KUALA LUMPUR: The Communications and Multimedia Minister’s mission to make RTM relevant again is on track with the upcoming completion of phase one of the Media City project to upgrade its broadcast infrastructure.

Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced that phase one of the project is due to be completed in September 2018.



Modelled after MediaCityUK in England, the Media City project is a 45.72 acre development on government land in Bukit Putra where RTM is based.

The city will be equipped with modern integrated broadcasting facilities on par with international standards, including a virtual studio, music and television studio.



Work progress is ahead of schedule with phase one at 91% completion, Gobind said after a site visit at Wisma Berita in RTM here Thursday (July 12).



He added that phase two is scheduled to be completed in June 2019 and phase three in June 2020 with no escalating costs.



“What I want to see in a month’s time is a change in RTM’s image. We need to improve its appearance and content... it is most important for us to have the infrastructure to broadcast quality content to viewers,” he said.



Gobind said the modern facilities will give RTM an edge to compete with local and international news networks.



“The project will allow RTM and other networks to broadcast HD quality programmes to viewers,” he added.



Gobind said the Ministry is also researching the feasibility of merging RTM with Bernama to reduce cost and improve quality.



“I’m sure in the next two months, we will see a change,” he said, adding that it is his priority.

Construction for the Media City project started in December 2016.