To all EPL Fans in Malaysia
As we all know Astro and ESPNSTAR secured the rights for all EPL matches for the next 3 seasons starting from next season (2010/2011 season.) We also know now that we have High Definition TV now via Astro Byond.

Now, Astro have the rights to all the matches. How would you think will be the best way to broadcast the matches? My question is specifically on the package of the channels and how they are to broadcast matches that play at the same time.

My intention for posting this new topic is that I have on good authority that Astro guys regularly visit these forums sites. Im hoping that some of them could bring our ideas that we share to their bosses at Astro for consideration.

Please do not include suggestions to switch to Streamyx or wait for High Speed Broadband (HSBB) or watch via streaming and so on. We are just trying to discuss the best thing for Astro subscribers. Yes, maybe it's just a waste of time because Astromight not be reading here but lets just have some discussion and share some ideas.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Astro open up sub channels when there are EPL matches played at the same time. These channels will only be available on the weekends for Live broadcast and a minimum of 1 replay. This method has been used in Singapore and Hong Kong as well as SkySports in the UK for the Champions League.

2. Astro create a Football Package with dedicated channels for football leagues such as EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and so on. They could open up many new channels because of the many League and Cup Competitions that they broadcast right now. With this method, we can drop the Sports package for this new Football package.

3. Astro set up a pay-per-view channel for each EPL club or pay-per-view matches. Here, we could pay for either the matches we want to watch or the club we watch regularly. This would be an entirely different channel from the MUTV, Chelsea TV, Liverpool TV channels that are available now. The new channels are just for the broadcast of the Live matches and replays.

ANy other suggestions? I do not expect all the matches to be in HD. But I do expect all matches to be available through Astro and hope they do not go and show it via their mobile TV or any other platform.
Any price suggestions regarding the packaging is welcomed.
Thanks and lets share and spread our ideas!

This post has been edited by dxjb: Mar 28 2010, 05:33 PM

Hahaha..i wish I was working 4 Astro and make the 1st option a reality..
Plus I would really be thinking for the benefit of the customers

Anyway, just want to update on EPL matches Live on ESPN HD CH832 (Astro Byond)

Confirmed to be shown LIVE on ESPN HD via Astro website

31 Jan 0125 Burnley vs Chelsea (Live)
31 Jan 2125 Manchester City vs Portsmouth (Live)
1 Feb 0000 Arsenal vs Manchester United (Live)
2 Feb 0354 Sunderland vs Stoke City 0354hrs (Live)
6 Feb 2040 Liverpool vs Everton 2040hrs (Live)
7 Feb 0125 Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa(Live)
7 Feb 2125 Birmingham City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers 2125hrs (Live)
8 Feb 0000 Chelsea vs Arsenal (Live)
10 Feb 0340 Manchester City vs Bolton Wanderers (Live)
11 Feb 0340 Arsenal vs Liverpool (Live)
20 Feb 2040 Everton vs Manchester United (Live)
21 Feb 0125 Portsmouth vs Stoke City(Live)
21 Feb 2155 Aston Villa vs Burnely(Live)
22 Feb 0010 Wigan Athletic vs Tottenham Hotspur (Live)
23 Feb 0355 Blackburn Rovers vs Bolton Wanderes (Live)
27Feb 2040 Chelsea vs Manchester City (Live)
28Feb 0125 Stoke City vs Arsenal (Live)
28Feb 2055 Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton (Live)

The list below are matches unconfirmed to be on ESPN HD. But it is likely since SkySports and ESPN HD in the UK are showing them. Remember, Astro and ESPN HD get their feed from SkySports and ESPN HD in the UK.

6March 2040 Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur (Live)
7March 0125 Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United (Live)
8March 0000 Evrton vs Hull City (Live)
9March 0400 Wigan Atletic vs Liverpool (Live)
13March 2040 Tottenham Hotspur vs Blackburn Rovers (Live)
14March 2130 Manchester United vs Fulham (Live)
15March 0000 Sunderland vs Manchester City (Live)
16March 0400 Liverpool vs Portsmouth (Live)
20March 2045 Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (Live)
21March 0130 Arsenal vs West Ham United (Live)
21March 2130 Manchester United vs Liverpool (Live)
22March 0000 Blackburn Rovers vs Chelsea (Live)
28March 0130 Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester United (Live)
28March 2000 Burnley vs Blackburn Rovers (Live)
29March 0000 Liverpool vs Sunderland (Live)
30March 0400 Manchester City vs Wigan Athletic (Live)

*Both SkySports and ESPN UK have not released the list for Live matches for the month of April and May
*SkySports does broadcast Live Champions League in HD but there is no mention of Champions League on ESPN HD from Astro yet

Hye all..
Im the one that started the topic..
For you who do not know, Astro and ESPNSTAR signed a 3 year deal to show all 380 EPL matches LIVE starting from the 2010/2011 season.
It is not yet determined how Astro will show the matches.
The topic here is how would be the best way for Astro to show all the matches especially if there are matches played at the same time.

NEWS FOR fans of LA LIGA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, SERIE A and other leagues:
At this moment in time, all the leagues that is available on Astro will continue to be available.
The EPL deal between Astro and ESPNSTAR does not effect the other leagues. Meaning all will be the same next season. The only difference is all EPL matches will be Live unlike now where there are around 5-6 matches only per week.

Hope that clarifies the concern of La Liga and Serie A fans

This post has been edited by dxjb: Feb 1 2010, 11:11 PM

we must wait and see how astro will handle the many football leagues and cups that are shown..

Fully agree with u..
hate the fact that astro are doing the job half decent..
if they wanna provide us with the best package possible then get the SkySports feed.

I hate listening to comentators that are not working for SkySports..
The feed astro are receiving is from the FAPL feed..hate it..
spoils the mood and atmosphere

FAPL stands for the FA Premier League..its the organisation that handles the Premier League..
Its different from the FA..
right now ESPN HD gets the commentary and pictures from the Premier League default source..
This means all the countries that have the rights to show the EPL will get the same package..
Only when there is a deal between a company and the FAPL and the broadcaster will then get a better package..
Thats why on normal ESPN they get the SkySports feed from the UK coz they have a deal with SkySports and the FAPL

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Added on February 8, 2010, 1:21 amthe 811 and 831 channels are only the same in name
Not in content..
Not all the content in 811 is HD
Only certain football matches are available in HD
u will see a lot of ice hockey and nfl on 831..
another reason is, even if a programme is available in HD on 811, if astro dont have the rights to show them in HD then you wont see it in HD..
A big example was theCarling Cup Semi Finals between Manu U and Man City..
While there was a HD feed available for it, but astro dont have the rights then we didnt get it on HD
another example is WWE RAW..its available in HD but astro cant show them

But expect astro to work on getting the rights for these things now..
they are looking for more HD content to fill their programming on both 811 and 831 channels



This post has been edited by dxjb: Feb 8 2010, 01:21 AM

fully agree with u about andy gray..
talks bout the game as if he's played in all positions including goalkeeper..
really wish astro quickly get the SkySports commentary feed..FAST
hate the current commentary
also, i hope astro dont screw up with the champions league..
i noticed that the replay games of the champions league doesnt have the scoreboard and time..
usually ESPN will handle this
but since ESPN HD is astro's channel, they better get ready for the champions league..
and the FA Cup i must add

actually its different broadcaster la bro..
the vancouver closing ceremony is part of the package espn had when they signed rights for the games..
carling cup final was on astro own producing team..
it was their decision to cut the trophy presentation and show the boring post match show
so yes it was a very bad decision to cut the trophy presentation and celebration early
but at least you saw a bit