Astro Best VoD offers movies within 3mths of theatrical release

• New service for both Astro’s satellite TV and IPTV customers
• Available through Channel 481, RM10 per movie, to be viewed within 48hrs of purchase

SATELLITE TV company Astro has launched its ‘Astro Best’ service that offers Hollywood and Asian movies available on both DTH (Direct-To-Home) satellite and IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) platforms as early as three months after theatrical release and ion high-definition where available.
 
Customers can immediately purchase Marvel's The Avengers, The Hunger Games and the hit Korean movie I AM: SM Town Live Tour in Madison Square on Astro’s Channel 481, at RM10 per movie, available for 48 hours after purchase, the company said in a statement.
 
 “Today, Astro launches Astro Best to provide our customers with more titles to view Hollywood and Asian movies at an earlier window compared to the usual Pay TV channels,” said Astro chief operating officer Henry Tan.
 
“Astro Best is launched at the back of the phenomenal success of Astro First, which has set a new global benchmark for Pay Per View movie offerings. Customers with an Astro B.yond PVR internet connected box will also be able to access a bigger library of films, popular entertainment and drama ‘box-sets', documentaries, catch up titles, Astro First and Astro Best titles through Astro B.yond Video-on-Demand (VOD),” he added.
 
Customers can purchase Astro Best movies via SMS on Astro Channel 481 at RM10 per movie with up to 12 different viewing times for each movie, giving Astro customers the convenience of watching it anytime within 48 hours upon purchase.

Astro said it is working with international studios like The Walt Disney Company, Lionsgate, Sundance Channel, Animax, Fortune Star, CJ Media and Unitel Classica so that Malaysians can access the studios’ library of Hollywood and Asian titles.
 
“At Disney, we are proud of the unrivalled strength of our creative engines, and our focus to deliver stories to consumers on multiple platforms. Disney, Pixar and Marvel movies will now bring back fun family times into the living rooms of Malaysian homes in a whole new way,” said Amit Malhotra, general manager of Media Distribution and Sales at The Walt Disney Company (South-East Asia).
 
“We are delighted to partner with Astro to launch its new offering with The Hunger Games … and coming soon, Cabin in The Woods and What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” said Wendy Reeds, executive vice president, Content Sales & Distribution, for Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE).
 
“Through SPT Networks’ strategic partnership with Astro, we are excited to launch Animax video-on-demand content in Malaysia. This will give fans the opportunity to watch newly released anime from Japan and a selection of popular anime series from top animation studios, whenever they want in Bahasa Malaysia audio or subtitles,” said Ricky Ow, executive vice president and general manager, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television.
 
“It is tremendously exciting to now launch our transactional on demand service so that Astro customers will have access to high quality, compelling independent films that are still in their US theatrical windows.  We are confident that Astro subscribers will respond to these offerings and we look forward to delivering an increasing number of exclusive programs in the coming months and years,” said Bruce Tuchman, president, AMC/Sundance Channel Global.
 
For more information on Astro Best and Astro B.yond VOD, please visit www.astro.com.my/vod