Malaysia’s dominant broadcaster Media Prima Berhad (MPB) is acquiring the 20% of 8TV it doesn’t own for RM20 million (US$5.8 million) as it benefits from a 10%-15% surge in sales this year. The aggregate audience share of MPB’s four stations grew to 54% in Q1 2007 vs 50% at the end of last year, ahead of public broadcaster RTM’s two channels (17%) and pay-TV operator ASTRO (29%). Media Partners Asia attributed the increase to improved content led by local dramas and reality shows plus US series such as Desperate Housewives. MPB is investing more coin in local drama than in buying foreign entertainment, but it’s cut back on TVB dramas (for which it paid $US13,000 per episode) in favour of more cost-effective Korean dramas, MPA says.