Radio TV Malaysia (RTM) announced that all of its channels, namely TV1-HD, TV2-HD and Okey, will no longer be aired on Astro's satellite and OTT platforms starting July 1, 2026. This will also end the broadcasting of RTM channels on Astro since 1996.
The withdrawal of RTM channels from Astro was done because both parties could not reach an agreement on a price that met their respective needs and financial capabilities.
The cost of channel rental has increased, causing a financial burden on RTM. Therefore, RTM has taken steps to avoid a burden of costs that are difficult to control.
The short-term impact is that users who have been relying on Astro services to enjoy RTM channels because they do not have a separate DTTV box. But the reality is that linear broadcasts have fallen sharply due to the popularity of streaming services and social media platforms that also offer video content.
