By Ng Suzhen

RAZMAN of Petaling Jaya is upset about the repeats on Astro channels. From ZeeTV to Hallmark to AXN, there is non-stop repetition of the same programmes.

“It has been six to  even months and I am quite tired of coming home to watch the same thing on Astro. We are paying extra for our subscription and if this is the kind of service we receive, then it just doesn’t justify why consumers have to pay so much.”

RAZMAN wants an explanation why the programmes are always repeated and hopes Astro will take note of this matter so that consumers do not pay for nothing.

● Astro’s Content Management Group senior vice-president Dr Rajamani Chellamuthu appreciates RAZMAN’s feedback and explained that international channels such as  ZeeTV, Hallmark and AXN schedule their programmes for the region, be it Singapore, Hong Kong or Malaysia, and not for a single country.

This is a common practice of channel operators globally.

“As such, Astro does not have influence over the programme scheduling of the international channels. It is the practice of multi-channel pay TV operators globally to operate on the principle of additional screenings for the convenience of viewers in different time zones to watch their preferred programmes.

“At the same time, viewers need to understand that there are a limited number of movies released by Hollywood in a year and of these, an even more limited number make it to our region and therefore, repeats are unavoidable,” Rajamani said.

“Astro will continue to engage our channel providers to improve their programme offerings and schedules.”