31 March
In the 21st century of modern technology, news, literature and other kinds of entertainment are at the tip of our hands with easy access. This includes Myanma Radio and Television (MRTV) which has continued to deliver a variety of entertainment to the Myanmar citizens without fail. MRTV has continued to improve and to provide viewers with a selection of new content by the Ministry of Information every year. MRTV provides viewers with a variety of content such as general knowledge and other educational segments and entertainment shows to help relief the public of the daily stresses of everyday life.
The news sections make up 45 per cent while the educational/social section and entertainment section makes up 20 per cent and 35 per cent of the content respectively on MRTV from 6 am until 11 pm.
It has been three years since the publicly elected government has been in administration. There have been several improvements in quality of MRTV’s documentaries, news, educational programs and other entertainment shows within these three years. The programs on tradition and culture of the different ethnicities, along with documentaries from respected persons have been received with great applause from both at home and aboard. The world can easily access the different shows, segments and news from MRTV through MRTV Web portal and Facebook electronically as well.
Variety of Content
MRTV broadcasts from 7 am till 8 pm with breaking news (8 times per day) from local and international sources along with updates from the parliament and weather news from Yangon, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw and 7 other states. There are also other segments including the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology’s weather forecasts and international weather trends from around the world, translation of international news from CCTV, DW, NHK, share prices from Yangon Stock Exchange, Exchange rates from Central Bank of Myanmar and the daily prices of different local produce brought to you by Agriculture & Market Information Agency ( AMIA) . MRTV continue to work towards bringing local, international breaking news along with other social, business and weather news to the Myanmar television. Viewers from around the country have shown increased support for the Entrepreneur Shows and Weekly Sports review.
Purchase and Usage
MRTV is cooperating with several media companies for broadcasting the programs related with Myanmar women and travelogues made by Mizzima Media, the programs on youth, jobs and workers’ rights made by Myanmar Cable Network and programs belonged to public health, literary and career sectors made by Myit Ma Ka Media. MRTV has included five lines of DVB-T2 System broadcast with the MRTV Multi Channel Play Out System and has produced several channels such as: Mizzima Channel from March 23, 2018; DVB Channel from 21 April, 2018; Channel K starting Jan 1, 2019; YTV Channel from Feb 15, 2019; Fortune TV Channel from March 13, 2019.
Viewers can also choose from the Analogue system provided by MRTV and its partners, Free to Air Channels via DVB T-2 and DTH systems for news, entertainment, education and other variety shows.
Live Streaming of Government Ceremonies
MRTV continues to work towards direct streaming of National level government ceremonies such as roundtable talks by the State Counsellor of Myanmar with the youth, Peace Talks, Union Peace Conference – the third session of the 21st Century Panglong Conference to help viewers get the latest update on the events as soon as possible.
The channels also broadcasts directly important ethnic events such as anniversary events, ceremonies specific to Regions and States individually so the viewers get to enjoy the events as if they were taking part and appreciate the beauty of other parts of Myanmar.
During the “Who Can Read Should Read” campaign held in MICC-2 Nay Pyi Taw, there were cooperation work with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
National Races Channel (NRC)
NRC is dedicated to Myanmar’s ethnic peoples including Kachin, Kayah, SaKaw Kayin, East Poe Kayin, West Poe Kayin, Chin (Line Zoe), Chin (Choe), Shan, Mon, Rhakine and Wa for broadcast in 11 languages. Within the past year, MRTV worked with various media channels and organizaitons to improve the pronunciation, authenticity and correctness of the broadcast. MRTV and NRC also broadcast the Myanmar’s traditional monthly festivities of the ethnic peoples that spoke such 11 languages – a gift from MRTV to the viewers.
Educational TV series
MRTV have collaborated with the Search for Common Ground (SFCG) international non-profit organization to present the viewers a program on drug abuse education namely “With the Touch of a Needle” ; with O Si Media for the Agro-Business Focus program; and TV series namely the “Views from the Countryside” made by Director A One Than Htut and the TV series are broadcasted on the Farmer Channel. Reporters have also been sent to Maungtaw, Rakhine to account for the events, legal aids and other aid that have been distributed in the area.
In Buthidaung and Maungtaw townships, there have been several initiatives such as an FM radio in Burmese, Rakhine, Bengali languages starting February 1, 2019 with two programs per day repeated twice in per language for stability, development and improving the standards of living for Rakhine residents. MRTV have also donated up to 67780 radios to the Rakhine government as well.
Kayay FM
MRTV, in collaboration with DW Akademine have been broadcasting Kayay FM in addition to BBC English Courses since the 3rd year of the public government. To inform the public on human trafficking, there is the “Lives behind the lies” and the “For a Beautiful Life” on drug trafficking and prevention. There are also additional programs such as “Music Talent” brought to the viewers in collaboration with Upgrade Music and Art where hopefuls can compete via online submissions.
There is also the “Diary of a Tea Cup” program produced in collaboration with BBC Media Action that has 32 episodes and “Where the Water is Clear” that tackles the issues of migrant workers. Lastly, the “Youth and Drugs” 12-episode segment on educating the youth about drug usage.
Ko Pya Thoe
MRTV has teamed up with a variety of organizations to bring radio shows such as “Entrepreneurship” for spreading business education with Internews and “Ko Pya Tho,” a show produced with Samaritan’s Purse for an educational segment on trafficking and safe migrant work. There is also the annual Radio Fan Club meeting in Nyaung U, Mandalay, Pyay, Bago and developing the trust between listeners and producers.
English Programs
MRTV has added City Beat, Wonderful ASEAN, ASEAN Journey, “Cover Song” Entertainment Show Variation on a tune ASEAN Folk Talks and Movie Song Tracks for its English language segment. MRTV have also worked together with JICA, with funds supported from the Japanese government of live program “Words of Life” starting July 26, 2018. MRTV and JICA (JCC) Have also collaborated on various other programs such as “Japan Rice- An Agricultural Success”, “My beloved Organics”, “First batch of GAP” and “Green Tea Farmer’s Strength”. These programs aim to benefit not only basic farmers but also the viewers by educating them on the life of farmers in Myanmar.
Music Department
The music department of MRTV has broadcasted a plethora of shows during the past year including music production, editing during the Nation’s biggest ceremonies and holidays along with Thingyan TV program, MC for awards ceremonies, perform at Radio Fan Club events, National Park performance in Nay Pyi Taw. They have also worked with different artists from famous to newcomers, educational/book fairs, compose national songs in addition to background music during TV programs, radio and other education shows. The department also cross checks lyrics for artists, and if need, lend their equipment.
Preserving Traditional Music
Myanmar National Sine Wine and the Myanmar Classic Music department have worked together with the board members to choose weekly songs that are to be broadcasted, organize traditional dance and music talent shows, prizes and judging panels, connected with existing artists and performers of Myanmar Sine Wine, helps with the recording sessions of global trendy artists and also works with Internationally recognized artists to participate in their shows to showcase the Burmese music, instruments and dance so that Myanmar National Sine Wine is celebrated and respected in big ceremonies of the Nation.
The Myanmar National Symphony Orchestra
The Myanmar National Symphony Orchestra performs in various national ceremonies, welcome parties for international guests and have also collaborated and performed together with international music geniuses in annual performances in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay.
Within the plethora of programs by the Ministry of Information, MRTV have continued to deliver updated news and programs with the effort of all it’s employees for the public. In the coming times, MRTV will broadcast the progress and successes f the 3rd year of the publicly elected new government on a national, regional, state level administrations from different aspects including commentary from experts form various disciplines.
MRTV helps provides content and relief from the everyday lives of Myanmar citizens and aims to uplift the spirits and give hope by giving updates on the National government’s efforts, the efforts and progress of the different parliament representatives along programs on entertainment and education.
By Aye Thin Yi
(Translated by Myat Thu)
