Astro

Type	Private satellite television
Country	Malaysia
Availability	National
Motto	Making your life richer (2003 – Present) The future is Direct-To-U (1996 – 2003)
Key people	Dato' Badri Masri Dato' Mohamed Khadar Merican Ralph Marshall Tan Poh Ching Bernard Anthony Cragg Chin Kwai Yoong
Launch date	1996
Former names	寰宇电视 (pinyin: Huányǔ diàn shì) in Chinese, now simply known as "Astro"
Website www.astro.com.my

Astro is a subscription-based direct broadcast satellite (DBS) or direct-to-home satellite television and radio service initially in Malaysia, but has expanded to Brunei and Indonesia. Satellite television is Television delivered by the means of Communications satellites as compared to conventional Terrestrial television and Cable For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and The Malay language has a complex system of Titles and Honorifics which is still extensively used in Malaysia and Brunei. The Malay language has a complex system of Titles and Honorifics which is still extensively used in Malaysia and Brunei. Pinyin, more formally Hanyu pinyin, is the most common Standard Mandarin Romanization system in use The subscription business model is a Business model where a customer must pay a subscription price to have access to the product/service Direct broadcast satellite (DBS is a term used to refer to Satellite television broadcasts intended for home reception also referred to more broadly as direct-to-home Satellite television is Television delivered by the means of Communications satellites as compared to conventional Terrestrial television and Cable A satellite radio or subscription radio (SR is a Digital radio signal that is broadcast by a Communications satellite, which covers a much wider geographical For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Brunei Darussalam, (bruːˈnaɪ in English officially the State of Brunei Abode of Peace (Negara Brunei Darussalam Jawi: برني دارالسلام The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. The service is broadcast from the All Asia Broadcast Centre (ABC) located in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Bukit Jalil is a suburb about 20km south of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur (ˈkwɑːləlʊmˈpʊər Malay /kwɑlɑlʊmpʊ/ and locally /kwɑləlʊmpɔ/ or even /kɔlɔmpɔ/ or often abbreviated as K Astro is owned by MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems, a subsidiary of Astro All Asia Networks plc. Astro All Asia Networks plc ( is a Malaysia -based investment holding media conglomerate company which provides management services to its subsidiaries

General Information

Image of MEASAT-3 orbiting over South-east Asia

The service was launched in 1996 following the launch of the MEASAT-1 satellite with an initial bouquet of 22 television and 8 radio channels. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) MEASAT (Malaysia East Asia Satellite is the name of a line of Malaysian Communications satellites owned and operated by MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn Currently, the service consists of 80 television, 17 radio, and 4 pay-per-view channels plus various interactive services. Pay-per-view (often abbreviated PPV) is the system in which Television viewers can purchase events to be seen on TV and pay for the private telecast of that event Astro's own news channel, Astro News, carries programming from the news channel Al Jazeera, available in dual language, Arabic and Malay, as well as the Australia Network (although rumours, now going on for several years, have had a full time slot for Australia Network "coming soon"). News broadcasting (also known as newscast or newsbreak) is the Broadcasting of various news events and other Information via For the English-language channel see Al Jazeera English Al Jazeera (الجزيرة al-jazīrah,, meaning "The Island" Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language The Malay language ( ISO 639-1 code MS is an Austronesian language spoken by the Malay people and people of other ethnic groups who reside in the The Australia Network, originally Australia Television and later ABC Asia Pacific, is a Free-to-air international satellite television service It also airs Astro News, a half-hour locally produced news program.

Until February 2007, Astro News was co-produced with the national news agency BERNAMA, with the former taking 12 minutes of the programme for general, The news is also translated into Mandarin on Astro AEC, Malay on Astro RIA and Tamil on Astro Vaanavil. BERNAMA (from Berita Nasional Malaysia or Malaysian National News Agency is an authorised body set up by an Act of Parliament in 1967 and started work on 26 May 1968 In February 2007, BERNAMA took over the full half-hour production pending a revamp of the internal news team at Astro.

Astro has previously announced that it would introduce 50 new channels with the launch of the MEASAT-3 satellite. MEASAT (Malaysia East Asia Satellite is the name of a line of Malaysian Communications satellites owned and operated by MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn However, the satellite and problems with the launch vehicle has pushed back the launch of the satellite from mid-2005 to December 12, 2006. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian

From May 2007, Astro added another 9 channels into its line-up. The nine channels that were announced are Jia Yu Channel, Discovery Science, Discovery Real Time, Discovery Home & Health, E! Entertainment, Astro Vellithirai，Sun Music, Eurosport and The Golf Channel. Jia Yu Channel (, Pinyin: jiāyú píndào is a 24-hour Mandarin and Cantonese subscription channel in Malaysia, broadcasting under the Science Channel is a cable and satellite television network produced by Discovery Communications. Discovery Real Time is a male oriented factual television channel produced by Discovery Networks Europe. Discovery Home & Health is a television channel based in the United Kingdom. E! Entertainment Television (or simply E!) is an American Cable television and Direct broadcast satellite network Sun Music (originally known as SCV Sumangali Cable Vision is a 24-hour Music channel led by the well-known Sun Network of India. Eurosport is the largest European sports Satellite and cable network available in 54 countries and broadcasting in 20 different languages The Golf Channel, sometimes abbreviated as TGC, is an American Cable television network with coverage focused on the game of Golf. Jia Yu Channel, Discovery Science and Discovery Real Time were already added into Astro's line-up on April 26, 2007. Events 1467 - The miraculous image in Our Lady of Good Counsel appear in Genazzano, Italy. The other six channels became available from May 1, 2007 onwards. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. These nine channels will be available for free until November 15, 2007. Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. After that, these channels will be available in their respective packages. Another two channels, which are The History Channel and the Crime & Investigation Network, had joined the Astro platform on June 15, 2007. History, formerly known as The History Channel, is a Satellite and Cable TV channel, with shows on historical events and persons&mdashoften Crime & Investigation Network is a brand of channels shown Worldwide mostly owned by A&E Networks. Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history

In June 2007, Astro introduced Astro On-Demand, a new channel featuring the latest TVB dramas from Hong Kong on 6 channels. Television Broadcasts Limited ( commonly known as TVB, was the first over-the-air commercial Television station in Hong Kong. On July 1, 2007 onwards, Astro On-Demand preview was introduced, and it is entirely devoted to telling the Astro subscribers about this new channel. Prior to July 1, 2007, all dramas that were on broadcast on Channel 910 - 916 (now moved to Channel 931 - 937) were free. After that, in July 2007, the introductory price for shows on Astro-On Demand was set at RM 0. The ringgit (formerly and now unofficially known as the Malaysian dollar) is the Currency of Malaysia. 99 per episode, for Dynasty Package subscribers, and RM 1. 49 per episode, for those who are not. A total of 31 channels have been allocated for this new service. ^[1]

On September 6, 2007, Astro Awani, a new in-house Malay language entertainment, variety and news channel, was added into the Astro platform. On October 13, 2007, Astro added seven new channels into its repertoire, namely the Asian Food Channel, Astro Hua Hee Dai, Astro Oasis, Astro Xiao Tai Yang, Chutti TV, KBS World and Makkal TV. Asian Food Channel (AFC is the first 24-hour Asian food TV channel in the region launched in August 2005 Chutti TV is a 24-hour Tamil language television channel owned by the Sun TV Network. KBS World is an international broadcasting service provided by Korean Broadcasting System. This increased the number of television channels on Astro to 80.

Service and Technical Information

A typical Astro satellite dish or a mini-dish. A satellite dish is a type of Parabolic antenna that receives or transmits electromagnetic signals to and from another location typically a satellite A satellite dish is a type of Parabolic antenna that receives or transmits electromagnetic signals to and from another location typically a satellite

The direct-to-home service, branded as Direct-to-U (DTU), is broadcast as high-power Ku-band transmissions utilizing the transponders of the MEASAT satellite system. The Ku band ( pronounced "kay-yoo") is a portion of the Electromagnetic spectrum in the Microwave range of frequencies MEASAT (Malaysia East Asia Satellite is the name of a line of Malaysian Communications satellites owned and operated by MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn Reception of the service signals uses a fixed 60-cm diameter dish antenna.

Although Ku-band signals can be affected by rain attenuation (rain fade), making it susceptible to frequent outages in heavy rainfall areas such as Malaysia, the operators of Astro have employed a tailor-made system to boost power of the satellite delivery system to overcome this problem. Rain fade refers primarily to the absorption of a Microwave Radio Frequency (RF signal by atmospheric rain snow or ice and losses are especially prevalent The advertised service availability of 99. 7%, however, is still a topic of much debate by subscribers.

Astro's broadcast signals are DVB-S compliant and compressed using MPEG-2 standards (also used in DVD Video). For the chemical compound see Divinylbenzene. Digital Video Broadcasting ( DVB) is a suite of internationally accepted MPEG-2 is a standard for "the generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information" DVD-Video is a consumer video format used to store digital video on DVD (DVD-ROM discs and is currently the dominant form of consumer video formats in the United It is currently, however, broadcasting in SDTV 576i at a 4:3 aspect ratio, and its audio signals are in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround. 576i is a standard-definition video mode used in (former PAL and SECAM countries The aspect ratio of an Image is its width divided by its height Dolby Digital is the marketing name for a series of lossy audio compression technologies developed by Dolby The signals are also encoded and encrypted prior to transmission, creating a conditional access subscriber service that allows access only to subscribers with a decoder and authorized smartcard. An encoder is a device used to change a signal (such as a Bitstream) or Data into a Code. Conditional Access (abbreviated CA) is the protection of content by requiring certain criteria to be met before granting access to this content For the drum and bass musician see Decoder (artist A decoder is a device which does the reverse of an Encoder, undoing the A smart card, chip card, or Integrated circuit card ( ICC) is any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated

Receiver/Decoder

Since its launch, Astro has introduced 3 generations of receiver/decoders.

Digital Video Recorder

In July 2006, Astro announced the Astro Max system, a new Astro receiver/decoder integrated with a digital video recorder. Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV ( Royal Philips Electronics Inc. Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV ( Royal Philips Electronics Inc. Nokia Corporation (pronunciation /'nɔkiɑ/),,) is a Finnish multinational Communications Corporation, headquartered Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV ( Royal Philips Electronics Inc. Thomson SA (,) formerly known as Thomson Multimedia is an international provider of solutions for the creation management delivery and access of video for the A digital video recorder ( DVR) or personal video recorder ( PVR) is a device that records video in a digital format to a Disk drive or other This decoder will enable Astro subscribers to record up to 60 hours of programming on a 80GB hard disk. The system records programming without converting the MPEG-2 digital satellite stream, as such the recorded video is the same high quality as the broadcast feed. Inclusion of 2 tuners enables the recording of one programme, while viewing another. However, the system is not able to record two channels/programmes at the same time.

Astro MAX includes standard features found on digital video recorders such as pausing, rewinding and replaying "live" TV as well as a 30 second skip. The unit also has a 30 minute buffer which constantly records the currently watched program. Full integration with Astro's electronic programme guide enables easy selection of programmes to be recorded. Additional features include the ability to record all audio tracks and all subtitle tracks on multiple language programming. Copies of programmes recorded can also be transferred to DVD or VHS tape. DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is

Currently, as of 2007, there is no service fee for the use of the Astro MAX system. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

Packages / Subscription

The Astro service uses the package pricing model commonly used by other pay-TV operators in which channels are grouped into packages (i. e. basic and premium) made available to subscribers at a monthly fee. The subscription business model is a Business model where a customer must pay a subscription price to have access to the product/service

Since November 15, 2007 onwards, there has been a slight alteration to the packages and prices. The Family Package, which is the lowest entry level, offers a fee of RM37. 95 (excluding all the mini packages, Sports Packages & Super Packages). Subscribers who pay this amount will only enjoy channels grouped under Astro Family banner that offers 30 channels, including six free-to-air terrestrial television networks, in-house vernacular channels and some international networks. All subscribers also receive these channels at a different rate, depending on what packages they subscribed to.

The basic packages (also known as mini packages) are categorised into four groups known as Variety (Entertainment channels such as MTV and E!), Learning (Educational and documentary-related channels such as Discovery Channel), Fun (Children's channels such as Nickelodeon) and News. MTV ( Music Television) is an American Cable television network based in New York City. E! Entertainment Television (or simply E!) is an American Cable television and Direct broadcast satellite network Discovery Channel is an American Satellite and Cable TV channel (also delivered via IPTV, Terrestrial television and Nickelodeon (commonly referred to as Nick) is an American Cable television network owned by Viacom International, founded in 1977 as Pinwheel The sports package, which was initially a mini package, is now offered separately.

Premium packages (known as Super Packages) include the Movie and Dynasty (Chinese language channels) packages. They are offered at a higher rate than the other available package.

Also, since November 15, 2007, four new packages, collectively known as the Plus Packages, were introduced to Astro. The four new packages include the Metro Package (such as Discovery Home & Health and BBC Entertainment), the Maharaja Package (Tamil language channels), the Gold Package and the New Emperor Package (both are Chinese language packages). Discovery Home & Health is a television channel based in the United Kingdom. The Gold Package and New Emperor Package provide more Chinese language channels ranging from TV series, movies, news, lifestyle, kids, to even Hokkien and Hakka dialect programming. Subscribers cannot select both the Gold Package and the New Emperor Package together as the four channels in the Gold Package are available within the New Emperor Package as well. ^[2]

A separate monthly subscription to Astro's PlayJam gaming channel allows the viewers full access to the games in that channel. Day passes can also be obtained through SMS valid for 24 hours from the time the pass is issued and must be manually renewed.

Channel line-up

Main article: List of Astro Channels

Programme Classifications

At present, there are six classifications on Astro. Below is a numerical representation of the Astro channel line-up. They are:

• G - General Audiences. All ages admitted.
• PG - Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material may be inappropriate for younger children.
• PG-13 - Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13 years old.
• M - Mature Audiences. Unsuitable for children under 16.
• R - Restricted. People under 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
• NC-18 - No Children Under 18. To be viewed only by adults.

Broadband & Internet based Services

At the end of 1999, Astro's operator MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems announced a proposal to provide high-speed satellite-delivered Internet access services. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Satellite Internet services are used in locations where terrestrial Internet access is not available and in locations which move frequently The service, called @stronet-JARING, was to be a one-way terrestrial return system, whereby Malaysian ISP Jaring would provide the outbound data service through dial-up access. An Internet service provider ( ISP, also called Internet access provider or IAP) is a company which primarily offers their customers access to the Internet Jaring (Jaring Communications Sdn Bhd is an Internet service provider in Malaysia is based in the Technology Park Malaysia (TPM Dial-up Internet Access is a form of Internet access via Telephone lines The user's computer or Router uses an attached Modem connected to a Downloads would be received via the MEASAT satellite system, which promised a maximum download speed of 6. MEASAT (Malaysia East Asia Satellite is the name of a line of Malaysian Communications satellites owned and operated by MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn 5Mbit/s. A PC-based trial was performed in early 2000 with a maximum download speed of 400kbit/s. A personal computer ( PC) is any Computer whose original sales price size and capabilities make it useful for individuals and which is intended to be operated 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Other proposed services included Multicast File Transfer and Multicast Streaming Delivery. Multicast is a network addressing method for the delivery of Information to a group of destinations simultaneously using the most efficient strategy Multicast is a network addressing method for the delivery of Information to a group of destinations simultaneously using the most efficient strategy The service, however, has never been made available publicly.

In May 2005, Astro launched Astro. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. tv, a broadband TV portal. It currently has two video channels: Akademi Fantasia Xtra and GOALTV. GOALTV is a dedicated football network offering Asian audiences coverage of top European soccer The service requires a separate subscription fee charged to the subscribers mobile phone bill.

Viewership

As at January 2007, the service has 2. 016 million residential subscribers, which represents 36. 5% of Malaysian homes owning a television set. The 2006 Nielsen Media Index found that Astro Wah Lai Toi (Channel 311) and Astro Ria (Channel 104) are the highest viewed satellite (non free to air) channels, with each viewed by 28 percent of the adult Malaysian population. Nielsen Media Research ( NMR) is an American firm that measures media Audiences including Television, Radio Astro Ria is a Malaysian 24 hour Malay language television network broadcast on the Astro satellite television service Astro reportedly controls 29% of the Malaysian television viewing market, ahead of Radio Television Malaysia at 17%, but behind Media Prima at 54%. Radio Televisyen Malaysia or RTM is a Malaysian government-owned public broadcaster which owns and operates a number of radio and Television stations Media Prima Berhad ( is a media corporation in Malaysia. Through its subsidiaries it controls several Television networks Newspapers ^[3]

Red Button Feature

During high-profile events, Astro adds a Red-Button interactive feature to some channels to provide a link to several different feeds from the event, thereby enabling viewers to select between events or sporting matches that may be taking place simultaneously. Red Button is a button on the remote control for certain digital television Set top boxes in the UK, Australia, Flanders and Malaysia The Red Button feature is also used to provide interactive services such as programming updates, event news, scores, contest information and sponsor advertising. The service is accessible by pressing the Red Button on the set-top box's remote control when prompted by a "Press Red Button" logo on-screen. A set-top box (STB or set-top unit (STU is a device that connects to a Television and an external source of signal, turning the signal into A remote control is an electronic device used for the remote operation of a Machine.

The Red Button service was first used in June 2004 to provide enhanced services for the program Akademi Fantasia, the localized version of Mexico's La Academia. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America.

Other multi-feed/channel events using the Red Button feature:

Ownership & Management

The operators of the Astro service, MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems, are a wholly owned subsidiary of Astro All Asia Networks plc, a consortium company comprising of government-linked and private companies. The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was an International Multi-sport event which was celebrated The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, were a Winter Multi-sport event which was celebrated in The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 15 March and 26 March 2006 The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th instance of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament The 15th Asian Games, officially known as the XV Asiad, is Asia 's Olympic -style sporting event that was held in Doha, Qatar The 2008 Thomas & Uber Cup was the 25th tournament of the Thomas Cup and 22nd tournament of the Uber Cup, the men's and women's team competition in Badminton The 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2008, was the 13th UEFA European Football Championship, a quadrennial football Astro All Asia Networks plc ( is a Malaysia -based investment holding media conglomerate company which provides management services to its subsidiaries Major shareholders include the Usaha Tegas Group (42. 7%) and Khazanah Nasional Berhad (21. Khazanah Nasional Berhad is the investment holding arm of the Government of Malaysia entrusted to hold and manage the commercial assets of the government and to undertake strategic 6%). Astro was listed on Bursa Malaysia in October 2003

Key Personnel

• Ralph Marshall, Deputy Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
• Rohana Rozhan, Chief Executive Officer (Astro television)
• Grant Ferguson, Chief Financial Officer
• Graham Stephens, Chief Technology Officer
• Su Termanah, Chief Information Officer
• Claire Mula, General Manager, Multimedia Interactive Technologies
• Robert Odendaal, Group Chief Executive Officer (appointed 1st Feb 2007, resigned as of 31st March 2008)
• David Butorac, Group Chief Operating Officer (Left to join Star TV in November 2006)

International Operations

Brunei

Main article: Kristal-Astro

The Astro service is currently also available in Brunei under the brand Kristal-Astro. The Bursa Malaysia ( or Malaysia Exchange, MYX previously known as Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange ( KLSE, Bursa Saham Kuala Lumpur Kristal-ASTRO, formed on January 24 2000, is the sole operator of Brunei 's multi-channel pay-television service Brunei Darussalam, (bruːˈnaɪ in English officially the State of Brunei Abode of Peace (Negara Brunei Darussalam Jawi: برني دارالسلام Kristal-ASTRO, formed on January 24 2000, is the sole operator of Brunei 's multi-channel pay-television service Launched in January 2000, the Brunei operations are a joint venture between Brunei company Kristal (51. 1%) and Measat Broadcast Network Systems (48. 9%). That service comprises 33 DTH television and radio channels.

Indonesia

Main article: Astro Nusantara

A joint venture company, PT Direct Vision, in which Astro will hold a 20% stake, operates the Astro service in Indonesia. Astro Nusantara is a Satellite television service in Indonesia. 48 channels including 5 locally produced Indonesia exclusive channels were launched under the Astro brand.

Gallery

Astro Logo (1996-2003)

Astro Logo (2003-present)

See also

• Astro Indonesia (Astro Nusantara)
• Kristal-Astro
• List of Malaysian television stations
• Mega TV (non-operational since 2001)
• MiTV (non-operational since 31 October 2006)
• Fine TV

References

External links

• Astro's official website
• Astro All Asia Networks plc's official website
• Astro's Indonesia service website
• Astro All Asia Networks plc Annual Report FY2006