Forever Group

Forever Group
IndustryBroadcasting
Founded1996; 28 years ago (1996)
FounderWin Maw
Headquarters,
Area served
Myanmar
Key people
Win Maw
Thein Tun Aung
ProductsMRTV-4, Channel 7, MMDC, Mandalay FM, and Pyone Play
WebsiteForever Group on Facebook

Forever Group is a Burmese private media broadcasting company, with headquarters in Yangon, Myanmar.[1] Forever Group is known for its close ties to the Burmese military.[2]

History

Forever Group was founded in 1996 in Myanmar by Win Maw, a former sailor who established the company to import and distribute computer and computer components.[1][3] In 2004, it launched a national free-to-air television channel, MRTV-4, as a joint venture with Myanmar's Ministry of Information and state-owned Myanmar Radio and Television.[3] The joint venture was intended to become a pro-military outlet to counter local and foreign independent media.[1] In 2008, it launched Mandalay FM, a radio station.[2]

In 2016, it partnered with Thaicom to boost HDTV coverage on a Thai satellite.[3] In 2018, French-owned CANAL+ and Forever Group launched Canal+ (Myanmar) in the Burmese market.[4] In 2019, Forever Group produced Dancing with the Stars Myanmar, which premiered in October 2019.[5] In the aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, Forever Group has organized a media propaganda campaign to counter anti-coup sentiment in the country.[1]

Leadership

Forever Group is led by Win Maw, and his deputy Thein Tun Aung, a graduate of the 22nd intake of the Defence Services Academy.[1]

Subsidiaries

Forever Group owns several national television channels, radio stations, and streaming services, including MRTV-4, Channel 7, MMDC, Canal+ (Myanmar), Mandalay FM, and Pyone Play.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Mike (2022-12-15). "Notorious Crony Organizing Myanmar Junta Propaganda Campaigns". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  2. ^ a b Solomon and Than Htike Oo (2008-03-20). "Junta Approves FM Station For Mandalay". The Mizzima News.
  3. ^ a b c "Forever Group signs new deal with Thaicom satellite". Mizzima Myanmar News and Insight. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  4. ^ "CANAL+ launches pay TV in Myanmar with Forever Group". Digital TV News. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  5. ^ "'Dancing with the Stars' waltzes to Myanmar". Television Business International. 2019-04-25.