Kuala Lumpur (May 14) - Malaysia’s public broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will cease distribution of its television channels through Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd beginning July 1, ending a long-running carriage arrangement that has lasted nearly three decades.
The affected channels include TV1, TV2, and TV Okey, which have been available on Astro’s satellite and streaming platforms since the mid-1990s. The decision follows the inability of both parties to reach agreement on revised commercial terms, particularly involving pricing and channel distribution costs.
RTM indicated that rising carriage fees had made the arrangement increasingly difficult to sustain, prompting the public broadcaster to discontinue its presence on Astro’s platform. Radio Televisyen Malaysia has worked with Astro since 1996, making the collaboration one of the longest-standing broadcast partnerships in the country.
While the channels will no longer be available via Astro, viewers will still be able to access RTM content through free-to-air digital television services and online streaming platforms such as RTM’s official digital portal.
The change comes at a time when Astro continues to face broader pressure across its content portfolio, including competition from free-to-air broadcasters and digital streaming services. Industry observers note that disputes over content distribution costs have become increasingly common as viewing habits shift toward online platforms.
For Sabahans, the removal of RTM channels from Astro may affect households that rely on satellite television, particularly in rural and interior areas where internet access or digital terrestrial coverage can be limited.
In many parts of Sabah, especially outside urban centres like Kota Kinabalu, Astro remains a key source of television programming. The loss of TV1, TV2, and TV Okey on the platform could require viewers to switch to alternative methods such as antenna-based free-to-air reception or online streaming services.
However, the transition may also encourage greater use of digital platforms, as RTM continues to expand its online offerings. This could benefit Sabahans with stable internet access by providing more flexible viewing options beyond traditional satellite subscriptions.
At the same time, the development highlights the ongoing digital divide in Sabah, where infrastructure gaps may limit equal access to free-to-air content delivered through newer platforms. Households without reliable internet may feel the impact more strongly compared to urban viewers.
Overall, the shift signals a broader transformation in Malaysia’s broadcasting landscape, where traditional satellite carriage agreements are increasingly challenged by cost pressures and the rise of digital media consumption. For Sabahans, the key concern will be ensuring continued access to public broadcasting content regardless of platform changes.