Media Prima Labs and Harian Metro launch MetroTV app

Harian Metro (HM) along with Media Prima Labs (MPLabs), the in-house incubator under Media Prima Digital (MPD) has launched MetroTV app. The app will feature daily videos in news and entertainment format. This will include exclusive video content in a variety of topics covering human interest, crime, sports, semi-documentary and politics.MPLabs said in a statement MetroTV is offering OTT (over-the-top) and VOD (video-on-demand) contents in order to catch up with the latest technology, culture, and digital ecosystem in Malaysia.It claims to be the only video app that hosts the "Live Telecast" function, "in which users of MetroTV will be able to watch live news coverage and interesting daily entertainment shows."In order to boost readers of Harian Metro, MetroTV will soon update its UGC (user generated content) that will allow users to send videos through the app. A+M understands that MPLabs employees are still working on the platform and it is predicted to be ready after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, said MPLabs.Group editor of Harian Metro, Mustapa Omar said the launch of MetroTV is an initiative to sustain the status of Harian Metro on its popularity among readers in Malaysia: "MetroTV is our new venture as a way of appreciating our loyal readers who never stopped supporting Harian Metro since 25 March 1991.”He added the integration of the latest technology is important in this current climate for media practitioners. As such MetroTV will be able measure the synergy between new media and traditional media.Meanwhile, Rafiq Razali, chief executive officer of Media Prima Digital said, “We want to continue producing user friendly apps and games for the 3 million users out there and MetroTV is definitely one of that.”“Community today seeks for something more interactive specifically in getting the latest news and information and MetroTV comes in just in time. We are happy to be given a chance to develop the MetroTV app. This in a way to strengthen our presence in the digital world,” added Razali.On another note, Harian Metro and MPLabs are in the midst of building the technology that will allow users to watch the daily life of a journalist called "JAW" or "Journalist At Work".