PARLIAMENT Astro has imposed higher subscription rates for two of its packages since November last year due to rising content costs, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the RM2 increase for family package and RM6 for sports package were reasonable due to escalation of content costs, particularly sports.

He said bids for exclusive rights and high demand for sports programmes such as the English Premier League from Asian countries, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore had contributed to rising content costs.

Responding to a question from Mohd Johari Baharom (BN-Kubang Pasu), Ahmad Shabery said apart from the monthly subscription, consumers were charged RM20 for installation and reconnection of services.

He said late payment charge had been abolished by Astro after negotiations with the government.  

On exclusive rights for live sports broadcast, he said Astro won the rights after submitting bids to the providers of the services who set the terms based on extent of the coverage and the number of audience.  

“The bidding for rights for live broadcast of sports events is transparent and all commercial broadcasters have the opportunity to take part. In Malaysia, Astro often won the bids as it always placed the highest bid and is able to meet the terms set,” he said.  

- Bernama