WHENEVER E! is on television, fans of Hollywood, Bollywood and K-Pop have a miniature “feast” for their eyes and ears.
Malaysia’s very own edition of E! comes to town this Monday (March 18), courtesy of Media Prima Television Networks, and it is aptly called E! Media Prima TV Networks.
Premiering at 9pm on TV3's official YouTube channel, it curates loads of local showbiz news, gossip and interviews in bite-sized episodes twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.
Media Prima Television Networks chief executive officer Johan Ishak said Monday features Beauty And Fashion, where artistes’ fashion and beauty tips are shared, while Thursday features Lifestyle And Tech where technology-savvy artistes share their love of the latest gadgets in the market.
Johan said: "E! has been a go-to infotainment source for more than three decades and brings fresh, in-depth interviews with all the biggest stars both local and international.
“Nowadays people are eager to be the first to know the latest gossip and hottest trends.
“E! is the perfect show for them to acquire such updates.
“Therefore we are delighted to introduce to our viewers this brand new, bite-sized show."
Johan said it was Media Prima's aim to democratise content on its digital platform, by giving entertainment fans easy access to their favourite artistes' latest developments at the click of the YouTube button.
"It's specially for those who hardly watch television and rely on social media to find out the latest happenings in showbiz.
“Those who visit E! on YouTube will get a whole 10 minutes of the show while those who watch television will get an abridged version at two minutes."
He also said 60 to 70 per cent of E! news items would involve Malaysian artistes. They will also highlight the latest developments in Hollywood, Bollywood, Hong Kong and South Korea.
Johan said the abridged version of E! on TV3 was aimed at omitting content which could be deemed inappropriate by television viewers.
“It is also to meet the standards of the Film Censorship Board,” he said.
E! Media Prima is presented by Aaron Al Fateh of ntv7's The Feel Good Show, Chrystina Ng of radio station One FM and 8TV, and singer Tasha Aleia.
The new programme was launched at a ceremony in W Hotel here on Thursday.
It was also attended by Primeworks Studios chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Izham Omar and its manager Intan Norbaizura Aliuddin.
Others included actor Syafiq Kyle, actress Siti Saleha Baharom, and singers Ernie Zakri, Hael Husaini, Nabila Razali, Altimet, Azira Shafinaz and Sufie Rashid, and celebrity chef Anis Nabilahs