Malaysia’s Multicultural population required a more inclusive channel. Therefore, RTM, the Malaysian government’s media branch, released a new channel in 1969 after TV1 in a slightly different format, and it was named TV2. This channel was also free-to-air, but it was more entertainment inclined, while TV1 was more focused on the news and current events.
TV2 has remained a popular channel throughout the years. The main languages spoken on it besides Malay are English, Tamil, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Thai, and Indonesian.
The general program of this channel includes
- News in Numerous languages
- Films and Dramas
- National and International Sports
- Children’s Programming
Watch all this on free streaming of TV2 on TV Malaysia One!
Media In Malaysia Before TV2
The media in Malaysia was centralized around radio and newspapers as their major source of news before TV2 was launched in 1969. Television sets were not common, and people mainly relied on print media.
Although TV1 was active as a terrestrial channel, people were still not used to watching television.
For entertainment, Malaysians were influenced by foreign media due to the lack og local productions. TV2 changed that culture with its launch.
Reasons For Launching TV2
The following points elaborate on the major reasons that led to the launch of a new channel by Radio Television Malaysia.
Expanding Broadcast
TV1 was mostly centered around news, documentaries, and cultural content. As more viewers started watching television, there was a need to expand the range of content that TV1 could not handle.
Therefore, a new second channel was started for more entertainment content.
Introducing Local Productions
TV2 was meant to air the locally produced programs, and so it did. New programs were started, such as
- Dramas
- Music Shows
- Variety Shows
- Cultural programs
This new range of programming attracted a lot of viewers towards television media in general.
Increasing Intercultural Harmony
Programs on TV2 were aired in multiple languages, catering to the different ethnicities residing in Malaysia. The programs were meant to strengthen the relations between people from different backgrounds.
The most popular languages spoken on the channel were English, Tamil, and Chinese.
Cultural Development
TV2 orchestrated the culture of Malaysia to the rest of the world. It was the country’s very own platform to showcase their traditions, language, and skills. The channel has since played an important role in the cultural preservation of Malaysia.
Brief History OF TV2
This channel had a limited reach when it was launched. All broadcasts were black and white and limited to the regions of Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor.
Unlike TV1, this channel was more focused on entertainment. The original name of the channel was Televisyen Malaysia Saluran 2.
- In the 1980s, TV2 had its color broadcast at the same time as TV1.
- The programming of the channel was expanded to include more foreign programs, children’s shows, and educational programs.
- In the early 1990s, the broadcast was expanded to the regions of Peninsular and East Malaysia.
- Around the same time, news bulletins in various languages were introduced on TV2 to make it a complete channel.
- The quality of the channel was upgraded to HD in the 2000s.
- TV2 was digitized through RTMKlik with the evolution of digital media.
Program Line-up on TV2 in 2025
TV2 has improved its programs in terms of quality in each era. In 2025, the channel will have all elements and segments that attract a modern audience.
Let us dive into the most popular broadcasts on TV2 currently.
News and Current Affairs
News reporting is a major part of any channel’s line-up. TV2 has flagship news programs in multiple languages. TV2 currently has four news slots throughout the day.
- Berita Mandarin: News in Chinese twice a day.
- World Today: English news program around midday.
- Tamil Seithigal: Evening News program in the evening.
Talk Shows/Magazine Shows
This genre of programming is relatively new and widely popular among the younger audience. TV2’s most popular shows that fall under this category are
- Fresh Brew: Morning variety show.
- Vasantham: Cultural magazine program.
- What Say You?: A Talk show where the audience can also engage and interact.
Local And International Dramas
TV2 features dramas from other ASEAN countries besides locally produced dramas. All series on the channel have a loyal fan base and high ratings.
Korean Dramas On TV2
- Lawless Lawyer
- Healer
- True Beauty
- Medical Top Team
Chinese Dramas On TV2
- The Big Mistakes
- Detective Dee
- My Little Princess
- Can’t Buy Me Love
Malay Dramas On TV2
- Metro Skuad
Shows for Children
TV2 is a complete family channel; therefore, it has a separate segment for children’s entertainment and educational shows. Some of the most-watched kids’ shows on TV2 so far are listed below.
- Chiki Boom
- ABC Hooray
- Power Rangers Dino Charge
- Soy Luna
- Garo: The Makai No Hana
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original name of TV2?
The channel was called Televisyen Malaysia Saluran 2.
What languages are available on TV2?
English, Mandarin, and Tamil are major languages besides Malay.
What was the purpose of launching TV2?
It started to expand the program range of channels in Malaysia.
Conclusion
TV2 is now streamable online on the official website. However, for premium live Malaysian channels, TV Malaysia One is the top choice of the Malay audience.
TV Malaysia One was started in 2025 as a way to keep Malaysian channels accessible to the majority through this digital platform. The free website has the highest definition videos for streaming and easy navigation tools so that viewers can look for the required channel with ease.
Head to TV Malaysia One today and stream TV2, one of the oldest channels in Malaysia to know more about the culture, tourism, and traditions of the country.