Indonesia's Richest Television Station Owners According to Forbes

The Indonesian broadcasting industry's market share has recently begun to erode with the emergence of video-on-demand (VoD) platforms such as Netflix and Disney+. Furthermore, television stations require significant investment to remain competitive and attract audiences.

With such substantial capital requirements, it's certain that television station owners are top-tier conglomerates. They are known to possess vast wealth not only from media but also from other industries.

Databoks.co.id summarizes the 7 wealthiest television station owners in Indonesia based on Forbes' 2021 list of Indonesia's richest people. The data is as follows:

1. Hartono Brothers

Budi Hartono and Michael Hartono were Indonesia's two wealthiest individuals according to Forbes last year. Their combined wealth reached US$42.6 billion, equivalent to Rp668.6 trillion (Rp15,695/US$).

These brothers own the Djarum cigarette company and hold significant shares in Bank BCA. In the broadcasting business, they own Mola TV, a pay television network.

2. Chairul Tanjung

Chairul Tanjung's net worth was recorded at US$5.5 billion or Rp86.32 trillion in 2021. He was included in Forbes' list of the 10 richest Indonesians last year.

Often called CT, he is the founder of CT Corp., a conglomerate encompassing media, retail, and banking. His holdings include Trans TV, Trans7, Trans Studio, Bank Mega, and Transmart Carrefour. CT Corp also operates in other industries, such as restaurants, insurance, travel, and palm oil plantations.

3. Eddy Kusnadi Sariaatmadja

Eddy Kusnadi's total wealth was US$2.9 billion or Rp45.51 trillion according to Forbes in 2021. He is one of the founders of Emtek in 1983 and currently controls the shares of this issuer, which owns the television stations SCTV and O'Channel.

He appointed his son, Alvin Satriatmadja, as President Director of Emtek, or PT Elang Mahkota Teknologi. Emtek also acquired Indosiar, previously owned by the Salim Group.

4. Peter Sondakh

Peter Sondakh is one of the wealthiest television station owners in Indonesia. Forbes recorded his total wealth at US$2.15 billion or Rp33.74 trillion.

He founded Rajawali Televisi (RTV), formerly known as B Channel. Previously, he partnered with Bambang Triatmodjo, son of President Soeharto, in establishing Indonesia's first private television station, Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI).

5. Mochtar Riady

The next wealthiest television station owner is Mochtar Riady. His wealth was recorded at US$1.85 billion or Rp29.03 trillion last year.

Mochtar is the founder of Lippo Group, which expanded into the media business through BeriaSatu Holding or BeritaSatu Media. His media holdings include BeritaSatu TV, Suara Pembaruan newspaper, and Investor Daily.

6. Hary Tanoesoedibjo

Hary Tanoesoedibjo, also known as Hary Tanoe, has a net worth of US$1.02 billion or Rp16 trillion according to Forbes. The chairman of the Perindo Party owns several companies comprising television stations, radio, online media, and newspapers.

Through MNC Group, he controls the television stations RCTI, MNCTV, and Global TV. Hary Tanoe also expanded into building resorts in Bali and West Java in partnership with a company owned by Donald Trump.

7. Susanto Suwarto

Susanto Suwarto's net worth is recorded at US$925 million or Rp14.5 trillion. He serves as a commissioner at Emtek, which owns the television stations SCTV and Indosiar. However, his shareholding is smaller than Eddy Kusnadi's.