By ABIDGAIL MERTA GANGGANG & ELLISIA TINGGAS
KUCHING: TVS, the leading television station in Sarawak, has been making waves in the media landscape since its launch on October 10, 2020, under the management of Sarawak Media Group (SMG). TVS has successfully broken the previous limitations on coverage in Sarawak, where it was previously confined to brief regional news segments. The station now offers viewers across the nation a rich array of creative content from the region, providing a unique perspective on the diverse culture, people, and places in Sarawak.
Since its inception, TVS has quickly gained a strong foothold in the media landscape, garnering significant attention and becoming a household name in just over two years. The station has amassed an impressive viewership of 9.8 million people nationwide, which is a testament to the quality and appeal of its programming.
TVS’s growing popularity is further amplified by its substantial social media presence, boasting a following of 1.24 million across various social media platforms. This presence has allowed the station to engage with its viewers and build a loyal fan base, which is a crucial aspect of its success.
New Sarawak Tribune recently had the opportunity to speak with Mohd Dzulfrizal Zulkapli, Chief Executive Officer of TVS, who shared valuable insights into the remarkable journey of TVS. Through his leadership, TVS has continued to thrive and innovate, ensuring that the station remains at the forefront of the media landscape in Sarawak and beyond. With its commitment to quality programming and engaging content, TVS is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the Malaysian media industry.
New Sarawak Tribune: What line of work were you in before this role?
Prior to my foray into the media industry, I worked as a gallery curator at a private gallery. It wasn’t until around 2004 that I joined a small communications firm in Kelana Jaya, led by Suhaimi Sulaiman.
After spending two years there, I joined Astro Awani in 2007, where I was one of the earliest team members and had the privilege of being involved in the setting up of the news channel. At the beginning, it was a challenging task as we had to start from scratch. There were no computers or internet connection available during the first few weeks.
For the first three months, we gathered and trained to become journalists and news anchors. I started off as a journalist and worked my way up to being promoted to junior editor. Later, I became the “Morning Lead” at Astro Awani.
In October 2021, I decided to leave Astro and joined Khazanah Nasional Berhad in November 2021 as the Vice President of Strategic Communications. During my time as a communication professional, I learned a great deal about communications, writing, and collaborating with other managers and departments.
I discovered that it was essential to understand the entire business, not just the communication aspect. My role was to become a bridge for communication between the company and external stakeholders. By doing so, I was able to provide valuable insights into the company’s goals and objectives while ensuring that stakeholders remained informed and engaged.
What is a typical day like for you as a CEO?
Working with a group of young, intelligent, and dedicated people has been an incredibly interesting and enjoyable experience. Their energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and they always bring forth numerous ideas and opportunities to strive for the best.
I genuinely appreciate the tireless effort of young individuals as they conduct research, prepare reports, and learn quickly. It’s a pleasure to work at TVS, where most of the employees are around 30 to 35-years-old or younger, and there are very few employees over the age of 40. This demographic diversity ensures that we stay in touch with the latest trends and select those that align with our channel, helping us stay relevant in the ever-changing media landscape.
As decision-makers, we are tasked with choosing which programs or ideas are suitable for our channel. This is a decision we have to make every day, and we always find ways to execute and incorporate those ideas. It’s an exciting challenge to balance creativity and innovation with the needs and preferences of our viewers, but it’s one that we take on with enthusiasm and dedication.
In summary, working with a young and dynamic team at TVS has been an enriching experience, and we are constantly striving to bring our viewers the best possible programming in the ever-evolving media landscape.
What are the challenges you face as a Chief Executive Officer?
As a TV executive, one of my biggest challenges is finding the time to watch and assess various television programs. It’s crucial to stay informed about the latest trends and new programs that are highly favored by the viewers out there.
I remember growing up when shows like ‘L.A. Law’ and ‘The West Wing’, which were politically themed programs, were only watched by our parents or those involved in the profession. But these days, Korean hit drama series around these themes have gained immense popularity among younger people too.
This made me ponder that if such programs gained attention, they must possess a formula that resonated with the audience. Therefore, my challenge lies in uncovering the formula they used and adapting it to create programs that appeal to all viewers, regardless of their spoken language.
As part of the management team, we need to collectively explore how we can create programs that not only appeal to our local viewers but also have global appeal. Take for instance, programs in the Iban language. Our question is how we can make these programs globally attractive and enjoyable for viewers.
We are not just competing with television stations in Malaysia but on a global scale too. Television programs nowadays transcend borders and are not limited to a single country alone. Therefore, it’s essential to come up with new and innovative ideas that can capture the attention of viewers worldwide.
Can you provide an overview of the programs and shows available on TVS
TVS offers a diverse range of program themes and genres that cater not only to viewers in Sarawak but also to audiences from across the country. Our program genres include News, Documentary, Magazine, Travelogue, Drama, Musical, Reality Shows, and Talk Shows.
Our news bulletins are something that I take immense pride in. We have news bulletins in four languages, namely Malay, Iban, English, and Mandarin, which are broadcasted daily. We have dedicated teams working hard to produce these news bulletins, covering news from within Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, and international news.
I believe it’s essential to provide the Sarawakian point of view, considering that most states in other regions do not have their own television stations. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that our viewers receive the latest and most accurate news.
One of our approaches to content creation involves producing content exclusively within the studio. We engage in thorough research and collect information pertaining to the program being developed, followed by the creation of content within the studio environment.
For instance, for programs like Hari Gawai and Pesta Kaul celebrations, we conduct research while sending a team to the field to capture videos and take visually appealing shots. This approach enables us to experience the atmosphere first-hand, which adds to the authenticity of the content. The materials are then brought back to the studio for editing and subsequently broadcasted.
Overall, we strive to produce high-quality content that caters to the diverse interests and preferences of our viewers, while also staying true to our Sarawakian roots and providing a unique perspective on the world around us.
Is the production of programs involving Sarawak’s culture, language, and ethnicities considered inclusive?
I find that the word ‘representation’ better captures our efforts. In the past, the faces and voices of Bidayuh, Iban, Ulu, Kenyah, and other ethnic groups were rarely seen or heard on television.
Today, we are making every effort to ensure that their cultures, customs, traditions, and languages are represented on television. This is the vision and mission of TVS.
Our first goal is to make Sarawak a content hub for Southeast Asia while also developing the creative workforce in the industry. For example, ‘Pemerindang Borneo’ is a program that showcases Iban music, which previously had limited exposure but now has a platform to reach a wider audience.
Our representation efforts mean that we provide a platform for people to speak, celebrate festivals, and share their faith on television. It’s crucial to provide this opportunity to showcase the diversity of Sarawak, and we hope to gain support from viewers, social media users, and digital platforms throughout Malaysia.
Sarawakians should be proud of TVS because not every state has its own television station. We offer diverse content and fresh program ideas for viewers, and we plan to continue doing so in the long term. Our upcoming Gawai concert and ‘Pemerindang Borneo Season 2’ are just a few examples of how we strive to represent and celebrate the rich diversity of Sarawak on television.
In the next three months, what goals do you aim to achieve?
Our primary goal is to increase viewership and achieve a good viewership rating by producing the best programs for our audience. An upcoming program that we are excited about is ‘Kembara Merdeka Sarawak’ (Sarawak Independence Journey), which coincides with the 60th anniversary of Sarawak’s independence.
We will provide comprehensive coverage from twelve different locations, bringing the program to the television screens of those who are unable to visit certain areas like Limbang and Kapit. We hope that viewers will tune in to TVS and enjoy the programs from the comfort of their homes. It’s an exciting endeavor, and we can’t wait to share it with our viewers.
In the next three years, our goal is to increase TVS’ exposure, ensuring that more people know where to find and watch our programs in the long run. To achieve this, we need to produce high-quality programs that entertain, inform, and captivate the audience.
Our aim is to deliver visually appealing content that entertains and evokes emotions, leaving viewers touched and moved when they watch television. We want to create programs that not only cater to the interests and preferences of our viewers but also reflect the rich cultural diversity of Sarawak.
Through our commitment to producing high-quality programs, we hope to establish TVS as a go-to source for quality entertainment and information, and ultimately increase viewership and engagement with our audience.
What advice would you give to individuals aspiring to work in the media industry?
Reading and writing are essential skills that should be part of your daily routine. It’s crucial to read extensively and write frequently to improve your writing technique continually.
One way to track your progress is to keep a journal or articles you have written and review them periodically. Over time, you might not realize how much your writing has improved.
To be a good writer, you need to read and absorb every piece of information as if there is no tomorrow. You should approach reading with a hunger for knowledge, learning from a wide range of topics to gain more information and facts that will increase your confidence in writing.
By excelling in these two areas, you will have the courage to be in front of the camera, and no one will judge you because you can read and deliver information exceptionally well. Reading and writing can make you highly regarded because you can tell stories effectively, and people will listen.
Therefore, make sure to prioritize reading and writing in your daily routine to improve your skills continually. By doing so, you can become an exceptional writer and communicator, which can open up many opportunities in your personal and professional life.
