Astro to launch HDTV services

From the Business Times:

ASTRO All Asia Networks plc will launch high-definition television (HDTV) in Malaysia on Friday, said Astro TV chief executive officer Datuk Rohana Rozhan.

HDTV is a digital television broadcasting system with higher resolution than traditional television systems.

"Astro TV is now available to some 2.875 million residential subscribers who will be able to subscribe to its next generation of services, commencing with HDTV and high level interactivity and connectivity," she said.

"The roll out of these services is estimated to cost some RM200 million, including marketing and operating costs of approximately RM150 million, over the next financial year, ahead of revenue and earnings from these services," she said in a statement today.

Rohana said Astro TV will continue to focus on evolving content and technologies ahead of consumer trends, to lead by innovation in response to demanding and sophisticated customers.

Astro All Asia Networks today announced a higher pre-tax profit of RM195.69 million for the third quarter ended Oct 31, 2009 compared with a pre-tax loss of RM212.37 million in the same quarter last year.

Its revenue grew to RM863.49 million from RM744.54 million due to a strong growth reported by Astro TV.

"Astro TV delivered a strong set of results this quarter on the back of a price increase, the introduction of new packages, net subscriber growth of 94,000 and disciplined cost management," Rohana said.

The direct-to-home TV joint venture business in India, Sun Direct TV, reported strong subscriber growth with some 500,000 new customers activated for the quarter ended Oct 31, bringing the total to 4 million customers, she said.

It also announced an interim tax-exempt dividend of 2.5 sen per share for the third quarter, bringing total dividend to-date to 7.5 sen. - Bernama

From what I heard from my Astro installer, HDTV won't actually be available for some time. This launch seems to be merely a formality. In addition, not all channels will be HD, the electronic HD box will cost more, and HD channels will cost more. We're looking at a year or two away at least.

Disclaimer: This is just what I heard from my Astro installer, who knows, Astro could change its mind at any time or my installer could be lying.