Kuching prepares to host Asia’s best in television at ATA 2019
KUCHING: Malaysia will host the Asian Television Awards (ATA) for the first time.
The 23rd ATA, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports of Sarawak, will be taking place at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from Jan 11 to 13 next year.
In conjunction with the awards show, the Sarawak government will stage a public concert on Jan 13 at the same venue.
The event draws hundreds of entries every year from a wide range of broadcasters including free-to-air television stations, play-TV platforms, digital streaming services as well as independent production houses all across Asia.
According to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, it would be the first internationally-telecast event ever to be held in Kuching and it is expected to boost the tourism industry via increased international tourist’s arrivals.
The ATA 2019 will be attended by a long list of Asia’s top celebrities and high-profile influencers including 27-year-old Malaysian actor-singer Alvin Chong and Via Vallen, who sang the theme song for the recently-concluded Asian Games.
Gary Valenciano – also known as Gary V and Mr Pure Energy – a multi award-winning FilipinoPuerto Rican singer-songwriter, musician, actor, music producer and television host, is also on the guest list, along with rising KPop sensation, SF9 – comprising Korea’s singing hearth-throbs Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon, Dawon, Zuho, Rowoon, Taeyang, Hwiyoung and Chani.
The show will be hosted by the former MTV Asia’s VJs Choy Wan and May Wan, who will partner up with Adrian Jalaludin – one of the most seasoned personalities in the Malaysian entertainment industry with 10 years of experience as a television host specialising in sports, travel, talk and children’s shows; and Mark Zambrano – a senior news anchor, and also a sports correspondent for Philippines’ GMA News and Public Affairs.
“We are proud to host this prestigious extravaganza for the first time, and on such a glamorous scale, which will see and attract Asia’s top celebrities comprising leading actors, actresses, singers, models and public figures walking on the red carpet in the heart of Sarawak.”