KUALA LUMPUR: Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has announced that the selection process for content from local producers has been simplified to ensure that the broadcast line-up for 2023 runs smoothly for everyone involved.
Its director-general of broadcasting, Datuk Che Roslan Che Daud, said that among the methods implemented would be shortening the assessment time and increasing the size of the reviewing panel.
"Previously, the assessment process involved 23 steps before an offer letter (SST) was issued, which took about three to six months. But for this session, we have shortened the process to include only 11 steps.
"Aside from that, the number of people on the review panel has been increased. They include government officers and outsiders who have a wealth of experience in this field," he said in a news report yesterday.
Che Roslan, who was at a recent briefing session with 1,000 content providers on the acquisition of local TV programmes at Angkasapuri here, added that RTM was aware of the challenges and welcomed suggestions from associations on improvements to the selection process for content acquisition.
"The reception for this session was very encouraging as over 1,000 content providers attended the briefing session. Each supplier has sent in two project proposals so we have over 2,000 applications that need to be assessed.
"Those are just the new private products without taking into account the products that are ongoing. Whatever the case, RTM will try its best to help simplify the affairs of the content providers.
"However, don't just criticise only. Before this, we had organised meetings with the industry's associations and asked them to formulate proposals.
"But till today, we have yet to receive any proposals or ideas," he said.
Meanwhile, Che Roslan also explained that a lack of budget had also caused the content acquisition process to only be held once this year.
"It's usually also carried out in the early part of the year. This time, it was done in April due to a lack of budget.
"Many do not know that this current content acquisition session involves content providers from three years ago. The Covid-19 pandemic had stalled their projects and some companies had even requested for the period to be extended.
"However, I've already discussed this issue with the Communications and Multimedia Ministry. If there is any surplus of allocations, we will have another pitching session and, most probably, the session will be carried out in July," he said.
Che Roslan added that the criteria for selection remained the same for everyone, which included the use of Bahasa Malaysia and being inline with the country's Rukun Negara, as well as promoting the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia.
Previously, RTM announced that producers could submit a request for proposal (RFP) for the first pitching session on April 20 to supply TV programmes by local private companies.
The second session would involve RFPs for foreign TV programme suppliers and local ready-made products that would be open from June 1 to 21.
As many as 14 TV programme categories are being offered to fill up the time slots for five RTM channels, namely TV1, TV2, TV Okey, News and Sports for the 2023 broadcast year.
Among them are telemovies, dramas, documentaries, animations, travelogues, talk shows, reality shows, sports, game shows and musicals.