1875
Alexander Graham Bell discovers (accidentally) how to transmit the human voice electrically, bringing humanity one step closer to the age of radio as we know it.
1830
Samuel Morse sends messages along hundreds of test wires using a series of batteries and coils to produce sound dots and dashes.
1892
Nat Stubblefield works out how to transmit the human voice through the air through inductive fields.
1896
Nikola Tesla invents coils to be used for radio waves and conducts radio wave experiments.
1901
Gugliemo Marconi, father of radio, broadcasts three bursts of sound from Wales to Newfoundland – the three dots of the Morse code for “S”.
1902
Nat Stubbefield broadcasts the sound of his own voice and it is picked up on a receiver a mile away.
1921
An electrical engineer with the Johor government, A.L. Birch, brings the first radio set into the country. He forms the Johore Wireless Society and commences broadcasting on the 300 meter frequency. The Malaysian Wireless Society is set up in Penang.
1930
Lord Earl from the Singapore Port council begins short wave frequency broadcasts twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays. The Malaysian Wireless Society begins broadcasting three times a week from Bukit Petaling in Kuala Lumpur.
1934
The Penang Wireless Society’s station ZHJ begins broadcasts in Bahasa Melayu, Chinese, Tamil and English.
1937
Sir Shenton Thomas opens the British Malaya Broadcasting station and transmitter in Caldecott Hill, Singapore.
1940
The British Malaya Broadcasting Authority is taken over by the Straits Settlements government and made part of the British Information Ministry. It is known as the Malaysian Broadcasting Authority.
1942-1945
World War II. The Japanese take control of all radio stations to transmit propaganda.
1 April 1946
RTM starts broadcasting radio on 1 April 1946. The first two radio stations are Radio Malaya (Malay) and The Blue Network (English), located first in Singapore and later moving to Kuala Lumpur in 1950.
1960
Commercial advertisements are allowed on radio, ushering in a new era and a new source of income for the government.
16 September 1963
Radio Malaya is officially renamed Radio Malaysia, with transmissions beginning with its trademark words ‘Inilah Radio Malaysia’ (This is Radio Malaysia) on Malaysia Day.
1964
SRM reports that radio’s reach is approximately 40% of the entire Peninsular population.
1971
Radio Malaysia becomes the first radio station to broadcast 24 hours a day, nationwide, thus becoming Rangkaian Nasional (National Network) in the process.
1973
Radio Ibu Kota is launched to commemorate the declaration of KL as a Federal Territory.
1975
The FM Stereo network begins operations, introducing stereo broadcast to Malaysia. Radio Muzik is launched on 20 June, combining entertainment and information.
1976-1988
Several regional broadcast channels are launched.
1989
The industry witnesses the launch of the first private radio station – Suara Johor or Best 104, covering the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia.
1992
Radio Malaysia switches its transmission signal from AM to FM.
1994
FM Stereo becomes Radio Muzik and broadcasts 24 hours (12 hours in Bahasa Malaysia and 12 hours in English) from Angkasapuri, Kuala Lumpur.
Time Highway Radio, the first private commercial radio station, is launched in Central Peninsular Malaysia.
1996
Private cable radio operator Rediffusion Bhd, is licensed to launch its new radio station. Cats Radio (Sarawak) is also launched with a trilingual broadcast.
1997
AMP Radio Network (Airtime Management & Programming) launches its first network, Hitz FM, followed by Mix FM, Light & Easy FM, Classic Rock and Talk Radio (Malaysia’s first talk and news format station).
Rediffusion Bhd launches its second network, REDI-FM.
The Pro-tem Committee of the Malaysian Association of Commercial Radio Operators (MACRO) is established with Tuan Haji Abdul Majid Kayat (Suara Johor) as chair.
1998
AMP Radio launches MY FM and Era FM to replace Classic Rock and Talk Radio.
MACRO is registered on May 26, and has its first AGM on July 20th. Encik Mohd Ali Ismail is the first council president; its first AGM is held in July the same year. Its founding members include Suara Johor; Radio Rediffusion; Radio Lebuhraya, CATS Radio; Measat Radio Communications; Maestra Broadcast and Natseven Radio.
1999
Radio Manis Networks is introduced as a regional radio station in Kota Bharu.
2001
July 6, Radio Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIMfm) was launched by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed. It operates via 12 transmitters that cover all over Malaysia and serves 24 hours a day.
2004
AMP Radio Networks is appointed by Perfect Excellence Waves Sdn Bhd (PEW) to manage Sinar FM.
Xfresh is launched.
2005
AMP acquires Radio Lebuhraya Sdn Bhd, known as THR.
Media Prima Berhad operates and manages FLY FM from Malaysian Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd starting April 29.
Synchrosound Studio Sdn Bhd, the license owner of Hot FM, is acquired by Media Prima Berhad on 30 December.
2006
Radio Wanita Bhd is launched, broadcasting in Malay.
2007
MACRO is renamed Commercial Radio Malaysia (CRM). Dato’ Borhanuddin Osman from Measat Radio Communications is elected as the first President. The association stands 16 members strong.
Bernama Radio24, by the Malaysian National News agency Bernama, launches on September 3rd. It is Malaysia’s first bilingual news and talk radio station in Malaysia, broadcasting in both English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Suria FM, a new Bahasa Malaysia station operated by Rimakmur Sdn Bhd, launches in December.
The first Radio Fest Conference is held at One World Hotel (Petaling Jaya), with the theme Power Airwaves.
2008
Xfresh becomes XFM.
BFM Media Sdn Bhd launches its Business Radio on 89.9 FM.
Capital Radio makes its debut in February.
2009
Media Prima Radio Network buys Radio Wanita and rebrands it as One FM. Salam FM (Islamic) is launched by Jakim.
Malaysia becomes the first Asian country to celebrate an official National Radio Day, and the third worldwide after Russia and Holland.
A two-day Radio Fest (Carnival) is held in November.
CRM membership expands to 19 stations.
2010
AMP expands operations to establish localized Hitz, MY FM and ERA transmissions for Kota Kinabalu & Kuching.
Radio Boot Camp makes its debut in September at Port Dickson. The event is aimed at introducing fresh marketing methods and ideas by using radio as a tool to link brands with their desired market segments.
The CRM Radio Fest is also staged in November at Plaza Angsana (Johor Bahru).
2011
Star Publications acquires Capital Radio.
The first Planet Radio is held at UNIMAS in October to educate students on the radio industry and promote career opportunities, with the theme Creativity Behind the Box.
2012
AMP Radio Network rebrands, becoming Astro Radio. XFM changes to Melody FM.
Radio Boot Camp is held at Eastin Hotel (Kuala Lumpur) in September, with the theme Bringing Creative Excellence to KL.
2013
Copyright Laureate launches 2 radio stations – Ultra and Pi Mai.
AMP expands localized transmissions to Miri and Sandakan.
Planet Radio comes to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in March, with the theme Beyond the Airwaves.
2014
iM4U fm launches on 9th September to promote volunteerism amongst Malaysian youth.
Best104 makes major changes in its content and target groups and rebrands, now known as BESTFM.
2015
Malaysia hosts a total of 24 private radio stations, and 34 more government-owned radio stations operating under Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).
Astro Radio launches Raku as a single digital delivery platform for 9 FM channels and other international radio stations to help extend listenership in areas not covered by traditional radio transmission.
Media Prima Radio Network acquires 2 radio stations – Ultra and Pi Mai.
CRM membership grows to a total of 22 stations: 15 national and 7 regional stations. The CRM website is launched by president Kudsia Kahar on 22 May at the AGM.
2016
Kupikupifm goes on air on 20 January.
Cense Media is officially launched on 28 January.
Media Prima acquires Copyright Laureate Sdn Bhd. Pi Mai FM and Ultra FM cease operations to be rebranded as a single radio station, Kool FM, effective March 1.
2017
CITYPlus FM begins airing in May.
(Source: Media Planning Guide 2015/ Information by Radio Operators)