Pay television , also known as subscription television , premium television or, when referring to an individual service, a premium channel , refers to subscription -based television services, usually provided by multichannel television providers, but also increasingly via digital terrestrial and streaming television . In the United States, subscription television began in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the form of encrypted analog over-the-air broadcast television which could be decrypted with special equipment. The concept rapidly expanded through the multi-channel transition and into the post-network era . Other parts of the world beyond the United States, such as France and Latin America have also offered encrypted analog terrestrial signals available for subscription.
70-563: DreamWorks Channel , commonly known as DreamWorks , is a pay television network owned and operated by the NBCUniversal International Networks division of NBCUniversal , a subsidiary of Comcast . First launched in Southeast Asia on 1 August 2015, it expanded to the rest of Asia as well as Europe, Africa and Oceania. Its programming is mainly sourced from DreamWorks Animation . Its counterpart in
140-469: A trial period , often one to three months, though there have been rare instances of free trials for pay services that last up to one year for newer subscribers to that provider's television service. Pay television has become popular with cable and satellite television . Pay television services often, at least two to three times per year, provide free previews of their services, in order to court potential subscribers by allowing this wider audience to sample
210-399: A PVR with an external hard disk drive connected to the decoder. The PVR comes with an inbuilt 500 GB hard disk and allows customers to record up to two live programmes at one time, rewind, and pause live TV. Recording services are also available through Astro B.yond via a compatible external hard disk drive and activation of the recording service by Astro. The streaming service of Astro
280-406: A crude decrypting of the over-the-air television signal and a decoding box, but never caught on for use at that time. It took another four decades when cable broadcasters started using pay-per-view on a widespread basis. "Free" variants are free-to-air (FTA) and free-to-view (FTV); however, FTV services are normally encrypted and decryption cards either come as part of an initial subscription to
350-687: A digital learning hub, known as JomStudi in January 2019. The initiative, which supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), provides educational resources in a single platform which accessible to students. The company enters a partnership with Chinese streaming platform, IQIYI in 2019, in which Astro acquired an exclusive rights to distributed the IQIYI's content in Malaysia. Astro also responsible for
420-632: A focus on their parent companies' libraries, with HBO Now replaced by HBO Max (now Max) in 2020 (which adds content from other Warner Bros. properties and third-parties, and would also be included with existing HBO subscriptions via television providers), and Showtime formally merging with Paramount+ in 2023. Canadian premium service The Movie Network similarly merged with the CraveTV service owned by parent company Bell Media in 2018. Pay-per-view (PPV) services are similar to subscription-based pay television services in that customers must pay to have
490-475: A joint-venture with South Korean retail company, GS Retail Co. Ltd. to launch a home shopping channel, Go Shop. However, the joint-venture only survived for 9 years and following the changing in consumer's shopping landscape, Go Shop ceased operations on 12 October 2023 as part of the company's "ongoing strategic realignment underway". In March 2016, Astro launched its regional video platform, Tribe, which targets to Indonesian market. In 2017, Astro enters
560-686: A linear TV channel and merged both channels with Astro Prima and Astro Citra respectively, to fully-adopt the Astro's new corporate branding. The merger between Citra and Premier took effect two days later, on 20 November, while the merger between Prima and Warna took effect on 3 December. Under this plan, Astro Warna and Astro Premier will exclusively operated as a content hub on Astro on Demand and Astro GO. Astro launched its own high-definition platform called Astro B.yond on 11 December 2009. Its rollout costed RM200 million, including marketing and operating costs of approximately RM150 million. It introduced
630-513: A lower subscription fee. These are called "mini-pay" channels (a term also used for smaller scale commercial-free pay television services) and are often sold as a part of a package with numerous similarly priced channels. Usually, however, the regular pricing for premium channels ranges from just under $ 10 to near $ 25 per month per suite, with lower prices available via bundling options with cable or satellite providers, or special limited offers which are available during free preview periods or before
700-535: A mix of original series, films, and specials. The shift towards SVOD has resulted in increasing competition within the sector, with media conglomerates having launched their own services (such as Disney+ , Paramount+ , Peacock , and Disney's acquisition of the majority of Hulu ) to compete, and existing premium networks such as HBO ( HBO Now ) and Showtime launching direct-to-consumer versions of their existing services to appeal to cord cutters . HBO and Showtime later absorbed their DTC offerings into wider services with
770-602: A new decoder set and channels in HD feeds. Astro partnered with TIME dotCom Berhad in December 2010 to implementated the broadband and IPTV service in Klang Valley and Penang. In 2013, Astro signed an agreement with Telekom Malaysia 's wholly-owned subsidiary, TM Net Sdn. Bhd. to broadcast two Astro SuperSport channels on the latter's pay-TV service, HyppTV (later known as Unifi TV ). On 1 December 2014, Astro signed
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#1732780958918840-464: A pay television bouquet – in other words, an offer of pay-TV channels – or can be purchased for a one-time cost. FTA and FTV systems may still have selective access. ABC Australia is one example, as much of its programming content is free-to-air except for National Rugby League (NRL) games, which are encrypted. Astro (television) All-Asian Satellite Television and Radio Operator , doing business as Astro (stylized in lowercase title ),
910-693: A restriction as a few providers optionally sell that service without requiring a Showtime subscription. Unlike other cable networks, premium services are almost always subscribed to a la carte , meaning that one can, for example, subscribe to HBO without subscribing to Showtime (in Canada, there are slight modifications, as most providers include U.S. superstations – such as WAPA-TV – with their main premium package by default). However, subscribing to an "individual" service automatically includes access to all of that service's available multiplex channels and, in some cases, access to content via video-on-demand (in
980-764: A result, pay television outlets are most concerned with offering content that can justify the cost of the service, which helps to attract new subscribers, and retain existing subscribers. Many pay television services consist of multiple individual channels, referred to as " multiplex " services (in reference to multiplex cinemas ), where a main flagship channel is accompanied by secondary services with distinct schedules focusing on specific genres and audiences (such as multiplexes focusing more on "classic" films, or family-oriented programming), time shifting , or brand licensing deals (such as channels focusing specifically on Disney films , or content from U.S. pay television brands if they do not specifically run their own network in
1050-425: A seasonal package. They are typically the most expensive type of pay services, generally running in the range of $ 35 to $ 50 per month. Some pay services also offer pornographic films ; Cinemax was well known for carrying a late-night block of softcore films and series known as "Max After Dark"—a reputation that led to the network often being nicknamed "Skinemax" by viewers. Cinemax phased out this programming in
1120-540: A short time during the 1980s, and unlike other general-interest pay services accepted outside advertising for broadcast during its sports telecasts), Preview , SelecTV and ON TV in the late 1970s, but those services disappeared as competition from cable television expanded during the 1980s. In Australia , Foxtel , Optus Television and TransACT are the major pay television distributors, all of which provide cable services in some metropolitan areas , with Foxtel providing satellite service for all other areas where cable
1190-720: A special channel dedicated to highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Palestine in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Palestine war . The channel began one-day broadcasting on 25 May 2024. Among artistes who involved in it were Siti Nurhaliza , M. Nasir , Syafinaz Selamat , Alif Satar , Soo Wincci , Sarimah Ibrahim , Aznil Nawawi and Wani Kayrie . On 17 October, Astro revamp its sports content lineup which will feature new names and channel numbers. The change will saw Astro SuperSport channels which will be replaced with Astro Premier League. Astro announced on 18 November that both Astro Warna and Astro Premier would be discontinued as
1260-401: A specific market). Typically, these services are bundled together with the main channel at no additional charge, and cannot be purchased separately. Depending on local regulations, pay television services generally have more lenient content standards because of their relatively narrower distribution, and not being subject to pressure from sponsors to tone down content. As a result, programming
1330-423: A strategic partnership with CJ E&M from South Korea to create and produced contents and events for ASEAN market. The company also enters a long-term partnership with print publishing company, Karangkraf to form a joint-venture company focused on content production, Karangkraf Digital 360, which was later renamed as Nu Ideaktiv. Astro alongside Media Prima and DiGi Telecommunications collaborated to launch
1400-431: A total of 700,000 subscriber base. Astro was launched on 25 September 1996, three months after its establishment. Upon its launch, the company planned to offer the internet speed facility to its customers by early 1997. Astro signed an agreement with Maybank which allows its subscribers to settle their monthly fees via the autophone and autodebit services as well as via automatic bill settlement facility provided by
1470-487: A total of a million subscribers nationwide in the next two years. The company enters a joint-venture with Kristal Sdn. Bhd. from Brunei to launch Kristal-Astro on 24 January 2000. The service, however, ceased operations 22 years later, in 2022. The company had invested over RM1 billion to build a digital broadcasting facility and developed a multimedia services. Astro also spent at least RM350 to subsidized its Digital Multimedia System (DMS) in order to make its service
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#17327809589181540-415: A trading arm of MOCCIS Berhad, to market and promote its service to its members via a monthly payment scheme. Astro planned to establish its own private telecommunications network as part of its preparation to launch a range of multimedia interactive services as well as to increase its business reach. The company also spent RM25 million to enhance its services for domestic and global market. Astro became
1610-409: Is "affordable for more Malaysian families". The company also planned to expand its services across Asian region. By June 2001, Astro's subscription total has increased to 600,000. In April 2002, Astro signed an agreement with Scripps Networks Interactive for the distribution of six TV series from HGTV in Malaysia and Brunei. By September the same year, Astro reduced 10% of its staffs under
1680-485: Is Canal+ and its scrambled services, which operated in France from 1984 to the 2011 closedown of analogue television, Spain from 1990 to 2005 and Poland from 1995 to 2001. Some U.S. television stations launched pay services (known simply as "subscription television" services) such as SuperTV , Wometco Home Theater , PRISM (which principally operated as a cable service, only being simultaneously carried over-the-air for
1750-611: Is a Malaysian satellite television , streaming television and IPTV provider. Astro is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad and is operated by MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems Sdn. Bhd. It operates from the All Asia Broadcast Centre (AABC) in Kuala Lumpur and MEASAT in Cyberjaya . It forms part of the mass media duopoly in the country alongside Media Prima . Astro launched
1820-707: Is not available. Austar formerly operated as a satellite pay service, until it merged with Foxtel and SelecTV . The major distributors of pay television in New Zealand are Sky Network Television on satellite and Vodafone on cable. In the 2010s, over-the-top subscription video on demand (SVOD) services distributed via internet video emerged as a major competitor to traditional pay television, with services such as Amazon Video , Hulu , and Netflix gaining prominence. Similarly to pay television services, their libraries include acquired content (which can not only include films, but acquired television series as well), and
1890-717: Is typically aired with limited to no edits for time or, where applicable, mature content such as graphic violence , profanity , nudity , and sexual activity . As premium television services are commonly devoid of traditional commercial advertising, breaks between programming typically include promotions for upcoming programs , and interstitial segments (such as behind-the-scenes content, interviews, and other feature segments). Some sports-based pay services, however, may feature some commercial advertising, particularly if they simulcast sporting events that are broadcast by advertiser-supported television networks. In addition, most general interest or movie-based pay services do not adhere to
1960-519: The FIFA World Cup 2014 and 2018 . Competitors were restricted from airing those events, or were required by regulators to pay excessive royalties to Astro. The high royalty fees were criticised by Jeremy Kung, executive vice president of TM New Media, who argued that sports content on free-to-air television channels should be made available to public for free. Former Information, Communications, Arts and Culture minister Rais Yatim urged
2030-743: The Government of Malaysia on 18 February 2012, it debuted with 18 channels and 19 radio stations. Currently, NJOI offers more than 50 channels in Full HD, most of the channels are available through newly-revamped Family Pack. In November 2019, Astro launched the Ultra Box, its first self-installable set-top box which can be used with satellite or broadband/Wi-Fi. The main features are its better viewing experience with 4K UHD and access to cloud-based video recording as well as video-on-demand content. Expanding its set-top box offerings, Astro introduced
2100-478: The ISP space, Astro entered a partnership with sister company Maxis in 2019, resulting in the introduction of Astro & Broadband. In 2022, Astro became an Internet Service Provider and began offering standalone broadband through Astro Fibre, which is also offered to businesses through its BIZfibre services. Astro NJOI is a Malaysia's first free-to-view satellite TV service by Astro. Launched in collaboration with
2170-610: The Wimbledon tennis tournament. Specialty pay sports channels also exist—often focusing on international sports considered niche to domestic audiences (such as, in the United States, cricket ), and are typically sold at a higher expense than traditional premium services. Out-of-market sports packages in North America are multi-channel pay services carrying professional or collegiate sporting events which are sold in
DreamWorks Channel - Misplaced Pages Continue
2240-563: The business cycle , some broadcasters try to balance them with more stable income from subscriptions. Some providers offer services owned by the same company in a single package. For example, American satellite provider DirecTV offers the Encore channels along with the Starz multiplex (both owned by Lionsgate 's Starz Inc. ) in its "Starz Super Pack"; and The Movie Channel , Flix and SundanceTV (the latter of which continues to be sold in
2310-586: The 2010s, citing that it did not align with its current focus on action programming, and that internet porn and the amount of sexual content in other mainstream premium series (such as Game of Thrones ) made a specific block for such content redundant. Specialized channels dedicated to pornographic films also exist, that carry either softcore adult programs (such as Playboy TV ), or more hardcore content (such as The Erotic Network and Hustler TV ). Pay television channels come in different price ranges. Many channels carrying advertising combine this income with
2380-472: The DirecTV package despite Showtime Networks no longer owning Sundance, that channel is now owned by AMC Networks ) along with Showtime in its "Showtime Unlimited" package; Cinemax and its multiplex networks, in turn, are almost always packaged with HBO (both owned by Warner Bros. Discovery ). Though selling premium services that are related by ownership as a package is common, that may not always be
2450-648: The Netherlands on 23 July 2019. The channel launched as a one-month pop-up channel in Australia via Foxtel on channel 700 throughout June 2020 and returned as a regular 24/7 network the following year. The Sub-Saharan African feed of the channel originally launched on StarTimes on 3 August 2020, but closed/shut down on 17 February 2022 and was supplemented by Nickelodeon on StarTimes ON in July 2022. MultiChoice and NBCUIN jointly announced on 8 March 2022 that
2520-505: The Ulti Box in 2021 which showcases similar features to the Ultra Box. The key difference is that the Ulti Box only provides HD resolutions rather than a 4K UHD experience. Astro has been criticised for its monopolistic practices in which it has become the dominant paid television service in Malaysia while its competitors ABNXcess , Mega TV , and MiTV were not able to compete against Astro and became defunct after its launch. Astro
2590-451: The United States is Universal Kids , which launched on 9 September 2017 replacing Sprout TV, with the rights to DreamWorks Animation's programming in the country also handled by Netflix and other local networks such as DreamWorks' sister service Peacock . DreamWorks Animation announced plans to launch its own TV channel on 9 December 2014 starting in Asia, rolling out over 19 countries in
2660-431: The United States, Cinemax , HBO , MGM+ , Showtime , and Starz , but such services can also include those devoted to sports , as well as adult entertainment . In contrast to most other multichannel television broadcasters, which depend on advertising and carriage fees as their sources of revenue, the majority of pay television services rely almost solely on monthly subscription fees paid by individual customers. As
2730-737: The aforementioned leniency in content standards, they too can contain content that is more mature than those of other cable channels or television networks . These series also tend to be high-budget and aim for critical success in order to attract subscribers: notable premium series, such as HBO 's Curb Your Enthusiasm , Game of Thrones , Sex and the City , and The Sopranos , and Showtime 's Dexter , Homeland , and Weeds , have achieved critical acclaim and have won various television awards. Some premium channels also broadcast television specials , which most commonly consist of concerts and concert films , documentaries , stand-up comedy , and in
2800-463: The bank through Visa and Mastercard . Astro planned to open four out of seven showrooms nationwide by the first quarter of 1997. The company also planned to reach the target of 400 installations as early as January 1997. Astro also submitted its proposal to began broadcasting overseas. Two months later, the company entered a joint-venture with film production companies to produce program varieties. On 1 April 1997, Astro appointed MOCCIS Trading,
2870-419: The broadcast decrypted for viewing, but usually only entail a one-time payment for a single or time-limited viewing. Programs offered via pay-per-view are most often movies or sporting events, but may also include other events, such as concerts and even softcore adult programs. In the U.S., the initial concept and technology for pay-per-view for broadcast television was first developed in the early 1950s, including
DreamWorks Channel - Misplaced Pages Continue
2940-777: The channel launched on 1 August 2016 in partnership with the beIN Channels Network . The channel was placed under the NBCU International executive vice president of Lifestyle and Kids, Duccio Donati, in August 2017, following the NBCU/Comcast takeover of DreamWorks Animation. This paired the channel with E! international channels and NBCU Lifestyle Channel content. On 1 January 2018, NBCUniversal International Networks took over HBO Asia's role with DreamWorks Channel in Southeast Asia. The channel launched on KPN in
3010-613: The channel launched via Astro on 15 January 2023 initially on Channel 622 (HD) until 31 January 2023 and will stop broadcasting for free and become part of the Kids Pack, starting 1 February 2023. On the same day, after a month later on February 1, 2023, the channel moved to Channel 612 (HD) as a replacement for TA-DAA! which closed on February 1, 2023. The channel and Universal+ launched in Spain with two television providers Movistar+ and Orange on 21 February 2021. The Indian feed of
3080-797: The channel launched via Cignal on 11 September 2021, with aired productions dubbed in the Filipino language . It was also launched on SkyCable in mid-November that same year, though SkyCable uses its original English feed instead. Like the Sub-Saharan African DStv channel feed, it replaced on launch the country channel feed of Disney Channel , which shut down on the same date as the Southeast Asian Disney Channel feeds, i.e. on 1 October. A Latin American feed launched on 1 April 2022. The Malaysia feed of
3150-494: The channel mainly consists of productions from the libraries of DreamWorks Animation Television and DreamWorks Classics including some of the former's content originally produced for Netflix ; films and specials from DreamWorks Animation, Illumination and sometimes from third parties only broadcasts in the international versions. Pay television The term is most synonymous with premium entertainment services focused on films or general entertainment programming such as, in
3220-558: The channel was launched in English via Jio TV on 25 November 2021. DreamWorks Channel Africa's programming are currently available to stream on Universal+ which launched as an on-demand service on DStv Catch Up and DStv Stream on 14 October 2022. The channel was launched along with Universal+ in France on SFR on 17 November 2022 on Prime Video Channels in 6 December 2022 and on Bouygues Telecom in 8 December 2022. The content on
3290-645: The channel would launch on DStv a week later on 18 March. On its launch, the channel took over the service channel number slot previously held by Disney XD which was shut down on 1 October 2020 and supplement eToonz alongside PBS Kids . The Sub-Saharan African channel is available on the DStv Compact , DStv Compact Plus and DStv Premium subscription packages in South Africa and on the DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus subscription packages in
3360-428: The common top and bottom of the hour scheduling of other cable channels and terrestrial broadcasters. As such, programs often air using either conventional scheduling or have airtimes in five-minute increments (for example, 7:05 a.m. or 4:40 p.m.); since such channels broadcast content without in-program break interruptions, this sometimes leads to extended or abbreviated breaks between programs, depending on when
3430-478: The company also monopolizing Premier League rights in the country. Astro has been criticised for raising its service prices and imposing penalty fees on customers. In 2007, Astro raised its service fee about 15% and converted previously free channels like Bloomberg , Al Jazeera English , and CGTN into paid channels. Anyone who attempted to drop such service packages was charged a fee. Malaysiakini reporter Cheah Kah Seng encouraged customers to protest against
3500-642: The company continues to have non-exclusive broadcast privileges under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Starting in 2022, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will provide Content Applications Service Provider (CASP) licenses to 35 broadcasting companies, four of which are approved to deliver content via satellite television . Astro has also enjoyed control of the broadcasting rights for sports events , including all Liga Super and Piala Malaysia events, and
3570-627: The first client of the Canadian telecommunication equipment company, Nortel 's Global Account programme for the ASEAN region. In July 1997, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Faber Group Berhad in which Astro will provide its satellite television services to seven of Faber-owned Sheraton hotels . From 27 September to 16 November 1997, Astro offers installation fees for its Direct-to-U system installation. It also targets at least 20,000 hotels for its pay-television operations by
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#17327809589183640-647: The form of a conventional VOD television service, and in some cases, a companion on-demand streaming service as well). Most pay television providers also offer a selection of premium services (for example, the HBO, Showtime and Starz packages) in one bundle at a greatly reduced price than it would cost to purchase each service separately, as an inducement for subscribers to remain with their service provider or for others to induce subscribers into using their service. Similarly, many television providers offer general interest or movie-based premium channels at no additional charge for
3710-458: The high-definition platform Astro B.yond in 2009 and the IPTV platform Astro IPTV in 2011, with the latter targeted at consumers who were unable to receive the company's satellite services. The ultra high-definition (UHD) platform Astro Ultra was launched at the end of 2019 while the full high-definition (FHD) platform (replacement of Astro B.yond in future) called Astro Ulti was introduced in
3780-530: The latter's customer acquisition, marketing and media sales. On 1 April 2020, Astro rearranged its channel numbers in order to prioritize its 100 HD channels on its platform. In 2021, Astro partnered with Netflix to expand its content offering in which the latter's service will be made available on Astro's platform. In May 2024, Astro and state-owned public service broadcaster, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) have partnered to envisioned an initiative in support to Palestine by launching Malaysia4Palestine,
3850-454: The launch of a network's prestige series. However, some other channels, such as sports and adult networks may ask for monthly pricing that may go as high as near $ 50 a month. There are also premium television services which are priced significantly higher than the mini-pay channels, but they compensate for their higher price by carrying little or no advertising and also providing a higher quality program output. As advertising sales are sensitive to
3920-494: The media groups who had exclusive rights to major sports events to share their content to free-to-air television channels. Pakatan Harapan youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad argued that the rights to broadcast English Premier League should be co-licensed with Radio Television Malaysia instead of being restricted to Astro. Astro's short-lived Indonesian operations were also subject of investigation by Indonesian regulators, and accusations by rival providers, over allegations of
3990-724: The mid of 2021. Astro formerly operated in Indonesia from 2006 to 2008, under the Astro Nusantara brand and also in Brunei from 2000 to 2022 under the Kristal-Astro brand. The Indonesian operations were operated by PT Direct Vision, while the Bruneian operations were operated by Kristal Sdn. Bhd. In 2016, the company was recorded as achieving 71% household penetration in Malaysia. It was granted an exclusive license as
4060-553: The network should remain aired on public broadcaster, RTM rather than Astro at least until 2002. However, Astro decided to not aired TV Pendidikan upon the expiration of its 6-year agreement with the channel's operator, the Ministry of Education , resulting TV Pendidikan moved to TV9 , owned by media conglomerate Media Prima in 2007. In 2000, Astro's residential subscriber base have exceeded about 300,000 households in just three years after its official launch. Astro also targets
4130-494: The original term of license agreements with a distributor may also be broadcast as "sub-runs", in which a service holds rights to film long after the conclusion of a distribution agreement (under this arrangement, the pay service that originally licensed the rights to a particular film title, or one other than that which had held rights, may hold the broadcast rights through a library content deal). Many general interest premium channels also produce original television series . Due to
4200-597: The past, theatrical plays . Sports programming is also featured on some premium services; HBO was historically known for its broadcasts of boxing , while Showtime and Epix also carry mixed martial arts events. Some general interest premium channels have aired other professional sporting events in the past: HBO for example, carried games from the National Hockey League (NHL), National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) in its early years, and from 1975 to 1999 aired
4270-521: The previous program concludes and when the start time of the next program is. The only universal variation to this is prime time , where the main channel in each pay service's suite usually schedules films to start on the hour. Films comprise much of the content seen on most pay television services, particularly those with a general entertainment format and those that focus exclusively on films . Services often obtain rights to films through exclusive agreements with film distributors . Films acquired during
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#17327809589184340-505: The rest of Africa, although the channel was made available on the lower-tiered DStv Family and DStv Access subscription packages until 18 April to promote Team Zenko Go , The Bad Guys and The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib. From 27 June to 15 July 2022, the channel was made available on DStv Family alongside Disney Channel to promote Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight and Illumination 's Minions: The Rise of Gru . The Philippines feed of
4410-484: The second half of 2015. Singapore -based broadcaster HBO Asia was contracted to handle marketing, sales and technical services for the channel in Southeast Asia. The studio's first foray into television channel operations in any part of the world was represented with the launch of its first dedicated channel on 1 August 2015 in Thailand through a joint venture through with CTH . A Middle East and North Africa feed of
4480-582: The service for a period of days or weeks; these are typically scheduled to showcase major special event programming, such as the pay cable premiere of a blockbuster feature film, the premiere (either a series or season premiere ) of a widely anticipated or critically acclaimed original series or occasionally, a high-profile special (such as a concert). Subscription services transmitted via analogue terrestrial television have also existed, to varying degrees of success. The most known example of such service in Europe
4550-465: The situation: for example, in the United States, Cinemax and Encore are optionally sold separately from or in a single package with their respective parent networks HBO and Starz, depending on the service provider. The Movie Channel and Flix meanwhile, are usually sold together with Showtime (all three channels are owned by Paramount Global ); though subscribers are required to purchase Showtime in order to receive Flix, The Movie Channel does not have such
4620-1115: The sole pay-television provider by the Malaysian federal government until 2017. The licence to operate Astro, then unnamed, was given in June 1994 and was planned to have 20 channels through the Measat satellite. It was originally planned to launch in 1995, but postponed to 1996 with the launching initially took place in October and would be known as the All-Asia Satellite Television and Radio Operator, abbreviated as ASTRO and to be operated under its operating company, Measat Broadcasting Networks Systems. The upcoming satellite TV provider will offer 22 television channels and 8 radio stations in its platform. Ahead of its launch, Astro's operator, Measat Broadcast Networks Systems expected that its satellite TV and radio services will gain profit within two-and-a-half to three years with
4690-1075: The voluntary separation scheme (VSS). The company set up a joint-venture company with Indonesian conglomerate, Lippo Group to provide pay-TV service in Indonesia as early as July 2005. As a result, Astro's satellite TV service in Indonesia, known as Astro Nusantara was launched in March 2006. It also invested RM500 million to support its operations in the republic. However, Astro Nusantara only operated for two years and ceased operations when Astro ended their joint-venture with PT Direct Vision in September 2008. On 1 October 2007, Astro renumbered all of its channel numbers from 2-digits to 3-digits to accommodate its expanding number of channels. In 2007, Astro dominates 29% of television viewership market in Malaysia, after Media Prima (54%) and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (17%). In December 2009, Astro launched its high-definition service, known as Astro B.yond with
4760-808: The year-end. In December 1997, Astro partnered with Oracle Corporation in which the latter would help developing its web-based corporate database for its business strategy. It also allocates RM100 million to provide a Direct-to-U price subsidy to its customers. In 1998, Astro plans to expand its operations in the Philippines and Taiwan with RM200 million of allocation. The plan was later abandoned due to unknown reasons. Between 2000 and 2006, Astro shared time with TV Pendidikan , Malaysian public educational TV channel, where it shared time with Animal Planet on Channel 28 from 2000 to 2001 and with now-defunct TechTV on Channel 13 from 2002 to 2006. The move received much criticism from many parties, demanding that
4830-824: Was launched in 2012 called Astro On-The-Go (AOTG). The launch of the app enabled customers to access to Astro's TV channels, live events, Video-On-Demand (VOD) and Catch Up TV on mobile devices. The app was also made for international users in March 2013. The app was renamed to Astro Go on 31 March 2017 and saw a significant revamp that introduced several new features, such as a more user-friendly interface, improved video playback quality, and better content discovery tools. Astro Go offers personalized content recommendations based on viewing history and preferences and allows customers to download shows for offline viewing. Astro embarked on its broadband service in 2011 by collaborating with TIME Dotcom to serve content over broadband through its Astro B.yond IPTV service. To further its place in
4900-438: Was the sole paid television operator in Malaysia until 2017 when another competitor, Telekom Malaysia 's Unifi TV , emerged as a strong cord-cutting alternative. The Malaysian government's plan to regulate Android -based set-top boxes in 2019 raised concerns that Astro's dominance over the country's television content market would be enhanced. While Astro's exclusive rights to Malaysian broadcast content expired in 2017,
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