Local channel Awesome TV has criticized digital television provider MYTV Broadcasting Sdn Bhd for suspending the channel, calling it “unethical and illegal”.
The suspension is understood to be related to a commercial dispute over access payments between MYTV and Awesome TV, which has been taken out of court. Awesome TV CEO Adam Ilyas said the channel has filed an application for review, which is pending before the Court of Appeal.
“Awesome TV has filed an appeal with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Appeal Tribunal, which has also not been decided,” it said in a statement today. “This matter is still in court, it has not been said. Pending the final outcome and as such, it is unethical and illegal for MYTV Sdn Bhd to start suspending Awesome TV on its platform.
Adam’s comments followed MYTV’s announcement on its Facebook page that the TV channel on its platform would be suspended today following a court ruling. Checks on social media revealed that MYTV viewers were sharing images showing the Awesome TV channel not working.
“Channel 112 Awesome TV will not be broadcast on the MYTV platform, starting May 26, 2024 and until further notice,” he wrote. MYTV had previously announced plans to suspend the channel from its platform from November 2 last year due to commercial issues related to the payment of access fees between the two parties.
Awesome TV officially started broadcasting on August 1, 2020, offering local and international content. The channel is still on Astro.
The local channel has been criticized for its coverage of job cuts and public services, and for its stories that are thought to have racist connotations.
