Talking about contract, Astro has stopped contract auto renewal rule effective 1 May 2024.
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...ost&p=109707353

So once your contract ends, which package do you plan to downgrade though?

Entry level Primary Pack now got all Chinese channels (incl. TVB, AOD, NHK), can add-on Sports too.

Yes better save your money than throw to assthrow.
You can still get rebate RM14.99 (before 8% SST) every month for those chinese channels now included in the basic package.

Astro recently launched Sports add-on, where you get the same sports offerings from Sports Pack, but instead of a "pack" where you need to commit 24 months contract, this Sports add-on does not have a contract.
Sports add-on priced at +RM42.99/month, open to all legacy and new Astro packs customers, and available only for non-Sports Pack and non-Liga Malaysia* subscribers.

*The RM9.99 add-on of "Liga Malaysia" will be renamed as "Sports Special" from this month onwards, and will be reflected on the Astro bill to those who subscribed to this add-on.
All Chinese channels (CH300-335) have already opened up to all Astro customers, regardless of what race you are or which Astro pack you're currently on, you will be able to watch all Chinese channels regardless**

**Unless you're still on their legacy pack called 'Family Pack' or 'Chuen Min Pack (Chinese Family)' without the New Emperor add-on, then you still won't be able to watch CH333 (the only Chinese channel that has been 'left out').

Since you only want Sports and Netflix, you can consider downgrade your Platinum Pack (RM194.99/month) to Sports Plus Pack (RM129.99/month).
RM129.99/month is the cheapest Astro package that bundles with Netflix.

FYI, all Netflix bundles from Astro come with Netflix Standard (Full HD streaming, 2 concurrent screens)
If you want the Netflix Premium plan (4K UHD streaming, Dolby Atmos, and 4 concurrent screens), you can add another RM10 for the Netflix Premium Upgrade on top of your RM129.99.
That one is an add-on and doesn't tie with your 24 months contract, so you can remove that Netflix Premium Upgrade whenever you want.

You can refer to the April 2024 subscription rate card here:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...ost&p=109501353

To avoid penalty, yes, you can downgrade to Sports Plus Pack once your contract ends.
And as expected, downgrade = you'll pay lesser to Astro = lesser revenue to Astro.
Therefore it can only be done through calling customer service, or walk-in to Astro Exclusive Partners https://support.astro.com.my/astro-near-me#exclusive-partner
Astro will not entertain pack downgrade requests via email, live chats, feedback form, etc.
Yes, it is a deliberate attempt by them, and it's been like this for many years already.

From RM194.99 to RM129.99, it's quite a lot actually.
Don't be surprised that they proposes some retention offer during the call, like if you stay on your <current pack name>, then you will get monthly rebate of <insert amount here> for <number of months> AND/OR free channel preview of <pack/addon name>, in exchange of additional <between 0 to 36 months> of retention offer contract.

So it's up to you to decide. 

Astro Subscription Rate Card - April 2024


Here's my alternative version of their rate card:
In case if this version of mine make it more understandable to you...


Channel List


New customer, can sign up here: https://product.astro.com.my/tv
Existing customer, can upgrade here: https://myastro.astro.com.my/

---

Added on
Astro Subscription Rate Card (Legacy Packs) - April 2024
This is for the reference for existing Astro customers who are still on their old Astro package only.
These old packages are strictly not available to new customers.

Astro be like: "Customer put a calendar reminder on the contract end date, so that customer won't forget to downgrade package (or terminate Astro). Aiyoo... We want all our customers to forget about their contract end date "

So basically most Malay and Chinese channesl are bundled and pack as basic. That's good actually.

You mean now let's say you're watching CH801, then out of nowhere, it suddenly it jumps to another channel that you frequently watch (e.g. CH306)?
I never experience such thing as "randomly jumping from one channel to another" whenever I'm watching...

By any chance, did you "Add to Favourites" of those channels you mentioned earlier (306, 333, 801...)?
If yes, try remove ALL of your Favourites Channels, then see if issue persists.

And, your Ultra Box is connected using WiFi or LAN?

I believe you've done those basic troubleshootings, right? Reboot box, reboot WiFi router, etc.

You can check the list of your Favourites channels you've added, by opening the TV Guide, then press green button to "Filter", then navigate to "Favourites Channels".

If you see the ❤️ (heart) symbol near the channel logo of your TV Guide there, it means this channel has added to Favourites.
In that screen, you press left arrow button on Astro remote, which it'll hover at the channel logo/number section, then press OK, then you'll see a popup which has the "Remove from Favourite" option.
Remove all of the channels one by one.

Secondly, is your Ultra Box experiences sudden disconnection of WiFi network when that happens? If your router is not too far from your Ultra Box, then just connect LAN cable to your router instead.

You contacted Astro and they say that as long as you replace your existing "problematic" Ultra Box into a new Ultra Box, your 24 months contract will be restarted, even though you still have an ongoing contract, is that what they told you?

For now, will live with it until I downgrade my package.
Don't give up hope yet. There's some troubleshooting steps you could try...
If you've checked and you never added any favourites channel, OR you've removed all favourites channels, yet issue persists, try this:

1) On the "Who's Watching Astro?" screen, try create a new profile, and then use it only on your Ultra Box. Don't share the profile with other Ulti/Ultra Boxes under your Astro account with other family members or anyone else, including Astro GO.
Observe for couple of days, and see if issue persists.

2) If persists, try clear NVRAM
https://support.astro.com.my/question/refre...-ultra-ulti-box
Once done, try create new profile again and see if it persists.

Do let us know on the outcome

I didn't ask how the contract will be extended but I assume it is 24 months again from the replacement date.
So you didn't actually contact Astro, and just assume that contract will be extended if you replace your suspected faulty Ultra Box to a new one, correct?

yesterday no such occurrence,
So previously those channels like 306, 333, 801 has been part of your Favourites Channels, and now you've removed all of them, correct?

Introducing your new Sports Pack content update. Effective October 17, 2024.

RIP Astro SuperSport (1996–2024).




Source: https://astro.com.my/sports2024

No change in price.

My contract is finally ending this month and I plan to downgrade from Platinum to Sports+Netflix Premium.
Oh yeah, you want to downgrade to Sports Plus Pack (RM129.99) and then add Netflix Premium Upgrade (RM10), total RM139.99/month, right?

Last week, there's this news article saying that Astro is "planning to launch three streamlined TV packs in the future for entry-level viewers, sports fans and all-access seekers."
News article link & more info here: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...ost&p=110542800

Imagine once they introduce the 3 new packs, then your option might look something like:
Sports Pack (RM99.99) + Netflix Premium a-la-carte RM55 = RM154.99/month?

which is equivalent to no difference even if you subscribe Astro and Netflix Premium plan separately.

Since Sports + Netflix (Premium) suits your needs, I think you proceed with the Sports Plus Pack RM129.99 + Netflix Premium Upgrade RM10.00 first before they announce on the launch date of the 3 new packs, which nobody knows when yet.
But since it's already on the news, I guess is probably in the next coming months...?

No downgrade requests to be entertained for any walk ins. You'll have to call customer service.