Media Prima Audio

Media Prima Audio is the radio-network arm of Malaysian media conglomerate Media Prima Berhad. The business operates commercial radio broadcasting services in Malaysia through a portfolio of FM stations and a digital audio and podcast offering. It began in 2005 under the name Media Prima Radio Networks, following the launch of Fly FM, and subsequently developed into a multi-station audio business serving audiences across Malay- and English-language radio formats. The network's principal assets include Eight FM, Kool FM, Fly FM, Hot FM and Molek FM, together with the Audio+ digital audio and podcast platform. Several of these services have changed names or formats over time. Eight FM traces its identity through Wanita FM, One FM and 8FM, while Kool FM was also briefly associated with the names Buletin FM and Kool 101. Hot FM previously operated under the names WOW.fm and WaFM. Audio+ was formerly known as Ais Kacang. These changes reflect the network's efforts to refresh station identities, adjust programming and address changing audience preferences. In October 2018, Media Prima Radio Networks was reorganized and rebranded as Ripple Media. The new identity combined broadcasting with digital media and commerce rather than presenting the operation solely as a conventional radio network. At the same time, Ripple Media introduced seven digital assets: Dhia, Donna, Lunaria, The Laki, Likely, Chapters and Wakeke. This expansion illustrated a broader strategy of developing content and audience relationships across digital channels in addition to terrestrial FM transmission. Ripple Media underwent another rebranding on 2 August 2021, becoming Media Prima Audio. The current name places the business within Media Prima's wider corporate portfolio while emphasizing audio as a broader category encompassing radio, digital content and podcasts. The company continues to manage five private radio stations transmitted through the FM spectrum and maintains a digital audio presence through Audio+. Audience-survey figures cited in the company's reference coverage indicate a strong position in Malaysia's competitive radio market. Based on the October 2021 GfK Radio Survey, Media Prima Audio was reported to have more than five million listeners and 57 million digital listeners. A later survey covering January to December 2023, conducted by Nielsen and Consumer & Media View and reported in April 2024, placed the network at more than 5.6 million listeners and described it as Malaysia's most popular radio network. These figures are survey results rather than company financial disclosures and should be interpreted in the context of their respective methodologies and measurement periods. Media Prima Audio competes with other Malaysian audio operators, particularly Astro Audio and the public-service broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia. Unlike those competitors, the network does not operate a Tamil-language radio station according to the cited reference material. Its business therefore centers on its existing commercial station portfolio, branded programming, digital extensions and the integration of audio content into Media Prima's broader media ecosystem.

Media Prima Audio was established in Malaysia in 2005 as Media Prima Radio Networks. Its formation followed the launch of Fly FM, which became the foundation of a commercial radio portfolio operated by Media Prima Berhad. The business subsequently expanded to manage five private radio stations transmitted through the FM radio spectrum. Over time, the station portfolio developed through launches, renamings and format adjustments. The network's services came to include Eight FM, Kool FM, Fly FM, Hot FM and Molek FM. Eight FM has previously operated under the names Wanita FM, One FM and 8FM. Kool FM was also briefly known as Buletin FM and Kool 101, while Hot FM previously used the identities WOW.fm and WaFM. The network also developed a digital audio and podcast service that was formerly called Ais Kacang and is now known as Audio+. A major organizational change took place in October 2018, when Media Prima Radio Networks was rebranded as Ripple Media. The new name represented an attempt to position the operation beyond traditional radio by combining broadcasting, digital media and commerce. During the same period, Ripple Media launched seven digital assets—Dhia, Donna, Lunaria, The Laki, Likely, Chapters and Wakeke—broadening the group's digital content footprint. On 2 August 2021, Ripple Media changed its name to Media Prima Audio. The rebrand returned the operation to a name directly associated with its parent group while defining its scope around audio rather than only radio broadcasting. Under the current identity, the business continues to operate its five-station commercial FM portfolio and its Audio+ digital offering. Media Prima Audio operates in a competitive Malaysian audio market that includes Astro Audio and Radio Televisyen Malaysia. Reference coverage reports strong audience reach for the network. A figure based on the October 2021 GfK Radio Survey described more than five million listeners and 57 million digital listeners. In April 2024, results from a Nielsen and Consumer & Media View survey covering January through December 2023 were cited as showing more than 5.6 million listeners and identifying Media Prima Audio as Malaysia's most popular radio network. The cited material does not provide detailed financial results, station-level audience breakdowns or a complete account of the network's management structure.

• 2024

  Reported leading Malaysian radio-network audience

  [1]Media Prima Audioen.wikipedia.org

  Survey results covering 2023 were cited as showing more than 5.6 million listeners and identifying the network as Malaysia's most popular radio network.

• 2021

  Adoption of the Media Prima Audio name

  [1]Media Prima Audioen.wikipedia.org

  Ripple Media completed a rebranding on 2 August 2021 and became Media Prima Audio.

• 2018

  Rebrand as Ripple Media

  [1]Media Prima Audioen.wikipedia.org

  The radio business adopted the Ripple Media name and broadened its stated scope to include digital media and commerce.

• 2018

  Seven digital assets introduced

  [1]Media Prima Audioen.wikipedia.org

  Ripple Media launched Dhia, Donna, Lunaria, The Laki, Likely, Chapters and Wakeke as digital properties.

• 2005

  Media Prima Radio Networks established

  [1]Media Prima Audioen.wikipedia.org

  Media Prima began its radio-network operation after establishing Fly FM as its first radio station.

A Malaysian commercial audio network combining terrestrial FM radio stations with digital audio and podcast content under the Media Prima group.

• Commercial FM radio station

  Hot FM

  Hot FM is one of Media Prima Audio's commercial Malaysian radio stations. The service has previously operated under the names WOW.fm and WaFM, reflecting earlier branding and positioning changes within the network.

• Commercial FM radio station · 2005

  Fly FM

  Fly FM was the first radio station established by Media Prima's radio operation and provided the starting point for Media Prima Radio Networks in 2005. It remains part of the current five-station portfolio.

• Commercial FM radio station

  Eight FM

  Eight FM is one of the network's commercial stations and has undergone several previous identities, including Wanita FM, One FM and 8FM.

• Commercial FM radio station

  Kool FM

  Kool FM is a Media Prima Audio commercial radio station. The service has also been associated with the names Buletin FM and Kool 101 during earlier branding or format phases.

• Commercial FM radio station

  Molek FM

  Molek FM is one of the five commercial FM stations managed by Media Prima Audio. The cited material identifies it as part of the current station portfolio but does not provide further station-level operating details.

• Digital audio and podcast platform

  Audio+

  Audio+ is Media Prima Audio's digital audio and podcast offering. It was formerly known as Ais Kacang and extends the network's activity beyond terrestrial FM broadcasting into digitally distributed audio content.

• 2021

  Rebrand Ripple Media as Media Prima AudioStrategy

  Background

  The group realigned the audio business under a name directly connected to its parent company.

  Action taken

  Ripple Media changed its name to Media Prima Audio on 2 August 2021.

  Aftermath

  The business continued operating five commercial FM stations and a digital audio and podcast offering.

  Source

• 2018

  Broaden the radio business into Ripple MediaStrategy

  Background

  Media Prima Radio Networks sought to combine traditional broadcasting with digital media and commerce.

  Action taken

  The operation was rebranded as Ripple Media and introduced seven digital assets.

  Aftermath

  The broader Ripple Media identity was later replaced by the Media Prima Audio name in 2021.

  Source

1. 1Media Prima Audioen.wikipedia.org