ASTRO NJOI LAUNCH

NJOI, Malaysia’s First Free Satellite TV from Astro

Astro today announced the launch of NJOI, Malaysia’s first free satellite TV for everyone to share and enjoy. NJOI is part of Astro’s aspiration to make lifelong learning, information, entertainment including sports available to all in Malaysia, for free.

The huge banner at the Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Cochrane Perkasa, Cheras to welcome our Prime Minister

The residents around the area queuing up to enter the event. The queue was apparent even at 9am even though the event was slated for 12 noon.

The huge tent accomodating the residents from the PPR Cochrane Perkasa

The tent for Penerima Sumbangan "Back To School" of Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan

 

The VVIP table

Amongst the VVIPs slated to be present are Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Joseph Salang Gandum, Deputy Information, Dato' Raja Nong Chik Dato' Raja Zainal Abidin, Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Well-being, Dato' Rohana Rozhan, CEO of Astro, Henry Tan, Chief Operating Officer of Astro, Dato’ Haji Badri Haji Masri, Chairman of Astro, Ralph Marshall, Executive Deputy Chairman, Astro, .

The media and other VIP tables

VVIPS mingling at the tent

 

 

Our own Prime Minister, YAB Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak visiting the home of a resident and presenting the NJOI decoder to a eKasih recipient and taking a moment to chat with the lucky resident, Rahimah bte Abd Majid.

Dato’ Rohana Rozhan, Chief Executive Officer of Astro said, “When we launched our service 15 years ago, we believed that Astro has an important role to play in narrowing the digital divide, thanks to our satellite technology which provides the most effective reach to all homes in the country. We would like to thank all Malaysians for their support in helping Astro achieve a 50 percent penetration of Malaysian TV homes. Our challenge and aspiration at Astro is to continue to learn from our customers in order to provide a holistic value proposition which fits the individual lifestyle of choice, preferences, and budget of each and every customer. We understand our responsibility to the community. We currently have a low entry pack of RM37.95 for customers to enjoy Astro.  A customer can then choose to add on genre packages and innovative services like HD, Video On Demand or Personal Video Recording, in accordance to his or her individual preferences. Soon, Astro will also be available on-the-go through companion devices of choice."

"With NJOI, we are taking that one step further by making available to all in Malaysia, the fundamental core content in lifelong learning, information and entertainment including key sporting events for free."

The Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak said at the launch of NJOI, “Knowledge is a very important component of any highly progressive society, and it is the foundation upon which a nation of excellence is built. Giving the Rakyat access to a wealth of information is critical in producing multi-talented, highly skilled, creative and innovative workforce necessary to build a knowledge-based economy towards becoming a high-income nation."

The Prime Minster added that the introduction of NJOI from Astro is an exemplary representation of a People First service, as it not only eases the rising cost of living and reduces the burden of the Rakyat; it also provides the Rakyat the basic right to good quality education, information and knowledge to all Malaysians, for free. The landmark entry of Malaysia’s first free satellite TV will create an abundance of choices in free or pay TV content for all Malaysians.

YB Senator Dato' Nong Chik, YAB Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Dato' Haji Badri, YB Dato' Joseph Salang Gandum and Dato' Rohana Rozhan launching NJOI

From left to right: Dato' Rohana Rozhan, YAB Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Dato' Haji Badri, YB Senator Dato' Nong Chik, YB Dato' Joseph Salang Gandum, Dato' Johari and Ralph Marshall

YAB Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak presenting NJOI decoders to eKasih recipients

From left to right: Shaiful Zahrin Subhan (VP, Business Segment ASTRO), Liew Swee Lin (Chief Commercial Officer, ASTRO), Dato' Rohana Rozhan (CEO ASTRO), Henry Tan (COO ASTRO)

With the launch of NJOI, Astro today fulfills its next promise in bridging the digital divide for all of Malaysia. NJOI will be introduced in three phases.

In the first phase, Astro plans to distribute 50,000 NJOI decoders and satellite dishes to recipients under the eKasih programme. This initiative is part of Astro’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme in creating a social impact by giving free access to education, information, entertainment and sports to low-income communities, social and charitable organisations, as well as homes in areas with no current access to TV and Radio services. Total investment for the CSR initiative in respect to the set top box, dish and programming costs is estimated to be about RM500 mil over the next 5 years.

In the second phase, the NJOI service will be made available to all by the first quarter of 2012, where a customer can purchase the decoder and dish at a one-off payment, install the service and start to enjoy the 37 TV and radio services, comprising of lifelong learning, information and entertainment including sports for completely free, with no monthly subscription.

In the third phase of NJOI, customers can choose to buy additional content at their own discretion, from a menu of attractive content through a prepaid mechanism, which will be available by the middle of 2012.

The channels included in NJOI from Astro will consist of quality educational channels, such as Astro Tutor TV UPSR, PMR and SPM, Astro Vaanavil’s educational belt—consisting of UPSR Neram, Manavar Mulakkam Science Capsule, and Thirumbi Parkalama—as well as other entertainment and information channels like Astro Prima, Astro Oasis, Astro Awani, Astro AEC, Jia Yu, Makkal TV, CCTV4, Bernama TV, iView, iMus, TVi, TV1, TV2, Astro Xiao Tai Yang (coming soon) and 19 radio stations.

NJOI is enabling everyone to access enriching content—the best of information, entertainment, sports and lifelong learning—that are in line with Malaysia’s push for a knowledge-driven nation. Astro’s continuing investment in talent, creativity and technology aspires to provide valuable content, which all customers can choose from in accordance to their individual needs, preferences and budget.

Fahrin Ahmad, the emcee

Yee Min, Astro's 2009 Star Quest winner

 

Adira, runner up of 8th season of Akademi Fantasia

Mawi

 

Stacy, winner of 8th season of Akademi Fantasia

Aanantha, THR Raaga DJ cum singer cum actor

 

Veteran rocker, Ramli Sarip

For more details on the NJOI service, please go to www.astro.com.my or call 03-9543 8100