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Malaysia's media market combines state-backed broadcasters, politically linked conglomerates, and fast-growing digital platforms serving a multilingual population. Television and radio still marshal mass reach, while streaming video, social commerce, and super-app ecosystems transform how news and entertainment are produced and consumed.
Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) operates public-service TV and radio, and Media Prima runs leading commercial channels TV3, NTV7, 8TV, TV9 plus the New Straits Times, Harian Metro, and national radio networks. Astro dominates pay-TV and OTT with >70% household penetration, and newer digital outlets (KiniTV, Malaysiakini, SAYS) provide alternative voices. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) licenses broadcasters, enforces the Communications and Multimedia Act, and oversees content codes. Legacy controls such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act, Sedition Act, and Anti-Fake News Act provisions continue to shape press freedom.
DataReportal reports approximately 34.9 million internet users (97.7% penetration) and 28.2 million social media identities. TikTok and YouTube lead daily video consumption, while WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram anchor messaging and commerce. Mobile connections reach 43+ million, digital advertising accounts for more than 60% of media spend, and e-wallet adoption exceeds 29 million accounts. Brands align campaigns with Ramadan livestreams, esports events, and influencer-driven shopping festivals across Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
Malaysians spend over nine hours online daily, with more than three hours devoted to social media and two hours to streaming video. TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook dominate discovery, while messaging apps drive commerce, micro-entrepreneurship, and government communication. Podcasts and digital audio via SYOK and Astro's apps gain traction among commuters, and e-wallet push notifications integrate media, loyalty, and shopping journeys.
Terrestrial TV remains strong for news, Ramadan programming, and live sports, especially outside Klang Valley. Print circulation is declining but Bahasa and Mandarin dailies still influence policy debates. Radio reaches around 20 million weekly listeners, particularly via in-car listening, and digital-out-of-home screens capture urban attention with QR codes linking to e-commerce campaigns.
| Indicator | Latest Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | approximately 35.7 million (2024) | Department of Statistics Malaysia |
| Internet users | approximately 34.9 million (97.7%) | DataReportal Digital 2025 Malaysia |
| Social media users | approximately 28.2 million (79% penetration) | DataReportal Digital 2025 Malaysia |
| Mobile connections | approximately 43.3 million (121% penetration) | DataReportal Digital 2025 Malaysia |
| Digital advertising revenue | approximately MYR 3.5 billion (2024) | Statista Digital Advertising Malaysia |
Reuters Institute's 2024 survey shows 46% of Malaysian respondents trusting most news most of the time, with Astro Awani, The Star, and Malaysiakini topping the trust rankings. POFMA-style regulations and MCMC takedown notices continue to influence information flows, and civil society groups push for greater editorial independence.
Local dramas, K-content, reality shows, and live sports anchor television schedules, and streaming viewers favour Netflix, Disney+, Viu, and iQIYI. Millennials and Gen Z follow influencers on TikTok and Instagram, engage in mobile gaming, and adopt buy-now-pay-later commerce journeys. Radio fans rely on traffic and talk segments, and podcasts cover business, pop culture, and self-improvement.
