Asia Pacific Quarterly: Daily Luk-thung Country, Weekly Hip-hop And Monthly Themes

Philippine funk and hip-hop act Kulay, which saw its single "Delicious" released in the U.K. last year, has scored another coup with its own weekly television program. "Vibestation TV," named for Kulay's current album on Sony, is a 30-minute program that airs every Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on Channel 5. The fast-paced show features interviews with Philippine musicians, film personalities and others. According to Annie Alejo, media manager of Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, several artists signed to the label have appeared on the program, including popular metal outfit Wolfgang, hard rockers Razorback and rap artist Chill. "Many variety shows don't feature interviews with music artists, so this is a good opportunity," says Alejo. "Kulay interviews bands from other labels, too, not just Sony. [Kulay group leader] Boom Dayupay has direct access to us, and we're very happy to supply whatever they need, including videos and electronic press kits."

Korean domestic cable music-TV channels m.net and KMTV each recently introduced new theme-oriented programming. Broadcasting on Channel 27, m.net airs a day of special theme programming on the 27th of each month. During October, for example, the theme was "Students," since South Korea's national college entrance exams take place in November. The day's programming comprised video clips interspersed with useful tips concerning the exams and interviews with students. In November, the theme was "Lovers." The video outlet says the programming strategy has proven successful. Meanwhile, cable music channel KMTV has launched a program titled "Let's Go High Five," featuring music videos grouped together according to different themes. Mondays are devoted to long versions of video clips, while other days are given over to classic clips, new artists and requests.

Channel V relaunched its one-hour alternative-music program, "U-Rock," in January for its Chinese broadcasts. The program on the Asian music-video channel features non-stop music videos from both foreign and local artists and has no VJs. Jesse Day, northern-beam program manager for Channel V, says that this program will provide a forum for music acts that would not normally be broadcast on the station. "Alternative has always been a big part of the Channel V culture," says Day, "but, over the past year, the listening habits of the Taiwanese people have definitely expanded. The music market is very diverse right now."

One of Thailand's bright spots in the radio market, Luk Thung FM (FM 95.5), has been hit by falling advertising. Launched in August 1997, at the beginning of the Asian economic crisis, the 24-hour station (the first FM station devoted entirely to luk thung) has ridden a wave of revival popularity for the domestic country-music styles of luk thung, mor lam and kantrum. Often looked down on by Bangkok's smart
middle-class as music for country bumpkins, luk thung music is now as popular as it was during the golden years of the 1970s. Wittaya Suphapon, VP of Luk Thung Co. Ltd. and the man behind the station, says the outlet has been successful because it has "targeted a niche market that wasn't being served by an FM station." He adds that listeners who are tired of formulaic programs of Thai or Western hits have been drawn to Luk Thung by its knowledgeable DJs, star singers who act as guest DJs and live programming. The station has replaced FM 100, a phone-in station for traffic conditions, as Bangkok's most popular station. And A.C. Nielson/ Deemar, a media-analysis company, rated Luk Thung FM as the most popular station for 1998. Despite the advertising downturn, Wittaya says he has no fears for his station's future because "luk thung remains very close to the heart of Thai culture."

A more upbeat presentation is credited with boosting the listenership of Chinese station Redi FM in Malaysia over the past year. The station's audience has passed the 1 million mark, according to A.C. Nielson. Wong Lai Ngo, head of programming for Redi FM, reasons that this is due to "a younger, more versatile presentation. We don't lecture the audience‹we entertain them," he says. The station plays both Cantonese and Mandarin repertoire.

When Hello Singapore FM 96.3 launched last September, it gave new exposure to Japanese pop in the market. The new channel, which is a collaboration between Radio Corporation of Singapore (RCS) and two Japanese media companies, Comm and Newsnet Asia, is an attempt by RCS to provide multilingual programs. But, while German and French pop also are featured, the bulk of the airtime is devoted to Japanese fare, as the station is aiming at the 25,000 Japanese living here. In fact, FM 96.3 is the first Japanese channel in Southeast Asia. Says Anthony Chia, CEO of RCS, "We hope that FM 96.3 will contribute toward making Singapore an attractive city for foreign nationals to live in." The station transmits daily from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. and is available in parts of Malaysia and Indonesia that are closest to Singapore.n