Astro announces six percent year-on-year growth in revenue to RM1.3 billion

Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (Astro) announced its first quarter results of the financial year ending January 31, 2016, with a six percent year-on-year growth in revenue to RM1.3 billion.

The results saw a 7 percent rise in Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) to RM472 million and a 31 percent increase in Profit After Tax And Minority Interest (PATAMI) to RM168 million.

“The Group is continuing to fulfil its commitment to shareholder value creation and progressive dividend policy. On that note, the Board is pleased to declare a 22 percent higher first interim dividend of 2.75 sen per share,” said Astro Chairman Tun Zaki Azmi.

Astro Chief Executive Officer Datuk Rohana Rozhan said, as a content and consumer company, Astro is leveraging on the breadth and depth of its offerings across the ‘Watch, Listen, Read and Shop’ platforms to drive growth in a soft consumer market.

“Through our dual model proposition of Pay-TV and NJOI, our customer base grew by 525,00 year-on-year to 4.5 million households, representing 64 percent of total Malaysian TV households. NJOI is increasingly well-received among Malaysians, welcoming its millionth customer in Q1FY16. We continue to strengthen the contents on NJOI by launching two HD channels, Astro Xi Yue HD and Astro Maya HD, as well as providing a variety of prepaid options to purchase premium content,” she said.

Rohana added Malaysians are increasingly consuming content on multiple devices at home and on the go.

“We aim to drive usage of connected boxes and PVRs to increase consumption of on-demand content, namely box sets, movies and catch up TV. Our customers now have significant content available on demand, including ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘Harry Porter’ and many more,” she said.

Astro also launched Raku, Malaysia’s very own radio and music streaming service on mobile and web.

"Through Raku, users can stream millions of songs and videos, listen to more than 20 live radio stations, playlists curated by top local artistes including Yuna, Paper Plane Pursuit, Dasha Logan and many more, localised talk shows and live performances at No Black Tie and Laundry on digital devices.

“In addition, 17 e-magazines are now available on our Go Read app, while Go Shop is changing the way Malaysians shop with a unique 24/7 shopping experience on TV, mobile and online platforms,” she added.