The Malaysian Reserve Section: Companies Ad Value: RM 4,660 3-May-2021 Size : 332cm2 PR Value: RM 13,982

Disney's TV channels shutdown could benefit Astro Disney's TV channels shutdown could benefit Astro

by LYDIA NATHAN could actually be a good deal for anticipated to be very affordable, note, stated that should the target loss of Disney channels without Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd citing the price example in Indone­ be met, Astro would have 15 SVOD any immediate replacement could THE Walt Disney Co's move to shut and provide an overall win for sia, which is at RM3 per month for services in its ecosystem of distri­ affect Astro's average revenue per down the majority of its TV chan­ the group, Disney and Astro's six accounts. bution. wIt currently has only two user (ARPU) and, hence, earnings nels across South-East Asia and subscribers. "It's better to subscribe to legal onboard, namely Warner Media for the financial year. Hong Kong has caused some con­ The analyst expects the shutting services and have the peace of mind LLC's HBO GO Asia, and China­ It said based on its estimate, cern for local players in the indus­ down of 18 of Disneyy cable chan­ with no concerns over long buffQr- based iQYIYI Inczs content,“ the every 1% reduction in its ARPU try; as it shifts its focus to a direc t- nels will lead to a reduction in ing or poor user interface. Besides, report noted. will lead to a 1.5% decline in earn­ to-customer business model. Astro's content cost, which will when it's so affordable and you get CGS-CIMB Research analyst ings. However, she said with Astro The company is consolidating its then be passed to subscribers. 100 years' worth of video library, Kamarul Anwar said he was looking to introduce new over-the- Media Networks business prima­ “This could mean lower monthly this is a good deal,“ the analyst positively surprised by the sheer top streaming service partnerships rily in South-East Asia and Hong bills for subscribers which is a said. amount of services that Astro is in the near term, it will help miti­ Kong as part of its global effort to good thing. Additionally, Astro is Previously, Astro group CEO looking to aggregate. gate the impact. pivot towards a direct-to-consumer- potentially partnering Disney to Henry Tan Poh Hock told regional “Astro would be able to rejuve­ "This may help mitigate the first model and further grow its bring Disney+ to Malaysia. trade journal ContentAsia that Astro nate its content and distribution impact of the change in Disney's streaming services. If this agreement is similar to the is looking at bringing 15 streaming propositions by having an on- business model. In addition, we Effective Oct 1,2021, Disney .will current one Astro has with HBO services under its belt by the first demand content library that could opine that the home-shopping operate a streamlined TV portfolio GO, then Astro is bound to get a quarter of 2023 (1Q23). rival those from illegal streaming segment will be one of the main that covers Chinese language chan­ cut of Disney+ Hotstar^ subscrip­ Astro is looking to aggregate five platforms, and potentially win back drivers going forward, as the group nels, including Chinese Channel tion revenue, in return for doing or six subscription-based video- lapsed subscribers who have long is looking to leverage the enlarged and , as well as the marketing for it in Malaysia// on-demand (SVOD) services by the grown out of linear broadcasting// customer base via better product National Geographic Channel and Naf the analyst told The Malaysian end of 1Q22, and another five or six he said. offerings/ Foong said. Geo WILD Reserve (TMR) recently. in 1Q23. Public Investment Bank Bhd Astroxs shares closed three sen or A media analyst who requested According to the analyst, the sub­ CGS-CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd (Publicinvest Research) analyst 2.94% lower last Friday at 99 sen, valu­ anonymity, however, said this scription for Disney+ Hotstar is (CGS-CIMB Research), in a recent Eltricia Foong said the immediate ing the company at RM5.16 billion.