NTV7 is a Malaysian free-to-air television brand that evolved from a broad urban-interest channel into the educational television service DidikTV KPM.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
NTV7 is a Malaysian free-to-air television channel and broadcasting brand operated through Natseven TV Sdn Bhd. It was established as the third privately owned commercial television station in Malaysia at the time of its launch and began broadcasting on 7 April 1998. The station was created by Mohd Effendi Norwawi through interests associated with Kenyalang Jasa Sdn Bhd and Encorp Group. Its original mandate envisaged nationwide transmission, extended daily operating hours and a substantial proportion of locally produced programming. The channel initially positioned itself toward Malaysia’s urban audience. Its schedule combined dramas, comedy, entertainment, game shows, children’s programming, anime, documentaries, films and news. It developed multilingual news services, including 7 Edition in English, Edisi 7 in Malay and Mandarin 7 in Mandarin. The brand’s early identity was closely associated with the slogan “Feel Good with NTV7” and the use of James Brown’s “I Feel Good” in its opening and closing presentation. A Circle 7-style logo introduced in 2001 remained part of the visual identity for many years. NTV7’s ownership changed significantly in 2005, when Media Prima Berhad acquired the channel for RM90 million and integrated it with TV3, 8TV and TV9. The station subsequently operated from Media Prima’s Sri Pentas facilities in Petaling Jaya. During the Media Prima period, the channel expanded its digital distribution, participated in online streaming through Catch-Up TV, later known as Tonton, and pursued content partnerships, including collaboration with Singapore’s Mediacorp on Chinese-language productions. It also became an important advertising and audience platform, particularly among Chinese-speaking viewers. The channel’s editorial and commercial identity changed repeatedly. Motorsports became an important revenue focus after a 2004 restructuring. From 2016, large portions of the daytime schedule were occupied by the CJ WOW Shop home-shopping block, later renamed Wow Shop. In March 2018, Media Prima attempted to reposition NTV7 as a contemporary “Modern Malaysia” channel with the slogan “Feel It,” emphasizing English- and Malay-language programming while moving much of the Chinese-language entertainment offering to sister channel 8TV. Viewer confusion and weaker-than-expected Chinese audience performance contributed to later changes, including a partial return to Chinese-oriented programming and a Mandarin version of the shopping block. Mandarin 7 ended on 7 June 2020 and its news function was incorporated into 8TV Mandarin News. In late 2020, Media Prima announced another repositioning, aimed at viewers aged 15 to 28 and centered on magazines, information, current affairs and selected entertainment. The most consequential transformation came in February 2021, when the channel became the home of DidikTV KPM, an educational service created with Malaysia’s Ministry of Education. DidikTV KPM focused on the SPM curriculum, co-curricular learning, education news, edutainment and student-produced material. Media Prima stated that NTV7’s ownership had not ended, although the former general-entertainment identity was effectively replaced by the educational service. The NTV7 name therefore remains historically important as a Malaysian television brand, while its post-2021 identity is closely connected with DidikTV KPM. Media Prima reported that the combined NTV7 and TV9 viewing share reached approximately 15 percent during part of September 2021, placing the combined service among Malaysia’s strongest free-to-air television offerings at that time. In 2024, Media Prima announced that the news operations of its television networks, including DidikTV, would move to its Balai Berita facility. The company’s television identities were subsequently removed from the former Sri Pentas building after its closure in 2025.
History
NTV7 originated in a Malaysian government-approved broadcasting project associated with Nasional Televisyen, a Sarawak-based company from Kuching. Approval was granted on 5 June 1996, with conditions requiring nationwide broadcasting, an 18-hour daily schedule and a minimum quota for national content. The project was controlled by interests connected with Mohd Effendi Norwawi, including Kenyalang Jasa Sdn Bhd and Encorp Group. Planned launch dates in 1997 were postponed, and the channel’s official website appeared in March 1998 before television transmission began. Natseven TV Sdn Bhd launched NTV7 on 7 April 1998. The station initially broadcast from 6 a.m. until 1 a.m. the following day, using facilities at Hicom-Glenmarie Industrial Park in Shah Alam and a studio presence in Kuching. Its initial transmission network covered Peninsular Malaysia and the major cities of Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. The formal launch ceremony took place on 22 May 1998 and was officiated by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The station employed approximately 250 people at launch and promoted itself through the “Feel Good with NTV7” slogan, supported by the recurring use of James Brown’s “I Feel Good.” The early channel served an urban, multilingual audience. Its schedule included locally produced dramas, comedy, entertainment, games, children’s shows, anime, documentaries, movies and news. English, Malay and Mandarin bulletins were presented under the 7 Edition, Edisi 7 and Mandarin 7 labels. In 2001, NTV7 adopted a variation of the Circle 7 visual motif, which remained associated with the channel until 2018. A restructuring in 2004 placed greater emphasis on motorsports as a commercial and revenue-generating property. The channel considered a Bursa Malaysia listing in 2005, but the proposed flotation did not proceed on the information available in the reference material. Media Prima acquired NTV7 in October 2005 for RM90 million. The acquisition brought the station into a national television group alongside TV3, 8TV and TV9, and NTV7 subsequently operated from Sri Pentas in Petaling Jaya. A voluntary separation scheme affecting 338 employees was completed in December 2005. In 2006, the station collaborated with Mediacorp on Chinese-language programming and discussed developing local content with potential export value. NTV7 also expanded its digital reach through Media Prima’s Catch-Up TV platform, introduced in 2007 and later rebranded Tonton. The station remained commercially significant, reporting strong audiences among Chinese viewers and a substantial share of television advertising in the late 2000s. The channel’s programming strategy became increasingly fluid. In 2016, a CJ Group home-shopping block called CJ WOW Shop was introduced across Media Prima stations. NTV7 and TV9 carried significant amounts of the block, replacing portions of daytime programming and prompting public criticism. Media Prima later acquired the remaining CJ stake and renamed the service Wow Shop in 2020. On 5 March 2018, Media Prima relaunched NTV7 around a “Modern Malaysia” concept and the slogan “Feel It.” The new identity placed more weight on English- and Malay-language programming, while much of the Chinese entertainment schedule moved to 8TV. Mandarin news was retained after audience response during the 2018 general election indicated that it remained important. The repositioning nevertheless caused confusion and weakened the association between NTV7 and its former Chinese-oriented audience. At the end of 2018, Media Prima announced further restructuring, including a Mandarin Wow Shop block and the removal of several English- and Malay-language programmes. Mandarin 7 ended on 7 June 2020, with its news function transferred to 8TV. Later that year, Media Prima announced that NTV7 would target viewers aged 15 to 28 with magazines, information and current affairs, while selected entertainment and shopping content remained. The major transformation came in February 2021, when Media Prima confirmed that NTV7 would not be legally discontinued but would be used for DidikTV KPM, an education service developed with the Ministry of Education. Beginning 17 February, the service emphasized the SPM curriculum, co-curricular subjects, education news, edutainment and student-created programming. It broadcast for approximately 17 hours per day. The conversion displaced or transferred several established programmes. Edisi 7 ended, while 7 Edition moved to digital distribution before later discontinuation. Wow Shop stopped airing on the channel, and programmes such as Soal Drama and Running Man moved to TV9. Other informational and lifestyle programmes continued for a time within the new schedule. DidikTV KPM also carried documentaries, selected weekend dramas, lifestyle shows and cartoons. Media Prima Omnia figures cited for September 2021 indicated that NTV7 and TV9 together reached a 15 percent viewing share, placing them behind TV3 but among the leading free-to-air services. In October 2024, Media Prima announced that the news operations of its television networks, including DidikTV, would relocate to Balai Berita. After the Sri Pentas building closed in 2025, the former premises no longer displayed the group’s television logos, including NTV7. The brand is consequently best understood as an enduring Media Prima television identity whose original general-entertainment service has been superseded by an education-oriented operating format.
- 2021
DidikTV KPM takeover
[1]The channel adopted an education-focused format under DidikTV KPM from 17 February, in collaboration with Malaysia’s Ministry of Education.
- 2020
Mandarin 7 discontinued
[1]The final Mandarin 7 bulletin aired on 7 June, after which the news service was merged into 8TV Mandarin News.
- 2018
Modern Malaysia relaunch
[1]NTV7 adopted a contemporary positioning under the slogan “Feel It” and increased its English- and Malay-language focus.
- 2016
CJ WOW Shop enters the schedule
[1]A large home-shopping block began airing across Media Prima channels, substantially affecting NTV7’s daytime schedule.
- 2007
Digital catch-up distribution begins
[1]NTV7 became available through Media Prima’s Catch-Up TV service, later called Tonton.
- 2005
Acquired by Media Prima
[1]Media Prima purchased NTV7 for RM90 million and integrated it into its television network portfolio.
- 2001
Circle 7-style logo introduced
[1]NTV7 adopted a variation of the Circle 7 logo, which remained in use until 2018.
- 1998
NTV7 launches
[1]Natseven TV Sdn Bhd began television transmission on 7 April. The formal launch ceremony followed on 22 May.
- 1996
Broadcasting approval granted
[1]The Malaysian government approved the project associated with Nasional Televisyen on 5 June, subject to nationwide coverage, extended daily broadcasting and national-content requirements.
Products and positioning
A Malaysian free-to-air television brand whose positioning shifted from urban, multilingual general entertainment to a contemporary English-Malay channel and ultimately to an education-focused service under the DidikTV KPM identity.
Television broadcasting · 1998
NTV7 free-to-air television channel
The original NTV7 service was a Malaysian free-to-air channel aimed at urban viewers. It carried multilingual news, dramas, entertainment, game shows, children’s programming, anime, documentaries and films. Its programming mix changed substantially over time as Media Prima adjusted the channel for audience, advertising and portfolio objectives.
English-language news
7 Edition
7 Edition was NTV7’s English-language news brand. It formed part of the channel’s original multilingual news structure and later moved toward digital distribution during the transition to DidikTV KPM before being discontinued.
Malay-language news
Edisi 7
Edisi 7 was the Malay-language television news bulletin associated with NTV7. It ended when the channel’s general-entertainment schedule was replaced by the education-oriented DidikTV KPM format.
Mandarin-language news
Mandarin 7
Mandarin 7 served Mandarin-speaking viewers and was a prominent part of NTV7’s earlier multilingual identity. Its final edition aired in June 2020, after which the bulletin was consolidated into 8TV Mandarin News.
Educational television · 2021
DidikTV KPM
DidikTV KPM is the education-focused service that replaced NTV7’s former general-entertainment orientation in February 2021. It provides material aligned with Malaysia’s SPM curriculum and co-curricular learning, along with education news, edutainment, documentaries, selected entertainment and student-produced content.
Television home shopping · 2016
Wow Shop
Wow Shop is a Media Prima home-shopping service that occupied substantial portions of NTV7’s daytime schedule after its introduction as CJ WOW Shop in 2016. The block was renamed after Media Prima acquired the remaining stake previously held by CJ Group and was later removed from NTV7’s schedule during the DidikTV transition.
Controversies
2000
“Bangsa Asing” remark on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
During the Malay edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? on 8 June 2000, host Jalaluddin Hassan referred to a Malaysian Chinese contestant as “bangsa asing,” or “foreigner,” after the contestant answered a question about a Malay film. The remark prompted viewer criticism and letters to the New Straits Times. NTV7 chief executive Shazalli Ramly later apologized to viewers in a statement dated 19 June.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Modern Malaysia / Feel It
Malaysia
Media Prima repositioned NTV7 as a contemporary channel under the Modern Malaysia concept, accompanied by the slogan “Feel It” and a stronger English-Malay programming mix.
Outcome. The change generated viewer confusion, particularly among Chinese-speaking audiences, and was followed by further schedule and content restructuring.
- 1998Feel Good with NTV7
Malaysia
The launch-era identity presented NTV7 as a positive, accessible and enlightening Malaysian channel. Its association with James Brown’s “I Feel Good” became a recurring part of the station’s presentation.
Outcome. The slogan and music helped establish the channel’s early brand recognition.
Brand decisions
2021
Convert NTV7 into DidikTV KPMGeneration changeBackground
Malaysia’s Ministry of Education and Media Prima sought a dedicated television outlet for curriculum-linked educational programming.
Action taken
From 17 February, NTV7 was used as the DidikTV KPM service, broadcasting educational material based on the SPM curriculum and co-curricular subjects.
Aftermath
The former entertainment schedule was largely replaced, while Media Prima stated that ownership of the underlying channel remained unchanged.
2018
Reposition NTV7 as Modern MalaysiaStrategyBackground
Media Prima attempted to clarify the roles of its television channels by moving much of its Chinese entertainment offering to 8TV.
Action taken
NTV7 introduced a new identity, slogan and programming line-up focused more heavily on English and Malay content.
Aftermath
Audience confusion and weaker Chinese viewership contributed to a subsequent partial reversal and additional restructuring.
2016
Introduce CJ WOW Shop home-shopping blockStrategyBackground
Media Prima sought to add commerce-oriented programming across its television channels.
Action taken
A teleshopping block acquired by CJ Group’s media subsidiary began occupying substantial daytime airtime on NTV7 and other Media Prima stations.
Aftermath
The schedule change attracted public criticism because it displaced reruns, religious programmes and children’s content.
2005
Media Prima acquisitionM&ABackground
NTV7 was an established private television station with national reach and a recognizable multilingual audience.
Action taken
Media Prima acquired Natseven TV Sdn Bhd and brought NTV7 into its television network portfolio.
Aftermath
NTV7 operated alongside TV3, 8TV and TV9 and subsequently used Media Prima’s shared facilities and digital platforms.
Acquisition price. RM90 million (October 2005)
2004
Make motorsports a key revenue focusStrategyBackground
NTV7 restructured its business at a time when broadcasters were seeking stronger commercial programming properties.
Action taken
The channel identified motorsports events as a major revenue-generating area.
Aftermath
The strategy became part of NTV7’s commercial positioning before its acquisition by Media Prima.
Sources1 sources
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