KUALA LUMPUR: AmInvestment Research said it is Neutral on the media sector for the coming year as it forecasts a tough environment given ineffectual digitalisation initiatives undertaken by the companies in cushioning the decline in adex rates. "In addition, the imminent analogue-switch-off (ASO) in June 2018 creates uncertainty for TV players, especially in the free-to-air (FTA) segment. "However, FTA players such as Media Prima will face untertainly upon the digital switchover in June 2018. "Therefore, in the event that our local media companies fail to grow digital reach for a sustained period, we may downgrade the sector from Neutral to Underweight. In addition, if consumer sentiment deteriorates significantly from this point, we would also turn negative on the sector."

Source: The Star December 26, 2017 01:07 UTC