To be fair, if you have VPN, then you can acess free stuff from the US and UK, sometimes even new stuff. Some programmes that are being played on Astro are actually free to air (limited time, but still free) on online platforms like Tubi and stuff. Even BBC/Channel 4 is free, but the former needs you to have a postcode and acknowledge you have a TV license (which you do not need to produce or verify).

As for local content, well I can only tell you that its not just quality but quantity has been going down in recent times (at least from the Indian channel perpesctive). There used to be locally produced talk shows and dramas which were ok and was the main argument point why i backed down from cancelling, but even that is gone.

I thinks its also a something some people are used to. Back then, you did not have to choose what to watch, when the show comes on tv, you watch it. And most likely the show only comes once a week, so no binge watching. Nowdays, with all streaming services there is such as thing as "Paradox of Choice", where we can get tired of just thinking what to watch. Sure there will be one or two shows that we want to watch, but after that is can be mindless scrolling. Old format TV like Astro removes this problem. I am not saying its good or bad, its just what it is.

Pluto TV, Tubi TV, Samsung TV, The Roku Channel. Xumo TV

Use US VPN servers to access them.

Japan one is called Abema TV

Use Japanese VPN to access.

You can use your web browser to watch them.