Astro launches 10 new channels

Viewers can now enjoy a string of new and exciting programmes as the broadcaster has rolled out 10 new channels including eight hgh-definition (HD) channels which will begin broadcasting this Sunday. The launch was held yesterday at SOJU Sunway in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday.

Apart from this, Astro also launched Astro Plus, a platform which offers movies and television programmes from Hollywood through its Video On Demand service.

Its Chief Operating Officer Henry Tan said, new innovations will continue to be made in order to provide the best services to its customers.

This includes bringing the latest foreign content through Astro’s various platforms which includes PVR, HD and Astro On The Go.

Astro also launched two new packages – Fans Pack (RM99 per month) and Astro Super Pack Plus (RM178 per month).

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," said Tan.

Current HD customers will be able to watch these new HD and Standard Definition (SD) channels for free beginning November 16 until the end of February, 2015.

The number of HD channels on Astro started with 4 in 2009 and has grown to 40 and with eight 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 Universal HD (CH 723) and FOX HD (CH 724) while the new SD channels are ZooMoo (CH 619) and Celestial Classic Movies (CH 321).

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 unrivaled 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 focussing 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 preschool 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," said Haslingden.

"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.