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.