I am no expert o­n law but even I think what Astro is doing is downright illegal. I am just amazed that the authorities - especially certain ministers and personalities famous for grabbing publicity - have not come out openly to condemn the cable TV station's actions.

Is it because it involves a crony conglomerate that the publicity-hungry politicians have chosen to keep quiet?

In fact, I often wonder why there have been so few complaints about Astro's service. It repeats its shows so often that I no longer bother to watch many of its channels - Travel and Adventure and even its movie channels - because I am just so plain tired of having to watch the same thing over and over again.

I understand if the shows are repeated every now and then as this is done elsewhere too but to repeat the same shows several times a day or running the same shows over weeks and even months is shortchanging the subscribers just too much.

I am sure many subscribers out there can confirm what I have said. It is high time Astro comse clean o­n how frequently the same shows are repeatedly aired.

Its audacity to shove the Emperor package down its subscribers' throat speaks volume for its service and high-handedness.

Even if the station says it reserves the right under its service contract to upgrade or downgrade subscribers without their consent, shouldn't this clause be deemed illegal in the first place?