Ju An Tan reporting from Gold Coast

This year, Media Prima Berhad's 8TV turns six! And in celebration, it is bringing to you even more exciting programmes. The new line up includes current hit shows like Flash Forward, The Vampire Diaries, Past Life, 10 Things I Hate about You, Butterfly S, Whack It and Welcome to the Rail World.

To keep its loyal viewers happy, 8TV will also be bringing back Hannah Montana, NCIS: LA, Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girl and Criminal Minds and KAMI. These all-new-season programmes are scheduled to run starting June

In fun, flashy, 8TV "we're different" style, the announcement of these programmes were recently made during a launch in... wait for it... Gold Coast, Australia!

Explaining the programme selection process to about 20 Malaysian journalists present for the Press Conference Down Under, 8TV Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Izham Omar disclosed: "We did a study on the audience and found a shift in interest. It seems that reality series and dramas are taking a back seat to shows with more solid story lines. Strong characters are once again the main draw to the shows and are paving the way to more of such programmes getting the attention they deserve.

"The old method of buying into sensationalism and racy contents will not fly by the consumers anymore. The audience is more particular and need something that constantly engages them."

Ahmad Izham said that he always tries to be as hands on as possible in all matters that could translate to a great television experience for the 8TV viewer.

"That's why I know what's happening - the TV trends, the change in taste of viewers and such. I try to monitor them, involve myself at every level, every stage, and be on top of things.

"All this my team and I do whole heartedly to ensure that our viewers are kept happy. For instance, when we decided on bringing in The Vampire Diaries, it was because we know that there is a big demand for vampire flicks these days, starting with the Twilight saga.

"You should also wait for Flash Forward. It's about a time when the entire world blacks out for about two minutes and after they wake up, they realise what they dreamt or saw while they were "out" was a glimpse of their future six months down the line.

"In their unconscious state, one sees herself being strangled, one is being hunted by a few gunmen, one half of a loving couple sees herself with another man...would these all come true?

"Slowly, the events unfold... there is much suspense and you can't wait to see what's going to happen next. And what if you didn't even have a dream? What if it was just dark for you when everyone else had their two minutes of the future? What would that mean for you in six months time? And then there is a recording that shows somewhere in a huge stadium, everyone falling to sleep at the same time... but one man is standing and walks away....

"Now, tell me if the show isn't exciting."

Even for local content... actually, especially for local productions, I will go through the story line, the story board and whenever I can, even the casting of actors and actresses."

All said, it is no wonder that since its birth on January 8, 2004 the channel had won a string of accolades with the latest being the Promax/BDA Awards and another by Advertising & Marketing Magazine - #1 Choice for Youth Market.

Indeed, just as its tag suggests 8TV is truly different.

Tune in this space for news flash on the upcoming programmes closer to their screening dates.