TVRI

Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI) is a state-owned, public broadcasting television network and the oldest television entity in Indonesia. It is based in Senayan, South Jakarta.

TVRI monopolised television broadcasting in Indonesia until 24 August 1989, when the first commercial television station RCTI went on the air.

In 1961, the Indonesian government decided to include the establishment of a national television station as part of the preparations for the 1962 Asian Games to be held in Jakarta. Later that year, the Television Preparation Committee was formed. In October, President Sukarno ordered the building of a studio in Senayan, Jakarta and two television towers. TVRI broadcast its first test transmission, of the Indonesian Independence Day celebrations from the Merdeka Palace transmission on 17 August 1962. TVRI went on the air on the day of the 1962 Asian Games opening ceremony, 24 August 1962. Two years later, the first regional broadcast stations opened in Yogyakarta, Semarang, Medan, Surabaya, Makassar, Manado, Batam, Palembang, Bali and Balikpapan. Earlier in 1963, the TVRI Foundation was formally created as the official governing authority for the channel.

In 1974 TVRI became part of the Information Ministry, with the status of a directorate. Its role was to inform the public about government policies. After two years, it began to be broadcast all over Indonesia via satellite.