AHMAD IZHAM OMAR BECOMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF 8TV

AHMAD IZHAM OMAR BECOMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF 8TV
Move Underlines Media Prima’s Focus On New Media


24th February 2010 – It was recently announced that Ahmad Izham Omar will take on the role of Executive Director of Metropolitan TV Sdn Bhd, otherwise known as 8TV. This will take effect on the 1st of March 2010.

As Executive Director, Izham will stay involved in the strategic initiatives of the vibrant young TV station but will leave the day-to-day operations of 8TV to General Manager Lam Swee Kim.

Izham will now be able to devote even more time on Alt Media, a Media Prima subsidiary that is leading the media conglomerate’s foray into the new media and digital space. Izham has been CEO of Alt Media since January 2009.

“I am excited with these new changes. I know the young, energetic and creative team at 8TV will take the wonderful station to great new heights,” said Izham, who launched 8TV in 2004. “In fact, in this transition period, 8TV’s audience share and ratings have just reached an all-time record high. This is credit to the strong team in 8TV.”

“I am also very excited at being able to concentrate on formulating strategic directions for Media Prima in the new and unchartered digital world,” he continued. “Digital will soon be an essential fabric in all of our lives and we need to not just be ready, but to shine brilliantly in this new world.”

Through Alt Media, all the four TV stations of Media Prima, namely TV3, ntv7, 8TV and TV9 has had unprecedented success in the digital world. The four portals provide ‘Catch-Up TV’, a service that allows viewers to view TV shows online at anytime they want. Catch-up TV has changed the way Malaysians view content, delivering up to 30 million video views a month.

“We have also put TV3, 8TV and our lifestyle portal Gua, on mobile,” said Izham. “You can watch your favourite TV shows anywhere and anytime on your handphone. In a few months we will also have ntv7 and TV9 on mobile as well.”

Even though kept busy as CEO of Alt Media and soon-to-be Executive Director of 8TV, Izham still maintains his role as Head Of Radio of Media Prima Radio Networks, which owns the radio stations Hot FM (Malaysia’s no.1 radio station), Fly FM and One FM. Seelan Paul, Chief Operating Officer of Media Prima Radio Networks, oversees the operations of the three radio stations and reports to Ahmad Izham.