Radio Television Brunei

Radio Television Brunei (officially abbreviated as RTB) is the state broadcaster of Brunei. Radio Brunei made its first broadcast on 2 May 1957, with a television service starting on 1 March 1975. Radio Television Brunei also monopolies the free-to-air television in the country, and also radio until 1999, when the country's only commercial radio station, Kristal FM was founded. The network's logo was based from the national emblem of Brunei.[1]

Radio Television Brunei (RTB)
TypeState Broadcaster
BrandingRadio Televisyen Brunei
Country
Brunei
First air date
1 March 1975 as Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB)
AvailabilityNationwide (also available in Malaysia through the border in the northern part of the state of Sarawak and the island territory of Labuan) and also worldwide through its international television channel, RTB Sukmaindera
Founded2 May 1957 as Radio Brunei
1 March 1975 as Radio Televisyen Brunei
SloganSentiasa Bersama Biskita (Always Be With You)
(1957-present)
HeadquartersBandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
AreaBrunei
OwnerMinistry of Information, Communication and Arts of Brunei
Official website
www.rtb.gov.bn

History

Radio

Radio Television Brunei was officially opened on 2 May 1957 with a Hari Raya Message from His Majesty Al-Marhum DYMM Paduka Seri Baginda Maulana Al-Sultan Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien III. There was one studio which broadcast for 45 minutes each evening from 8:00 to 8:45 pm. The range of the single 1.2Kw transmitter was only five miles around the capital Brunei and surrounding areas. Radio Brunei first transmitted programs in 1957.

In 1974, RTB had only 171 staff and three transmitting sites giving almost 100% coverage of the country and beyond.

Television

Radio Television Brunei launched the first pilot television service on 1 February 1975 with Channel 5 test transmissions began trial of broadcasts. Official regular television services began on 1 March 1975 from Brunei-Muara District. RTB1 was officially opened by Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah on 9 July 1975. There were only three staff in the RTB studio and four to attend the transmitter.

  • Phase 1 - Used part of the Radio Studios as the television station.
  • Phase 2 - Utilising the current multi-purpose studio complex which was fully commissioned by 1980. A second television transmitter, operating RTB2 or Channel 8 was commissioned at Brunei-Muara District on 1 March 1976.

On 1 March 1976, was also the year of the first outside television broadcast which was the coverage of His Majesty's birthday parade from the then 'Town Padang'. The television project was budgeted at B$35M. FM Stereo Radio Services from Brunei-Muara District started on 1 March 1977. At the same time, two high power Medium Wave stations at Brunei-Muara District commenced transmission of the Malay language service. RTB currently has 1000 staff. Coverage by radio and television is almost 100% of Brunei.

On 11 April 2017, RTB made a major rebranding project for its TV stations. RTB1 and RTB5 merged to form RTB Perdana,[2][3] while RTB2 and RTB3 HD combined as RTB Aneka while RTB4 renamed as RTB Sukmaindera.[2][3] The rebranding was made as part of RTB's plan to transition the current analogue television broadcasting to digital television.[2][3]

Radio stations
Name Notes
Nasional FMLaunched on 2 May 1957
Pilihan FMLaunched on 31 December 1995
Pelangi FMLaunched on 1 January 1996
Harmoni FM Launched on 15 July 1996
Nur Islam Launched on 2 May 1997

Television channels
Name Language Notes
RTB PerdanaMalay, EnglishLaunched on 1 March 1975.
RTB AnekaMalay, English, Korean, ChineseLaunched on 1 March 1976.
RTB SukmainderaMalay, EnglishLaunched on 1 September 2006.

See also

References
  1. "Brunei Mansuh Siaran Analog, Kini Digital Penuh". My News Hub. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  2. "State broadcaster to revamp, digitise TV channels | Borneo Bulletin Online". borneobulletin.com.bn. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  3. Fizah Hab (12 April 2017). "State broadcaster to revamp, digitise TV channels". Asia News Network. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
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