Opps... Earlier I just copy paste yours and overlooked that
Done edit.

since parent only watch a few basic channels.
What are the few basic channels that your parents watch?
If it is Chinese channels, then do note that all Chinese channels from CH300 until CH335 is already FREE to all Astro customers since April 2024. No need to purposely subscribe to those high tier packs like those days anymore.
More info here: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...#entry109501354

But if it is not Chinese channels, then can list down what are your other must-have channels?

Can I represent the account holder to change the package or it should be personally done by the account holder?
By right it can only be done by the account holder. If it is to be done by a 3rd party, you will need to provide them an authorisation letter.
There's no known template for this, so you can create it your own, just make sure the letter mentions yours and the account holder's name & IC number, along with both signatures.
You can email them at wecare@astro.com.my.

Wish to ask what are the ways to downgrade it
FYI, parent is not staying at urban area and I believe the Astro centre were closed down few yrs back where back then we are allowed to visit the centres to amend our packages.
You don't need to visit their service centres whatsoever to do downgrades.

Personally I suggest to private message them on their Facebook chatbot at https://www.facebook.com/Astro.
Click Message, type "Hi", select language, then type "agent", select an option, then an agent will attend you shortly.
Other options like emailing them, submitting form https://support.astro.com.my/feedback-form or the old school way of calling their customer service, also can.

Regardless of which lower tier package you eventually downgrade it to, you will get a new 24 months contract anyway.

Today, the lowest & cheapest plan you can downgrade to, is Primary Pack (RM59.99/month).
Just a heads-up. Last month there's a news article says that Astro is planning to introduce all new packs (no exact date given, but since it's already in the news, I guess is another few months time?), and there will be only 3 packs moving forward (unlike 15 confusing packs today), where the cheapest plan priced around RM40-50.
More info here: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...ost&p=110260142

Switching to this new pack would likely give you a new 24 months contract anyway, so you might wanna consider wait till they announce the new packs?

===

But since you intend to do a pack downgrade (which is considered a revenue lost to them), very likely they will propose some retention offers for you during that process.
Like "If you stay on Super Pack 3, we give you a monthly rebate of RM____ for X months, and/or free channel preview of ______, and then it may OR may not comes with a retention offer contract."

That's up to you to decide whether to accept that or not, because everyone will get different kinds of retention offers. Usually the higher the pack tier you're on, the higher the rebate they would offer.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Sep 11 2024, 11:58 PM

By the way, I found out that the cheapest package is RM41.99 as stated in Astro website.
Whatever prices and offers you see on Astro website, that is applicable is for new customers only. It is not applicable for existing customers.

If you want to know what are Astro's pack offerings today, refer to the subscription rate card here:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...#entry109501353

Also, once I downgarded it, can I request for a new decoder since the old PVR box starts to have problem?
Can share with us what is the problem you're facing with your PVR box?

================

Since you're on Super Pack 3 now, then let me cater this info to you:
Because you are on Super Pack 3, you are eligible to upgrade to Ultra Box for free.
No additional monthly fee, no installation fee, and no contract.
That's because Astro has an ongoing campaign where legacy pack customers using old boxes (where monthly fee is RM60 and above), is eligible to upgrade to the new box for free.

However, if you downgrade the package now, you won't be eligible for this free box upgrade campaign anymore.
If you downgrade package now, and then tell them to upgrade box later on, you will be getting Ulti Box rather than Ultra Box.

Ulti Box is their "entry level box" where the hardware specs is lousy, hence more lag & sluggish, supports maximum Full HD only, while Ultra Box is their "flagship model" with better hardware specs, and it supports 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos.

So I'd suggest, if you really interested, take this opportunity to upgrade to Ultra Box for free first.
Once you got your Ultra Box installed, then you can call Astro and tell them you want to downgrade your package.

If you wonder, what is the trap here...?
Basically, the biggest trap (for me) is, by default, they will create your box upgrade order as Plug & Play instead of satellite.
Nowadays their default standard of procedure (SOP) is create box upgrade/installation orders like these as Plug & Play, not just this campaign alone.

You see, all Ulti/Ultra Box supports both satellite & Plug & Play modes. Now the difference here is, how did the Astro agent configure your Astro account in their system, whether to tag your account as Satellite (DTH) or Plug & Play (Unicast).

Satellite means your Astro box will receive TV channels via Astro satellite dish (just like what you have today).
Plug & Play means your Ulti/Ultra Box will be streaming TV channels & content through Internet only, literally treating as if satellite dish doesn't exist.

The pros of Plug & Play:
- No longer rely on satellite dish, hence no more rain interruption. No need to install satellite dish (for new customer).
- You can start streaming channels & content as long the box is connected to the Internet (WiFi or LAN), so it's easier to set up.

The cons of Plug & Play:
- Picture quality will look bad for the first 5 seconds when you tune to a TV channel
- Whenever you're watching a TV channel, picture quality will tend to fluctuate (suddenly blur, suddenly sharp) and intermittent buffering is bound to happen, regardless of how fast & stable your Internet is (connect using LAN cable to your router, also same)
- Loading icon will always appear whenever you change channel (some people may find this annoying).
- Streaming latency/delay of ~30 seconds to 1 minute, compared to satellite (Meaning, imagine you watch a football match via satellite, the player already scored a goal, but since yours is on Plug & Play, you'd only get to see the player score the goal 30 seconds to 1 minute later.)
- You won't be able to access NHK World (CH398) channel due to content rights, but I don't think this Japanese channel would be a concern for you.

Tip: As long your Astro account is tagged under Plug & Play in their system, if you attempt to Restore Factory Settings on your box and change to Satellite mode yourself, you will see "Subscription Required" message on almost all TV channels. Refreshing your smartcard will not help. So there's no point doing that. This issue won't arise as long you restore it back to Plug & Play mode.

Another option is, you tell Astro customer service that you want to watch via satellite.

Reasons to stay on satellite is:
- Whatever "The cons of Plug & Play" you read earlier, doesn't exist. Hence, as long the weather is clear, watching TV channels will be 'stable' like what you get today.
- Even if the box is not connected to the Internet, you can still watch TV channels via satellite dish.
- Whenever the Ulti/Ultra Box detects no satellite signal (e.g. heavy rain), a popup message appears, prompting you to switch to Internet streaming to continue watch the TV channel. This is to allow you to continue watching the TV channel you were watching.
This feature, they called it "Continuous Viewing".

Note:
- This feature is for Astro satellite dish customers only. Not applicable for Plug & Play customers.
- Ulti/Ultra Box must be connected to the Internet (WiFi or LAN cable) for this feature to work.
- It will automatically switch back to satellite dish reception as you tune to other channel.

Or, if you don't like to manually toggle it like this every time when bad weather occurs, or you don't want this weather interruption to interrupt your TV viewing ever again, and prefer it to go 100% Internet streaming and ditch away your satellite dish, yes it is possible. You can go for Plug & Play mode for your Ulti/Ultra Box.
But I must remind you that the reliability and overall experience of their Plug & Play (Internet streaming) service isn't going to be exactly the same as what you can get today from a satellite dish reception (put aside the weather interruption).

=====

When you're in contact with Astro to take advantage of this free box upgrade campaign, and if you want it to be on satellite, you MUST inform that agent that you want to watch Astro through Satellite, because they will not purposely ask you whether you want Satellite or Plug & Play.

If you don't tell that agent, the agent will create your order as Plug & Play.

Not everyone will particular in things like these, so if you don't mind all of these, then it's ok.

This is exactly just like Astro
https://www.facebook.com/mymgag/posts/pfbid...7H3UXqCgEeX3kil

Next time if there's anyone asks questions like "Why there's no promotion for a many-years old customers like me?", then I'll send them this, then no need to explain further, they should know what to do next already.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Sep 14 2024, 09:23 AM

Astro is just opening up advertising opportunities, hence Wonda coffee just pay a lot of money to Astro, so that all Astro Ria viewers will aware of the Wonda coffee branding, even when they're watching the programmes on Astro Ria channel throughout the 24 hour window.

If I remember correctly, I think this is the first time they putting a branding name into their existing in-house TV channel.

Better than nothing, I guess...

We still don't know whether will they win over the dispute with LHDN or not...
If they lose and have to pay that RM700 mil tax, they'll have their ways to pay that.
Advertising is not their only source of income anyway

Until it really happens, I choose not to believe this news. They keep delay and delay so many times already, and then no news after that...

I tested and tried using the new Ulti box without the satellite cable attached and operating via wifi ; but because of that; it keeps asking if want to continuous playback and yes/no live tv everytime wanna change channel.
Because the Ulti Box's operating mode is under Satellite, where satellite dish connection will be the primary method of TV channels reception.

Is there any way i can force the box to ignore using the cable connection and work via wifi as its primary?
You can perform Restore Factory Settings on the box first.
Press home>Settings icon>Restore Factory Settings>Default PIN is 0000

Wait for about 2 minutes as it reboots.
When being asked for "preferred method of box installation...", select "IPTV Plug & Play (seif-install)". You can follow the instructions here:
https://support.astro.com.my/question/insta...ra-box-ulti-box

If you don't want these "technical issues" to arise, just stick with Satellite mode.
And also, unfortunately, once you are on Plug & Play mode, it means the box must be connected to the Internet, hence you will be flooded with stuffs like On Demand content, streaming apps, cloud recording, etc.

Another thing is, whenever you boot or wake up the box, you will see the "Who's watching Astro?" screen by default.
You can disable that here: https://support.astro.com.my/question/profi...tion-on-startup

The other quickest solution i can come up with is we get a new TV that's ASTRO Smart Apps compatible
Purposely get a new TV for that purpose, and then continue to pay extra for Multiroom (Smart TV) subscription every month? Hmmm...
Technically it's possible, but yes, like what you mentioned, you will be using the TV's remote control to control the app, not your Astro remote control.
And the app interface looks slightly different than the Ulti Box.
This may not be a feasible option for some elderly persons.

Actually, if you still prefer the Ulti Box to be operated as basic as possible (meaning, just press channel number to receive TV channels via satellite dish only, and nothing else), consider laying a satellite cable connection to the bedroom that you want the Ulti Box to be used.
You can call Astro technician/installer to come and lay a cable from the satellite dish to the bedroom where the Ulti Box will be used.
If I remember correctly, additional cabling (RG6 cable) will be charged RM1.50 per metre by the technician.
But errr, such request should be coming only from the account holder
Even if they would to allow family member to authorise such request on behalf, there shall be some authorisation letter provided to them first...

If you don't want to going through Astro customer service, you can private hire a Astro technician to come and do for you. It should be faster that way.
You can search it on Facebook, with keywords of your city/town name, example "Astro installer Kuala Lumpur", then you'll see a lot of Astro installer contacts in the search results already.

Either way, it is not going to be free-of-charge or cheaper also. But in my opinion, for cases like this, private hire would be faster.
Wish your elderly family member a speedy recovery

Enable it only if you are using Mesh WiFi at your home, as it is meant to optimised for mesh WiFi connections (e.g. seamless connection to the node with strongest WiFi signal).
You can Google more about this on how it works.

If you're not using mesh WiFi, turning this setting on is pointless.

BRO !!! THANK YOU !!
Did not realise that i have to do a factory reset to enable the IPTV (Plug & play) function. That's exactly what i needed.
You're welcome

But as previously mentioned, once the box is on Plug & Play mode, don't be surprised if you encounter those technical issues mentioned.
For Astro's point of view, it is an "expected behaviour".

As long you're okay with it, then go for it.
I let you know about this first beforehand ya.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Oct 1 2024, 12:12 AM

Ah, I spot on an important keywords in this news article:
So Astro is planning to introduce 3 new packs as follows:

Pack 1: Entry-level viewers, I guess it's equivalent to today's Primary Pack (RM59.99)?
Pack 2: Sports fans, I guess it's equivalent to today's Sports Pack (RM99.99)?
Pack 3: All-access seekers, I guess it's equivalent to today's Platinum Pack (RM194.99)?

My best guess would be, they want to make everything else as an add-on for "Entry-level viewers" pack and "Sports fans" pack, such as Kids, News & Documentaries, Variety, etc.? So customers will have the flexibility to subscribe whatever add-ons that they want?
But how about Movies pack? HBO GO (soon to be Max)? Disney+ Hotstar how? As an add-on also?

How about vernacular channels like Malay & Indian channels? Not too concerned about Chinese channels, because they've already made all Chinese channels accessible & open up for everyone several months ago, so I assume it'll continue to remain as-is when they launch 3 new packs later.

I would love to have flexibility like that, but at the same time, I'd foresee that many existing customers will want to switch to this upcoming "3 new packs" with the intention to lower their monthly fee.
Hmm, Astro is getting "generous" these days... Maybe it's a clear sign that they finally admit that charging high monthly fees isn't sustainable in the long run for their pay TV business, hence they're "forced" to provide new offerings at a lower monthly fee...?

I'm really curious how will the 3 packs offerings look like...

So basically is, Astro and/or Disney suddenly downgrade every single Astro customer's Disney+ Hotstar subscription from Premium to Basic, regardless whether you're on a bundle or their 3 months add-on, and they do it so conveniently without informing customer upfront? No SMS, email, no update on Astro website's Help & Support page, or whatever form of notification to customers, until a news article pops out out of nowhere?
What a very responsible way to treat your customers. Very good customer experience indeed

With Disney+ Hotstar Basic plan, there is only 1 device concurrency. Meaning, you can only stream on 1 device at the same time...
For their Premium plan is up to 3 concurrencies.

So moving forward, no more free Premium plan from Disney, meaning no more getting free access to stream in 4K UHD & Dolby Atmos also then.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Oct 2 2024, 01:57 AM

I find that the rebranding is overall a good initiative, as it allows viewers to be able to find their preferred sports content.
Compared to Astro SuperSport 1, 2, 3, 4, you wouldn't know what kind of sports content will be showed in this channel, unless you've already familiar and get used to watching Astro's sports channels.
For example, you want to watch live badminton match, so the first channel that you would think of tuning to, would be Astro SuperSport 4 (today is CH814), because you know that this channel often times airs live badminton matches.

With this upcoming sports channel rebranding, let's say if you want to watch badminton matches, you'd immediately know to tune to Astro Badminton channel 815, because the channel name itself is already self-explanatory.

As I read through the https://promotions.astro.com.my/details/SportsChannel2024 page, I notice this:
So basically, from 17 Oct 2024 onwards:

If your subscription contains:	Sports channels number today	Sports channels number from 17 Oct 2024
Sports Pack	805 (4K UHD), 810-820	805 (4K UHD), 810-826
Sports Special	805 (4K UHD), 810-820	805 (4K UHD), 810-826
Sports Lite	811, 812	810, 814, 817
Premier League	811, 812, 813	811, 812, 813 (ad-hoc), 814, 817

Note to those who don't know:
1) Ultra Box or Multiroom (Smart TV) is required to watch 4K UHD channel. Ulti Box or older Astro boxes are not supported.
2) Sports Special is previously known as the Liga Malaysia RM9.99 add-on.
3) Do note that Sports Lite & Premier League were used to be part of the offerings during legacy pack days. You can't subscribe or re-subscribe either of them today anymore.

Also, this time it appears they've allocated certain channel number meant for adhoc channels (means temporary channel, where this channel will be up when needed, such as concurrent live matches in different venue or badminton court), such as Astro Premier League 3 (CH813) and Astro Badminton 2 (CH816).
Although I do find it a little "off" when I see the channel number sequence somehow being "skipped", like 811, 812, 814 (813 is skipped).

Let's see how it goes on 17 Oct 2024 then

This post has been edited by joshhd: Oct 7 2024, 10:53 PM

Btw, when it comes to the channel logo design, I personally don't like the idea of them using the same colour palette of channel logo used in Astro QJ and Astro Premier to ALL sports channels...
I don't mind if it is a general entertainment channels, but if the same template used in sports channels, it feels like a "downgrade" or "jatuh standard" to all sports channels.

I also notice that the overall interface of the channel idents on recent pop-up channels, such as LOL (CH100), or even the recent Olympics channels, are like reusing the same animation template as Astro QJ (CH308) and Astro Premier (CH110).
It seems to me that they want to save time and effort (and likely costs as well?) by reusing the "same template" on any new Astro channel launches (be it a pop-up, temporary or permanent channel).

But for this sports channels rebranding, even if they want to save cost or whatnot, at least choose a different colour scheme for its channels logos & idents maybe?
I seriously think that the red colour logo design and channel ident used in Astro SuperSport is much cooler and more sporty look.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Oct 7 2024, 11:06 PM

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...?

Sports channels rebranding only. Nothing got to do with monthly subscription changes.

Ah, that's more like news to me... Finally after all these years

None of the streaming app plan we get from Astro as a bundle today, are in the highest tier plan that supports 4K and Dolby Atmos by default.
So I don't expect Astro to give all Movies pack customers a free Max Ultimate plan.
Likely they'll offer Standard plan to all Movies pack by default, and then with an option to upgrade to Ultimate tier at a fee, similar to Netflix Premium Upgrade of RM10.

No idea...
But since you've already enjoy the international version of Disney+, then just continue using that.
No need to think about Disney+ Hotstar.