F1 is coming to beIN Sports. They definitely don't want another wave of complaints. That's probably why they remove the delay. However, I still see the so-called 1 min delay on beIN Sports 4.

Source: Sportbusiness - EXCLUSIVE: beIN Sports set to acquire Formula 1 rights in Asia-Pacific

"Pay-television broadcaster beIN Sports is finalising a multi-year deal beginning in 2023 for Formula 1 rights across its Asian markets, SportBusiness understands.

BeIN won the rights a few months ago during a sales process in which it is understood to have faced competition from broadcasters in several markets. The deal is understood to cover beIN's Asia-Pacific footprint, excluding Australia and New Zealand. This would mean it covers: Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Singapore."

The SIAR app will be launched on Unifi TV starting this 1st of November.

Source: TM Newsroom's article titled "UNIFI TV GROWS PREMIUM CONTENT OFFERINGS WITH NEW MANGOTV AND SIAR".

However, the team claims this will be the 18th streaming app (including the Unifi PlayTV app) by November. It interests me as I would like to know what are the other two upcoming apps to be launched before 2023 since Iptvfan once claimed there'll be 20 apps.

But another article published on the SAYS website suggests, "The Android-powered TV box allows you to access Google Play, so you can download your favourite apps like YouTube, Spotify, HBO GO, and more." Obviously, they don't use Netflix as an example of the app due to its inability to support it. It may also hint that the next app after SIAR could be HBO GO. Who knows? Finger-crossed!

Source: SAYS - [QUIZ] Tell Us Your TV Watching Habits And We’ll Suggest A Series For You To Binge

That is not set in stone yet. SPOTV is the main EPL broadcaster in Japan starting this season, which questions the possibility of it acquiring the rights in other APAC countries in the future (three years later).

Two possible reasons.
1. Unifi TV bundles Celestial Movies as part of the Ultimate Pack (at least RM 49.90), which attracts a lot of Malay viewers due to Disney+ Hotstar and beIN Sports. Astro only makes it as part of the new Chinese Favourite grouping (at least around RM 90).
2. A lot of Malay viewers are HK movies fans. A lot of them were not satisfied when Unifi TV decided to cease SCM channels (which have Malay, Chinese and English subs). They probably want to fulfil the need from this group of subscribers. Why losing subscribers if you only need to add one feature?!

It seems like the team has ditched the plan to bring the SIAR app to their platform.

"Currently, for "Siar" we have the channel under "Siar HD ". There will be no a la carte subscription available for Siar HD. The channel is only available exclusively within the unifi TV Packs." - Unifi Messenger

Also, how come Unifi TV doesn't bring in Awesome TV, but they license one of its telemovies (Rumah Tok Wie) and air it on Dunia Sinema? They should negotiate and carry the channel instead since the current Malay GE channels lack new TV series and comedy shows.

Oh. They originally planned to launch it two days ago (1st Nov). So, it got postponed. Any new linear channel and OTT app besides the SIAR app?

Any new vernacular linear channels and movies linear channels? I have pitched a lot of in-house channels' ideas to them, and they are like "well, budget and broadcasting rights are the main things to deal with, so..."

Honestly, I don't expect that much in terms of new linear channels, but I have higher hope because they have way bigger subscribers base now for Unifi TV, and they're doing the math based on that.

Yes, obviously. Here's 5 statements to back up my answers.

1. Ultimate Pack has 70+ channels. Why the hell would they fork out that much money for these linear channels then if no one watches them. At least 7 million Malay viewers, 2+ million Chinese viewers and 2 million Indian viewers watch linear channels. That's why Astro spends so much (roughly around 100 million to a billion ringgit per year) to secure the rights of some expensive linear channels (including EPL).

2. Not everything on linear channels can found in OTT apps due to licensing reasons. Selected upcoming action genres movies from Paramount and Sony and indie studios will be made available exclusively via Rock Action (a brand new channel from Rock Entertainment). Most of these titles cannot be found on major OTT apps like Netflix and HBO GO.

3. People are getting used to the concept of scheduling / being suggested with the best titles / watching something that everyone is watching (like a trend thing). Remember the concept of playlists? Knowing what you do certain things at specific time of the day(s)? Never missing out what's trending? That's what makes linear channels stand out from VOD and OTT platforms. Also, do you know that western OTT apps like Discovery+ and Paramount+ actually provides live-stream of playlists of content that the platform has licensed and catered for the viewers. Why? Because some people like me don't want to browse through 100+ to 1000+ titles just to find something to watch after a long day. It's very convenient that way.

4. Do you know Celestial Movies has licensed and started premiering more titles starting from this month? They use to premiere roughly 3 to 5 movies per month. If you look up for Celestial Movies website, it now states it premieres new movies every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That is huge improvement. But the weird part is that this change doesn't apply to Indonesia feed, which used to have the almost same line-up of premiere titles as Malaysia feed. So, you can consider it as something for Malaysian market.

5. Not every content is produced for the sake of binge-watching. It's very unusual to binge-watch a series of sports events or natural documentaries. Even kids content, drama and movies actually have issues in terms of gaining sufficient revenue to pay for their rights if they're being provided in the form of VOD or OTT. With that said, linear channels are the most profitable way of showcasing content, but it's the most costly one. Considering licensing a title in VOD or OTT can save 30 to 60% of the original price of licensing the same thing for linear channel(s). Do you know YouTube thinks it's more effective for creators to premiere something instead of releasing it as a normal video? Why? The hype is there. Why need promoting something if it doesn't make people watch it? Linear channels have the power of "self-promoting" content. Do you know linear channels can still increase the amount of income until at least 2030? Why is that? Also, a linear channel can be used if a pro can utilize it by showing the best mix of content catered to viewers based on their interest, broadcast time (like what's best to air at certain hours of the day), etc.

Thank you!

I'm not sure whether it's highly confidential, but what are the all not confirm ones (especially linear channels)?

Unifi TV should have at least one TVB linear channel instead of 100% depending on TVB Anywhere+ app. Remember Asian Action Channel (previously carried by Astro)? Unifi TV should carry that channel since it has the best mix of action genres TVB drama from all-time favourites to 2 years old titles.

Since TVB channels like TVB Jade, TVB Xing He and TVB Classic are Astro exclusives, I don't think Unifi TV can actually carry those at the moment. But I know Unifi TV somehow picked up TVB8 a short time after Astro dropped the channel from their line-up. (Fyi, the channel was ceased a few years ago.)

It seems like RTM channels on Unifi TV will air FIFA World Cup 2022 matches after all insteading of blocking them.

"Please be informed that subscribers may watch FiFA World Cup through RTM channels using unifi tv platform." - Unifi via Messenger

Update: Unifi TV may not air any FIFA World Cup 2022 matches on RTM channels after all.

"Please be informed latest information received that unifi tv does not have rights of broadcasting FIFA world Cup via unifi tv platform by accessing RTM channels. As an alternative, you may download RTM klik apps directly to catch match tournament." Unifi Messenger

I received this message 2 days after they said that they might have the rights to air it. Anyways, they haven't updated the schedule and replace FIFA World Cup with random programs yet. But I like how they suggest viewers to download RTM Klik app.

Degup is by far the best Malay channel on Unifi TV as it also acquires programs from Discovery+ like Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted. I hope the channel can air more western horror movies and asian ones, but it has a great line-up nowadays.

MYTV is a FTA (free-to-air) platform; therefore, it licenses the FTA rights of the matches. On the other hand, both Astro and Unifi TV are considered as pay TV providers. Unifi TV can't get the broadcasting rights because Astro has already secures the exclusive pay TV rights to all matches. Unless Astro secures the non-exclusive pay TV rights like Singapore's Starhub TV and Singtel TV, Unifi TV will never allow to show any FIFA matches via its linear channels. People should know that Unifi TV is always on budget, so don't expext anything too "fancy" like the world cup or epl unless someone like beIN Sports secure it for the entire nation.

Yup. I keep getting the 01999 error code after watching it via Unifi Plus Box (1st gen) for a while. I never have this issue while watching it using the white box. Not sure about the 2nd gen of Unifi Plus Box.

Imagine if it's HBO (Home "Box" Office). 😂 I know it's more like a device, but I'm still hopeful though.

Here's a summary of today's event (a.k.a. Extraordinary Box of Happiness):
* Celebration of 3 million Unifi subscribers by showcasing current content on the platform through events at physical places + live entertainment/performances
* 1 Month of free access to all current linear channels (until Jan 1, 2023) + redeemable free "trial" access to 3 OTT apps, including iQiYi, Viu and WeTV
* 50% discounts for selected On Demand pay-per-view (PPV) titles
* Promise to bring more premium international and local content (linear and OTT) to the platform next year - Source: The Star "Unifi TV lays out treats for Malaysians"

Also, Rock Extreme HD (CH 474) will be rebranded as Rock Action HD starting this Dec 12. It's not yet confirmed whether a channel number change will be applied to the channel as it will focus on movies in the action genre instead of a mix of variety shows, movies and paranormal content.

The bottom line is to enjoy complimentary access to all 72 channels, and don't forget to redeem the free apps' access.

No lah. Those 24 channels are already included in all Plus Packs and Ultimate Pack. For the celebation of 3 million subscribers, all Unifi subscribers can access to all 72 channels (aka all linear channels in Ultimate Pack.

Source: The Star - "Unifi TV lays out treats for Malaysians"
"Briefing the crowd about promotions, Unifi TV head Ho Hock Doong said that from now until Jan 1, 2023, customers can enjoy free viewings of all 72 Unifi TV channels, discounts up to 50% for pay-per-view movies and free trials of streaming apps."

I want them to bring in HBO and Discovery channels instead of just Netflix. I can barely remember the last time I watched Netflix, but I watch a lot of HBO via self-subscribed HBO GO. The current movies and documentary line-up on Unifi TV lacks new titles for some reasons. If they can't bring in Discovery, they should consider relaunching Nat Geo channels on the platform since Disney+ Hotstar doesn't have most of the latest episodes/shows shown on the linear channels.

Not sure if any of you have noticed that DEGUP has acquired one of the KIX/Thrill originals - 3:00 AM, which airs every Thursday starting Dec 1. It looks like Unifi TV chooses to only license specific titles from content partners instead of carrying the linear channels. In my opinion, it's a good thing because the viewers can always look forward to something new instead of just reruns spread across different channels.

Unifi TV should think of a way to acquire or produce new drama series for Sensasi because most of the titles are either reruns or something aired before on TV3. It seems like what interests me in terms of Aneka Pack channels are DEGUP and Inspirasi because of the variety of horror/action content and cooking shows.