MRTV (TV network)

MRTV is a television network owned by Myanmar Radio and Television. It was launched on 3 June 1980 and is the first television network in Myanmar.

History
Television service in Myanmar was first introduced in June 1979 as a test trial in Yangon following an agreement between Japan's Matsushita Electric and Burma's Heavy Industries Corp. for the production of television sets. MRTV (at the time Burma Television) was first launched on 3 June 1980, from Yangon on VHF channel 6, using a 10 KW transmitter broadcasting to a 70km radius, with broadcasts in colour (some sources erroneously say that MRTV started as a monochrome service ) beginning on 1 November. Regular television service was formally launched in 1981 using the NTSC standard. The station was built with assistance from the Japanese government and had plans to extend its signal nationwide by the end of the decade. The service was also available in Mandalay from the beginning.

Burma Television started accepting commercial advertising in 1988. That same year, it reached 53,95% of the national population, rising to 82,45% after 1990. Until the founding of Myawaddy Television by the Ministry of Defense in 1995, it was the only television channel in the country.

In 2005, MRTV had 195 television relay stations throughout the country.

In October 2013, MRTV started broadcasting on digital terrestrial with DVB-T2 System, same as most ASEAN Countries. 18 TV channels and 5 Myanmar Radio channels are on MRTV multiplex system. MRTV plans the news interface, to the modern style of starting sequences and will have well-decorated news room. The broadcasting hours also increased to 18 hours (previously 10 hours). On February 15, 2015, MRTV adding 5 new TV channels to their Multplex Play Out system, such as MRTV-4, Channel 7, 5 Plus, MNTV and Channel 9.

On March 24, 2018, MRTV added 5 new TV channels to their Multiplex Play out System, such as Mizzima TV, DVB TV, Channel K, YTV and Fortune TV.

On January 16, 2024, MRTV updated its in-house channels and free-to-air channels into High Definition (HD) and added 5 new TV channel to their MRTV DTH System, such as Mahar HD, Mahar Esports HD, New Image Channel HD, Readers Channel and Maharbawdi Channel.

Programming
Program's broadcast on Main MRTV HD channel.

Digital terrestrial television
Note: Relay Stations List on above, include only 34 Main Transmitter Site. there are over 150 relay stations across the country. that serves for the many other small towns and rural areas. Only Yangon transmitter site broadcast 24 hours. other relay stations usually shutdown their transmitter at 12am (Midnight) to save budget. MRTV MUX 2 only available from Naypyitaw, Yangon & Mandalay transmitter sites.

Satellite television
In order to counter illegal satellite television channels, MRTV launch its own Free to View Direct to Home service called MRTV DTH on February 1, 2022. It offers 19 TV channels, using Intelsat 39 62°E and Thaicom 8 78.5°E. Which is some of the beams on those satellite are ranted by Government of Myanmar. All Channels from MRTV DTH system from both satellite are available for free of charge. However, most of the General Entertainment Channels may used Encryption/Scrambled system to prevent broadcast over spell.