
21
September
2021
ASTRO POSTS RM228MN PATAMI IN H1FY22
Aggregation Strategy Gains Momentum
Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad | Result highlights for the first half of the financial year ending 31 January 2022 (H1FY22)
Revenue steady at RM2.12bn
PATAMI 10% y-o-y to RM228mn
Adex 22% y-o-y to RM209mn
Second interim dividend of 1.5 sen per share
Tun Zaki Azmi, Chairman of Astro, said: Astros H1FY22 results remained resilient amid prolonged lockdown. Astro continued to be cash generative, cost disciplined and proactive in its capital management. The Board has declared a second interim dividend of 1.5 sen per share.
Henry Tan, Group Chief Executive Officer of Astro said: Although Astro recorded a 10% growth in H1FY22 PATAMI, the continuing lockdown and elevated content cost arising from Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and UEFA EURO 2020 impacted our Q2FY22 PATAMI. However, we are pushing ahead with our transformation plan and our ambition to be the #1 aggregator of the best streaming services.
Today we have one million connected boxes, of which over 400k are on the Ultra and Ulti Boxes, including the recently launched self-install Ultra Plug & Play Box that runs solely on broadband. These homes are enjoying the new experience of On Demand, Cloud Recording, Play from Start and will soon be able to enjoy content from streaming services on their box. Astro GO, enhanced with Interactive Mode for live sports viewing, has 1.6mn monthly active users with an average weekly viewing time of 230 minutes, while On Demand videos streamed grew 205% to 233mn. In H1FY22, our broadband base grew 89% y-o-y as more customers bundled broadband with their content packages for greater convenience and value. Soon we will be providing more options to further strengthen our broadband and digital offerings.
Key Highlights
Growing Streaming Services: TVBAnywhere app is the latest to join Astros growing family of streaming services. Astro Dynasty Pack customers can now enjoy free Premium Service access on TVBAnywhere app with over 40k hours of the biggest Cantonese entertainment. Coming next is Netflix, which will be integrated with the Ultra and Ulti Boxes. Our own streaming service for millennials, sooka emerged as the #1 Entertainment App on Google Play within 2 weeks of launch. It achieved over 428k app downloads and garnered more than 525k users.
Biggest Linear Channels Refresh: Astro recently introduced new movie channels (HBO Family, HBO Hits, and SHOWCASE MOVIES) and general entertainment channels (BBC Lifestyle, BBC Earth, Paramount Network, Lifetime and PRIMEtime). On 1 Oct 2021, new Sports channels (Astro Arena 2, Astro SuperSport 5 and SPOTV) that feature key sporting events like WWE, BWF, UFC, Formula 1, MotoGP, Wimbledon and US Open will be added, followed by BBC First and BBC Brit on demand in mid October. These new offerings are timely, given Disneys decision to discontinue its linear FOX channels in the region as part of its strategy to push streaming. Astro customers who have activated their Disney Hotstar app will be able to continue to enjoy most of the content from the FOX channels on the app.
Thanking customers with Astro 25 on Channel 100: This channel was specially curated with the best of Malaysian and Asian entertainment, premiering documentaries like Tanah Tumpahnya Darah Kita and blockbuster hits. On 25 September, customers can enjoy the exciting live virtual Astro 25 concert, featuring a star-studded line-up of over 50 international, Korean and local artistes.
Our Own Content Growing From Strength to Strength:
#1 drama, Rindu Awak Separuh Nyawa (2.5mn TV Viewership and 1.7mn OD views)
Love Elsa (1.2mn TV Viewership and 597k OD views)
Sepahtu Reunion Live 2021 (1.1mn TV Viewership and 79k OD views)
Astro First, the destination for local films saw its revenue jumped 31% y-o-y to RM20.7mn.
Sports Viewership Hits New Record: Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 saw an unprecedented reach of 10.7mn across sports channels; while UEFA EURO 2020 garnered a reach of 8.9mn.
ADEX and Enterprise Recovery Dampened By Lockdown: While Adex grew 22% y-o-y to RM209mn in H1FY22 and outperformed the advertising industry growth of 11%, Q2FY22 Adex declined by 9% q-o-q. Radex, TV Adex and Digital Adex share stood at 77%, 36% and 3% respectively. Astro Radio brands continued to rank No.1 across all languages, reaching 16.8mn weekly radio listeners (FM and digital), while Astro digital brands registered over 14.3mn monthly unique visitors.
Go Shop Serves More Online Shoppers: Registered customers rose 19% y-o-y to 3.0mn. However, revenue moderated to RM221mn on the back of soft consumer sentiment and supply disruption in the second quarter of 2021 due to lockdowns.
Positive ESG Impact: Astro remains steadfast in its commitment and dedication to be the nations agent for positivity and voice for good through numerous environmental, social and governance initiatives:
1. #KitaTeguhBersama Campaign
Supported the National Blood Banks blood donation drive and the COVID-19 Immunisation drive with Public Service Announcements
Volunteered at Vaccination Centres
Offered TVs and Astro services at quarantine centres nationwide
Contributed medical equipment to hospitals and laptops to students from B40 groups
Worked with Food Aid Foundation and MakanKongsi2.0 to provide food packs to B40 families
Produced content to promote unity and patriotism such as Tanah Tumpahnya Darah Kita and We Are No Different
Supported SMEs with business related content and advertising incentives via #KamiCares campaign
2. Championed education through increased educational content on Tutor TV, TVIQ and TV Pendidikan to facilitate and supplement childrens learning nationwide
3. Offered complimentary viewing of selected channels during the various lockdown
4. Amplified positivity across TV, ra
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
30/06/2025
SBS On Demand boosts global news offering with launch of France 24 FAST Channel
30 June, 2025
Media releases
SBS is expanding its international news offeri...
27/06/2025
27 06 2025 - Media release Game, set, action! Screen Australia and ABC announce new mini-series Goolagong
Marton Csokas and Lila McGuire of Goolagong. Image c...
26/06/2025
Buckle up for Great Australian Road Trips launching 31 July on SBS and SBS On De...
20/06/2025
Hit, run, oh sh#t: NITV and SBS get RECKLESS with filming underway in Western Au...
13/06/2025
Pure Drama and Fierce Rivalries set to dominate the world's most iconic spor...
12/06/2025
50 Years Strong: SBS and NITV Supercharge NAIDOC Week 2025 in a joint 50th celeb...
06/06/2025
06 06 2025 - Media release Award-Winning TV Creators Richard Gadd, Sally Wainwri...
03/06/2025
Stories of love, loyalty and self-discovery among six shortlisted Digital Origin...
28/05/2025
SBS celebrates 50 years of reflecting a diverse and contemporary Australia
28 May, 2025
Media releases
Marking 50 years of broadcasting on 9 June 2025, SBS...
28/05/2025
ABS and Verticloud announce a Strategic Partnership to accelerate Digital Transf...
22/05/2025
SBS and Screen Australia showcase the next wave of Australian storytellers with ...
22/05/2025
Rune Pedersen unpacks How Humans Talk in new SBS Audio podcast
22 May, 2025
Media releases
Ever caught yourself using baby talk with your pet and wondered ...
19/05/2025
Eurovision delivers strong Total TV audiences for SBS, dazzling more than 2.21 m...
16/05/2025
Proper Loved Up Stage One Recipients Announced
16 May, 2025
Media releases
Screen Australia's First Nations Department, the Australian Broadcasting Cor...
15/05/2025
Australia's boldest network SBS launches new brand campaign: We Go There...
15/05/2025
We Go There SBS On Demand's new Hub is entirely bold and unmistakably SBS
15 May, 2025
Media releases
The We Go There Hub brings together over 300 ti...
14/05/2025
ABS and SpaceBridge to Join Forces to Strengthen Managed Services Across Europe,...
13/05/2025
Alone Australia Season 3: The Reunion
13 May, 2025
Media releases
As the latest season nears its end, SBS's hit series brings full cast together for re...
13/05/2025
Teletimes interviews ABS CEO, Mark Rigolle...
12/05/2025
And They're Off! The Pure Drama of the Cycling Grand Tours Continues on SBS,...
12/05/2025
10 05 2025 - Media release Australian Filmmaker Lucy Mckendrick Set For Directin...
07/05/2025
SBS and NITV mark National Reconciliation Week with compelling premieres recogni...
07/05/2025
SBS commences search for a new Western Sydney production hub location
7 May, 2025
Media releases
SBS has today launched a Request for Expressions of Intere...
02/05/2025
SBS On Demand achieves stellar month on the back of Alone Australia and The Hand...
01/05/2025
01 05 2025 - Media release Screen Australia empowers 100 distinctive Australian narratives
All The Boys Are Here writer/director Goran Stolevski and It s All...
30/04/2025
Slam poet Huda the Goddess wins 2025 Les Murray Award
30 April, 2025
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Huda Fadlelmawla...
30/04/2025
SBS, NITV and NIDA partner to empower the next generation of screen creatives
30 April, 2025
Media releases
SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and ...
23/04/2025
We heard that you could use a little pick-me-up, so get ready to sh-sh-shake it ...
22/04/2025
McAvaney takes the lead for SBS' Coverage of the World Athletics Championshi...
16/04/2025
Finalists announced! Five stand-out brands shortlisted for SBS Media's Susta...
15/04/2025
Claudia Karvan, Tom Gleeson, and Mark Coles Smith join in the adventure of a lif...
15/04/2025
SBS and Volleyball World sign landmark deal for Beach Volleyball World Champions...
14/04/2025
SBS becomes first Australian broadcaster to have near-and long-term carbon reduc...
11/04/2025
Isn't that Insightful? Kumi Taguchi dives deeper into Insight's taboo to...
09/04/2025
SBS On Demand partners with Euronews to extend network news offering
9 April, 2025
Media releases
SBS is expanding its international news offering with the...
09/04/2025
SBS announces TV's hottest new couple, Tony Armstrong and Courtney Act, as E...
09/04/2025
09 04 2025 - Media release Screen Australia and ACTF Kids IP Incubator Initiative enters next phase
Kids IP Incubator recipients in Melbourne for the workshop...
07/04/2025
Olympic Gold medallist and World Time Trial Champion Grace Brown joins SBS comme...
07/04/2025
Female focus: New season of Living Black highlights women in Federal Election ye...
07/04/2025
SBS News' Cost of Living Secrets podcast returns to tackle one of the key is...
04/04/2025
SBS announces initiatives to provide all Australians with trusted news and infor...
01/04/2025
01 04 2025 - Media release Bus Stop Films' first feature Boss Cat to begin production in June
Boss Cat cast (L-R): Olivia Hargroder, Penny Downie and Juli...
31/03/2025
Ready, set, Party Time!' SBS News empowers young voters with a new politica...
28/03/2025
Marion Grasby's Flavours of Heart & Home is a celebration of culture and fam...
28/03/2025
SBS delivers Federal Election news to Australians in over 60 languages
28 March, 2025
Media releases
As Australia heads to the polls on 3 May, Australia...
26/03/2025
The Secret DNA of Us premieres 17 April
20 March, 2025
Media releases
Family secrets, royal relationships and hidden histories revealed What would you disc...
24/03/2025
ABS further Strengthens Leadership Team with Appointment of Matthieu Boutrolle a...
19/03/2025
NITV and Cricket Australia elevate First Nations sport with National Indigenous ...
19/03/2025
Yumi Stynes wants older women to be SEEN' as SBS podcast returns
19 March, 2025
Media releases
Feminist icon Yumi Stynes shines a spotlight on trailbl...