Aside from eating and shopping, one of Malaysians’ preferred leisure activities is watching the latest TV shows and films. According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) Internet Users Survey 2020, over 87% of internet users in Malaysia stream movies and watch online TV as their preferred online leisure activity.
Gempak and Kepala Bergetar are also involved in organizing events and exhibitions related to comics, animation, and other entertainment content. It has a strong presence in the Malaysian entertainment industry and is a major contributor to the local creative economy.
This has led to the rise in streaming sites in Malaysia, where we are now spoilt for choices on where to watch our favorite shows and movies. Here is Top Malaysian Drama Online Streaming Platforms In Malaysia
However, not all streaming platforms are created equal, which means you have to choose which one best caters to you and your entertainment needs.
| Amazon Prime TV | Requires an Amazon Prime account, but also comes with benefits like expedited shipping (for certain territories) and Twitch Prime. |
| Apple TV+ | Apple has thrown a lot of money at getting into the content streaming business. It has engaged a number of popular directors and studios to create original content. |
| Kepala Bergetar | This homegrown streaming service was established as Malaysia’s own answer to Netflix. It features a substantial number of shows from both local and international studios, and has even managed to secure partnerships for original content. |
| Netflix | The pioneer in online content subscription services, Netflix provides the most polished experience simply by virtue of having the most time to work on the interface. This service has also been pushing for a greater amount of local content, adding many local movies to its lineup. |
| Tubi TV | This is an exclusively advertising supported online streaming service. The main benefit is that you do not need an account to watch videos, although it specialises in low budget B-movies. |
| Viu | Hong Kong based Viu specialises in streaming Asian content. For the most part, it focuses on Korean series and movies. |
| Disney+ Hotstar | The highly anticipated Disney+ streaming service is finally here, courtesy of India’s Disney Star Group. It brings with it a plethora of highly anticipated Disney films, including that of the popular MCU film series. It also includes many other new, trending, and local films and TV series. |
| iQIYI | iQIYi is an on-demand video streaming service that offers a range of pan-Asian entertainment to international viewers. It has a vast selection of Asian and locally produced entertainment and has English, Malay, and Chinese subtitles available. |
However, with so many choices, which platform caters best to your entertainment needs? Here are a few factors that will help you decide:
Malaysians are rather price sensitive, so this is likely the first thing that will be on everyone’s minds. While a cheaper service might not be the best choice, it certainly influences our decision making.
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One thing to note is that many streaming services like myasiantv, dramacool have also adopted a system that allows users to watch some content for free in exchange for being shown advertisements; similar to how normal television channels operate.
| Subscription fee | Free content | |
| Amazon Prime Video | $8.99/month (charged in USD) Comes free with Amazon Prime (worth $14.99/month) | 1 month free trial |
| Apple TV+ | RM19.90/month | Get three months of Apple TV+ free when you buy a new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV or Mac |
| Kepala Bergetar | Free | Free with advertisements |
| Netflix | Mobile only RM17/month Basic RM35/month Standard RM45/month Premium RM55/month | – |
| Tubi TV | – | Free with advertisements |
| Viu | RM7.90/month | Free with advertisements |
| Disney+ Hotstar | RM54.90 for 3 months (RM18.30 per month) | – |
| iQIYI | Standard – RM11.90/month Premium – RM17.90/month | Limited selection of free shows |
It should be noted that while some of these services offer free videos, certain movies and tv shows will be locked away behind a VIP subscription paywall.
Additionally, Amazon Prime Video charges you in US dollars. Meaning that how much you are actually paying each month could fluctuate according to the exchange rate. It won’t vary all that much unless there’s a dramatic change, but it could be something to keep in mind if you have a strict budget.
Gempak is a popular Malaysian entertainment and media company that produces a wide range of content, including comics, TV shows, movies, and digital content. It is known for its focus on local content and has a strong following among Malaysia viewers.
Gempak has a diverse portfolio of brands, including Gempak Starz, Gempak TV, Gempak Movie, and Gempak Digital. Gempak Starz is the company’s comic publishing arm, with popular titles such as “BoBoiBoy”, “Ejen Ali”, and “Bakuman”. Gempak TV and Gempak Movie produce and distribute local TV dramas and movies, while Gempak Digital provides a range of digital content, including mobile games and apps.
