The thing is, how Astro treat customers is like:
We pay money for your service, yet we get to see advertisements that is slotted in by Astro themselves (not from the original channel provider).
Pay TV service, but we get your service as if we pay very very dirt cheap subscription fees to you, and you use advertisements to increase revenue.
Example 1: You see the Ajax Fabuloso household cleaner advertisement on AXN channel on Astro.
Actually, AXN channel themselves don't air that ad. It is Astro slots in that ad during commercial breaks.
Example 2: Astro Best movies ad being aired on channels that are not owned by Astro, such as AXN, DIVA, National Geographic, etc. Actually, those channels mentioned, they themselves don't air those Astro Best ads. It is Astro slots in that ad during commercial breaks.
To make their TV advertisement team easier to do work, they purposely delay the original feed by 3, 5 or 10 minutes. That is why you see the programme start time, like this: 8.03pm, 10.35pm (supposed to start at 10.30pm, 8.40pm (supposed to start at 8.30pm).
Some programme starts at 7.55pm originally, so once adds on 5 minute delay from Astro, it becomes 8.00pm.
Meanwhile for international news channel, it is delayed by 2 minutes, like the news supposed to go Live on 6.00pm sharp, but on Astro, you see it's 6.02pm.
How to identify if the ad are slotted in by Astro, or not? Quite easy, but not necessarily apply to all channels.
Like for AXN, if you see that ad shows AXN logo, that mean it is originally broadcasts from AXN. The best example is usually Colgate ads.
If you don't see AXN logo on that particular ad, then it is very very likely that the ad is slotted in by Astro. It is commonly those Malaysian brands stuff.
Especially if that ad is in Malay language, in an English channel, then confirm is Astro slot in one lor...
1. For those less premium channels like AXN, the original feed also got advertisement. Depending on what is the arrangement between brand, AXN and Astro - Astro could air the original ads or swap it out with its own ads.
2. It's common for TV to promote or cross-sell their channels or programme.
3. Feed delay is common in order to comply with censorship law. Can't expect them to live feed Game of Thrones minute-by-minute right?