This story appears in the December 2020 issue of Television Asia Plus.
Astro aspires to be the entertainment destination for Malaysians. As Astro’s customers spend two-thirds of their time viewing the local content on Astro, the company aims to entertain its diverse customers with more compelling local vernacular content and Astro Originals all year round.
This December, viewers can look forward to a strong lineup of signature reality shows, year-end specials, and a spin-off from one of the most successful local films of all time, and lastly, the very first Astro Original series, Kampong Pisang Bersiri-siri.
Malaysia’s top horror comedy film franchise, Kampong Pisang, will debut on TV as a serial dramedy. Produced and directed by award-winning director Mamat Khalid, the series revolves around Kampong Pisang, a peaceful village before the arrival of zombies and ghosts. The residents stay united and support each other while the serenity of Kampong Pisang is thrown into complete chaos. This star-studded drama showcases Kazar Sairi and Bell Ngasari, alongside cameos by stars Dato’ Awie and Imuda, among others.
Anugerah MeleTOP ERA
Astro’s No.1 live awards show Anugerah MeleTOP ERA 2020 (AME 2020) will be broadcast in 4K UHD. AME is Malaysia’s people’s choice awards with 3.6 million tuning in last year to celebrate Malaysian talents in the entertainment industry.
Popular hosts Alif Satar, Nabil Ahmad, and Jihan Muse will host this much-awaited signature programme post-COVID-19. With fan-based voting on the website, SMS, and Astro’s lifestyle and entertainment app, SYOK, a total of 15 categories of awards will be announced during this prestigious show.
All Together Now Malaysia
All Together Now Malaysia is Astro’s latest musical reality show featuring a stellar cast of judges. Already adapted in 14 countries and nominated for the International Emmy Award 2020 in the Non-Scripted Entertainment Category, All Together Now brings contestants of all ages from various musical backgrounds and singing in multiple languages participating as individuals, duos, and groups.
As the first in Asia, the Malaysian edition will have a diverse panel of 50 judges comprising artistes, performers, and singers who can choose to show their support by singing and dancing along when contestants are performing a 90-second song. The greater the number of judges who participate, the higher the contestants score.
Konsert Hora Horey Wayang Didi & Friends
Astro’s award-winning animation IP, Didi & Friends will celebrate its biggest interactive concert of the year Konsert Hora Horey Wayang Didi & Friends in December. The latest Konsert Hora Horey will see all creatures, big and small, gather around at Pekan Hora Horey for the annual grand affair. Fans can look forward to watching Didi & Friends perform hits from Mengantuknya Mumia to Kalau Rasa Gembira Remix 2020 with participation from guest artistes. Didi & Friends has over 4.5 million fanbase, 11 million On Demand shows streamed and 3.4 billion digital views.
Sepahtu Reunion Live 2020
Fans of comedies can look forward to the return of one of Astro’s top shows, Sepahtu Reunion Live 2020, with fun-loving comedians, Jep, Shuib, Rahim, and Pak Ya. The quartet will be reunited and joined by celebrity guests and surprise cameos for the weekly stage performances. Sepahtu Reunion was awarded the Bronze World Medal in Best Production Design/Art Direction at the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards last year while Sepahtu Reunion Live 2019 recorded a 2.3 million viewership.
Muzikal Lawak Superstar
A spin-off of Malaysia’s No.1 comedy franchise Maharaja Lawak Mega, Muzikal Lawak Superstar (MLS) is an Astro original format and returns for its second season this December. Teams of comedians, singers, actors, and social media influencers will keep the audience amused with musical sketches on the stage, competing for the champion of the popular musical comedy show.
Malaysia’s renowned celebrities such as Zainal Abidin, Altimet, and Lisa Surihani form the panel of judges. Contestants will be given a new location each week to inspire their musical performances. The winning group of the week will have an upper hand for the next location with additional props and guests. In 2019, MLS recorded a viewership of 2 million.
Classic Golden Melody All Stars
Astro’s evergreen local Chinese IP and competition for the silver-haired contestants Classic Golden Melody (CGM) celebrated its 20th anniversary this year with an entry in Malaysia Book of Records for The Longest Running Singing Competition Television Show in the country. The champions of the past 19 seasons are invited to rekindle their dreams on CGM All Stars stage singing classical songs, re-introducing familiar faces, and reminiscing unforgettable moments.
About the author:
Agnes has been a core part of Astro’s growth and positioning as the top entertainment destination for Malaysians. She leads the company’s content team, which covers all vernaculars, regional and Hollywood content, sports, and film businesses. Agnes was a key driving force for the success of Pay-Per-View and Video on Demand services with over 50,000 titles available. Her commitment to the development of local IPs and enhancement of customer experience has seen an increased engagement for Astro’s signatures. She also spearheads Asian originals via regional partnerships.
