You are using Astro & Broadband / Astro Fibre, is it?
Still using now, or already no more?

Are you still on Sports Pack + News & Documentaries addon? So I guess, you did not subscribe to Chinese Favourites, correct?

Next time if you ever experience technical issues with your Astro service (especially if requires technical visit), and you want to get special treatment on that, just lodge a MCMC complaint straightaway la.

Because from what I see, you are already upset with Astro overall services and unlikely to give them second chances, so I figure out that you'd prefer them to give you special treatment whenever you face issues with Astro service moving forward, hence I suggest go straight to MCMC. I wouldn't consider this MCMC method as an "abuse".

But if you're okay to speak to Astro's managerial level first, then it's good la.

No wonder... So it appears that they are blasting emails out to those non-Chinese Favourites (and also non-Dynasty customers?) that Astro has included those Chinese channels onto their subscription for free.
Meanwhile those existing Dynasty/Chinese Favourites customers, better just keep quiet 🤫
Yeah. NHK World Premium (CH398) used to be part of Dynasty/Chinese Favourites.
Since they moved all channels in that pack/addon into Family/Primary Pack from 1 Apr 2024, hence that is why you can watch it now.
In fact is, every Astro customers can watch it now, without subscribing to anything.

But, that channel has no subtitles (even if there is, then it's a hardcoded Japanese subtitles during non-Japanese dialogues), and their English audio dub are only applicable to very few programmes only.
It's like, that channel is meant for Japanese expats in Malaysia, not really meant for us locals to watch it. Unless if you can understand Japanese, then it's different story.
For those who don't know, Japan's NHK is like equivalent to our Malaysia's RTM, so don't expect too much from that Japanese channel.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Apr 12 2024, 01:01 AM

You migrated from NJOI to Astro? That's good. The company will be very happy to hear that
VOD Zone only. If you want Channel Zone also, then need to add money.
Compared to Astro's previously, it's both VOD and Channel Zone.

But yeah, better than nothing.

If i remember correctly, they do have dedicated offers to those "NJOI convert to Astro" customers, which will be different than what you get by signing up a new Astro subscription.

linkinstreet Can share with us on what was the deal that they offered you when you switch from NJOI to Astro?

Eh sorry sorry 🤣
doubleM2 Can share with us on what was the deal that they offered you when you switch from NJOI to Astro Primary Pack?

So basically is, now you're on Primary Pack 0 month contract at RM74.99 but you get RM35 rebate, hence you're paying RM39.99?

The rebate lasts for 12 months or 24 months?
Let's say it's 24 months. Then from the 25th month onwards, you'll be paying RM74.99 oh...
What do you plan to do from the 25th month onwards?

This post has been edited by joshhd: Apr 12 2024, 03:41 PM

I doubt that you'll able to retain RM35 discount whatsoever.
Let's say you'll have to pay more for Primary Pack after the rebate period is over, what do you plan to do?

The process of converting Astro to NJOI are similar as terminating Astro service.

Need to clear all outstanding, can only be done by calling customer service to give them within 30 days notice, and then pay an expensive conversion fee (if I'm not mistaken is RM199).

Are you okay with that?

Comparison between Astro's Family/Primary Pack vs NJOI Family Pack
(As of April 2024)

*click/tap image to view in full resolution

Go to the Account tab and scroll to "Subscription' section. Select "TV pack', select "Main room' or "Multiroom' and then click the "Refresh' button.

Source: https://support.astro.com.my/question/can-i...ard-in-my-astro

When you're on Astro, you get at least an Ulti Box, where you get to access features like cloud recording, Play from Start, Live Pause, On Demand, and Astro Go.
Meanwhile for NJOI, you get none of those features.

Some people find those features useful, while some just purely wants to watch linear TV channels and nothing else, so it really depends on what are your needs.

I understand where you come from.
But in reality, just because you asked your circle group of friends or relatives who gave you the similar answer of "not interested in Astro Go", it doesn't mean that Astro Go isn't popular elsewhere.

Astro themselves has the latest data and metrics of how many active Astro Go users out there, and how many hours of content being streamed on Astro Go.
And if it's not popular, Astro might as well cease it already, don't you think so?

For your case, as you said, you have previously activated your free TVBAnywhere+ from Astro, but you haven't been using the app since January (2024, I suppose).
And today, you're getting this error when logging in your TVBAnywhere+ account:
Dear Astro customer, you are currently not an active subscriber for TVB Anywhere+. Kindly WhatsApp "GET TVB" to 03-9543 3838.

But Astro website FAQ ( https://support.astro.com.my/question/what-...-1st-april-2024 ) cleared stated that:
However, you are not able to access it now at all, which you are not getting as what stated from their website.
On other note, I've previously mentioned this on my post:
Link: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...ost&p=109501354

You can try dispute this matter by contacting customer service. But since their CS agents (03-95433838) can be unreliable sometimes, I suggest you write email to wecare@astro.com.my instead.
Get a written reply from them, and see what is their reply. Do share a screenshot on their reply here.

Like I said previously, I got the info that their continued free TVBAnywhere+ to some existing customers would only last for few months, and it will not be permanent.
If it's for me, I'll just accept the fate that Astro don't want to give free TVBAnywhere+ anymore, probably because they don't want to pay additional money to TVB for the app (since Astro wants to save cost here and there nowadays)?
But it's up to you la, if you want to try call them and dispute about this further, since their website is stated otherwise.

Alternatively, if you want a better long term solution, I suggest you move on and subscribe TVBAnywhere+ as a standalone subscription instead.

If you have a Unifi TV subscription, TVBAnywhere+ (VOD Zone) is already included for free if you're on Ruby Plus Pack.
Otherwise, you can subscribe to it as an add-on subscription from Unifi TV at these promo price of:
• TVBAnywhere+ (Channel Zone) at RM9.90/month
• TVBAnywhere+ (VOD Zone) at RM9.90/month
• TVBAnywhere+ (VOD + Channel Zone) at RM15.90/month
(VOD + Channel Zone) is also known as their "Premium" tier plan.

If you don't have a Unifi TV subscription, then you got to subscribe directly from TVB instead, at original retail price of:

More info here: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...ost&p=109377110

If pokemon can access it as usual, but brandonkl can't, then I suspect that Astro has a certain quota on how many users (e.g. for first few thousands of users?) can still get the continued limited-time free access to TVBAnywhere+ after 1 April 2024.

So by the time that brandonkl wants to login to the TVBAnywhere+ (which is today? ), their quota has been used up.

This is just my hypothesis ya...

Eh? Hmmm... Does it mean the quota have been used up on 1 April midnight or what?

Who else here is experiencing the same thing with TVBAnywhere+ from Astro?
Can share when is the last time you login to TVBAnywhere before you get the "not an active subscriber of TVB Anywhere" error?

But instead of whatsapp, I emailed to wecare@astro.com.my with the details of my issues and account
Good Do share with us on the outcome.

By the way, I also can't access BBC iPlayer. Error message says I need to upgrade to Platinum Pack. No issues accessing it prior to January 2024.
You are already on Platinum Pack and when you login to BBC Player, they still say you need to upgrade to Platinum Pack.
Very good. It means something have messed up on their end then.
You did mention this issue on the email you sent to them, right?

Ah, so it can be done then... Which Astro Exclusive Partners branch that you went to?
Is it a long wait? Many people queueing up? Or nobody at all?

Also to do that, they have to take photo from IC front and back and also subscriber photo. Something like padu registration and Identity verification so remember the person under account must go there to do that.
They take photo of the IC card (front and back)? That Astro account, is it under your name?
And what you mean by "subscriber photo"? Is it like, they use a webcam camera and take a picture of you, standing in front of the counter or something, or how?

No idea... You can try it yourself if you have one.
Yes correct. Astro's WiFi dongle was introduced back in 2013.
https://www.lowyat.net/2013/3021/astro-intr...yond-pvr-users/

The purpose of the Wi-Fi dongle, was meant to those who uses the first generation Astro PVR box (which does not have built-in WiFi function) to be able to access Video On Demand library using WiFi rather than the only option of Ethernet LAN cable.

But not long after, they put more focus on their very first Astro box to have built-in WiFi function instead, which is known as Astro PVR box DMT 5 model.