In Singapore, the channel ran into controversy because it broadcast programmes in Cantonese, which ran contrary to the Singapore government's policy of promoting Mandarin instead of other dialects in media. Consequently, it prevented people in government-built housing blocks from installing the special antennas required to receive the channel. In addition, it prevented local newspapers and magazines from carrying listings for TV3, even though these were available for the other Malaysian channels. TV3 was available on Singapore CableVision, Singapore's only cable TV operator, until it was removed at 9pm, 22 July 2002 owing to copyright issues.
In 2007, a reality television programme broadcast on TV3 called Sensasi was banned amid accusations that host Awal Ashaari "humiliating a person to sensationalise the issue" along with complaints to actress Rosnah Mat Aris that touched on sensitive issues relating to Islam by linking Siti Khadijah, wife of Prophet Muhammad to the present issue of women courting younger men. Another reality television show, Teleskop, was banned in 1995 after panellist Nasir Jani's swearing towards Prime Minister at the time, Mahathir Mohamadon air.
In 2010, TV3 broadcast a Hari Raya Aidilfitri advertisement featuring an old man on a flying trishaw and blooming lotus-like flowers, which were said to be reminiscent of Christian and Hindu motifs. This sparked an outcry from Malay supremacist organisations and the Muslim far-right who accused it of "humiliating and insulting Islam". The advertisement was withdrawn after just a few days and TV3 was fined MYR50,000 for the broadcast, in addition to issuing an on-air apology.
In 2015, TV3 was accused of plagiarism, after it was revealed that its new news design was copied from the Dutch RTL Nieuws, which had introduced its new news design in May 2014.
From 1 April 2016, A teleshopping block called CJ Wow Shop has been broadcast across Media Prima channels. Some Media Prima channels are more affected by the changes. This block has attracted huge criticism on social media as a large part of daytime schedule has been replaced by CJ Wow Shop, which these slots had been previously running mostly reruns, religious programming and children's programming. This teleshopping block is only available at 6.00 AM before running breakfast show Malaysia Hari Ini on Monday to Thursday and Borak Kopitam on Friday to Sunday. Starting 31 December 2018, this teleshopping block has moved to 5.30 AM before broadcast Tanyalah Ustaz which is newly moved from TV9 to this channel. No plans for make CJ Wow Shop as a standalone channel announced.
