https://promotions.astro.com.my/details/big-thank-you

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Added on Astro wants to give a big 'thank you' to its customers who are still subscribing to their service by announcing these three offers:

1. Total of 18 existing paid channels (including 2 Astro GO only channels) to become permanently “free”
   
   
   
   
2. Free box upgrade to either Ulti or Ultra Box, and a no-contract option is also available (depends on pack, and either Plug & Play or Satellite)
   
   
   
   
3. Free 1x Astro First movie redemption (not all movies are eligible).
   
   
   
   

I have been asking around my sources, and it took me a while to compile the information to share it with you guys. Let’s break it down below. 

Who is eligible and not eligible to get what?
Not every Astro customer will benefit from all of the 3 offers mentioned earlier, as it depends on the pack you currently subscribed to.

Pack name/Scenario	1) Up to 18 channels for free	2) Free Ulti/Ultra Box upgrade	3) Free 1x Astro First movie
Family (as long your Astro bill page no. 3 stated "Family", such as Family Lite/Extra/Special/Chinese Family/or something like Family+2Mini+Sp+Dy+Mv) and the monthly fee is RM59.99 or lesser (excl. tax)	Not eligible. You'll only get a free preview of CH395 & CH413 until 31 Jan 2025 instead.	Not eligible	Not eligible
Family (as long your Astro bill page no. 3 stated "Family", such as Family Lite/Extra/Special/Chinese Family/or something like Family+2Mini+Sp+Dy+Mv) and the monthly fee is RM60.00 and above (excl. tax)	Not eligible. You'll only get a free preview of CH395 & CH413 until 31 Jan 2025 instead.	Eligible	Not eligible
Starter Pack (any), Value Pack (any), Starter Plus Pack (any), Value Plus Pack (any), Super Pack Lite 1/2/3/4 (Sports)	Eligible	Eligible	Not eligible
Super Pack Lite 1/2/3/4 (Movies), Super Pack 1/2/3/3a, Super Pack Plus 1/2/3	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible
Super Pack 4	No difference for you, as you already have these channels.	Eligible	Eligible
Primary Pack, Entertainment Pack, Movies Pack, Sports Pack, Entertainment Plus Pack, Movies Plus Pack, Sports Plus Pack, Premium Pack 1, Premium Pack 2, Premium Pack 4	Eligible	Eligible	Not eligible
Premium Pack 3, Premium Pack 5, Platinum Lite	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible
Platinum Pack	No difference for you, as you already have these channels.	Eligible	Eligible

How do I know if I’m on the legacy pack or the new pack?
Here’s some examples for your reference:

Legacy Packs (1996-2021)	Any packs that mentions "Family" (e.g. Family Lite/Extra/Special/Chinese Family/or something like Family+2Mini+Sp+Dy+Mv), Starter Pack, Value Pack 1/2/3/4/5, Starter Pack Plus, Value Pack Plus 1/2/3/4/5, Super Pack Lite 1/2/3/4 (Movies/Sports), Super Pack 1/2/3/4, Super Pack Plus 1/2/3
New Packs (2021-2024)	Primary Pack, Entertainment Pack, Movies Pack, Sports Pack, Entertainment Plus Pack, Movies Plus Pack, Sports Plus Pack, Premium Pack 1/2/3/4/5, Platinum Lite, Platinum Pack

if you're not sure what pack you're currently on, you can check it on My Astro app, or refer to your Astro bill (page no. 3).

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Added on
1a) Up to 18 channels for free
Note: To prevent confusion, if you are not eligible for this 18 channels (e.g. "Family" pack), please skip to the point 1b).

If you are an eligible Astro customer, you can now enjoy their "gift" to you of up to 18 channels listed below.
Do note that this is permanent, not temporary, and they have automatically include 18 channels into your subscription, with no strings attached whatsoever. That's why they called it "Big Thank You"

#	CH no.	Channel name
1	112	Astro Rania
2	113	Astro Aura
3	221	Star Vijay
4	222	Zee Tamil
5	223	Colors Tamil
6	241	Astro Thangathirai
7	251	Zee Cinema
8	395	tvN
9	396	K-Plus
10	401	Hits Movies
11	404	Astro Boo
12	413	Astro Showcase
13	416	tvN Movies
14	515	CNA
15	518	ABC Australia
16	712	Warner TV
17	521	DW TV (Astro GO only)
18	522	France 24  (Astro GO only)

You might have noticed that you could already view some or all of the channels listed above, even before they open up the channels as part of the campaign on 28 Nov 2024. This is because your existing Astro subscription may have already included some or all of the channels.

Since Astro has standardised its channel offerings by making the 18 channels available to all eligible customers, this will likely benefit more to those who had not subscribed to the corresponding channels prior to the campaign.

For those who subscribed to a pack where the particular addon is already bundled/included (e.g. you’re currently subscribed to a pack that already includes Korean, such as Super Pack or Entertainment Pack), then it’s either you just accept as-is and continue paying as usual, or you downgrade to a cheaper pack that still includes the channels and apps you need (then you get a new 24-month contract). Nothing much you can do about it.

By subscribing to Astro, you are deemed consent to their Subscription Terms. According to Clause 6 (2), they have the right to change whatever business rules they like as they see fit.
https://product.astro.com.my/general-terms-...tro-subscribers

Double check your Astro bill to see if you’re still subscribed to those addons that are now “free”
If you look at your Astro bill (page no. 3) and you see the relevant addons is being charged (e.g. you’ve been paying Korean add-on for ~RM10/month, and now you know that Korean supposed to be free for you & the majority of the customers), then you should contact Astro customer service, and tell them to remove the relevant add-ons (e.g. Korean) from your subscription.
If you don’t contact customer service to remove the relevant add-ons, then it is good news for Astro because you will continue to pay for those add-ons. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to pay for something that can get for free, right?

No automatic bill adjustments whatsoever
If you're expecting them to be kind enough to automatically remove those paid addons (that are now free) from your subscription because of this campaign, that's where you're wrong.
There won’t be any automatic bill adjustment here. Astro had to do this to ensure that it doesn’t drastically impact the company revenue (refer company’s financial performance).

Addons that are safe to remove (or nothing to remove)
Provided if you’re eligible for the free 18 channels, then here’s a list where removing these chargeable addons (see below) from your bill will not affect your access to your other channels.
But as usual, a one-time RM10 switching fee will apply due to a reduction in your monthly fee. 

#	CH no.	Channel name	Initially from which addon? (Legacy pack/New pack)	Legacy pack: Addon price (if chargeable)	New pack: Addon price (if chargeable)
1	112	Astro Rania	Indo Pek / Indonesian Favourites	RM12/mth (RM8 for Value packs)	RM14.99/mth
2	113	Astro Aura	Indo Pek / Indonesian Favourites	RM12/mth (RM8 for Value packs)	RM14.99/mth
3	221	Star Vijay	Chakravarthy	Either RM8/mth or RM13/mth	This channel already included to all
4	222	Zee Tamil	Chakravarthy	Either RM8/mth or RM13/mth	This channel already included to all
5	223	Colors Tamil	Chakravarthy	Either RM8/mth or RM13/mth	This channel already included to all
6	241	Astro Thangathirai	Thangathirai / Movies	RM6.95/mth	Already included in certain packs only
7	251	Zee Cinema	Zee Cinema / Movies	RM5/mth	Already included in certain packs only
8	395	tvN	Korean	RM10.00/mth	RM9.99/mth
9	396	K-Plus	Korean	RM10.00/mth	RM9.99/mth
10	401	Hits Movies	Not available as addon	Already included only in certain packs	This channel already included to all
11	404	Astro Boo	BOO / Horror	RM5.99/mth	RM5.99/mth

If you’re currently on the new pack that has 1x Asian Favourites mandatory selection (e.g. Entertainment Pack), and you previously selected (or unknowingly selected) Indonesian Favourites, I’d suggest you switch to another Asian Favourites, which is free of charge and you’d get something extra.
There’s only 2 remaining available Asian Favourites today, which is Indian Favourites and Viu Premium.
There won’t be RM10 switching fee for this Asian Favourites change. You can perform the switch easily via My Astro app.

Addons that are not safe to remove
Not all addons are “safe to remove”. Depending on your pack, if you’re able to remove these addons listed below, you will lose access to some of your existing channels and even apps.

#	CH no.	Channel name	Initially from which addon? (Legacy pack/New pack)	Legacy pack: Addon price (if chargeable)	New pack: Addon price (if chargeable)	Legacy pack: What channels/apps you'll lose after removing this addon	New packs: What channels/apps you'll lose after removing this addon
12	413	Astro Showcase	Movies	RM30/mth (Starter/Value pack only)	Already included in certain packs only	CH411, 412, 414, 415 & 2 apps: Max (Standard) and Disney+ Hotstar (Basic)	It can't be removed, unless you downgrade your pack
13	416	tvN Movies	Movies	RM30/mth (Starter/Value pack only)	Already included in certain packs only	CH411, 412, 414, 415 & 2 apps: Max (Standard) and Disney+ Hotstar (Basic)	It can't be removed, unless you downgrade your pack
14	515	CNA	News (Mini Package) / News & Documentaries	Either it's RM5/mth or RM12/mth	RM14.99/mth	CH511 until 517 (News)	CH511 until 517 and CH551-556 (News & Documentaries) & 1 app: BBC Player
15	518	ABC Australia	News (Mini Package) / News & Documentaries	Either it's RM5/mth or RM12/mth	RM14.99/mth	CH511 until 517 (News)	CH511 until 517 and CH551-556 (News & Documentaries) & 1 app: BBC Player
16	712	Warner TV	Variety (Mini Package)	Either it's RM5/mth or RM12/mth	This channel already included to all	CH702, CH714-718 & 1 app: BBC Player	N/A
17	521	DW TV (Astro GO only)	News (Mini Package) / News & Documentaries	Either it's RM5/mth or RM12/mth	RM14.99/mth	CH511 until 517 (News)	CH511 until 517 and CH551-556 (News & Documentaries) & 1 app: BBC Player
18	522	France 24  (Astro GO only)	News (Mini Package) / News & Documentaries	Either it's RM5/mth or RM12/mth	RM14.99/mth	CH511 until 517 (News)	CH511 until 517 and CH551-556 (News & Documentaries) & 1 app: BBC Player

1b) “Family” pack customers aren’t eligible to enjoy the 18 channels; gets only 2 free channel previews until 31 Jan 2025
Regardless of your monthly subscription fee, as long your Astro bill page no. 3 stated "Family", such as Family Lite/Extra/Special/Chinese Family/or something like Family+2Mini+Sp+Dy+Mv, then this free 18 channels is not applicable to you.
Instead, you’d only get a temporary free preview of these 2 channels until 31 Jan 2025: tvN (CH395) and Astro Showcase (CH413).
On Demand content from tvN and Astro Showcase are not included in this free preview.
On the bright side, it is better than nothing. 

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Added on
2) Free Ulti/Ultra Box upgrade
Still using the HD box or PVR box? Ready to upgrade to Astro’s current box model of Ulti Box or Ultra Box? Now you have the opportunity to swap it for free, and a no-contract option is also available (mostly applicable for Plug & Play).

Pack name/type	Your current Astro box:	You can swap your box to:	Satellite (Standard/Installer Assisted)	Plug & Play
Any legacy packs, monthly fee of RM60.00-99.99	HD or PVR Box	Ulti Box	Free but with 12 months contract	Free with no contract
Any legacy packs, monthly fee of RM100.00 and above	HD or PVR Box	Ultra Box	Free with no contract	Free with no contract
Primary Pack, Entertainment Pack, Movies Pack	HD or PVR Box	Ulti Box	Free but with 12 months contract	Free with no contract
Sports Pack and above (packs with RM99.99 and above)	HD or PVR Box	Ultra Box	Free with no contract	Free with no contract
Multiroom	HD or PVR Box	Ulti Box	Free but with 12 months contract	Free with no contract

Note: Other scenarios that are not within this campaign’s scope (e.g. upgrade your existing Multiroom (Box) to Ultra Box, or legacy pack customer with a monthly fee of RM59.99 and below who wants to upgrade to Ulti/Ultra Box), it shall be chargeable with an installation fee and shall come with a 24-month contract, as per usual offer.

You can upgrade your box via the My Astro app. Do note that the default “Your installation method” selection will be ‘Plug & Play’. If you want to continue using a satellite dish to receive Astro channels on your new Ulti/Ultra Box, remember to choose the ‘Standard’ option.

However, if you encounter difficulties upgrading your box using the My Astro app (e.g. upgrade option isn’t there), there are other alternatives to do it:

• Astro Facebook page: Message that page, type “Hi”, select language if being asked, then type “agent”
  
  
  
  
• Astro website: click the chatbot icon on the bottom right corner, type “agent”
  
  
  
  
• Tune to CH200: Scan the QR code that appears under the “Free Box” tab, which will bring you to the Astro WhatsApp chatbot. 
  
  
  
  
• Call customer service: 03-95433838
  
  
  
  
• Email: wecare@astro.com.my
  
  
  
  

When communicating with the agent to request a box upgrade, if you want to continue using a satellite dish to receive Astro channels on your new Ulti/Ultra Box, you need to inform them to create your order as Satellite. Otherwise, they will create your order as Plug & Play.

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Added on
3) Free 1x Astro First movie
You are eligible to redeem 1 Astro First movie for free, if you’re currently on one of these packs:

Legacy Packs	Super Pack Lite 1/2/3/4 (Movies), Super Pack 1/2/3/3a/4, Super Pack Plus 1/2/3
New Packs	Premium Pack 3, Premium Pack 5, Platinum Lite, Platinum Pack

Redeem the movie through the Rewards section in My Astro app only!
To redeem the free Astro First movie, you can only do it through My Astro mobile app under the “Rewards” tab, and nowhere else.

1. After logging in to your My Astro app, you need to go to the “Rewards” tab, then tap the “Redeem your FREE movie!” option.
   
   
   
   
2. Scroll down, then you’ll see a list of movies there. That will be the only list of movies that are eligible for free redemption
   
   
   
   

Not every Astro First movie available today is eligible for free redemption.
You might find that the list of eligible free movies redemption appears boring and unappealing to you now.
I’m not surprised about this, because movies that high likely appealing for many to redeem, means Astro need to bear more costs. So, you’re stuck at whatever movies they’d offer you for free redemption only.

You can only redeem ONCE, so don’t rush
Customers who eligible for free movie redemption, are entitled to redeem one movie / one time only.
And bear in mind, its movie listing will change from time to time. The free movie redemption is set to end on 31 Jan 2025, so you don’t need to rush to redeem it as soon as possible.

You will be charged as usual if you do it wrongly
If you rent Astro First movies in these touchpoints:

• “Content” tab in My Astro mobile app
  
  
  
  
• Web version of My Astro https://myastro.astro.com.my/
  
  
  
  
• CH480 / WhatsApp / SMS
  
  
  
  
• “Store” section (On Demand) on your PVR/Ulti/Ultra Box
  
  
  
  
• “Store” section on Astro GO
  
  
  
  

…then you will be charged as per usual movie rental purchases, even if that particular movie is available for free redemption under the Rewards section on My Astro app.

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Added on
Conclusion
From my experience, it is quite rare for Astro to launch such an initiative, particularly one that automatically includes adding 18 channels to the majority of customers’ subscription.
This might be related to a news article published a few months back, where Astro is planning to introduce 3 brand new packs, and will discontinue all existing packs.
I guess this Big Thank You campaign paves the way for a smoother launch of their brand new 3 packs, and I really look forward to seeing what the 3 packs are going to look like... 

By the way, if you're feeling information overload after reading the above, and just want to know what you're entitled to get: