Hmm... Well...
Although this rarely happens, but almost every time when Astro ceases a channel, it is usually due to low viewership and doesn't financially benefit them.
At least, Astro gave a proper explanation behind the reason of the channel cessation.

But based on the reply by Astro, it doesn't seems like it.
It's more like, some content licensing issues rather than money issue...

Whatever it is, it's not worth subscribing that channel anyway.

The Tech Storm channel, after I Google a bit, it seems like it is a Singapore based, international channel
Never heard of it before, but let's see if Astro would take up that channel in near future.

No that's not scam. It is true that Astro is already in the process of phasing out legacy Astro set-top-boxes.
Well, that's one of the truth la.
More than 90% of 5.5 mil Astro/Njoi users are already on the new B.yond boxes, while less than 10% of its users are still using the legacy Astro STBs.

Also, it also worth noting that due to the minority legacy set-top-boxes users, Astro could not use MPEG-4 H.264 video and AAC audio codec on all SD channels (except Astro AOD and TVB channels from Jade Pack) and have to stick with the old technology, MPEG-2 video codec until all customers migrate to the new B.yond box.

Description	Legacy Astro STBs	Current Astro B.yond STBs
Satellite's modulation type	DVB-S	DVB-S2 8PSK
Video codec	Supports only in SD (MPEG-2)	Supports SD and HD (MPEG-2 & MPEG-4)
Audio codec	MP2	AAC & Dolby audio (HD only)
User interface	Obviously look outdated	Newer and better
Paired Smart Card Encryption	Interchangeable to other STBs	Not interchangeable with other STBs
Support Status	Already End-of-Life (EOL)	Still in support

In terms of channel/content, Astro made some channels exclusively only in HD, so that only B.yond box users are able to watch the channel, while legacy STBs users will not able to enjoy the particular channel. One of the best example like the recent cessation of the SD version of Disney XD (CH 617) on 1 March 2019, so if there is users who still using legacy STBs but wish to continue watching Disney XD must upgrade to B.yond box and subscribe to at least Family HD pack to watch this channel only in HD quality of Disney XD (CH 637).

When more users are on the new B.yond platform, that could mean more premium services especially the On Demand, a video on demand service from Astro where you can select to download and watch your shows anytime you wish, once you connected your Astro PVR box to home Internet (e.g. WiFi). Astro call these customers as "Connected STBs" users, meaning their Astro STBs are connected to Internet. So when more users or everyone are able to experience new stuff from Astro, that could mean more revenue/benefit for Astro too. This is one of the advantage la...

This post has been edited by joshhd: Mar 7 2019, 05:01 PM

Yes. The rest of the SD channels are still in MPEG-2 for the sake of legacy STBs.
Until they fully discontinue the use of legacy STBs, MPEG-2 will still continue to be used on SD channels, and that is pretty expected.

Astro AOD (Catch up channels) and Jade Pack channels are in MPEG-4 is because when Astro AOD includes in Dynasty pack few years ago, they did announce that if Dynasty pack customers wish to enjoy Astro AOD without additional cost must upgrade to B.yond box, and during the promo that time, I remember they waive the installation fee, and promote Super Pack 3 as well. Then, that's when Astro AOD now has commercial breaks every 15 minutes, where last time Astro AOD is used to be commercial-free even during prime time premiere at 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

As for Jade Pack, since it is a newly introduced package, Astro can easily make that package to be available exclusively only for B.yond box users. So they can use MPEG-4 video and AAC audio without worrying about compatibility issue on legacy STBs.

Sure no problem.
Usually for HD STB, it is 12 months contract. For PVR is 24 months.

What are the packages you subscribed? Depending on your subscription, you may consider choose one of the Value Packs that includes Sports pack, as well as HD-PVR service.

...for Njoi customers.
Family HD pack customers get 2 simulcast SD/HD channels in exchange (Prima HD and Oasis HD).

Lots of Malay channels is better for more programmes varieties to choose from. And each individual Malay channel has its own programme types and genre. You got movie, comedy, general entertainment, religion, family type.... Even the channel viewer share is being split, it is still successful business thanks to the more Malay audiences/population in Malaysia.

For Chinese and Indian audiences, you can import more programmes from countries like China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India. So indirectly, you get more variety of content from foreign countries that speaks the same vernacular language. But Malay programmes? It's got to be Malaysia as the primary content provider. You can't be expecting the majority of Malaysian Malay to watch Bahasa Indonesia programmes, aren't you? Singapore Mediacorp and Brunei don't produce much of their Malay content, and they also depend a lot on Malaysia to import into their own country channel as well.

ART Variety is targeted for Middle Eastern expats in Malaysia, not primarily targeting Malaysians. It's also useful for Malays who learns Arabic langauge as they can watch the channel to expose themselves to Arabic better.

But the thing for sure is, as long they see a positive results on the viewership ratings, it will only encourage them to continue do the same things like you mentioned, split into several channels, repeat old shows and stuff. It's like "Since what we do now is giving great viewership, we simply can assume our audiences love it, so why change?" They got millions over viewership across their channels, what makes you think they will bother those "few ants" making noise?

Don't forget, who spend most of the time on TV nowadays? Elderly usually don't demand much. Most of them are like, "what they air, I just watch."
Unlike youngsters la...

This one I agree , especially Malay dramas from the boring RTM TV1 and TV2 channels, which they called it a "family-friendly, moral teaching" dramas, as if the Pendidikan Moral/Islam you learn in primary and secondary national schools still not making you a moral enough person. Many Malay people out there, especially those elderly, still thinks that TV is a good way to not just to entertain people, but also to educate people in good moral values, as well as Islam values. So, do you think this is a problem for Malay programmes? If not, then what makes you think RTM, Media Prima and Astro will drastically change they way they produce Malay content now?

Even MYTV uses foreign satellite company called Asiasat to provide DTH service.
Not necessary Malaysia must only use Malaysian satellite company one. You could say that they can use any satellite companies out there that has coverage in Malaysia, and suits their technical requirements.

What you mean by that?

This post has been edited by joshhd: Mar 12 2019, 12:01 PM

You tried change another HDMI cable, and reboot your Astro STB?
It might be dish alignment too. Have you tried realign the dish?

If Astro assign a technician to visit your premise, a Technical Service Fee of RM65 will be charged. And that haven't include any charges on new equipment (if any).

You tell Astro this. See what they say.

You can try go to the service centre and see if they give you the necessary equipment you need there.
Even they don't charge for installation, and let you DIY, they might charge for, like for instance, new LNB.
Anyhow, do share with us on what Astro assist you when you're in their service centre.

And if you change new STB, regardless of whatever reasons even it is not your fault (e.g. lightning strike) or problem that caused by you, your contract will still restart, 12 months for HD box, or 24 months for PVR box, unless your case is very very very special till the point they put an exception on your case, but very unlikely la. If you don't plan to terminate Astro anytime soon, then you don't need to bother about this.

So, it is customer's responsibility to take good care of Astro STB if you don't want to get any trouble like this.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Mar 13 2019, 05:19 PM

E! Media Prima TV Networks? Woah, like not bad oh Media Prima...
No matter what Media Prima do, they better don't cause Astro to convert the E! channel from the original Asia feed to localised Malaysia feed.
https://facebook.com/TV3MALAYSIA/posts/10156200112266167

Upon replacing to new STB, do they impose you a new 12/24 mths contract, or your existing contract period still continues without extending/restart?

That's a common practice here in Malaysia, as well as some other countries. Easy to sign up and upgrade, but extremely difficult and troublesome to downgrade and terminate.

Hmm...

I believe this The Star article says the same thing...
https://www.thestar.com.my/business/busines...rnings-in-fy19/


This post has been edited by joshhd: Mar 26 2019, 07:36 PM

Astro Circle will say good bye this coming June 2019,and your existing unredeemed points will be forfeited after June.
https://support.astro.com.my/get-rewarded-astro-circle.aspx

If there's nothing interests you to redeem on Astro Circle, then just redeem RM5 or RM10 Astro bill rebate, like me.

https://www.lowyat.net/2019/182041/malaysia...elevant-or-not/

Censorship, yes or no?

Maybe they make the announcement about UHD is just to impress their stakeholders first, then fully implement way later on.

Will the Malaysian market has high demand on UHD?

If the Android boxes are pre-loaded with illegal TV and movie streaming, then they are lawfully wrong by doing so.
Copyright Act, remember? Illegal content can be prosecuted by law, doesn't matter old or new government enforcement. (although many people would opt to pirating content)