisements.
Multimedia integration
As the digital media evolved, TV1 was integrated as a digitally streamable channel to capture the younger audience. This has led to an increased viewership of the channel in recent years.
RTMKlik is the official website of RTM, where all government channels, including TV,1 are available for free online viewing.
TV1 Availability On TV Malaysia One
In 2025, the top digital platform for entertainment and Live channels is TV Malaysia One on the Google search engine.
With the largest collection of Malaysian channels of all genres, TV Malaysia One is ranked the best platform to watch Malay content online from within Malaysia and other ASEAN countries.
The platform offers
- High Quality Video
- Sports/News/Drama/ Movie Channels
- Subtitles in selected programs
- Clean Design
- Easy Access worldwide.
Don’t miss out and watch the latest news, shows, and cultural programs today only on TV1!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has TV1 remained a popular channel?
TV1 retains its popularity due to quality content and government programming.
Can TV1 be watched outside of Malaysia?
Yes, numerous free and paid platforms provide digital streaming of TV1, including TV Malaysia One.
What is the monthly subscription fee of RTMKlik?
It is a free digital platform which requires no subscription of registration fee.