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Astro Digital partners Google in a Content Hosting Services Agreement
Putrajaya, 9 October,2012 – Astro Digital (a subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad) has entered into a strategic collaboration with Google to extend the distribution of Astro branded content to Malaysia and the rest of the world via YouTube. Since March 2012, Astro Digital and Google has entered into a Content Hosting Services Agreement which will allow Astro to have incremental reach beyond its current customer base.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak witnessed the Astro- Google partnership which was represented by Henry Tan, Chief Operating Officer of Astro Malaysia and Julian Persaud, Managing Director of Google SEA in conjunction with the Digital Malaysia and the 13th MSC Malaysia International Advisory Panel (IAP) meeting.
Henry Tan said “Astro will capitalise on new technologies and develop new products to expand our customer reach and enhance our service proposition to consumers. To this end, we are pleased to partner Google to widen the distribution of our Malaysian content onto digital platforms such as YouTube, so that we can go beyond the household to access non Astro customers as well as Malaysians living abroad or anyone in the world, who are interested in our content offering. Astro was also the first in Malaysia to broadcast a LIVE event on YouTube for Konsert Kenangan Sudirman, and this was well received from viewers in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.”
Currently available on YouTube are six (6) full length “catch-up” channels including Astro Awani, Astro Prima, Astro Oasis, Astro Xiao Tai Yang, Astro AEC and Astro Vaanavil from NJOI, available across 3 vernacular languages. The full length videos are available within a week from broadcast, and Astro offers the latest news, exciting kids’ educational shows, religious programmes and the best Malay, Chinese and Indian entertainment, drama and concerts. To date, Astro has over 300 hours of library content with approximately 8 hours weekly refresh rate, on YouTube.
In addition to the 6 channels from NJOI, Astro has offered another 8 short-form promotional channels which features behind the scenes, music videos, promos, extras and educational clips in English, Malay and Chinese. In total Astro have 14 channels on YouTube and these channels have achieved over 35 million cumulative views since the launch of YouTube Malaysia on the 22 March 2012.
About Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad
Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad is a leading integrated consumer media entertainment group in Malaysia and Southeast Asia with operations in 4 key areas of business, namely Pay-TV, Radio, Publications and Digital Media.
With a customer base of over 3 million residential customers or approximately 50% penetration of Malaysian TV households, Astro offers 156 TV channels, including 68 Astro-created and branded channels and 22 HD channels, delivered via Direct-To-Home satellite TV, IPTV and OTT platforms. Astro provides HD, 3D, PVR, VOD and IPTV services through Astro B.yond and Astro On-The-Go.
Fulfilling its promise to bridge the digital divide for all of Malaysia, Astro introduced NJOI as an entry-level DTH satellite TV service and is the country’s first non-subscription based satellite TV, offering 18 TV and 20 radio channels. Astro Radio includes Malaysia’s highest rated stations across key languages and is available on both terrestrial and digital channels, reaching approximately 13 million weekly listeners and capturing a 52% share of listenership in Malaysia in April 2012.
Its digital arm is involved in digital publishing, applications and platforms as well as publication of entertainment and lifestyle magazines locally. The People’s Choice, Astro was awarded the “Brand of the Year” award at Malaysia’s Putra Brand Awards 2012. The award is in recognition of Astro’s efforts to exemplify innovation, quality and strong corporate social responsibilities.
