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98 channels
Indonesian television is a reflection of the country's sprawling diversity, with 97 channels spanning general entertainment, news, religious programming, and kids' content. What sets it apart from much of Asia is the prominence of religious television, particularly Islamic broadcasts, which run everything from Quran recitations and tafsir lectures to call-in shows answering questions about daily life. Several channels are dedicated entirely to Islamic content, and even mainstream stations break for prayer times, marking a rhythm unique to the archipelago. The language mix is another defining feature. While Indonesian (Bahasa) dominates national broadcasts, you'll find substantial programming in Javanese, spoken by over 80 million people, and even some in Chinese dialects, serving the ethnic Chinese community. Soap operas, known locally as sinetron, are the prime-time staple, often running for hundreds of episodes with hyperbolic acting, dramatic music cues, and moralistic plots. They've been a cultural export to Malaysia and Brunei. News culture leans toward the solemn; main bulletins on state broadcaster TVRI and private networks like Metro TV present with formal, measured anchors, though talk shows can get feisty ahead of elections. Children's programming features both local animations and dubbed imports, with a strong emphasis on educational Islamic cartoons. Live sports are a big draw too, badminton especially, and local football matches draw massive audiences. Compared to neighbors, Indonesia's TV landscape is more fragmented by language and religion, and less dominated by foreign content, giving it a distinctive local flavor.