If there was one thing I really missed from the UK it was the quality of radio broadcasts, yah we have shitty format radio in UK too (Capital, Virgin etc) but we have the pure win that is BBC Radio 1 – that was pretty much the only station I listened to. They had awesome hosts an amazing variety of musical genres and it was just generally interesting, although I can happily live the rest of my live without having to listen to Tim Westwood again.
Most of the time I actually couldn’t stand to listen to Malaysian radio, Lite is ok now and then but the music was a little too gentle and lulled me to sleep. Mix is moderately better than Hitz but still plays trash pop on repeat all day long.
I resorted to ignoring the radio and listening exclusively to CDs in the car.
And then I discovered BFM! I actually love BFM, this paragraph from their about page perfectly sums up the situation for me:
But format radio, really now in its 14th year, has taken a toll on the quality of the radio conversation. Radio DJs commonly talk down to their audience and breakfast show topics are reduced to trivial, inconsequential topics. Even music programming retreats to the lowest common denominator of mass market music. Many mature listeners wish for the return of quality conversation and discerning music.
And this is where BFM steps in.
This is bang on for me, I don’t want the slapstick, the stupid gotchas or whatever, I want to hear good music and intelligent conversation and this is what BFM delivers and they deliver it consistently. They play a fantastic selection of music from the 60’s all the way to current (non-pop) tracks.
The interviews are interesting and the people they talk to are relevant and the hosts don’t have stupid fake American accents. They discuss some hard hitting topics and they don’t hold back on the questions.
They also have some interesting niche segments like the tech segment with Matt Armitage, the book section with Umapagan and the new movie section.
They also have some football coverage which is pretty entertaining – sorta like a bunch of chaps in a pub discussing what’s going on in the premiere league.
Honestly in my car there is only 1 station in the memory on my stereo and that’s BFM! If you don’t listen to it, you should retain whatever brain cells you have left (format radio turns your grey matter into mush) and tune in.
I also love the way they embraced social media with their podcasts, live stream and the use of Twitter – they really interact with their followers. You can follow them on Twitter here: @BFMRadio and their Facebook page is here – BFMRadio
Of course I find it awesome they had me on too back in August last year, you can listen to my interview here:
You can tune into BFM at 89.9 on your FM dial or listen online here – https://live.bfm.my/
They are launching a new site soon and will have a new cross platform live stream (the current one uses Windows Media Player), a mobile version of the site and much more. So look out for that soon.
Rock on BFM!
Coincidentally Eyeris also wrote about the same thing today 😀
BFM ROCKS MY SOCKS, YAY! I <3 BFM
Yeah BFM is totally awesome! Other than BFM, then I would listen to my iPod instead.
BEST FREQUENCY MOTHERFUCKERS! I used to only listen to my iPod in the car, but with BFM I don’t have to anymore! YAY!
Penetration tester. What do you “penetrate” lol?
happy 2nd birthday BFM!!! i <3 u
That was a great interview. 🙂
best radio station evvaaaa, don’t let my colleagues know there’s live streaming else our network daiiii
Never heard of BFM… maybe i should tune my radio to BFM. Im a Malaysian who is Lost in Malaysia… malu lah.
Couldn’t agree more with you on this. However, i’ll be fair to say that having a more matured discussion live on the radio is strictly frowned upon by Malaysian govt. A radio station will still prefer to do the ‘trash’ broadcasting unless they want to lose their license to operate. Just have to accept it as it is. BFM is alright so long as they stick to ‘safe’ topics which there are plenty out there anyway.
hmm… shaolintiger speaks like a Malaysian… hmm…
suanie: Best station EVAR!
Mark: Hehe yah same here.
eyeris: Yah finally some decent radio to pass the time in jams.
lightyoruichi: Bend over and I’ll show you 0_o
Marvin: Thanks dude!
AnthonyKong: Yah check it out see if you like it.
kl_boy: Yah but the regulations don’t mean they need to talk down to listeners, do stupid slapstick skits and play inane pop music.
ngan: Indeed I do!
The best radio in Malaysia without doubt, and they do play some really good music, nothing like listening to Floyd and Black Sabbath on a car trip to Taiping!
kaminski: Yup, loving the rock music they play.