While many can only dream of meeting their favourite TV hosts, 15 secondary school students will be mentored by the country’s famous media personalities, as part of their training to become the youngest media stars for the Host Idol 2017.  

Organised by Han Chiang College (HCC), Host Idol 2017 which is the spin-off of the popular Anchor Idol Newscaster Quest competition is now in its second year running.

The competition is backed and judged by Malaysia’s award-winning popular newscasters and hosts like Tan Ley Teng from ntv7, Owen Yap from 8TV and Ivan Toh from RTM TV1, all who judged the 15 shortlisted students based on their radio shows which were uploaded on Facebook.

The popular competition first kicked off in March as students took part in the first round of auditions before 45 were narrowed down to become deejays as they garnered support through Facebook voting and were judged by the three judges.

Now, the top 15 Form 3 to Form 6 students will move on to compete at the Host Idol 2017 Finals on 8 July 2017 at Queensbay Mall, judged by Tan, Yap and Toh who over the years have inspired the participants with their constructive feedback and insights into the industry.   

For the finals, students will produce their own three-minute YouTube videos on sights and happenings around Penang using a GoPro. They will then be further shortlisted to just nine to perform as hosts during an impromptu session that requires students to be creative and engaging.

Host Idol hopes to inculcate a range of media skills in students such as broadcasting, journalism, hosting, radio presenting and YouTubing, apart from exposing students to upcoming digital trends.

The competition challenges students to be news attentive, creative and technologically innovative to help push students to take advantage of the many opportunities available in both the media and creative industries.

Principal Dr Beh Kok Hooi said HCC is the leader in the field of mass communication and although it was the first to introduce a newscasting competition, the College has moved with times to revamp the competition to suit to today’s high demands that are expected from those in the media field.

“Han Chiang College is attuned to the needs and trends of the media workplace and while some may see YouTubing as a light-hearted form of video production, a lot of content creation, skills, personality and engagement with fans through social media are needed to promote these videos,” Beh said adding that that is the reason Host Idol 2017’s format is a hit among students.

“You need to wear many hats in this industry and that is evident with our alumna Tan Ley Teng, who is a newscaster, TV host and model,” he said.

The students will compete in three categories; English, Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia.

For the Bahasa Malaysia category, the finalists are Ahmad Daniel Leong, Aideel Hafizi Bin Fisol, Muhamad Adip B. Zulkeflee, Nor Aisyah Binti Abdul Ali and Nurakashah Nabilah Binti Masa. 

For the English category, the finalists are Aryan, Kuushaleny A/P Ravi Kumar, Nurul Irdeana BT. Nor Azman, Ooi Shiao Lu and Tang Yee Shuen. 

For the Mandarin category, the finalists are Chua Shang Hang, Connie Koay Chia Ern, Hoo Li Ern, Lawrance Tan Ho Jer and Trashi Puntso Katagiri.

The winners and finalists will receive prizes and scholarships worth more than RM150,000. The most supportive school will also be rewarded.

Host Idol 2017 is sponsored by Uncle Tetsu Cheesecake Alma Bukit Mertajam and Flamingo Hotel by the Beach, Penang.

Seated from left: Business Development Manager Audy Choo, Vice Principal Jenny Khoo, Principal Dr Beh Kok Hooi, Host Idol committee members Heran Niruba, Lee Kean Wei and Muhammad Su’ud Zhariff  together with the competition finalists