All-Asian Satellite Television and Radio Operator, doing business as Astro, is a Malaysian satellite television and IPTV provider. It operates in Malaysia and Brunei and operates from the All Asia Broadcast Centre (AABC) in Kuala Lumpur and MEASAT in Cyberjaya. In 2016, the company was recorded as achieving 71% household penetration in Malaysia.[2] It was granted an exclusive license as the sole pay-television provider by the Malaysian federal government until 2017.[3] Astro is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad and is operated by MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems Sdn. Bhd.
Astro launched the high-definition platform Astro B.yond in 2009[4] and the IPTV platform Astro IPTV in 2011, with the latter targeted at consumers who were unable to receive the company's satellite services.[5]
Astro formerly operated in Indonesia from 2006 to 2008, under the Astro Nusantara [id] brand and was operated by PT Direct Vision.[6]
Astro is a wholly owned subsidiary of Astro All Asia Networks plc and operated by MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems Sdn. Bhd.
In 2001, TCM was dropped from Cartoon Network's schedule.
In 2002, The News Channel was launched.
On 1 February 2002, TVIQ was launched.
On 7 April 2002, Astro added one satellite channel: ntv7.
On 1 January 2003, Astro Shuang Xing was launched.
In August 2003, Astro Prima was launched.
In September 2003, Astro Box Office was officially launched as a pay-per-view channel showcasing Southeast Asianmovies, games, other sports events. Astro launches exclusive first-run blockbuster movies from Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and 24/7 channel, Celestial Movies Asia. It officially introduced a new look, and the logo was formally launched, changed to the lowercase astro, and officially introduced a new slogan, motto, and tagline, Making your life richer. Astro HITZ.tv was launched.
On 1 January 2005, Astro added one satellite channel and one terristrial channel: 8TV and Phoenix InfoNews Channel.
On 1 March 2006, TechTV ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission.
On 1 January 2007, Bernama took over the full half-hour production pending a revamp of the internal news team at Astro, in which Astro Awani was launched on 6 September 2007.
On 1 July 2007 onward, Astro On Demand Preview was launched, and it is entirely devoted to telling the Astro subscribers about this new channel. A total of thirty-one satellite television channels have been allocated for this new service.
On 1 October 2007, the renumbering happened, the channels as seen available within the change:
On 1 May 2009, Astro launched the Mustika Pack, which is a new pay television package comprising three new channels named Astro Citra, Astro Warna, and B4U. Astro Warna offers comedy, while Astro Citra is the Malay version of the HBO Asia channel, providing Southeast Asian blockbuster movies, Malay premieres, Malay epic series, and B4U provided latest box-office Bollywood movies and music with Malay subtitles. Astro Bella was replaced B4U in early 2012. On the same time, Astro @play ceased service due to the insignificant number of subscribers.
On 18 May 2009, Astro Kirana was ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission to replaced by Astro Citra on 1 June 2009.
On 1 December 2009, BBC Entertainment was replaced with Bio. Channel and Granada TV was added to the Astro platform on 21 December, featuring many of the United Kingdom's best shows. Granada TV was subsequently renamed to ITV Granada on 1 November 2010.
On 1 February 2010, Astro Aruna ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission due to low declining viewership and replaced by Bintang and Pelangi on 11 July 2011 until it ceased broadcasting on 1 June 2020.
On 1 April 2010, Astro began transmission of the TVB Classic Channel, a drama channel in Cantonese, featuring memorable and highly rated dramas from the 1970s and 1980s. TVB's much-coveted vault of library titles covers varied genres, such as romance, costume, action, and comedy.
On 1 May 2010, Astro started transmission of ESPNewsasportsnews channel from ESPN STAR Sports, showcasing the latest international and local sports news. This channel is a rolling news service featuring highlights, interviews, results, and lead-up stories.
On 16 June 2010, Channel [V] ceased broadcasting and replaced by FOX Asia. In conjunction with the launch of Astro B.yond PVR, Astro launched 3-new high-definition channels such: AXN HD, Astro Zhi Zun HD – a Chinese general entertainment high-definition channel – and FX HD were joining Astro B.yond's HD line up. Also, FOX replaced Channel V from its channel listings. All these new channels started transmission, later Channel V was officially relaunched on it's competitor HyppTV on 2013.
On 11 August 2010, Astro started transmission of Nat Geo WILD. Nat Geo Wild is available in Malaysian, English, and Mandarin language tracks for all programs.
On 17 August 2010, Astro started transmission of AXN Beyond HD as well.
On 1 October 2010, Astro launched three additional HD channels; ONE HD provides Asian general entertainment, focusing on Korean content. While STAR Movies HD brought movies in HD and Astro Lifestyle HD channel, which aired programmes from both Food Network Asia HD (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) and Life Inspired (9:00 pm to 9:00 am), but on 1 October 2012, the two programmings were split at the Channel HD to ch. 727, and ch. 728.
On 9 December 2010, Astro Tutor TV UPSR returned as a permanent channel on Astro with a programme line-up include Mathematics, Science, English, and Bahasa Malaysia with full interactive 'red-button' features to make revision even more engaging and fun.
On 14 January 2011, Astro launched Astro First, a first of its kind movie-on-demand service. Astro customers are able to watch films within two weeks after the cinema release.
On 11 April 2011, Astro added one satellite channel: TVi. TVi was subsequently renamed to TV Okey on 21 March 2018.
On 1 May 2011, Astro started offering Astro Tutor TV channels for PMR and SPM versions, with the newest line-up programmes including Mathematics, Science, English, History, Malay, and Additional Mathematics (only for SPM) with full interactive 'red-button' features to make revision even more engaging and fun.
On 1 June 2011, Astro added one satellite channel: TV Alhijrah.
On 1 July 2011, Astro launched another new package called Indo Pek, comprising two new Astro branded channels named Bintang and Pelangi. Bintang provided Indonesian lifestyle entertainment such as music videos, gossips, and more. Pelangi showed Indonesian movies from the 1970s and later.
On 1 October 2011, Cartoon Network rebranded with the new logo.
On 1 March 2012, WaTV was ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission to replaced by Celestial Movies HD and KIX HD while Programs broadcast by the channel is now carried by Astro AEC, channel number officially replaced by Star Chinese Channel until closing at 1 February 2022 at midnight.
On 1 May 2012 at midnight stroke, Astro @15 was ceased broadcasting and replaced by Astro Mustika HD on 21 May 2012 to while programs broadcast by the channel carried by other Astro's Malay channels.
On 15 September 2012, Astro launched Disney's extreme channel in SD and HD, Disney XD on channel 617 and 637 (HD). These channels went to the Astro Family Pack.
On 1 January 2013, Astro Stocklink was ceased service.
On 13 January 2013, Astro launched the second Chinese HD channel named Astro Quan Jia HD for all Astro B.yond customers. The first Chinese HD channel Astro Zhi Zun HD was revamped to a Cantonese HD channel, a sister channel of Astro Wah Lai Toi.
On 9 February 2013, Radio Mosaic was ceased service due to same broadcast of radio channels.
On 3 June 2013, Astro launched the third Chinese HD channel named Astro On Demand HD for Astro B.yond customers who subscribe to the Astro On Demand Dragon Pack or Super Pack 3 with no extra cost. In the same day, the SD version of Astro On Demand renumbered CH 351–354 at 8.30 pm and CH 361–364 at 9.30 pm.
On 14 June 2013 at midnight stroke, Bio. Channel was ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission and replaced by Lifetime.
On 24 June 2013, Astro launched the second Malay HD channel named Astro Maya HD for all Astro B.yond customers as the success of the first Malay HD channel Astro Mustika HD. Astro Mustika HD would continue broadcast the newest Malay shows in HD. In the same day, Astro launched the fourth Chinese HD channel named Astro Hua Hee Dai HD for Astro B.yond customers who subscribe to the New Emperor Pack, Gold Pack, Wah Pack, or Super Pack 3 with no extra cost.
On 26 August 2013 at midnight stroke, BeTV HD was ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission.
On 18 October 2013, Astro launched the first Tamil HD channel named Astro Vinmeen HD on channel 231 for Astro B.yond customers who subscribe to the Maharaja Pack or Namma Pack or Super Pack 2 with no extra cost.
On 1 April 2014 at midnight stroke, Jia Yu ceased broadcasting and transmission.
On 11 July 2014, Astro incorporated Astro On Demand into the upgraded version of the Dynasty Package. This channel was made available to all existing Dynasty Package subscribers on the Astro B.yond platform.
On 1 November 2014, Astro's first home shopping channel, GO Shop was launched.
On 16 November 2014, Astro's second Chinese HD channel Astro Quan Jia HD, which shows local programmes and Singapore dramas, with Astro AEC, was moved to a new Chinese HD channel, Astro AEC HD on channel 306. And the Chinese Drama HD channel, Astro Shuang Xing HD on channel 307, which shows all drama in the SD version of Astro Shuang Xing, along with eight new media such as FOX Action Movies HD, FOX Family Movies HD, FYI HD, HITS HD, Celestial Classic Movies, ZooMoo, and DIVA HD. All of 8 new HD channels and ZooMoo were available for preview to all Astro customers from 16 November 2014 until 28 February 2015. At the same time, Astro chose to discontinue FOX in the SD version on channel 710 upgraded to FOX HD on channel 724. The channel later officially ceased broadcasting on October 1st 2021.
On 18 November 2014, Astro Shuang Xing and Astro Shuang Xing HD showed the hottest HKTV drama for the first time with Chinese & Bahasa Malaysia subtitles until English subtitles for the second HKTV drama starting the end of 2015.
In the end-year 2014, Astro launched the first Korean channel in the SD version only for preview from the end of 2014 to 16 February 2015, Channel M, until the HD version launched.
On 12 January 2015, iView ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission on Astro version and replaced by NJOI version to continue on 20 January 2015.
On 1 February 2015, Astro launched the first free Chinese HD channel named Astro Xi Yue HD for all NJOI customers. However, this channel was also available for all Astro B.yond customers when 88% of the customers watched HD channels. NJOI now has 25 SDTV channels, 20 Radio channels, and 1 HDTV channel. However, Astro already has 49 HDTV channels, and the HD Service fee is not changed.
On 16 February 2015, Astro launched an all-new Korean Pack for K-pop fans. This pack included Oh!K HD and Channel M HD. These channels were now available on complimentary media from 16 until 28 February 2015. At the same time, Channel M in SD ended the preview on 15 February 2015, and Golf Channel HD launched.
On 26 February 2015, Golf Channel HD was no longer available on Sports Pack and became an a la carte channel. At the same time, Golf Channel in SD ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission.
On 1 May 2015, Astro's new Value Pack called "Stars Pack" for Astro customers came with HD Service and Astro On The Go.
On 29 May 2015, Astro's first Malay HD channel Astro Mustika HD and second Malay HD channel, Astro Maya HD, and Astro Ria were moved to a new Malay HD channel, Astro Ria HD channel 123. At the same time, Astro Maya HD became available for all NJOI customers because of 1 million customers celebration.
On 2 June 2015, a new Southeast Asia travel channel Go ASEAN launched on CH 737 on Astro and NJOI.
On 1 July 2015, Astro Vinmeen HD on channel 231 became available to all Singtel TV customers for Singaporeans on channel 626. This channel is available to Kondattam Starter, Trio, Variety, and Value Pack.
On 15 July 2015, Astro added three new sports channels: WWE Network (this channel broadcasts WWE shows and events and which also in HD) on track 820 and 840 (HD) and Setanta Sports HD (this channel broadcasts international events) on channel 839. At the same time, these new channels went to the Premium list, and the SD version of WWE Network went to NJOI Prepaid.
STAR Chinese Channel was launched on the same channel number as WaTV; which ceased broadcasting back in 2012.
On 19 October 2015, Astro's first home shopping channel, GO Shop launched its Mandarin version in HD on channel 318. This channel is available for all Astro and NJOI customers only.
On 1 November 2015, Astro's first home shopping channel, GO Shop in Malay version, was now upgraded to HD version on channel 118.
On 16 May 2016 at midnight stroke, Astro Hitz was ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission due to low viewership and declining its popularity.
On 7 June 2016, Astro launched a unique channel for gamers, and fans of eSports were thrilled to know eGG Network channel 808, also known as Every Good Game, Southeast Asia's first 24/7 eSports and gaming entertainment.
On 1 July 2016 at midnight stroke, Sundance Channel HD was ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission.
On 1 August 2016, Astro added a new sports channel name beIN Sports channel 837, which offers comprehensive coverage of La Liga.
On 13 September 2016, Astro Hua Hee Dai began simulcast in both SD and HD.
On 1 October 2016, Zee Variasi was no longer available on Astro from 30 September 2016 but was replaced by a new Hindi HD channel called Astro Tara.
On 31 October 2016, Astro added a new channel called Boo, showcasing local and international horror films.
On 1 December 2016, Lifetime (CH 709) was upgraded to High Definition (HD) for a better viewing experience. Variety Pack customers on HD enabled setup-boxes (B.yond box) would still enjoy a preview of the channel until 31 January 2017.
On 2 December 2016, FYI went downgraded from HD to SD quality.
On 16 January 2017, Astro removed the ITV Choice channel 12.15 am due to low viewership.
On 1 April 2017, TVi was replaced with TV5 due to its rebranding on 1 April 2017.
A week later, on 8 April 2017, TV5 was replaced with TVi due to its relaunching on 8 April 2017.
Astro On The Go changed its name to Astro GO. All Astro subscribers (excluding Astro NJOI) access everything that Astro Go offers, including all 71 live channels, over 23,000 on-demand content from Hollywood, Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, India, and also live sports from 1 April to 31 May 2017 for free, excluding Pay Per View (PPV) and premium ala-carte sports content.
On 1 May 2017, Astro added a new channel called Warner TV (CH719) in High Definition (HD). This channel was available for preview to all Astro customers from 1 until 31 May 2017.
On 11 May 2017, Astro's first Malay HD channel Astro Mustika HD, which shows some comedy programmes in HD and Astro Warna, were moved to the new Malay HD channel, Astro Warna HD channel 124. This channel was available for preview to all Astro customers from 11 to 17 May 2017. At the same time, Astro and the Government of Malaysia launched a new streaming service called NJOI Now. This streaming service allows all Malaysians to access over 2,000 titles of movies and drama box sets that may be downloaded and view offline. Varieties of entertainment programmes, news, live sports events, and selected Astro to live TV channels.
On 12 June 2017, Go ASEAN channel provider decided to cease transmission on Astro at 2.00 am. Go ASEAN remains its programmes on Tonton and DimSum.
On 1 August 2017, Astro launched the first Korean movies HD channel named tvN Movies HD for Astro B.yond customers who subscribe to the Movies Pack or Stars Pack or all Super Pack or all Super Pack Plus with no extra cost.
On 1 October 2017, Kah Lai Toi ceased transmission because of low viewership. The same day, Star World was replaced by Fox Life.
On 7 October 2017, Life Inspired ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission due to migrating further losses by the company.
On 1 April 2018, ZooMoo ceased transmission due to migrating further losses by the company, making it the first Kids channels to ceased on Astro.
On 1 August 2018, Astro launched Channel NewsAsia Channel 533 (Now Channel 515 on 1 April 2020) and beIN Sports MAX Channel 841 (Now Channel 819 on 1 August 2019).
On 7 August 2018, Astro added a new channel called Hello, showcasing international, kids, news, Malay, Chinese and Korean series, exclusively on channel 110 (Now Channel 702).
On 1 October 2018, Astro Mustika HD rebranded its name to Astro Citra HD on 1 October 2018. The channel number was moved to 126 from 134. On the same time at midnight stroke, Astro Bella was discontinued due to low viewership, but was replaced by Naura HD on the same package, but with completely different content.
On 1 March 2019, The SD version of Disney XD ceased transmission. On the same time, Zee Tamil HD ceased broadcasting on Channel 232 in Samrat pack, because this channel launched on Astro without Unifi TV's permission on 19 September 2018. Zee Tamil relaunched on 1 June 2020 on Channel 235.
On 1 July 2019 at midnight stroke, Astro Xi Yue HD ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission, making it the first Chinese HD channels to be ceased on Astro and replaced by iQIYI HD starting 17 July 2019 on the same channel number (Channel 300).
On 1 August 2019, Astro renumbered the Sports channels from Channel 801–842 to Channel 800–841.
On 2 August 2019 at midnight stroke, A-List HD ceased broadcasting and transmission because due to low viewership but Astro OD (On Demand) service continues reserved.
On 1 October 2019, Tara HD ceased broadcasting and replaced by Colors TV.
On New Year's Day (1 January) 2020 at midnight stroke, DIVA and E! Entertainmentwas officially ceased transmission and ceased broadcasting, replaced with Comedy Central.
On 1 April 2020, Astro renumbered the channels. At the same day, the SD version of Astro Wah Lai Toi ceased transmission (during the merger with TVB Jade HD, On 1 May 2020, Astro Wah Lai Toi HD was transitioned to VOD).
On 5 April 2020, the broadcasts of TVB Classic Movies and Asian Action Channel were discontinued on Astro at 12:15am and 12:30am respectively was Under Jade Pack.
On 1 June 2020 at midnight stroke, Bintang and Pelangi (offered under Indo Pek) ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission because Astro combined two new channels under Indo Pek offerings, Astro Rania HD and Astro Aura HD which were launched on 23 May 2020. On the same time, Jaya TV, Raj TV and Kalaignar TV ceased broadcasting and transmission and replaced by Zee Tamil HD at 12:05am which is rebroadcast back at same date.
On 1 July 2020 at midnight stroke, Phoenix Chinese Channel (Channel 318 HD/Channel 358 SD) and Phoenix InfoNews Channel (Channel 323 SD) ceased broadcasting and transmission at midnight, 1 July 2020 due to unable renewal contract, making it the second Chinese HD channels and second historic channels to be ceased on Astro and replaced by TVB News Channel HD (Channel 318 HD) and TVBS News HD (Channel 323 HD) on 6 July 2020 at 6:00am and relaunched on new channels on 9 July 2020 on Phoenix Chinese Channel HD (Channel 325 HD) and Phoenix InfoNews Channel HD (Channel 326 HD) respectively. On the same day, the SD version of Astro First ceased broadcasting and transmission. In Singapore, Astro Vellithirai and Astro Vinmeen HD ceased broadcasting and transmission from Singtel TV was replaced by KTV HD and Sun Music.
On 29 July 2020, the SD version of Astro Best ceased broadcasting and transmission.
On 10 October 2020, Astro added one satellite channel: TV Sarawak.
On 15 December 2020, Astro added two kids channels: Nick Jr. and Boomerang.
On New Year's Day (1 January) 2021 at midnight stroke, Disney Channel and Disney Junior HD ceased broadcasting and transmissions due to arrival of Disney+ in Malaysia and replaced by Nick Jr. HD and Boomerang HD which launched on 15 December 2020 on the same package (Kids Pack), making the former two the first HD Kids channels to be ceased on Astro.
On 18 January 2021, Astro added one terrestrial channel: Awesome TV.
On 1 February 2021 at midnight, Comedy Central Asia officially ceased broadcasting and transmission, surviving for barely 13 months after launch because it ceased broadcast in Asia, but its VOD service and the Astro Go app continued reversed. It was replaced by BBC Lifestyle on same number on September 15th of the same year.
All SD channels in Astro officially ceased broadcasting and transmission due to all fully officially switched to all HD channels on 28 February 2021 at 11:59:59pm.
Astro Awani was officially upgraded from SD to HD on 29 March 2021 and made available for all Astro customers. For NJOI customers who have the HD decoders they can still enjoy the channel if they are purchasing the unit before 28 April 2021 but new customers buying the new HD decoder starting 28 April 2021 will have to purchase the new NJOI HD subscription-based pack in order to access the said channel.
ANIPLUS on Astro Go ceased broadcasting and transmission on 1 April 2021 due to low viewership but its VOD service continued reserved until 11 April 2021.
When Astro launched their new NJOI HD subscription-based package for NJOI customers on 28 April 2021, these 10 HD channels, Astro Prima, Astro Oasis, Astro Vaanavil, Astro Xiao Tai Yang, Astro AEC, CCTV4, Astro Awani, Hello, eGG and Astro Arena are no longer included as standard for new customers with NJOI HD decoders and thus requires them to purchase the said subscription package in order to view these channels. However, these said channels are still available for existing customers who purchased the HD decoders before 28 April 2021.
Astro TVIQ was officially upgraded from SD to HD on 25 May 2021 and made available for all Astro customers.
Astro Box Office Tayangan Hebat ceased broadcasting and transmission on 1 June 2021, but its VOD service and the Astro GO app continued reserved.
TVB News Channel was officially discontinued and terminated on 1 July 2021, barely one year after launch due to copyright problems. TVB News programs on TVB Jade continued to be reserved at 7:00am, 6:30pm and 11:00pm until Astro has launched TVB Anywhere+ application on 13 September 2021.
Hello channel officially ceased broadcasting and transmission on 30 September 2021 at 11:59:59pm and was replaced by Lifetime and PRIMEtime which were officially opened and launched on 15 September 2021 and Discovery Science ceased broadcasting and transmission at the same date due to review of the channel performance and replaced by Astro's new Nature Channel, BBC Earth. They were first Learning channels to be ceased on Astro. At the same date, ART Variety was officially replaced with ART Movies before officially ceased broadcasting and transmission on 1 February 2022.
Animax officially ceased broadcasting and transmission on New Year's Eve (31 December) 2021 at 11:59:59pm because due to low popularity but its VOD service continued reserved.
Astro TVIQ officially ceased broadcasting and transmission on Chinese New Year’s Eve (31 January) 2022 at 11:59:59pm when TA-DAA! launched on 15 March 2021 at 8:00am with the shows from the now-defunct channel are carried by Astro Ceria and TA-DAA!.
BabyTV officially ceased broadcasting and transmission on Chinese New Year’s Eve (31 January) 2022 at 11:59:59pm because due to all shows and content officially relocated and moved to Disney+ HotstarinMalaysia and officially replaced by Moonbug Kids, which launched as a free-preview channels as of January 18th.
Naura HD officially ceased broadcasting and transmission on 31 January 2022 at 11:59:59pm because due to Naura content on its Astro GO app and its VOD service continued reserved.
Astro Tutor TV PT3 and Astro Tutor TV SPM will be merging into single channel named Astro Tutor TV SMK HD on channel 603 starting 1 April 2022. On the same day, TVBS News, Astro AOD 353, Astro AOD 355 and Makkal TV has ceased transmission and Astro Tutor TV SK and OKEY will be upgraded to HD on channels 601 and 146.
Astro Vellithirai on Astro Go will cease transmission on 14 April 2022 at 1:00am while this channel upgraded to HD at the same day.
On 18th May 2022, Astro added K+ outside the Astro Go platform. This will feature some K-dramas and K-variety.
Oh!K officially ceased broadcasting and transmission on 31 May 2022 at 11:59:59pm, along with ART Movies.
Kix officially ceased broadcasting and transmission on 1 July 2022 at 12:19:59pm.
MTV Asia officially ceased broadcasting, replaced by MTV Live at 7:00am on September 1st 2022.
On 13th October 2022, Astro added three satellite channels: Sun News, KTV and Sun Life. On the same day, Chutti TV officially ceased broadcasting and ceased transmission, later resumed a few days later.
ASTRO launched its own high-definition platform called Astro B.yond on 11 December 2009. Its rollout costed RM200 million, including marketing and operating costs of approximately RM150 million.[7]
It introduced a PVR with an external hard disk drive connected to the decoder. The PVR comes with an inbuilt 500GB hard disk and allows customers to record up to two live programmes at one time, rewind, and pause live TV. Recording services are also available through Astro B.yond via a compatible external hard disk drive and activation of the recording service by Astro.[8]
In April 2011, Astro B.yond introduced its IPTV platform, in association with TIME dotCom Berhad.
Launched on 20 April 2011 as Astro B.yond IPTV, it featured HD channels, a PVR, VOD channels, high-speed internet and voice services. Astro's initial target audiences were residences of high-rise buildings that were having difficulty with the installation of dishes from Astro's satellite service.[9]
Astro NJOI is a Malaysian first free-to-view satellite TV service by Astro. Launched in collaboration with the Government of Malaysia on 18 February 2012, it debuted with 18 channels and 19 radio stations.
Currently, NJOI offers 26 SDTV channels, 5 HD channels and 26 radio channels.[10]
Astro Ultra is Malaysia's first UHD pay TV service that delivers content to customers through their internet connection. The service was launched in early 2020 and it gave access to Malaysians a taste of 4K resolution broadcast TV. As part of the launch, Astro currently has 1 UHD channel which also premiered a live EPL match in 4K for the very first time in Malaysia. Astro Ultra is also the gateway to cloud recording, with a monthly subscription if customers need more recording space.[11]
Old (bottom) and new (top) Astro 60cm satellite dishes
Astro broadcasts on Ku-band using the transponders of the MEASAT satellite system. The reception of the service signals uses a fixed 65-cm diameter dish antenna. Astro service is currently transmitting from 3 satellites, which are Measat 3, Measat 3a, and Measat 3b.
Initially, the HDMI output of the B.yond PVR was disabled (including NJOI) if the user was not subscribed to the HD service. However, since late-2014, the HDMI output is now enabled to every customer with the release of firmware updates featuring multilingual user-interface.[12][unreliable source?]
Since its launch, Astro distributes programming with encryption to mitigate signal piracy. The receiver (also known as an IRD, or "integrated receiver-decoder") uses ISO/IEC 7816smart cards which tells the receiver how to decrypt the programming for viewing.
The first generation of smart cards were used until 2004. The encryption uses the SECA Mediaguard.
The second generation of smart cards were introduced in 2004 and used until 2008. The encryption uses the improved version of Mediaguard.
The third generation of smart cards were introduced in 2008. This is the current "standard issue" smart card. It uses the NDSVideoGuard encryption system.
Currently, Astro uses the enhanced VideoGuard encryption system for B.yond boxes as it features smart card pairing technology, where the smart card is only allowed for the particular set-top-box issued by Astro, and it is no longer interchangeable like the legacy Astro set-top-boxes.
As of February 2015, Astro has provided services to more than 4 million subscribers, which represents more than 50% of Malaysia's television households.[13]
As of Q4 2016, Astro has 3.4 million pay-TV subscribers and 1.6 million NJOI subscribers, making a total of 5 million customers, which represents 71% of household penetration.[14]
Astro has been criticized for its monopolistic practices in which it has become the dominant paid television service in Malaysia while its competitors ABNXcess, Mega TV, and MiTV were not able to compete against Astro and became defunct after Astro's launch.[15][16] Astro was the sole paid television operator in Malaysia until 2017 when another competitor, Telekom Malaysia'sUnifi TV, emerged as a strong cord-cutting alternative.[17]
The Malaysian government's plan to regulate Android-based set-top boxes in 2019 raised concerns that Astro's dominance over the country's television content market would be enhanced.[18] While Astro's exclusive rights to Malaysian broadcast content expired in 2017, the company continues to have non-exclusive broadcast privileges under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Starting in 2022, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will provide Content Applications Service Provider (CASP) licenses to 35 broadcasting companies, four of which are approved to deliver content via satellite television.[19]
Astro's short-lived Indonesian operations were also subject of investigation by Indonesian regulators, and accusations by rival providers, over allegations of the company also monopolizing Premier League rights in the country.[24]
Astro has been criticized for raising its service prices and imposing penalty fees on customers. In 2007, Astro raised its service fee about 15% and converted previously free channels like Bloomberg, Al Jazeera English, and CGTN into paid channels. Anyone who attempted to drop such service packages was charged a fee.[25]Malaysiakini reporter Cheah Kah Seng encouraged customers to protest against the price hikes and provided instructions on how to do so.[26] Due to broadcasting rights it has received from the Malaysian government, Astro raised its fees several more times in the following years, while consumers had fewer competitive alternatives.[27]
Astro often shows commercials on premium channels for which consumers paid for an ad-free experience.[28] Customers who use the Astro personal video recorder (PVR), Astro MAX, have reported performance problems[25] and difficulty in recording certain channels.[29]
^[1]Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Astro partners with TIME dotcom to roll-out Astro B.yond IPTV services, Greyreview.com, Retrieved 24 September 2014
^[3]Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Astro partners with TIME dotcom to roll-out Astro B.yond IPTV services, Greyreview.com, Retrieved 24 September 2014
RM5.613 million (Q1 2017).
RM777.71 million (2014)[1]
