Friday, May 4, 2007

Astro Revises Upward
Monthly Subscription Fees

PETALING JAYA, May 4 (Bernama) -- Multi-channel television operator Astro All Asia Networks Plc today announced revised monthly subscription fees, driven by rising programming costs.

The price revision of between RM5 and RM15, up by about 15 percent on the average, is effective immediately for new customers and from next month onwards for existing customers.

"The costs of programming particularly live sports coverage have increased significantly in excess of 20 percent," Astro TV's chief executive officer Rohana Rozhan said at a press conference here.

The last price increase of RM5 "across the board" was carried out in May 2004.

However, the latest price revision will see a lower entry level package at RM37.95, down from the current RM49.95. Customers now also have the flexibility of choosing two mini-packages instead of three previously.

On subscribers, Rohana said Astro would continue to drive for the same customer's growth of about 200,000 this year. As at Jan 31, 2007, Astro has 2.016 million subscribers, an increase of about 232,000 from the previous year, 70 percent of which are from the Malay population.

-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com

Comment:

Does Astro need a prior approval from the government before it can revise the monthly subscription fees? What will the subscribers’ response to this increase? – Ruhanie Ahmad

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