| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting, Media |
| Founded | 1 June 1996 |
| Headquarters | Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia |
| Key people | Dato' Badri Masri Dato' Mohamed Khadar Merican Ralph Marshall Bernard Anthony Cragg Chin Kwai Yoong Dato' Rohana Rozhan |
| Products | Direct broadcast satellite and Internet Protocol Television |
| Parent | Astro Malaysia Holdings Sdn Bhd |
| Website | www.astro.com.my |
Astro is the brand name of the Malaysian direct broadcast satellite (DBS) pay television service. It transmits digital satellite television and radio to households in Malaysia & Brunei. The name Astro is an acronym for All-Asian Satellite Television and Radio Operator.
Astro is owned and operated by MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Sdn Bhd that owned by Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd. It has operations at All Asia Broadcast Centre located in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Measat in Cyberjaya.
In addition to serving consumers in households, Astro has substantial coverage in commercial establishments such as bars, restaurants, hotels, dorms, and hospitals. Since 2008, the Astro has been offering a video streaming service to mobile phone users throughout the country (Astro Mobile TV) and subsequently Astro B.yond Mobile.
Astro launched the first High Definition (HD) broadcast in Malaysia in December 2009 under the brand Astro B.yond. Following the launch of HD, Astro B.yond PVR (Personal Video Recorder) was introduced in June 2010 and Astro B.yond IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) in April 2011.
On December 2011, prime minister Najib Tun Razak announced that government will collaborate with Astro to provide free satellite television to customer, NJOI that will expected to be release in 1st quarter of 2012.[1]
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After the launch of the MEASAT-1 satellite as part of Malaysia's commercialisation of space, Astro commenced broadcasting in 1 June 1996 with an initial bouquet of 22 television channel and 8 radio channel; 30 channel.
In 2003, a new logo was launched, the uppercase 'ASTRO' was changed to the lowercase 'astro', with the slogan Making Your Life Richer.
In June 1, 1996, Astro was launched satellite television broadcasting form of the programme for general used 4 satellite television channel used translated into Mandarin Chinese on Astro AEC, Malay on Astro Ria, Cantonese on Astro Wah Lai Toi and Tamil on Astro Vaanavil.
In January 1, 2002, Astro Showcase was launched as a free-to-view channel showcasing Southeast Asian movies. The following year, Season Pass was launched, showing games and other sporting events. These two have now became pay-per-view channels under the Astro Box Office name.
In November 1, 2006, Astro News was co-produced with the national news agency Bernama, with the former taking 12 minutes of the programme for general, The news is also translated into Mandarin Chinese on Astro AEC, Malay on Astro Ria and Tamil on Astro Vaanavil. In January 1, 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 April 1, 2007.
In April 1, 2007, Astro added another 9 channels into its line-up. The nine channels that were announced were Jia Yu Channel, Discovery Science, Discovery Real Time, Discovery Home & Health, E! Entertainment, Astro Vellithirai, Sun Music, Eurosport and The Golf Channel. The first three channels were already added into Astro's line-up on April 24, 2007. The other six channels became available from May 1, 2007 onwards. Another two channels The History Channel and the Crime & Investigation Network joined the Astro platform on June 1, 2007.
In June 1, 2007, Astro introduced Astro On Demand, a new near-video on demand channel featuring the latest TVB dramas from Hong Kong. On July 1, 2007 onwards, Astro On-Demand Preview was launched, and it is entirely devoted to telling the Astro subscribers about this new channel. A total of 31 channels have been allocated for this new service.[2]
On October 13, 2007, Astro added seven new channels into its repertoire, including the Asian Food Channel, Astro Hua Hee Dai, Astro Oasis, Astro Xiao Tai Yang, Chutti TV, KBS World and Makkal TV. This increased the number of television channels on Astro to 80.
In December 1, 2007, Australia Network started transmission on Astro platform.
In January 1, 2008, Bernama TV is a 24-hour Malaysian news channel, starts transmission on the Astro platform.
In May 1, 2009, Astro launched the Mustika Pack is a new pay television package comprising three new channels named Astro Citra (channel 131), Astro Warna (channel 132) and B4U (channel 133). Astro Warna offers comedy; while Astro Citra is the Malaysian version of the HBO Asia channel providing Southeast Asian blockbuster movies, Malay premieres and Malay epic series; and B4U the latest box-office Bollywood movies and music with Malaysian subtitles.
Astro then added a second Astro branded sports channel, Astro SuperSport 2 in November 1, 2009.
On November 23, 2009, Astro starts transmission of the first HD channels in Malaysia, Astro Supersport HD, ESPN HD, HBO HD, National Geographic Channel HD and HISTORY HD, followed by ESPN HD in January 11, 2010.
Granada TV was added the Astro platform on December 1, 2009 featuring many of the United Kingdom's best shows. Granada TV was subsequently renamed to ITV Granada on November 1, 2010.
On March 25, 2010, Astro Arena, the country's first local sports channel went on air. Astro Arena (Channel 801), a 24-hour local sports channel will be delivered predominantly in Malaysian and available to all Astro customers under its Family Pack.
On April 1, 2010, Astro starts transmission of TVB Classic Channel is a drama channel in Cantonese, featuring memorable and highly rated dramas from the 1970s and 1980s - all from TVB's much-coveted vault of library titles, covering varied genres such as romance, costume, action and comedy.
On May 1, 2010, Astro starts transmission of ESPNews is a sports news 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.
In conjunction with the launch of Astro B.yond PVR, Astro starts transmission of 3 new HD channels - AXN HD (CH 721), Astro Zhi Zun HD (CH 310), a Chinese general entertainment HD channel and FX HD (CH 726) will join Astro B.yond's HD line up. In addition, FOX will make its debut on Astro in standard definition. All these new channels started transmission on June 11, 2010.
On July 1, 2010, Astro starts transmission of Astro SuperSport 3 (ASSP 3). ASSP 3 will broadcast 'LIVE' coverage of BPL (Barclays Premier League) games as well as also feature highlights, previews and magazine programs around the BPL. ASSP 3 will also broadcast other football plus a variety of other sporting genres.
On August 11, 2010, Astro starts transmission of National Geographic Wild (Nat Geo Wild). Nat Geo Wild, is in Malaysian, English and Mandarin language tracks for all programs, bringing to Malaysian households a 24-hour television channel fully dedicated to breathtaking nature and wildlife programming.
On August 17, 2010, Astro starts transmission of AXN Beyond HD as well. AXN Beyond HD is a hip and happening TV destination will offer viewers the most first-run US shows among all pay-television channels in Malaysia, serving up at least two new first-and-exclusive programmes each month to discerning viewers.
On October 1, 2010, Astro launches 3 additional HD channels, ONE HD provides the best selection in Asian general entertainment with a focus on Korean content. while STAR Movies HD brings you the best Hollywood movies in HD and Astro Lifestyle HD channel on Channel 706 which will air programmes from both Food Network Asia HD (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) and Life Inspired (Li) (9:00 pm to 9:00 am).
On December 9, 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 January 1, 2011, Astro launches Astro First, a first of its kind movie-on-demand service. Astro customers will be able to watch the latest cinema titles within two weeks after the cinema release, in the comfort of their homes at an affordable price.
On May 1, 2011, Astro offers Astro Tutor TV channel for PMR and SPM version, with newest line-up programmes include, Mathematics, Science, Malaysian English, History, Malaysian, and Additional Maths (only for SPM) with full interactive 'red-button' features to make revision even more engaging and fun.
On July 1, 2011, Astro launches another new package called Indo Pek, which comprising 2 new Astro branded channels named Bintang (channel 141) and Pelangi (channel 142). Bintang provides the best of Indonesian lifestyle entertainment such as music videos, gossips, and more. which Pelangi brings you the best Indonesian movies from the 1970s until now.
ASTRO launched Malaysia's first high-definition television service branded Astro B.yond on December 11, 2009. The roll out of these services is estimated to cost some RM200 million, including marketing and operating costs of approximately RM150 million, over the next financial year, ahead of revenue and earnings from these services.[3]
Incorporating best in class technologies, Astro B.yond offers customers more innovative services which will be introduced in phases. Starting with the first ever High-Definition (HD) broadcast in Malaysia, Astro B.yond will change TV viewing experience with richer colours, picture-perfect clarity and cinematic surround sound. Along with this, a new and improved Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) designed for better viewer interface will be introduced.[4]
Astro B.yond also introduced a Digital Video Recording (DVR) service, available through the Astro B.yond Personal Video Recorder (PVR) and an external hard disk drive connected to the Astro B.yond decoder. The Astro B.yond 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 thus giving customers the ultimate control over their television viewing. Recording services ia also availalble through Astro B.yond via a compatible external hard disk driveand activate the recording service by Astro.[5]
In April 2011, Astro B.yond introduced it's IPTV services through Astro B.yond IPTV a collaboration with TIME dotCom Berhad (TIME) to deliver IPTV since December 2010 brings an unparalleled multiplay of Astro channels in HD (High-Definition) with Personal Video Recording (PVR) and VOD (Video-on-Demand) services delivered via TIME's 100% fibre broadband offering the fastest internet speed in the country with voice at the best value to Malaysian homes. Astro B.yond IPTV will be progressively available in Klang Valley and Penang. At present, Astro B.yond IPTV is available at 60 high-rise condominiums within Mont Kiara, KLCC, Bangsar and Penang.[6]
The Astro B.yond decoder is a rebranded Pace plc DS-830NA.
Astro offers a wide variety of channels and radio content.
| Channel | Name | Group(s) | Notes | Official Websites/Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | RTM TV1 | News, Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 102 | RTM TV2 | News, Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 103 | TV3 | Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 104 | Astro Ria | Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 105 | Astro Prima | Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 106 | Astro Oasis | Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 107 | NTV7 | Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 108 | Zee Variasi | Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 109 | astro@15 | Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 111 | ART | Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 114 | TV AlHijrah | Religion Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 119 | TV9 | Entertainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 130 | i130 | Infotainment | Astro Family Package | Official Website |
| 131 | Astro Citra | Movies | Mustika Package | Official Website |
| 132 | Astro Warna | Comedy | Mustika Package | Official Website |
| 133 | Bollywood for You (B4U) | Movies, Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 141 | Bintang | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 142 | Pelangi | Movies | Official Website | |
| 180 | RTM TVi | Music | Official Website | |
| 201 | Astro Vaanavil | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 202 | Astro Vellithirai | Movies | Official Website | |
| 203 | Makkal TV | Cultural | Official Website | |
| 211 | Sun TV | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 212 | Sun Music | Music | Official Website | |
| 213 | Chutti TV | Children | Official Website | |
| 214 | Adithya TV | Comedy | ||
| 301 | Astro AEC / Astro亞洲娛樂台 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 302 | iView / Astro精彩預告 | Infotainment | Official Website | |
| 304 | Jia Yu / 家娛頻道 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 305 | TVB Classic / 無線經典台 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 310 | Astro Zhi Zun HD / Astro至尊HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 311 | Astro Wah Lai Toi / Astro華麗台 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 312 | Phoenix Chinese Channel / 鳳凰衛視中文台 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 313 | TVB Entertainment / 無線娛樂新聞台 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 314 | TVB Xing He / TVB星河頻道 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 315 | WATV | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 316 | CTI Asia / 中天亞洲台 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 317 | TVBS Asia / 無線衛星亞洲台 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 322 | Celestial Movies / 天映頻道 | Movies | Official Website | |
| 323 | Phoenix Info News / 鳳凰衛視資訊台 | News | Official Website | |
| 324 | Astro Shuang Xing / Astro雙星 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 325 | Astro Xiao Tai Yang / Astro小太陽 | Children | Official Website | |
| 333 | Astro Hua Hee Dai / Astro歡喜台 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 334 | CCTV4 / 中央電視台中文國際頻道 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 391 | KBS World | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 393 | SET ONE HD Asia | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 398 | NHK World | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 411 | HBO Asia | Movies | Official Website | |
| 412 | MAX (cineMAX) | Movies | Official Website | |
| 413 | Fox Movies Premium | Movies | Official Website | |
| 416 | CDA | Movies | Will be launched soon by 5B Network | |
| 431 | HBO HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 433 | Fox Movies Premium HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 438 | Sundance Channel HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 482 - 492 | Astro First | On Demand | Including 3 Astro First HD channels on CH483, CH487 & CH492 for selected movies only | Official Website |
| 501 | Astro Awani | News | Official Website | |
| 502 | Bernama TV | News | Official Website | |
| 509 | CCTV News | News | Official Website | |
| 511 | CNN | News | Official Website | |
| 512 | BBC World | News | Official Website | |
| 513 | Al-Jazeera English | News | Official Website | |
| 518 | CNBC Asia | News | Official Website | |
| 519 | Bloomberg Television | News | Official Website | |
| 521 | Australia Network | News, Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 550 | Nat Geo Wild | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 551 | Discovery Channel | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 553 | Nat Geo Channel | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 554 | Discovery Science | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 555 | History | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 556 | Animal Planet | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 571 | Discovery HD World | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 573 | Nat Geo HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 575 | History HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 601 | Astro Tutor TV UPSR | Education | Official Website | |
| 603 | Astro Tutor TV SPM | Education | Now until November 25 | Official Website |
| 610 | Astro TVIQ | Knowledge | Official Website | |
| 611 | Astro Ceria | Children | Official Website | |
| 612 | Nickelodeon | Children | Official Website | |
| 613 | Disney Junior | Children | Official Website | |
| 615 | Disney Channel | Children | Official Website | |
| 616 | Cartoon Network | Children | Official Website | |
| 618 | BabyTV | Children | Official Website | |
| 701 | AXN | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 702 | DIVA Universal | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 703 | Asian Food Channel | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 705 | Astro Hitz | Music | Official Website | |
| 706 | Astro Lifestyle HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 707 | TLC | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 708 | 8TV / 八度空间 | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 710 | FOX Asia | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 711 | STAR World | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 712 | E! Entertainment | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 713 | MTV Asia | Music | Official Website | |
| 715 | Animax Asia | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 720 | AXN Beyond HD Asia | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 721 | AXN HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 722 | Star World HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 726 | FX HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 731 | The Biography Channel (bio.) | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 732 | Crime & Investigation Network (CI) | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 733 | Discovery Home & Health | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 734 | Discovery Turbo | Documentaries | Official Website | |
| 735 | ITV Granada | Entertainment | Official Website | |
| 801 | Astro Arena | Sports | Official Website | |
| 811 | Astro SuperSport | Sports | Official Website | |
| 812 | ESPN | Sports | Official Website | |
| 813 | STAR Sports | Sports | Official Website | |
| 814 | Eurosport | Sports | Official Website | |
| 815 | Golf Channel | Sports | Official Website | |
| 816 | Astro SuperSport 2 | Sports | Official Website | |
| 817 | Astro SuperSport 3 | Sports | Official Website | |
| 818 | ESPNews | Sports | Official Website | |
| 831 | Astro SuperSport HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 832 | ESPN HD | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 833 | Astro SuperSport HD 2 | High Definition | Official Website | |
| 852 - 870 | Radio | Radio Entertainment | ||
| 888 | Astro Stocklink | Official Website | ||
| 901 - 942 | Astro On Demand Drama | On Demand | Official Website | |
| 951 | Astro Box Office Thangathirai | Movies | Official Website | |
| 952 - 953 | Astro Box Office Tayangan Hebat | Movies | Official Website | |
| 971 - 972 | Astro Box Office Sports/Events | Entertainment | Official Website |
The direct-to-home (DTH), is broadcast as high-power Ku-band transmissions utilising the transponders of the MEASAT satellite system. Reception of the service signals uses a fixed 60-cm diameter dish antenna.
Ku-band signals can be affected by rain attenuation (rain fade), making it susceptible to frequent outages in heavy rainfall areas such as Malaysia, the operators of Astro have employed a tailor-made system to boost power of the satellite delivery system to overcome this problem. The service availability of 99.7%, however, is still a topic of much debate by subscribers.
| Generation | Manufacturer | Model | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st generation/launch product | Philips | INS 610 | 1996 |
| 2nd generation | Philips | DSX7072 | 1999 |
| Nokia | DVB 8750s | 1999 | |
| 3rd generation | Philips | DSR4201 | 2004 |
| Thomson | DVB 850s | 2004 | |
| 4th generation | Thomson | 860N | 2010 |
Since its launch, Astro transmits programming with encryption to mitigate signal piracy. The receiver (also known as an IRD, or "integrated receiver-decoder") utilizes ISO/IEC 7816 smart cards which tell the receiver how to decrypt the programming for viewing. Astro is now utilizing a third generation of access smart cards.
The Astro service uses the package pricing model commonly used by other pay-TV providers in which channels are grouped into packages (i.e. basic and premium) made available to subscribers at a monthly fee.
Since 15 November 2007, there has been a slight alteration to the packages and prices. The Family package, which is the lowest entry level, offers a fee of RM37.95. Subscribers who pay this amount will only enjoy channels grouped under Astro Family banner that offers 26 channels, including six free-to-air terrestrial television networks, in-house vernacular channels and some international networks.
The basic packages (also known as Mini packages) are categorised into four groups known as Variety (Entertainment channels such as MTV and E!), Learning (Educational and documentary-related channels such as Discovery Channel), Fun (Children's channels such as Disney Channel) and News. The sports package – initially a mini package – is now offered separately, and must be subscribed with another Mini package at least.
Premium packages (known as Super packages) include the Movie and Dynasty (Chinese-language channels) packages. They are offered at a higher rate than the other available package.
Also, five new packages, collectively known as the Plus packages, were introduced to Astro since 15 November 2007. They include the Metro package (such as Discovery Home & Health), the Maharaja package (Tamil-language channels), the Gold package, the New Emperor package (both Chinese language packages), and the Mustika package (Malay and Bollywood package). Subscribers cannot select both the Gold Package and the New Emperor Package as four channels in the Gold Package are available within the New Emperor Package as well.[7]
At the end of 1999, Astro's operator MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems announced a proposal to provide high-speed satellite-delivered Internet access services. The service, called @stronet-JARING, was to be a one-way terrestrial return system, whereby Malaysian ISP Jaring would provide the outbound data service through dial-up (and later broadband) access. Downloads would be received via the MEASAT satellite system, which promised a maximum download speed of 6.5Mbit/s. A PC-based trial was performed in early 2000 with a maximum download speed of 400kbit/s. Other proposed services included Multicast File Transfer and Multicast Streaming Delivery. The service, however, has never been made available publicly.
In May 2005, Astro launched Astro.tv, a broadband TV portal. Initially, it had two video channels: Akademi Fantasia Xtra and GOALTV. The service required a separate subscription fee charged to the subscribers mobile phone bill. It was rebranded as Astro Broadband..
In 2010, Astro introduced the Astro B.yond Player Online offering access to selected programmes via LIVE video streaming on astro.com.my to its customers. There is also Video-On-Demand and selected programme replays available online. The Astro B.yond Player comprises videos from Astro's locally produced content, LIVE football matches and a special programmes HD broadcast. Astro B.yond Player Online requires a Microsoft Silverlight plug-in.[8]
Since December 2010, Astro's strategic collaboration with TIME dotCom Berhad (TIME) has enabled Astro to deliver IPTV with an unparalleled multiplay of Astro channels in HD (High-Definition) with Personal Video Recording (PVR) and VOD (Video-on-Demand) services delivered via TIME's 100% fibre broadband offering the fastest internet speed in the country with voice to Malaysian homes.[9]
As at 1 April 2011, the service has close to 3 million customers, which represents 50% of Malaysian TV homes.[10]
During high-profile events, Astro adds a Red-Button interactive feature to some channels to provide a link to several different feeds from the event, thereby enabling viewers to select between events or sporting matches that may be taking place simultaneously. The Red Button feature is also used to provide interactive services such as programming updates, event news, scores, contest information and sponsor advertising. The service is accessible by pressing the Red Button on the set-top box's remote control when prompted by a "Press Red Button" logo on-screen.
The Red Button service was first used in June 2004 to provide enhanced services for the program Akademi Fantasia, the localised version of Mexico's La Academia.
Other multi-feed/channel events using the Red Button feature:
| Event | No of feeds / channels | Broadcast channel |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 Summer Olympics | 6 | Astro Supersport (Channel 80) |
| 2006 Winter Olympics | 3 | Astro Supersport (Channel 80) |
| 2006 Commonwealth Games | 3 | Astro Supersport (Channel 80) |
| 2006 FIFA World Cup | 8 | Astro Supersport (Channel 83) |
| 2006 Asian Games | 4 | Astro Supersport (Channel 83) |
| 2008 Thomas Cup | 1 | Astro Supersport (Channel 816) |
| UEFA Euro 2008 | 3 | Astro Supersport (Channel 816) |
| 2008 Summer Olympics | 11 | Astro Supersport (Channel 816) |
| 2010 World Cup | 10 (5 SD/5 HD) | Astro Supersport (Channel 820 SD/HD) |
In October 2008, Astro launched Astro Mobile TV which provides over 20 channels some exclusively. Astro Mobile TV is only available to Maxis 3G customers. The customer pays no data fee for the streaming video.
In 2010, Astro introduced the Astro B.yond Player Mobile, which brings live video streaming of signature TV programs, football matches on mobile phones. The iPhone Astro B.yond Player App is accessible via the Apple App Store. The Astro B.yond Mobile service is available through the Maxis, DiGi and Celcom 3G network.
The Astro service is currently also available in Brunei under the brand Kristal-Astro. Launched on 24 January 2000, the Brunei operation is a joint venture company established between Brunei company DST through its subsidiary, Kristal Sdn Bhd (51.1%) and Measat Broadcast Network Systems (48.9%). That service comprises over 80 DTH television and radio channels.
A joint venture company, PT Direct Vision, in which Astro will hold a 20% stake, operates the Astro service in Indonesia. 48 channels including 5 locally produced Indonesia exclusive channels were launched under the Astro brand. The service ceased transmission sign-off closedown on Monday, 20 October 2008 at 00:01 local time midnight.
Sun Direct is a 80:20 joint venture between the Kalanidhi Maran family and the Astro Group of Malaysia. Sun Direct adds around 200,000 subscribers per month in the south and the target is three million plus active subscribers by the end of this fiscal nationally. Sun Direct is the first one to adopt the advanced MPEG4 technology offering better compression and signal quality and is the first one to offer HDTV (High definition) content. Sun Direct offers all customer premises equipments like the dish and Set Top box at no additional cost to the customer, which is a practice followed by DTH platforms across the world.
Astro joint venture with Endemol to open the second Asian branch and the branch is call Endemol Malaysia and than the first format from Endemol is Kamilah Bintang - Kids talent searching reality show and was aired on Astro Ceria.
On November 2009, Astro was awarded the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) Chairman's Award 2009 for its contribution to the pay-TV industry in the region.[11]
Astro won Gold in the Media and Entertainment category for The Putra Brand Awards in 2010 and 2011.[12][13]
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