KUALA LUMPUR: In the third quarter of the financial year (Q3FY25), Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad saw a partial recovery in advertising expenditure (ADEX), rising 13% QoQ to RM80 million, highlighting the company’s ability to adapt and continue to create value for advertisers in the current economic climate.

Central to this upturn was the strong performance of Astro Radio, which contributed RM40 million to the company’s ADEX, posting an impressive 24% growth QoQ, reaffirming its status as Malaysia’s number one radio network, as reported by the latest independent radio audience survey by GfK.

According to GfK’s industry-approved survey Radio Audience Measurement (RAM) Wave 2, 2024, Astro Radio’s reach improved by 2 percentage points to 72%. This is a remarkable testament to its wide-ranging appeal and endearing bond with listeners. 

Polling across 16 radio stations (using Commercial Radio Malaysia’s (CRM) data) confirmed Astro leads Malaysia’s radio landscape, ranking No.1 across all four major languages. ERA and SINAR are the top two Malay brands, HITZ and MIX the top two English brands, with MY the top Chinese brand. RAAGA stands as the No.1 Tamil brand.

DELIVERING POWERFUL CONTENT

Expectedly, Kahar: Kapla High Council, the highly anticipated prequel to our popular Project High Council series was phenomenal when it hit the silver screen at the tail-end of Q3FY25. The massive turnout on launch day, along with RM10 million gross box office and counting since it premiered on November 28, proves again why Astro stands unrivaled when it comes to delivering high quality local movie content.

Kahar follows the success of our earlier release in the third quarter, the terror tale with a twist. Don Dukun emerged as the No.1 local horror comedy post-pandemic, amassing RM5 million gross box office to date.

Astro’s prowess isn’t just confined to theatricals and films.

Throughout Q3FY25, our signatures have shown strong performance. For example, Astro’s brainchild with social media giant, TikTok, titled TikTok Gimme The Mic Malaysia reached over 5.1 million TV viewers. The fourth season of Muzikal Lawak Superstar 4 also saw similar success with 5.1 million TV viewers.

Where drama is concerned, Andai Tiada Dia successfully explored the raw emotions and tangled realities of marriage and infidelity, tugging at the heartstrings of audiences. As the No.1 Malaysian TV drama of 2024, it reached 1.6 million peak viewers, proving Astro’s ability to connect and resonate.

Astro’s adaptation of Nippon TV’s Mr. Hiiragi’s Homeroom, Kelas Tahanan Cikgu Hiragi, reached an impressive 5.7 million viewers on TV, 232K streams On Demand, 154K views on Astro Go as well 102K streams on sooka; attesting to Astro’s strength in transcreation—not merely adapting international formats, but reimagining them to resonate with Malaysian audiences.

Our Astro Originals for this quarter are also doing well. Employing a two-parter release strategy on On Demand, Project: Exit is currently the fastest-growing Astro Originals in history, with 106K On Demand Unique Viewers in the first 9 days of its airing, besting previous titles such as Project: High Council and One Cent Thief.

HELPING CUSTOMERS

Mindful of the ongoing pressures on cost of living, Astro continues to respond, as evidenced by our ongoing efforts to increase value by providing more attractive and affordable options. This is resonating, as we are seeing overall growth in the customer base across our product portfolio. We expect this to continue, given the recent announcements we have made regarding Astro One and our Big Thank You giveaway.

STRENGTHENING ADJACENT BUSINESSES

Staying true to our transformation plan, our adjacent businesses have shown notable improvements, sooka, our homegrown over-the-top (OTT) streaming platform, in particular, saw strong performance this quarter.
Fueled by compelling local content beloved by our audiences, which drew in advertisers, sooka’s ADEX revenue surged by 81% QoQ, albeit from a low base. Its VIP paying base has also expanded by 77%, mainly due to strong local content and sporting tentpoles, alongside competitive pricing. 

Similarly, revenue from Enterprise has risen 14% YoY while Astro Fibre’s subscriber base grew 9% YoY against extremely stiff competition, with competitors heavily discounting their offers.

FINANCIALS

Amidst a tepid economic backdrop compounded by cautious consumer spending, Astro posted revenue of RM750 million, EBITDA of RM158 million and PATAMI of RM47m. Excluding unrealised forex gains from transponder lease liabilities, normalised PATAMI stood at RM1 million.

Furthermore, cash generation remained healthy, with free cash flow of RM138 million.

COMBATTING PIRACY

At Astro, every story we broadcast is a celebration of creativity and collaboration, but behind the screen lies an ecosystem of creators, talents, and businesses whose livelihoods depends on fair play.

From 2023 to November 2024, we removed 514,000 illegal links from a variety of platforms; websites, social media, mobile apps, and e-commerce sites, including the shuttering of 250 Telegram groups with a combined 10 million subscribers.

Also, in the first half of FY25, the company achieved enforcement outcomes valued at RM809,000,including civil and criminal actions against piracy, illegal streaming, and errant enterprises. Astro also secured its first-ever statutory damages award in Q3FY25 after the High Court of Malaya ordered a local pub to pay RM75,000 for illegally streaming our exclusive live sports content.


STEWARDING ESG

In Q3FY25, Astro took a significant step towards environmental stewardship with the second annual Rimba Kita Run, held at the Putrajaya Wetlands Park. The event drew over 1,300 participants and doubled the funds raised compared to its maiden event. 


GCEO’s STATEMENT

Euan Smith, Group CEO of Astro remarked: “Families across Malaysia are feeling the pinch. The rising cost of living and global uncertainty—sparked, in part, by shifting U.S. policies, are making wallets tighter and decisions harder. At Astro, we understand these struggles because we live them too.

Our response is clear: we are here to provide solutions that are relevant, affordable, and meaningful in these uncertain times.

And so, enter, Astro One. A new suite of entertainment packages designed to simplify choices and add value to Malaysian households. With the Entertainment Pack, Sports Pack, and Epic Pack, we have made it easier than ever for families to enjoy world-class content—local productions, international hits, and regional favourites; all tailored to suit their interests, devices, and budgets.

But Astro One is more than convenience. It is also a way to combat the growing threat of piracy by giving people safe, affordable access to the content they love. A way to support parents, kids, and grandparents alike, no matter their tastes or screens of choice.

That’s not all. We’ve also recently rolled out our biggest giveaway yet, offering up to 17 additional channels, free Ultra and Ulti Box upgrades and Astro First movie redemptions to thank our loyal customers for their unwavering support over the years.

As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our mission to be Malaysia’s No.1 Entertainment and Streaming Destination. Even as we navigate consumer headwinds, our focus remains on growing new customers, strengthening adjacent businesses, and reducing legacy costs.”


The press statement is issued by Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad