Kuala Lumpur — Astro customers can now enjoy more entertainment with three new channels, HGTV HD, Nat Geo People HD and Star Chinese Channel from 31 August onwards. Agnes Rozario, Vice President, Content Management Group, Astro said, “As a content and consumer company, Astro aspires to bring the latest and the freshest content to its 18 million and growing viewer base. Spurred by a growing interest in the home and lifestyle trends in Malaysia, we are pleased to work together with Scripps Networks again, to introduce the popular home and lifestyle channel – HGTV HD to Malaysians, who are known to be house proud. HGTV is the first dedicated home and lifestyle channel on the Astro platform and viewers can tune into the channel for more inspirational and fresh ideas on home décor and design. 

“At the same time, our partnership with Fox International Channel (FIC) continues to strengthen with the introduction of two new channels; Nat Geo People HD, featuring enjoyable factual entertainment with a focus on Asia and Star Chinese Channel, a great addition to our Mandarin entertainment content.”

Nat Geo People offers stories told by real people including Asian-centric stories and factual content, captivating audiences from around the world by presenting fascinating places and cultures. Malaysians, Chef Wan and Poh will be featured in some of the programmes in this channel. Star Chinese Channel joins our extensive line-up of 31 Chinese channels, and features the trendiest idol dramas and highly-rated variety and entertainment programmes from Taiwan”.

Derek Chang, managing director of Scripps Networks Asia-Pacific said, “After only launching regionally in Asia at the end of 2014, HGTV has quickly become the number one lifestyle channel in Singapore. This is a great achievement for the team, and I am confident the channel will receive the same outstanding response in Malaysia. Viewers can look forward to being entertained by HGTV’s fun loving hosts while being inspired by fresh ideas and personal heart-warming stories about the home. I would like to thank the Astro team for all of their support and we are excited to work with them to bring the HGTV experience into their viewer’s homes.”

HGTV HD (Channel 731) is the first regional channel dedicated exclusively to the growing home and lifestyle category in Asia. The channel entertains and inspires viewers with fresh ideas and authentic stories on how to find and love your personal dream home with key programs such as Property Brothers, House hunters, Ellen’s Design Challenge, Cousins Undercover, Love It or List It and more. HGTV HD is on the Metro Pack and is also available on Video-On-Demand (VOD) and soon on Astro on the Go, giving customers the option of watching the channel on TV, online or on mobile.

According to Vineet Puri, Territory Head, Malaysia from Fox International Channels (FIC), “This launch makes it 20 FIC channels on Astro boasting the best from entertainment, lifestyle, sports, to factual. It also solidifies the intent from FIC and Astro to continuously provide relevant, high-quality content. Evidently, Nat Geo People HD features inspiring and aspirational lifestyle for the Asian audience with its programmes centred on lifestyle, food, and travel. While Star Chinese Channel, our first Chinese-medium channel on Astro offers a plethora of fun and entertaining programming including talk shows, games shows, drama series, lifestyle and variety shows in the original Mandarin audio and Chinese subtitles.”

Nat Geo People HD (Channel 725) is a lifestyle channel celebrating the best food and travel stories while following our inspiring hosts and characters as they venture through amazing moments in life. Follow inspiring hosts as they explore fascinating places and cultures via key titles such as Poh & Co, Eat Street, David Rocco’s Dolce Vita, Cesar to the Rescue, George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, The Food Files and more. Nat Geo People HD is made available to all HD customers in the Family HD pack in addition to being offered via Video on Demand.

Star Chinese Channel (Channel 315) is Asia’s leading Mandarin general entertainment channel from Taiwan. The channel presents a wide range of programming including talk shows, games shows, drama series, lifestyle, and variety shows from Taiwan. Keep your eyes peeled for shows such as Lady Commander, Taste The World, Champion Mission and more. Star Chinese Channel is an ala carte channel and can be purchased at RM5.30 per month (inclusive of GST).