Astro customers get more choices with 10 new channelsPreview of new HD channels for all Astro HD customers from 16 Nov 2014 to 28 Feb 2015
KUALA LUMPUR, 11th November 2014 - Astro customers enjoy more choices with the launch of 10 new channels today. The 10 new channels which will be available on 16 November 2014 will comprise 8 High Definition (HD) channels and 2 Standard Definition (SD) channels.
The number of HD channels on Astro started with 4 in 2009 and has grown to 40. Today, with 8 new HD channels, the total number of HD channels on Astro is 48. The new HD channels are Fox Family Movies HD (CH 434), Fox Action Movies HD (CH 430), HITS HD (CH 720), FYI HD (CH 736), Astro AEC HD (CH 306), Astro Shuang Xing HD (CH 307), DIVA HD (CH 723) and FOX HD (CH 724) while the new SD channels are ZooMoo (CH 619) and Celestial Classic Movies (CH 321).
With the introduction of 10 new channels, Astro customers have a choice of over 180 channels that are offered within a variety of packages.
For the first time ever, Astro is also pleased to offer via video on demand, Astro Plus, comprising over a thousand hours of Hollywood movies, TV shows from the US offered in complete seasons, and shows for kids. Customers need to only get connected to the internet via their Personal Video Recorder (PVR) or Astro on the Go (AOTG) to be able to watch multiple episodes of their favourite series or shows in one go - what, when, where and how they want - be it on TV, PC, tablet or smart phone.
Astro also launched 2 new packages - Fans Pack (Value Pack 4) and Astro Super Pack Plus, both of which will provide customers more choice and value in the selections of their packages. Fans Pack at RM99 per month, will appeal to the sports fan interested in HD and watching content on the go with the best of local and Asian entertainment added in.
Astro Super Pack Plus priced from RM178 offers the new video on demand service, Astro Plus, a selection of premium packs such as Mustika, Dynasty, Astro On Demand, Astro Box Office, Maharaja and Chakravathy as well as channels such as A-List and includes access to Astro's Listen, Read and Play digital offerings. Astro Super Pack customers will be entitled to a free preview of all Astro Super Pack Plus services and channels from 1 Dec 2014 to end February 2015!
The HD fee will also be revised from RM20 to RM25 starting 1 December 2014, the first increase for HD services since HD was introduced in 2009. From 16 November 2014 to end February 2015, all Astro HD customers will enjoy a free preview of the new HD and SD channels as well as access to Astro on the Go from 1 December 2014 to end February 2015.
Henry Tan, Chief Operating Officer, Astro said, Our customers continue to inspire us to keep innovating. We work to constantly bring to our customers the best and the latest international and local content, shorter windows, the first digital broadcast, as well as innovative services such as HD, 3D, PVR, VOD and Astro on the Go. We know our success depends on the free choices exercised by consumers. We also know that to remain successful we can't stand still. To satisfy existing customers and to attract more people to Astro, we need to keep innovating and improving what we offer - through great content that's worth paying for and to make it easy for our customers to watch their favourite content when and where it suits them.
Today we are enjoyed by 4.2 million households and 16 mil viewers nationwide. Astro is now the choice of over 60% of Malaysians. Our viewers spend two thirds of all their TV viewing time on Astro. AOTG has 34 channels and 6,000 hours of video on demand content with 600,000 registered users who have downloaded the AOTG app to 1.2 million devices. AOTG has over 2.5 million views per month.
Astro offers the widest range of HD channels in Malaysia with the best in international, regional and local content be it Sports, Movies, Drama, Documentaries, News, Lifestyle, Comedy and Entertainment to suit Malaysia's diverse multi ethnic and multi lingual population.
Joon Lee, Managing Director for Hong Kong & Southeast Asia at FOX International Channels said, We are excited to add our household brands FOX, FOX Family Movies and FOX Action Movies to Astro's already unrivalled stable of HD channels.
Avi Himatsinghani, Founder & CEO of Rewind Networks said, HITS celebrates some the best TV content ever created. Astro customers will now have a chance to watch their best loved TV shows for the first time in HD quality and we hope that HITS HD will be a favourite with Malaysians.
The launch of DIVA HD with exciting original productions and Same Day as U.S. content represents yet another commitment of NBCUniversal to delivering top-quality programming to our viewers. said Christine Fellowes, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Universal Networks International.
FYI's mission is to inspire personal creativity that emphasizes improvised living focusing on tastes in fashion, food and interior design and emotional and physical journeys undertaken by people. said Michele Schofield, Senior VP, Programming & Marketing at A+E Networks Asia.
David Haslingden, CEO and founder of ZooMoo said: We are delighted to bring ZooMoo, the world's first fully interactive pre-school channel, to Malaysia. Every parent knows that children have a natural affinity and affection for animals and ZooMoo is the first age appropriate channel that brings the wonders of the animal kingdom to this demographic.
Celestial Classic Movies promises to bring popular classics and action packed Kung Fu movies from the Shaw library to entertain viewers in Malaysia, said Ofanny Choi, Executive Vice President, TV Networks, Celestial Tiger Entertainment.
Please refer to the appendix for more information on the new channels. To find out more about Astro's new
