- New English-language linear channels are movie channels HBO Family, HBO Hits, and SHOWCASE MOVIES, general entertainment channels BBC Lifestyle, Paramount Network, Lifetime and PRIMEtime, and factual entertainment and natural history channel BBC Earth launching on 15 September 2021
- New On Demand channels, BBC First and BBC Brit launching on 15 Oct 2021
- New Sports channels include Astro Arena 2, Astro SuperSport 5 and SPOTV from 1 Oct 2021
- Some FOX channels will no longer be available after 30 September 2021 as part of Disney’s new strategy to push its streaming service.
Astro continues to strengthen its content offering with even more choices, great value and flexibility. In line with this, Astro today announced that it will continue to aggregate the best streaming services and at the same time refresh its linear channels in the Family, Movies, Variety and Learning packs as well as Sports.
The new linear channels will include HBO Family, HBO Hits, SHOWCASE MOVIES, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Earth, Paramount Network, Lifetime and PRIMEtime commencing 15 September 2021 as well as new sports channels Astro Arena 2, Astro SuperSport 5 and SPOTV on 1 October 2021. In addition, launching mid-October, On Demand connected customers can expect two additional BBC offerings, BBC First and BBC Brit, for more premium British dramas and entertainment programs. There will be something new for everyone with a rich mix of content being offered across the five packs.
These new offerings are timely, given that Disney recently announced that it will be discontinuing certain linear channels in the region as part of its strategy to push its streaming services instead. As a result of this global shift, all regional Southeast Asia partners including Astro will cease broadcast of the following linear channels belonging to Disney after 30 September 2021: FOX, FOX Life, FX, FOX Movies, FOX Action Movies, FOX Family Movies, FOX Sports, FOX Sports 2, FOX Sports 3, and Nat Geo People. Additionally, as part of Astro’s efforts to refresh content for its English entertainment segment, both Discovery Science and Hello channels will cease broadcast after 30 September 2021.
Given the encouraging growth from linear to streaming platforms, Astro customers who have activated the Disney+ Hotstar app can stream more entertainment as they will be able to continue to enjoy most of the content from the FOX channels on this app. Azlin Arshad, Commercial Director of Astro said, “Astro has been on a journey to strengthen our product offering and customer experience. To this end, refreshing our content line-up ensures that we continue to offer extensive choices to meet the diverse entertainment and information needs of our customers, always with the objective of delighting them.”
“In line with the current shift in consumer preferences and demand, coupled with our intention to expand our content offering, we are pleased to present this new channel line-up which brings with it, a host of top-rated and highly anticipated shows. Sports fans can look forward to 3 new channels - Astro Arena 2, Astro SuperSport 5 and SPOTV. Built on the popularity of Astro Arena, Astro Arena 2 promises to bring edgy and refreshing local sports coverage and live studio presentations for WWE, BWF and more in new formats which will appeal to younger fans. Astro SuperSport 5 will carry UFC and Formula 1, while SPOTV promises MotoGP, Wimbledon, US Open live action so that sports fans continue to get more on Astro.”
“In tandem with meeting the growing demand of the streaming world, we encourage our customers to sign up and enjoy the extensive content available our apps Astro GO, HBO GO, iQIYI, Disney+ Hotstar and most recently TVB Anywhere+. As part of our continuous journey towards enhancing customer experience, we look forward to providing more choices, value and flexibility in our packages for our customers.”
The new channels will be available on TV and On Demand from 12am, 15 September 2021. For more information, please visit astro.com.my/newchannels.
Appendix
Family Pack:
Lifetime (Ch703) - A premier female-focused entertainment destination, known for distinctive stories about real people who inspire. Amongst top picks is the much-awaited movie, Harry & Meghan: Escaping The Palace, which gives an inside look of the famous couple’s unconventional move to step away from the British Royal Family and Lifetime Originals’ Ann Rule’s Sleeping with Danger and VC Andrew’s movies.
PRIMEtime (Ch704) - Offers more popular shows for series lovers including Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Riviera, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Criminal Minds, MasterChef, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and more. Astro Arena2 (Ch802) - Brings edgy and refreshing local sports coverage and live studio presentations for WWE, BWF and more in new formats.
Movies Pack:
HBO Hits (Ch415) - Minions, Kong: Skull Island and Roald Dahl’s The Witches to choose from, amongst many more!
HBO Family (Ch414) - Check out family favourites like Jumanji film series, Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo!, Scooby-Doo! The Sword And The Scoob!, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, Superman Returns & more.
SHOWCASE MOVIES (Ch413) - The Avengers, Doctor Strange, Thor, Captain America: Civil War, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Maze Runner, Pirates of the Caribbean, Percy Jackson, The Transporter, and more from the Disney and FOX library.
Variety Pack:
Paramount Network (Ch713) - Known for its critically acclaimed shows, iconic IPs, and express shows from the US. As a start, do catch the award-winning line-up including season premieres of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens and CSI: Cyber.
BBC Lifestyle (Ch717) - BBC Lifestyle is brimming with vibrant, fresh and inspirational ideas to transform your life. We bring you a showcase of programs featuring favourite personalities including Nigella Lawson’s Cook, Eat Repeat, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, George Clarke and the popular Bake Off: The Professionals S4.
Learning Pack:
BBC Earth (Ch554) - BBC Earth inspires audiences by sharing the incredible and mind-blowing wonders of our universe. Key titles include Eden, the Untamed Planet and Artic Life: A Year in Ice and more.
Sports Pack:
Astro SuperSport 5 (Ch815) - UFC, Formula 1
SPOTV (Ch816) - MotoGP, Wimbledon, US Open
On Demand:
BBC First - The home of premium British drama featuring award-winning talent in front of and behind the camera. BBC First showcases outstanding British premium drama, including Killing Eve, Luther and Doctor Foster.
BBC Brit - BBC Brit brings you entertainment that is intelligent yet irreverent, factual yet fun, with experts and quirky eccentrics. It is the home of Top Gear and covers a rich variety of fan favorites such as Uncle and Mr Bean.
