FYI

StarHub to launch Malay comedy channel Astro Warna

Malay TV channelSingapore pay-TV broadcaster StarHub has announced plans to launch Malay comedy channel Astro Warna and two new content packages.

The announcement:

Singapore, 11 December 2014 From 1 January 2015, StarHub TV customers can look forward to light-hearted, round-the-clock entertainment from Astro Warna (StarHub TV Channel 118), the only dedicated Malay comedy channel from Malaysia. To coincide with the launch, StarHub will also introduce two new packs—AneKa! Pack and Idaman Pack—for StarHub TV Lite and StarHub TV customers respectively, on 10 January 2015. Both packs will include the new Astro Warna.

Astro Warna, one of the top channels in Malaysia, and operated by Southeast Asia’s leading integrated consumer media entertainment group, Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad, will offer Singapore audiences a specially curated comedy line-up across genres like movies, variety shows, drama series and sitcoms. It will feature the best programming from Astro’s local productions, as well as international content dubbed in either Bahasa Melayu  or Bahasa Indonesia.

Exciting programmes on Astro Warna in January include the ‘live’ broadcast of Maharaja Lawak Mega 2014, a reality competition which allows the best comedians to impress the judges with humorous skits; Anugerah Lawak Warna, an awards ceremony that recognises those who work in the field of comedy in the media industry; Cakap Melayu Lah!, a sitcom revolving around characters in a Malay Language Education Centre, and #havocwarna, a variety programme that showcases comedy skits, spontaneous pranks and fun chit-chat shows.

Expressing her delight over the new addition, Ms Lee Soo Hui, Head of Media Business Unit, StarHub said, “Today, many of us lead hectic and stressful lifestyles. With the launch of Astro Warna, the only Malay comedy channel in Singapore, our Malay viewers will now be able to sit back and have a good laugh at the light-hearted content offered on the channel.”

“We are equally excited to roll out our two new packs, the AneKa! and Idaman Packs, which will include Astro Warna on top of other exciting channels. To cater to the rising demand for Korean content among our Malay viewers, we have also added popular Korean channels that are either dubbed in Malay or come with Malay subtitles in the Packs”, added Ms Lee.

Mr Nizam Sani, Head of Premium Channel Astro said, “We are delighted to be able to lift the quality of comedy to a more prestigious level. Comedy is a serious business that has not only managed to successfully create a phenomenon in Malaysia, but even across the countries. We hope this success marks a wonderful beginning for Astro Warna to continue to achieve our ambition of becoming a major comedy content provider in this region.”

With the launch of Astro Warna, One Sensation Pack offered under StarHub TV Lite will be enhanced and renamed AneKa! Pack. AneKa! Pack will comprise six channels including Astro Warna (Channel 118), Sensasi (Channel 123), KBS World HD (Channel 115), Channel M (Channel 824), ONE Malay (Channel 124) and Oh!K (Channel 816). Subscribers will enjoy the upsized line-up at the existing rate of $6.42 (with GST) for 6 months which will be revised to $14.98 (with GST) per month thereafter.

Idaman Pack, a new value pack targeting StarHub TV Malay viewers, will be introduced from 10 January. Available at $19.90 per month (with GST), the Idaman Pack will include Astro Warna (Channel 118), Channel M, Dunia Sinema On Demand (Channel 120), KBS World HD, MNC Business (Channel 121), MNC International (Channel 122), MNC Infotainment (Channel 170), Oh!K, ONE Malay, ONE English (Channel 820), ONE HD (Channel 823) and Sensasi. Existing subscribers of Impian Pack may choose to remain on their current subscription or upgrade to the new Idaman Pack after 10 January.

Alternatively, viewers can choose to subscribe to Astro Warna as a standalone channel for $8.56 (with GST) per month. To enable customers to sample the channel, Astro Warna will be available for a two-week free preview from 7am on 1 January 2015 to 12pm on 15 January 2015. Customers will also be able to catch Astro’s productions on Astro Warna via StarHub TV Anywhere by mid 2015.

Source: press release

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