The world of entertainment is made more alive by talented presenters and hosts. In broadcasting, TV hosts play an important role in delivering key messages and objectives to the audience, as well as engaging the interest and curiosity of their viewers. Top 10 of Indonesia takes a look at its list of the nation’s top 10 most popular TV hosts of the vibrant Indonesia broadcasting scene.

Najwa Shihab

 Known fondly as Nana, Najwa Shihab is no stranger to the broadcasting realm of Indonesia. Her broadcasting career began at Metro TV as a newscaster and journalist, and eventually hosting her own renowned talk show, “Mata Najwa”– a talk show that brings forward discussions and interviews related to Indonesia’s current affairs. Najwa’s dedication to broadcasting and journalism can be seen through her works in reporting about various issues related to the nation, including the tsunami tragedy in Acheh where she delivered a substantial and well-researched report about the heartbreaking national calamity. In 2006, Najwa was awarded as the Best Journalist of Metro TV and nominated as one of the Best News Presenter in the Panasonic Awards. The year after, she was also nominated as the Best Current Affairs/Talkshow Presenter in the prestigious Asian TV Awards, levelling her up on to the international frontier. Today, Najwa Shihab is actively producing her own contents on YouTube and will be returning to MetroTV to host a new season of Mata Najwa.

Erwin Parengkuan

Erwin Parengkuan started his career as a radio presenter at Prambors Radio in late 1989 as part of the creative team members. His subsequent assignments then took him well into the TV hosting arena as presenters in various TV stations including TVRI. Today, Erwin is known as one of the prominent presenters, emcees and public speakers in Indonesia. Aside from entertainment, Erwin is the founder and Managing Director of TalkInc, a communication school dedicated to communications training including presentation skills, public speaking and personal branding. His wide experience has also led him to write 3 national best-seller books namely, TALKINC Points (2008), Smart Eating (2012), and Understand-inc People (2017).

 

Jamie Aditya

 The talented and energetic Jamie Aditya is no stranger when it comes to MTV Asia and MTV Indonesia scene in the mid 90s, as he was one of the pioneering MTV VJs in South East Asia during the era. In 2000, he was chosen as the Best Host of the Asian TV Awards and nominated again for the same award in 2003. After ending his stint in MTV, Jamie continued to host various international TV shows including Discovery Channel Network’s Travel & Living channel alongside Anthony Bourdain and Janet Hsieh. Known for his quirky humour and character-driven improvisational skills, Jamie continues to be adored for his talent and now entertains his fan through playing jazz music and character voice-overs.

Indy Barends

 Indy Barends began her career in broadcasting in 1999 as a TV presenter at Talklife, a weekly show programme aired on Indosiar.  She continued to shine as a favourite Indonesian TV host in numerous local TV programmes, including Ceriwis, a popular talk show aired on Trans TV.  She is also well known as professional emcee and voice talent for various brands and clients all over Indonesia. Throughout her career, Indy has garnered numerous accolades for her talent, including the best TV presenter the prestigious Panasonic Awards 2004.

 

Nadya Hutagalung

 Currently an eco-activist and an advocate of sustainable lifestyle, Nadya Yuti Hutagalung made her debut into broadcasting as a VJ for MTV Asia in 1995. Prior to that, Nadya was also a model and actress. Her career in broadcasting has taken her to shine in Indonesia as well as in Singapore where she is mostly based. Nadya was voted as one of Asia’s Leading Trendmakers by Asiaweek due to her influence and ability to inspire people around her. Her flair for humour and entertaining, as well as sheer confidence has made her the winner of the Best Light Entertainment Presenter Award at the Asian Television Awards 1997. Indonesia’s MNC Lifestyle Channel has presented Nadya with the MNC Lifestyle awards, an appreciation for her as an inspirational figure to all Indonesian women through her eco-advocacy work and as a changemaker and thought leader that helps shape a more inclusive and sustainable world.

Daniel Mananta

The entrepreneurial and natural-born entertainer Daniel Mananta is talented in not only hosting, but also in business, music and even acting. His first foray into broadcasting began back in 2003 when he became the winner of MTV VJ Hunt in Indonesia, subsequently becoming the host of MTV Asia Awards Red Carpet in 2004. He continued as a VJ at MTV until early 2011, but along the way Daniel continues to grace Indonesian TV by hosting various shows such as Indonesian Idol, Asian Idol and The Voice Indonesia. In 2013, Daniel hosted the Miss World 2013 aired in more than 160 countries worldwide, making him the first Indonesian presenter to make it to international television. At the same year, he also cinched the Panasonic Global Awards as the Best Talent Show presenter. Today, Daniel is still full of energy. Currently expanding his own clothing line “Damn! I love Indonesia”, he is also actively running marathons, aiming to settle only after finishing the six major world marathons.

 

Nirina Zubir

Nirina Zubir may also be well known as an Indonesian actress, but her talents for TV presenting are nonetheless laudable. Her venture into broadcasting began in as radio DJ at MTV on Sky radio station by chance but her witty personality has apparently made her a fan favourite and helped build her career from then on. She then landed a role as an MTV VJ and after ending her contract she continued to host various TV shows including Indonesia Idol Season 4 and hosting the prestigious Anugerah Planet Muzik awards. Nirina’s natural talent, bubbly personality and language capabilities (including English and Mandarin) has undoubtedly contributed to her prominence as Indonesia’s favourite TV host and entertainer.

 

Indra Bekti

 Indra Bekti’s passion for presenting began as early as when he was a child, where he used to pretend that he was a news presenter presenting the latest news in front of a invisible camera. His official debut into TV broadcasting was when he hosted a local show Tralala Trilili alongside Agnes Monica. Throughout his career, Indra has hosted numerous local TV shows including the popular infotainment TV show “Ceriwis” on Trans TV, quiz show Komunikata on TPI, as well as becoming the voice for many local TV advertisements. Indra aspires to host his own TV show one day and plans to continue his career in Indonesian broadcast for a long time.

Boy William

Boy William’s career in entertainment and hosting began as an MTV VJ because of his love and passion for music. Currently a rising TV host star in Indonesia, he now hosts a music show called Breakout on NET TV, and have started his own YouTube show named #NebengBoy, an Indonesian remake of the famous Carpool Karaoke by James Corden. Throughout his career, Boy William has interviewed numerous international A-list musicians including Ne-Yo, Jessie J, Martin Garrix and Alan Walker. He is a crowd favourite when it comes to hosting Indonesian television events such as TV station birthdays, award shows and singing talent competitions.

  

Maria Rahajeng

In 2014, Maria Rahajeng entered the world of entertainment and media after being crowned as Miss Indonesia 2014. She immediately began a career in media broadcasting and not long after, she became the first Indonesian TV host for E! News Asia along with her twin sister, Elizabeth Rahajeng. Maria also hosts several shows for MNC Fashion (Local Indonesian Channel), including her own talk show called Style Talk. Besides TV, her creative eye and passion for the arts of photography and fashion made her highly sought after by local and international brands and companies to collaborate as an ambassador, spokesperson, model and content creator in Indonesia.