Disney announced recently that it will discontinue certain linear channels in the region as part of its strategy to focus on its streaming services.
As a result of this global shift, all regional Southeast Asian partners, including Astro, will stop broadcasting the following Disney-owned linear channels after September 30, 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.
As part of Astro’s efforts to refresh content for its English entertainment segment, both the Discovery Science and Hello channels will halt broadcasting after September 30, 2021.
But don’t worry, as we previously stated, it’s time for new beginnings as Astro continues to strengthen its content offering with even more options, great value, and flexibility. Hence, they have announced that they will continue to aggregate the best streaming services while also refreshing the linear channels in the Family, Movies, Variety, and Learning packs, as well as Sports.
Beginning on September 15, 2021, the new linear channels will include HBO Family, HBO Hits, SHOWCASE MOVIES, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Earth, Paramount Network, Lifetime, and PRIMEtime, as well as new sports channels Astro Arena 2, Astro SuperSport 5, and SPOTV.
Commencing in mid-October, On Demand connected customers can expect two new BBC offerings; BBC First and BBC Brit, for more premium British dramas and entertainment programmes. With a diverse range of content available across the five packs, there will be something for everyone.
Given the heartening growth of linear to streaming platforms, Astro customers who have activated the Disney+ Hotstar app will be able to stream more entertainment because they will be able to continue to enjoy most of the FOX channels on this app.
The new channels will be available on TV and on demand beginning at 12am on September 15, 2021. Please visit astro.com.my/newchannels for more information. Check out their social media pages for the most up-to-date information on their channels and programmes.
Below is an overview of the changes in channels and programme types on each type of Astro package;
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.
For more info, please visit www.astro.com.my
