Media Group

Media Group, formerly known as Media Indonesia Group, is an Indonesian business group whose principal identity is built around newspapers, television, radio, digital publishing, and related media services. The group was founded by businessman and politician Surya Paloh and developed from an initially broader business base into a significant national media organization. Its best-known media properties include the national newspaper Media Indonesia, the regional Lampung Post, the television network Metro TV, BN Channel, Magna Channel, and MG Radio Network. The group’s media history began with Paloh’s involvement in publishing during Indonesia’s New Order period. In 1986, his holding company PT Surya Persindo launched the newspaper Prioritas. The publication was closed by the government in June 1987 after being regarded as excessively critical. Later in 1987, Paloh acquired Media Indonesia, providing the foundation for the group’s continuing newspaper operations. The business subsequently expanded through acquisitions and investments in publishing, magazines, regional newspapers, television, radio, online media, printing, and event organization. Television became a central part of the group’s identity after the establishment of Metro TV in 1999 through PT Media Televisi Indonesia. Metro TV developed as a news-oriented television network and became one of the group’s most visible national assets. The broadcasting portfolio later broadened through BN Channel and Magna Channel, while the group also operated Metro Globe Network and other broadcast-related entities. Radio activities include MG Radio Network and SAI Radio. Media Group’s print operations include Media Indonesia and Lampung Post, supported by Media Indonesia Publishing and Lampost Publishing. Its digital portfolio has included Medcom.id, MediaIndonesia.com, MetroTVNews.com, Lampost.co, Inibaru.id, Dadali.id, Clicks.id, Apakareba.id, RuangJurnalistik.id, Gaya.id, Oase.id, Autogear.id, Mediababy, Podme.id, Toko108.com, and iD.M. These assets show the group’s movement from traditional publishing toward online journalism, specialist content, podcasts, and digital commerce. Beyond media, the group has maintained a diversified structure. Its listed business areas include event organization, hotels and property, catering and food services, restaurants, education, printing, and natural resources. Examples include Lampost Event Organizer; The Papandayan, The Media Hotel & Towers, and InterContinental Bali Resort; the Media Academy and Lampung Post Education Center; and a range of catering and food companies associated with Indocater and Pangansari. The group has also been associated with property projects such as Gedung Media Group and Indonesia-1 Tower, as well as religious and community infrastructure including Masjid Nursiah Daud Paloh. Some assets formerly associated with the group have subsequently changed ownership or ceased operations. These include Borneonews, Papua TV, Celebes TV, MetroXtend, and Jelajah. The group’s current profile is therefore best understood as a media-led Indonesian business house with operations and historical interests extending beyond broadcasting into publishing, digital media, hospitality, food services, property, education, and natural resources.

Media Group developed from the business activities of Surya Paloh, an Indonesian businessman and politician who began building a media presence in the 1980s. The group was formerly identified as Media Indonesia Group and has retained a strong association with its principal newspaper, Media Indonesia, and its founder. Before concentrating on media, Paloh’s business interests included PT Indocater, a catering company. His first major publishing initiative was PT Surya Persindo, which issued the newspaper Prioritas on 2 May 1986. The paper was regarded by the Indonesian government as too critical and was closed on 29 June 1987. Despite that setback, Paloh continued expanding in publishing and acquired Media Indonesia in 1987. The newspaper became a central asset in the group’s media operations. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the group broadened its publishing interests. It acquired or became associated with Vista, a television magazine, in 1988 and Detik in 1992, while also expanding into regional newspapers. Publications mentioned in connection with this period include Aceh Post, Cahaya Siang, Gala, and Peristiwa. These investments gave the business a wider geographic and editorial footprint beyond its national newspaper base. Broadcasting became the group’s most prominent area of expansion at the end of the 1990s. Metro TV was established in 1999 through PT Media Televisi Indonesia. It developed into a nationally recognized television network with a strong news orientation. The group later added or operated further television properties, including BN Channel and Magna Channel, and associated broadcast entities such as Metro Globe Network. Radio operations included MG Radio Network and SAI Radio. The group subsequently responded to changes in media consumption by developing a substantial online portfolio. Digital properties associated with Media Group include Medcom.id, MediaIndonesia.com, MetroTVNews.com, Lampost.co, Inibaru.id, Dadali.id, Clicks.id, Apakareba.id, RuangJurnalistik.id, Gaya.id, Oase.id, Autogear.id, Mediababy, Podme.id, Toko108.com, and iD.M. The portfolio spans general news, regional reporting, specialist content, lifestyle, automotive material, podcasts, and digital commerce. Media Group has also operated supporting and non-media businesses. Its business-unit structure has included printing, event organization, property, hotels, education, catering, food manufacturing and distribution, restaurants, and natural resources. Properties and hospitality assets associated with the group include The Papandayan, The Media Hotel & Towers, InterContinental Bali Resort, Gedung Media Group, and the Indonesia-1 Tower project. Education-related assets include Media Academy and Lampung Post Education Center. The group has also maintained companies connected with Indocater and Pangansari and has held interests in natural-resource entities. The group’s asset base has changed over time. Borneonews was later owned by Citra Borneo Indah, Papua TV changed ownership or identity after its association with the group, and Celebes TV was later linked to Bosowa Corporation before closing in 2023. MetroXtend and Jelajah were also reported as closed. Consequently, Media Group’s history is one of expansion from print publishing into television and digital media, combined with diversification into adjacent service and investment businesses and periodic disposal or closure of individual assets.

1. 2023Celebes TV closes

   Celebes TV, previously associated with the group and later linked to Bosowa Corporation, closes.

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2. 2020MetroXtend closes

   MetroXtend, a former asset, is reported as closed.

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3. 2019Jelajah closes

   Jelajah, a former group-associated asset, is reported as closed.

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4. 1999Metro TV launches

   PT Media Televisi Indonesia launches Metro TV, establishing the group as a major television operator.

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5. 1992Detik acquired

   The group broadens its publishing portfolio through the acquisition of Detik.

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6. 1988Vista acquired

   The group expands into magazine publishing through the acquisition of Vista TV magazine.

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7. 1987Prioritas is shut down

   The government closes Prioritas after judging its editorial stance too critical.

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8. 1987Media Indonesia enters the group

   Paloh acquires Media Indonesia, establishing a durable newspaper foundation for the group.

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9. 1986Prioritas begins publication

   PT Surya Persindo, the holding company founded by Surya Paloh, publishes the newspaper Prioritas.

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A diversified Indonesian media group centered on news publishing and broadcasting, with supporting digital, print, hospitality, catering, property, education, and natural-resource businesses.

• Media IndonesiaNational newspaper

  Media Indonesia is the group’s principal national newspaper and one of the assets most closely associated with its publishing identity. It entered Surya Paloh’s business portfolio in 1987 and provides national news, commentary, and public-affairs coverage.

• Lampung PostRegional newspaper

  Lampung Post is a regional newspaper serving Lampung and forms the group’s principal regional print property. Its operations are supported by Lampost Publishing and related digital activity through Lampost.co.

• Metro TVTelevision network1999

  Metro TV is the group’s flagship television network. Established in 1999 through PT Media Televisi Indonesia, it is associated with national news and current-affairs broadcasting and became the group’s most visible broadcast brand.

• BN ChannelTelevision channel

  BN Channel is a television property operated through PT Mitra Siaran Digital. It forms part of Media Group’s multi-channel broadcasting portfolio alongside Metro TV and Magna Channel.

• Magna ChannelTelevision channel

  Magna Channel is a television network operated through PT Mitra Media Digital. It extends the group’s broadcast presence beyond its flagship news network.

• MG Radio NetworkRadio network

  MG Radio Network is the group’s principal radio operation, conducted through PT Radio Agustina Junior. It complements Media Group’s newspaper, television, and digital publishing activities.

• Medcom.idDigital news platform

  Medcom.id is a digital media platform operated through PT Citra Multimedia Indonesia. It represents the group’s expansion into online journalism and complements the digital editions and websites of its established newspaper and television brands.

• 1999Entry into television broadcastingProduct launch

  After developing a newspaper and magazine portfolio, the group sought a national broadcasting presence.

  What changed. Media Group established PT Media Televisi Indonesia and launched Metro TV.

  Aftermath. Television became a defining part of the group’s identity and was later supplemented by BN Channel, Magna Channel, and other broadcast operations.

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• 1987Continuation of media expansion after Prioritas closureOther

  The government had closed Prioritas after considering its content too critical, creating a major setback for Paloh’s first newspaper venture.

  What changed. Rather than leave publishing, Paloh acquired Media Indonesia and continued building a broader media portfolio.

  Aftermath. Media Indonesia became a core newspaper asset and the basis for later expansion into regional publishing, television, radio, and digital media.

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• 1999Metro TV established

  The group entered television broadcasting through PT Media Televisi Indonesia and the launch of Metro TV.

  Product launch
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• 1987Prioritas closed by the government

  Prioritas was shut down after authorities considered the newspaper too critical, an event that became a significant early turning point in the group’s publishing history.

  RegulationOther
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• 1987Media Indonesia acquired

  Paloh expanded the group’s publishing presence through the acquisition of Media Indonesia, which became one of its core newspaper properties.

  M&A
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• 1986Prioritas newspaper launched

  Surya Paloh’s holding company PT Surya Persindo published the newspaper Prioritas, marking an early stage in the group’s media development.

  Product launch
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1. Media Group