Astro targets 12pc rise in subscribers

[Vivian]

"ASTRO All Asia Networks plc aims to increase subscribers by as much as 12 per cent this year by adding programmes.

The company, controlled by Malaysia's second richest man, T. Ananda Krishnan, expects as many as 250,000 new subscribers in Malaysia after having added 30 channels in the past year, Rohana Rozhan, chief executive of Astro's local unit, told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Astro, which offers 107 channels, added content and channels to boost sales at home and make up for losses overseas. Astro turned to a loss of RM54.2 million in the second quarter after setting aside more provisions for its Indonesian operations.

The new channels in Malay, Chinese and Tamil languages "offer more value proposition and give customers more choice", said Rohana.

Astro expects to boost its average revenue per user from RM83 a month, Rohana said. The television operator raised rates by 15 per cent earlier this year after programming costs surged more than 20 per cent in the past 12 months.

It has expanded into India, the world's second most populous country, and Indonesia, the fourth most populous. The overseas ventures are expected to start making a profit in the fifth or sixth year after beginning operations, chief executive officer Robert Odendaal said on July 26."

By Bloomberg @ www.btimes.com.my
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...s.xml/Article/

Related Website:-

Astro All Asia Networks (http://www.astro.com.my)