Akademi Fantasia (commonly abbreviated as AF) is Malaysia's first reality television show in which a number of contestants called students compete for the winning title and a chance to start their career in the entertainment industry.

[2] Each season of Akademi Fantasia has 10 concerts including the finale, and starts with 12-16 contestants who are called students.

Once the ultimate students are chosen, they will stay in a house called Akademi, practising songs, acting and dancing lesson, and other activities that are related with performing arts for a period of 10 weeks.

The classes are held by professional trainers, called teachers, who have an established career in the entertainment industry.

While in term of Diari, this season did not show students life in their academy (house) but more focus on dancing and singing lesson.

However, what make it different from AFMASUK is the fact that the recruited student was not selected by voting line, but by recommendations from Faculty teaching members.

In Season 8, Sarimah Ibrahim and Jimmy Shanley were selected as the new hosts replacing AC Mizal.

Previous judges include Kudsia Kahar, Fauziah Latiff, Ning Baizura, Khatijah Ibrahim, Edrie Hashim, Fauziah Ahmad Daud, Datuk Hattan, Edry Abdul Halim, Sharifah Amani and Roslan Aziz.

Akademi Fantasia was very connected with Astro Ria's entertainment programme Trek Selebriti in the latter part of the 2000s.

After Trek Selebriti has ended, Propaganza has become main programme to feature all eliminated student from Season 10.

The main controversy during Akademi Fantasia season is about the judging system which is solely based on the audience through SMS and Astro decoder without professional jury.

Furthermore, the selection of two female contestants in Season 6, Hairina Abdul Halim, a grandmother of two grandchildren, as well as Siti Norsaida Tarudin, the eldest sister of Siti Nurhaliza were said to be the most important element of the season which was aimed to draw audience's attention and further guarantee vast publicity to raise the show's rating.

Samsung left after one season while Kit Kat, together with D'Herbs and Felda Wellness have become main sponsor for AF 2014.