Myanmar Radio National Service (; formerly, Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS)) is the national radio service of Myanmar. It has its broadcasting headquarters in both the administrative capital of Naypyidaw and Yangon, Myanmar's largest city. The service runs Myanmar Radio, Myanmar Radio Minorities Service, Myanmar Radio International and Myanmar Radio 2nd Programme (Tha Pyay Radio). Like all legally operating radio stations in Myanmar, such as Yangon City FM and Mandalay City FM, Myanmar Radio is under state management.
MRNS, alongside all other state-controlled media, has been the mouthpiece of successive Burmese governments. However, due to a recent revamp in giving greater air time to music and pop topics, the state-affiliated radio services are, despite their affiliation with the government, popular with the populace. However, in terms of audience for news programmes, MRNS is the least popular (and perceived as being the least credible). Most Burmese listen to foreign-based, pro-opposition radio services.
History Radio service in Myanmar first came on air in 1936 during the British colonial era. Regular programming by Bama Athan (; "Voice of Burma") began in 1946 when the British established Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS), carrying Burmese language national and foreign news and musical entertainment, knowledge reply and school lessons and English language news and music programming. After independence in 1948, it was named Myanma Athan (; also meaning Voice of Burma, but with the more formal term "Myanmar").
The service was renamed Myanmar Radio by the military government which came to power in 1988. The radio service's parent, the Burmese Broadcasting Service was also renamed as Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) in 1997.
Until the launch of Yangon City FM in 2001, BBS/Myanmar Radio was the only radio station in the country. For years, its main broadcast center is at 426 Pyay Road in Kamayut in Yangon. Since late 2007, the main broadcast station has moved to Naypyidaw. Yangon Station now mostly relays Naypyidaw Station's programming.
Broadcast service Since the first high frequency (HF) installations back in the 1950s, the service's HF transmitter capacity has not had a major upgrade. However, there have been some minor frequency adjustments, with 4725 replacing the former 4795 and 5040, 7185 replacing 7125 and 7120, and 9730 replacing 9725 and 6035.
Station Frequency Wavelength Location Notes Myanmar Radio National Service 594 kHz 505 meters Naypyidaw (MW SW Transmitter Site, Tatkon) 2300–1630 Myanmar Radio National Service 576 kHz, 5985 KHz 9730 KHz 520 meters 50.13 meters 30.85 meters Yangon (Yay Kuu) 2300v-2400v, 2300–1630. Carries separate program 0030–0230, and at other times relays 594 kHz. Myanmar Radio National Service 87.6 MHz - Yangon (Kamayout) 2300–1630 Myanmar Radio 2nd Programme (Tha Pyay Radio) 711 kHz 422 meters Naypyidaw (MW SW Transmitter Site, Tatkon) 0030–1430 Myanmar Radio 2nd Programme (Tha Pyay Radio) 99.6 MHz - Yangon (Kamayout) 0030–1430 Myanmar Radio International 94.6 MHz - Yangon (Kamayout) 0030–1630 Myanmar Radio Minorities Service (Upper Tineyinthar) 5915 kHz 51 meters Naypyidaw (MW SW Transmitter Site, Tatkon) 2330-0530 (Morning) 0630-1400 (Evening) Myanmar Radio Minorities Service (Lower Tineyinthar) 729 KHz 4725 kHz 411 meters 63 meters Yangon (Yay Kuu) 2330-0530 (Morning) 0630-1230 (Evening) Myanmar Radio Distance Learning 729 KHz 4725 kHz 411 meters 63 meters Yangon (Yay Kuu) 1230-1330/1530v
Relay Station Service Frequency Power Transmitter location Myanmar Radio National Service FM 94.9 MHz 2 kW Naypyidaw and Pyinmana. Myanmar Radio National Service FM 89.2 MHz 2 kW MRTV Headquarters, Tatkon. Myanmar Radio National Service FM 87.6 MHz 2 kW Yangon Myanmar Radio National Service FM 94.6 MHz 2 kW Sagaing and Mandalay Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.0 MHz 2 kW Miytkyina Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.0 MHz 2 kW Bhamo Myanmar Radio National Service FM 89.2 MHz 2 kW Homalin Myanmar Radio National Service FM 89.5 MHz 2 kW Ken Balu Myanmar Radio National Service FM 90.4 MHz 2 kW Falam and Kalay Myanmar Radio National Service FM 89.8 MHz 1 kW Monywa Myanmar Radio National Service FM 94.6 MHz 2 kW Sagaing and Mandalay Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.3 MHz 1 kW Pyin Oo Lwin Myanmar Radio National Service FM 94.3 MHz 2 kW Popa Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.0 MHz 2 kW Meiktila Myanmar Radio National Service FM 89.8 MHz 2 kW Sittwe Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.9 MHz 2 kW Taunggyi Myanmar Radio National Service FM 91.3 MHz 2 kW Lahio Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.3 MHz 2 kW Keng Tung Myanmar Radio National Service FM 92.5 MHz 2 kW Minbu and Magwe Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.3 MHz 2 kW Taungdwingyi Myanmar Radio National Service FM 89.5 MHz 2 kW Pakokku Myanmar Radio National Service FM 92.5 MHz 2 kW Pathein Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.3 MHz 2 kW Kyaunggon Myanmar Radio National Service FM 89.5 MHz 2 kW Hinthada Myanmar Radio National Service FM 92.5 MHz 2 kW Bago Myanmar Radio National Service FM 91.0 MHz 2 kW Taungoo Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.3 MHz 2 kW Pyay Myanmar Radio National Service FM 89.2 MHz 2 kW Hpa an Myanmar Radio National Service FM 89.0 MHz 2 kW Myawady Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.3 MHz 2 kW Belin Myanmar Radio National Service FM 91.3 MHz 2 kW Maylamyine Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.3 MHz 1 kW Dawei Myanmar Radio National Service FM 92.2 MHz 2 kW Myeik Myanmar Radio National Service FM 88.0 MHz 1 kW Kawthaung Myanmar Radio International FM 101.7 MHz 2 kW Naypyidaw and Pyinmana Myanmar Radio International FM 99.0 MHz 2 kW Sagaing and Mandalay
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