KUALA LUMPUR (June 26): Public broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has reversed its decision to withdraw its television channels from Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:ASTRO), agreeing instead to expand its partnership with the pay-TV operator.
RTM's TV1, TV2 and TV Okey channels will remain available on Astro's platform beyond July 1, while RTM News, Sukan+ and RTM's radio network will be added "in the near future", the two organisations said in a joint statement posted on Astro's website on Friday.
The move marks a reversal of RTM's announcement last month that it would end the carriage of the three channels on Astro's satellite platform from July 1 after nearly three decades, following unsuccessful negotiations over carriage fees.
The statement did not disclose what led to the renewed agreement or its commercial terms. It also did not clarify whether Astro subscribers would gain access to RTM's coverage of the ongoing Fifa Club World Cup through Sukan+.
Astro is not broadcasting this year's tournament for the first time in more than two decades. RTM and Telekom Malaysia Bhd's (KL:TM) Unifi TV are the official Malaysian broadcasters.
The companies said the expanded collaboration would ensure Malaysians continue to have access to public-service content across multiple platforms at an affordable cost. They also plan to deepen cooperation in local content production and talent development as the media industry adapts to changing technology and shifting viewing habits.
"The media landscape today requires a more progressive, inclusive and future-oriented approach," they said.
The expanded distribution of RTM's channels is expected to widen access to news, sports and public-service programming while strengthening the dissemination of information of national importance.
TV1, TV2 and TV Okey will also continue to be available on Astro's free satellite television service, NJOI, and streaming platform Sooka.
The agreement provides a boost for Astro as the broadcaster grapples with declining subscription revenue and intensifying competition from free-to-air television and streaming services.
For its first financial quarter ended April 30, 2026, Astro's net profit fell 88% to RM1.56 million from a year earlier, while revenue declined 6.2% to RM659.62 million, weighed by lower subscription income. Revenue from its television segment dropped 7.3% to RM620.8 million amid weaker subscription and advertising sales.
The company is also searching for a permanent chief executive officer after Euan Smith stepped down on June 8. Former CEO Henry Tan returned as interim group CEO on June 16 pending the appointment of a successor.
At 4.40pm, Astro shares were traded up 0.5 sen or 8.33% at 6.5 sen on Friday, valuing the company at RM315.4 million.