Astro All Asia Network plc 1.0 Background of TV Broadcasting Industry in Malaysia
TV broadcasting industry first entered into Malaysia was in 1963, it was six years after our country independence from British (Khattab 2004, p. 2). Before 1996, the TV sector in Malaysia was a public broadcasting service provided by government. The channels are included TV1, TV2 and TV3. At that time, TV1 has a title called the prime channel and TV2 is the golden channel. Both of these channels are providing infotainment to Malaysian. TV3 is the first privatized TV station and it was the leading national broadcaster (Khattab 2004, p. 3). Follow by NTV7, Channel 9, and 8TV in the following years.
In the pay-tv sector, Mega TV is the first pay-tv that introduced in Malaysia in 1995. B ut due to their financial problem, Mega TV stopped broadcasting. Astro is the second pay-tv that establish in Malaysia in 1996. Astro is the most successful pay-tv that operates in Malaysia. After Astro was introduced, there are two pay-tv operators entered into broadcasting industry in 2005. There are MiTV and Fine TV. But both of these pay-tv are not operating well. These pay-tv using broadband internet service and provide more choices o f channels that include western programmes’ compare to local channels. 80 percent of the local channels’ programme was consists with local programme content.
This few years, the TV broadcasting industry in Malaysia is starting to enter into the new era. This is because the TV broadcasting is initially moving towards digitalization and also coming out with alternate delivery platforms such as mobile and Internet. (Changing face of Malaysia's TV industry; Malaysia's television and broadcast industry is in a state of transformation 2006). With all these new delivery platforms, TV broadcast industry will be growing rapidly. The developments in the TV broadcasting in Malaysia recently can be proved that we are ready to moving into more mature markets and changing their trends. (Changing face of Malaysia's TV industry; Malaysia's television and broadcast industry is in a state of transformation 2006).
2.0 Background of the Corporation & SBU
2.1 Astro All Asia Network plc
ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS plc (Astro) entered into broadcasting industry of Malaysia in 1996. They are the leading cross-media operator with direct-to-home satellite television services in Malaysia,
Brunei and Indonesia. (Astro 2007). Around quarter of TV households of Malaysia subscribe to the Astro. Astro currently hold 36.5% of the market shares, approximately 2.2 million of subscribers. Astro are aiming to keep increasing their market shares and create customers loyalty by proving excellent products and services to the subscribers.
Astro has three strategic business units- Television, Radio and Library Licensing and Distribution (Celestial channels). There are approximately 55 Astro channels currently and 16 music channels that around 5 celestial movies channels provided to the Astro users. Astro’s Radio is the leading commercial radio broadcaster in Malaysia. As for the celestial channels, it has become one of the fastest growing international pay-tv channels. This is because these celestial channels are not o nly can be view by subscribers in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, but also in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, China and Thailand.
Rohana Rozhan, the Chief Executive Officer of Astro in Malaysia and Brunei joined Astro in 1995 during the establishing of Astro. She is the person that in charge the SBU-Television which is the Direct-To-Home broadcast business with responsibilities for the TV operations in Malaysia and Brunei. For the SBU- Radio, Borhanuddin Osman is the recent executive director. He is responsible for the general management of the Astro’s Radio operations in Malaysia. For th e last SBU, William Pfeiffer is the Chief Executive Officer for the SBU - Library Licensing and Distribution. He’s responsibility is look for the strategic direction for the SBU and delivering the best performance of celestial channels.
Astro’s stakeholders are included the subscribers of Astro, staffs in the c orporate, shareholders,
their supplier, partners and the public. Astro is trying to maximize the shareholder value by expanding their existing businesses. They are now seeking for the new opportunities to grow their businesses.
Referring to the Press Release by Astro in March 2007, Astro overall performance is quite well for the financial year ended 31 January 2007. The revenues for the Astro channels had increase 11% to RM 2,224 million. For the radio business, it had increase 5.4% to RM 15 1 million and as for celestial pictures, it rising 25% to RM 75.3 million. But for the investment in Indonesia, Astro has estimated RM157.4 million for the expected share of the start-up losses in this investment.
Astro is also undertaking into some businesses that relate to their core business. There is Tayangan Unggul and Astro Shaw, MAESTRO Talent and TV guides and lifestyle magazines likes Astro Guide, VMAG, iFEEL and InTrend. Astro also venture in India-AMSI and Philippines- PASI. Tayangan Unggul and Astro Shaw are the leading film producers in Malaysia that producing quality Malay content products. MAESTRO Talent is mainly draws new talents in Malaysia by organizing live events like Akademi Fantasia, Astro Talent Quest, Blast Off and Astro Miss Chinese International Pagent. Besides that, Astro is the major publisher of the TV guides and the lifestyle magazines. For example, VMAG and iFEEL are the most preferable magazines by the younger.
2.2 Background of SBU – Astro Television
Astro Television is one of the SBU of Astro All Asia Networks plc. It provides variety of channels from local, regional and international programming to the Malaysians. The subscribers can easier access to the multi-channel television services for 24 hours a day, a wide range. A wide range of programmes that offer by Astro such as movies, dramas, variety shows, local and international news, documentaries and also educational programmes. All these programmes are arranged into different categories.
Astro understands the consumer needs and offers several o f packages to customers. These packages are dividing into three types. There are five mini packages, three super packages and Astro family. The five mini packages are including: learning package, fun package, variety package, sports package and news package. And the three super packages are including: dynasty package, emperor package and movies package. The family package is including the local channels like TV1, TV2, TV3, NTV7, 8TV and etc, and all these comes free with every Astro subscription.
Subscribers can choose from any of the combination that arranged by Astro. The lowest charges of the package are RM 49.95 and the most expensive package’s charges are around RM 124.95. Due to high programming costs of football and other sport events, Astro announced that they are going to increase the monthly subscription fees that are between RM 5- RM 15. They are also introducing a new package called ‘entry-level package’ and it is cheaper and costs RM 37.95 to the customers.
Around 90% of the total revenues of Astro are gaining from Astro Television. Astro is doing quite well as it had a total revenue of 22 billion and Astro Television are generating RM 2,224 million.
3.0 SBU Situation Analysis
3.1 SBU Culture / Resources / Stakeholder / Performance
3.1.1 Culture
In Astro, which is a main provider of Pay-TV in Malaysia, they belief that Astro is strengthening its flagship Malaysian operations, and expands its distribution and content activities into the region in Malaysia. They belief what they got now is expertise in Bahasa Malaysia ( Malay), Chinese, and Tamillanguage content, and have expertise in Malaysia. Astro currently are actively looking at opportunities and strategies to bring their expertise regionally. They also establish financial wherewithal to achieve the company's goals (Bacani, Cesar & Ramos, Abe de 2004).
3.1.2 Resources
Astro Television channel are strongly based on the usage of satellite, which is another main users to Malaysia’s Satellite consists of MEASAT -1, MEASAT-2 and MEASAT-3. The way of receiving of Astro channels are using satellite transmission to the receiving dish and decoded via the decoder provided by Astro. Astro as among a handful of globally competitive model enterprises in Malaysia, along with mobile phone operator Maxis, a sister company of Astro, and independent power producer YTL are works at closed economy where the players sell purely in the domestic mar ket, it should have to make itself more competitive and reinvent itself since this types of Malaysian c orporations still have a place for improve (Bacani, Cesar & Ramos, Abe de 2004).
3.1.3 Stakeholders
Top Managements
Lead by the group chairman in the 6 members of board of directors, the top management has their own philosophies for Astro. They always encourage the managers to be creative and ambitious in order to achieve Astro’s goals. The core values likes teamwork, synergy and commitment are always being highlighted by the top management.
Shareholders
Astro is trying to maximize the shareholder value by expanding their exi sting businesses and they are now seeking for the new opportunities to grow their businesses. So, investments by the investors are very important to Astro in helping Astro in liquidity turnover.
Employees
· Employees are the main group of people that contribute a lot in the production and administration.
Customers (Subscribers)
Astro will not success in their business without customers because customers are the main user of Astro. They have a great interest in the areas such as pricing, trust and improvement. Complaints of customer will help Astro to improve in their production and administration in order to provide better services in the future.
Supplier (MEASATs)
· The main supplier of Astro Television is the MEASAT satellite. With the MEASAT satellite, Astro can receive many channels from other countries.
Media Partners
· Media is a strong party that helps Astro in delivering news or information and helping in promoting Astro’s brand in building their image.
Government
· Regulations on variety of programmes that can be display on the channels are very important towards Astro.
3.1.4 Performance
Astro itself is a product of former Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad's Bumiputra policy that handed out business rights to favored individuals. Established in 1996, Astro was given exclusive license as direct-to-home satellite provider until 2017, and as such enjoys a dominant position in the booming pay-TV business (the government can award non-direct satellite broadcast TV services). Astro's cash flow looks volatile. After seven years of operation, the company had just had its first taste of pre-tax profits – RM 22.5 million, for the financial year ending 31 st January 2003, on revenues of RM 1.4 billion (Bacani, Cesar & Ramos, Abe de 2004). From the Astro Annual Report 2006, financial year ended 31st January 2006, Astro are having RM787.2 million of net cash for their future activities excluding revenue counted in financial year 2007.
Year
Total Revenue
(RM ‘000)
Market Share
2004
1,265.5
26.5%
2005
1,530.6
30%
2006
1,787.0
34%
2007
1,978.3
36.5%
Table 1: Astro’s television’s total revenue and market share for 2004 -2007
Refer to the table above, it shows the past performance of the Astro Television from financial year 2004 to 2007. The total revenue of the SBU is increasing year by year as well as their market share. By reviewing to Astro Annual Report 2006, Astro have achieved RM2,012.5 million in the revenue which has met one of the company’s mission, which has a revenue increase of 17.25% from the previous year revenue, while the Astro Television have occupied RM1,787 million out of the revenue of RM2,012.5 million, about 89% of the total revenue. The increase if the revenue is due to the increased of 218,400 Astro’s subscribers. Even though Astro is making profit but they have claimed that the licensing fees is increasing and more operating cost occurred due to the increase of television channels, an increase of subscription fees will be increase shortly in mid-year 2007.
3.2 SBU Customers Analysis
Current Market
Astro is a sole proprietor of pay- tv industry in Malaysia. They are monopolizing the Malaysia’s pay -tv market. The market growth of Astro in Malaysia is probable and stable. Television is the SBU that contribute most of the revenue for the company. It contributed 89% of the total revenue which is around RM 1.787 billion for the f inancial year ended 2007. Although they are obtaining high level of revenue, Astro is still can not capture a higher market share in TV household sector in Malaysia. They only capture 36.5% of the TV household in Malaysia. To increase their market share in Malaysia, Astro have to make some enhancement on it and find better strategies to implement.
Performance of Astro’s Television (SBU)
Year
Total Revenue
(RM ‘000)
Market Share
2004
1,265.5
26.5%
2005
1,530.6
30%
2006
1,787.0
34%
2007
1,978.3
36.5%
Table 1: Astro’s Television’s total revenue and market share for 2004 -2007
From the table above, it is clearly shows that the growth of total revenue for the television and the increase of market share in Malaysia for year 2004 to 2007. In year 2004, Astro’s television m anaged to gain RM 1,265.5 million of the revenue throughout the year. For the following year from 2005 to 2007, television had obtained RM 1,530.6 million, RM 1,787.0 million, and RM 1,978.3 million respectively. Their revenue was increased constantly year by year. As well as their market share in TV household. For year 2004, their market share was 26.5% of the TV household. It increased 3.5% from 26.5% to 30% in year 2005 . There was a slightly higher increase of 4% in their market share from 30% to 34% in 2006. Until the financial year ended 31 January 2007, Astro had announced that their successfully increase their market share to 36.5% of the TV household.
Year
Malay
Chinese
Indian
Others
Total
2004
431,550
618,072
178,674
54,746
1,283,042
2005
626,708
645,322
216,750
76,974
1,565,754
2006
799,854
643,372
243,750
97,183
1,784,159
2007
978,183
644,853
273,196
120,021
2,016,253
Table 2: Astro’s subscribers’ segmentation according to ethnics from year 2004 -2007
Refer to Table 2, it shows the Astro’s subscribers segmentation according to ethnic groups from year 2004 to 2007. In year 2004-2005, the figure shows that the Malay subscribers are lesser compare to Chinese subscribers. But in year 2006-2007, the Malay subscribers are become the major group of the total Astro’s customers. This is because Astro had introduced more channels that near to the flavor of Malays such as Astro Ceria, Astro Prima and etc. Astro are also organising more Malay shows like Akademic Fantasia and Roda Impian to attract the Malays customers. As for the Chinese, Indian and other ethnics, the total of subscribers are increasing constantly year by year.
Market Segmentation
In order to increase the total revenues or gain more market share in TV household of Malaysia, targeting the right customer and fulfill their needs and wants must be concern. That is why Astro introduce several types of package to the customer: Learning Package, Fun Package, Variety Package, Sports Package, News Package, Dynasty Package, Emperor Package and Movies Package. These segments are used to aim different types of customer depend on their own interests and lifestyle. Astro are offering customers to c hoose the packages by Mix ‘n’ Match Pack ages. That’s mean customer can choose the packages that they like.
3.3 SBU Competition Analysis
Astro Television’s Major Competitors and Relative Market Share
Astro is the only pay-tv sole proprietor in Malaysia, which mean Astro has monopolize the pay-tv market in Malaysia. As a result, Astro Television do not have direct competitor to compete with. But in reality, Astro just holding 36.5% market share of TV household. Astro did not manage to gain a high market share. Seems Astro is monopolizing the market, they do not have to really focus on obtaining the highest market share. They ar e more concentrate towards profit maximizations. So they can maximize their profit by having growth rate of 2% each year. In a word, Astro as a sole proprietor of pay-TV is holding unshakable advantage in the market.
Although Astro Television does not have direct competitors, they still having some indirect competitors that might affect the market share of Astro. The indirect competitors are including local channels, online TV and illegal satellite TV in Sabah and Sarawak.
Table 3: Market Share of Astro and indirect competitors in 2006
Table 3 shows that the percentage of Astro’s indirect competitors. It also shows the market share of
Astro based on the whole population in Malaysia. The total population in Malaysia is around 28,294,120 people (Malaysia Internet Usage Stats and Marketing Report 2006). The poverty population in Malaysia has stands 3.5% of the whole population. This group of people is living in the rural area so they did not have much entertainment. They are possible to become potential customers of Astro. Based on the estimation, Astro has 36.74% of the population is the Astro subscribers. 38.9% of the population is the internet users. According to Malaysia Internet Usage Stats and Marketing Report 2006, the internet user in Malaysia will expected to be double the internet users now in ten years time. For the other entertainments, it stands 20.88% of the population. The other entertainments are including DVD, VCD, Cinema, satellite, local channels and etc. However, some populations are overlap with several entertainments.
Astro Competitive Advantages
Astro is the first pay-TV that broadcast with multi-channels with different languages such as Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Tamil and others. Astro also offer many categories of programmes to consumers to choose. Customers can select the channels based on their preferences.
Besides that, Astro are fully utilized the satellite – MEASATs to have different channels from other countries. This will benefit the c ustomers because they can have more channels to watch. Astro has the competitive advantage to keep growing 11% of revenue each year. Watching TV is the best leisure for the people that dislike exercising to relax. Customers just have to pay an affordable
monthly fee to enjoy plenty of channels in Astro. Even though the i nternet users are growing rapidly, TV is still the best choice during leisure time. It will be an opportunity to Astro to keep growing to compete with other competitors.
Indirect Competitors Competitive Advantages
However, when the Astro compare with the indirect competitors like local channel, online TV and satellite TV, it looks like more costly to the customers. Local channels are free providing to customers in Malaysia. But they just can view few channels such as: TV1, TV2 and TV3. The programmes that offer by local channels nowadays are interesting than before.
For the internet users, they do no need to pay any extra fees to watch online TV or download movies. They just have to pay the internet monthly fees then they are able to enjoy a lot of services in the internet. Nowadays, people are having more time facing to the computer. Access to computer is easier to the younger.
Besides that, there is a group of people that prefer to buy DVD and V CD in order to subscribe Astro. This is because buying DVD and VCD are cheaper than Astro. It is faster for them to get the new release movies that might not show in Astro. Especially the pirated DVD and VCD, it is easy f or them to obtain everyway nowadays.
3.4 SBU Changes Analysis
Implicit here is that due to the continuously changing in the external environment, company has to keep watch so as to interact with these movements. The environment changes can be divided into micro and macro environments.
Micro-Environment
Customers (Subscribers)
Refer to Table 2; Astro’s Malay customers are increasing rapidly in 2006 and 2007. Early in the years
when Astro was first set up, Chinese customers are the major subscribers of Astro. This is because that time, more Mandarin channels are offered. And now, Astro is introducing more Malay channels that near to their preference. That is why Malay subscribers are increasing.
Suppliers (MEASATs)
After launching MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 in 1996, Malaysia had launched a new satellite to the space again in December 2006. This satellite, MEASAT-3 can help to increase market demand for satellite services within the region. Astro will be benefit from this new satellite.
Stakeholders
Astro is involving more in the sponsorship activities this few years. By sponsorship, Astro can increase their reputation and also benefit the public. For example, Astro is sponsoring in the Formula One car racing. Astro is the co-organizer.
Macro-Environment
Political Environment
Early in the broadcasting industry in Malaysia, government did not restrict the TV programmes provider to display the categories o f programmes to be shown before the programmes to be shown. But now, government restrict that every programme have to be categorized according to their levels. The levels are including U (Umun), 18SG, 18SX, 18PL and etc…
Economic Environment
Currently Malaysia is experiencing the stable growth in economic development. The living sta ndards are increasing and it will increase the buying power of the consumer. With a strong buying power, consumer will spend their money to enjoy their life.
Social Environment
The living standards in Malaysia are improving now. The improvement of citize ns’ welfare is the apparent ongoing changes. Thus, people now requesting quality- life by enjoying their life. People nowadays always having big pressure in their careers. Watching television become one of their leisure activities to relax. These groups of people are more enjoying the passive leisure activities. They tend to prefer any activities that are involve with less movement. TV channels now offering lots choices of TV programmes. Astro can have this opportunity to increase their market share.
Technological Environment
For the technological aspect in influencing TV watching, currently, new innovation like 3G phone and wireless TV code receiver which allow computer receiving TV program, is available for Astro to expand their services as to enlarge their market share.
4.0 Key Trends, Issues, Problems and O pportunities
Key Trends
Increase of Living Standards
Living standards of Malaysian are increase. People request for quality life by enjoying their lifestyle. They willing to pay more to enjoy.
The usage of Internet
· Internet usage is an emergent trend for Astro to be considered and it increases at the growth rate of 1.7% per year in Malaysia. The competitive advantage for internet is due to its multi-function. The internet is composite of functions like: communicating with friends and family by MSN, meeting new friends, acquiring information about news, health, and other topics, entertainments like playing online game and downloading movies. With this advantage, either TV or TV programme can not support communicating channels as efficient as what Internet does. Considering the information dissemination as TV’s traditional territory, the emergence o f Internet still ends the television’s dominant position as major media. However, as what stated before, Astro could also offer Internet TV programme which has same channel service as television. Therefore what Astro need is a feasible repositioning strategy.
Environment Impact
· For the groups of people that are health conscious, they preferred to stay at home due to the polluted air, traffic jams, and unsecured environment. They will end-up staying at home and watch TV and doing other indoor activities.
Key Issues
Sole Proprietor in Malaysia
Astro is the sole proprietor of pay-TV industry in Malaysia and Brunei and it also leading in Malaysia TV broadcasting.
Capture market share of 36.5% of TV household
Astro captured 36.5% market share of TV household. Of course, this figure is not enough for Astro and this can not satisfied Astro as the monopoly in Malaysia. However, this 36.5% of market share already brought RM 2 billion of revenue to Astro. So, Astro is big profit maker in the TV broadcasting industry.
Launching of MEASAT-3
Launching of new MEASAT-3 enable Astro to receive more channels from other countries. So, Astro can provide more enhance services to the subscribers. This can increase the loyalty of customers towards Astro.
Unexpected losses of RM 101 million in Indonesia
Losses of RM 101 million in Indonesia venture is caused by the distribution of license of broadcasting and new regulation set by the Indonesian’s Government.
Increasing of subscription fees
In beginning month of May, Astro had announced that the subscription fees will be increasing RM 5RM 15 every subscription. The new price is effective commencing on June. This increasing of subscriptions fees are caused by the high programming costs especially broadcast for football and other sport events.
Key Problems
CRM Problems
Astro failed to deliver qua lity’s customer expectation to customer. Due to t his CRM problem, Astro has loss a number of customers. As a result of CRM problem, Astro is not able to grow their subscriber base at the rate that they previously expected.
Indirect Competitors
Although Astro does not have direct competitors to grub their market share, its indirect competitors are also holding a strong power that might have the ability to substitute watching TV in the future. For example, some people in Sabah and Sarawak are choosing to set up the illegal satellite. This is because it is cheaper on the installation fees compare to the monthly fees pay to Astro.
Key Opportunities
64.5% of available market
What parentage of market share Astro has already occupied is merely 36.5%, which, in turn, indicates there is still 64.5% of TV household available for Astro to capture. To be success in capturing this market, Astro need to deal with the competition problem well. Although Astro is the monopoly in Malaysia broadcasting market and they enjoy the dominant position, Astro still have to put in more effort in order to increase the market share and stable their position.
Offering more programmes on seasonal periods
Seasonal factors may influence the Astro’s sales performance. For instance so me big events in sport
areas like FIFA, Thomas Cup, MBA, and some big events like Oscar film festival, Grammy Awards and etc...will definitely increase the viewing rate. Therefore, it is an opportunity to do seasonal program to attract more subscribers.
5.0 SBU’s Portfolio Analysis
BCG Matrix
Basically, there are 3 major SBU’s for Astro: Television, Radio, and Library licensing & distribution. To
identify these position and performance, BCG Matrix is employed to assess each.
Television
Growth Rate (%)
Radio
Library licensing & distribution
Relative Market Share (RMS)
Television : GR 10.1%
RMS 21.13
Radio : GR 15.87%
RMS 1.23
Library licensing & distribution : GR 14%
RMS 0.23
Television
It is major source of generating cash to support Astro’s operating activities. It is located in quadrant 3 called ‘cash cow’. Business in this quadrant is characterized as low growth and high market share. In simple words, it generates net cash but it need little reinvestment. Therefore the cash that had saved can be used to invest in other product or service.
For Astro, there is still one characteristic to make sure that opportunity is available to expand their Television services. It is due to the dominant position of Television set. Although the emergence of information products which might be more convenient, flexible, and high involved level, most of people is still exposed to TV programme. Therefore, this service product will has longer life-cycle compared with lots of physical items.
Radio
This service is positioned at ‘question m ark’ quadrant. For conceptual framework, business in this
quadrant has the feature that these products require more cash than they are able to generate on their own. Therefore, if no change happened, this business will absorb large amounts of cash in the short run and later.
The radio service once dominated the market to serve a role as information exchanging, but this has been replaced by the Television. It is due to humanity’s nature beca use for human, we are referring to visualize something. However, it does no doom the death of radio, because this service has opportunities to reach some people constrained by their job or other reasons. They have no enough time to watch TV and surfing the net, but they still can listen to the radio during work time.
Library licensing & distribution
This SBU is facing the same problem as what Radio has faces. It generates the least cash flows to the company.
6.0 Assumptions
Unexpected issues may take place anytime and anywhere. Therefor e it is important to make some assumptions on the likelihood changes, which may influence TV broadcasting industry.
Economical Changes
Economical changes in the future will influence the customer’s buying behav iour and their spending patterns. For example, if economic crisis happen again in the future, jobless people will increase and
their financial ability to enjoy their lifestyle will become lesser. People will choose other alternatives to substitute watching Astro. Total revenue of Astro will be affect due to this problem.
Social Changes
More and more people are well educated nowadays. They are more used to the computer, so, the time they are willing to sit in front of t he TV will become lesser. This is because computer can give more entertainments to the young people such as playing online game, chatting online, watching movies, listen to the music, gambling and others. Compare to watching TV, people can only watch and hear to the TV programmes. In the future, Astro will have a high possibility that substitute by Internet.
Technological Changes
Rapid technological changes in this world can let the possible competitors to enter into broadcast industry. More and more advanced technology will be introduced in the future. Maybe in the future, everyone can use their hand phone to watch TV everywhere. It will be a potential opportunity to invent in this technology.
7.0 SBU Objectives and Goals
SBU Objectives
· “To build and strengthen loyalty to Astro brands by providing excellent products and services. This
will help Astro to maximize their brands values and leverage on the power of Astro brands across their various media platforms and across bo rders to the benefit of all stakeholder.” (Astro Ann ual Report 2006)
· “To build and leverage on Astro core competencies and assets such as operational expertise, broadcast and distribution infrastructure and multi-lingual, multi-ethnic content creation and aggregation capabilities).” (Astro Annual Report 2006)
SBU Goals
“To expand Astro services by providing customers both greater choice and flexibility with the availability of additional satellite capacity on MEASAT- 3.” (Astro Annual Report 2006) “To manage down the problems like disconnecting non-paying delinquent new accounts to the more
acceptable level of 10-12%.” (Astro Annual Report 200 “To resolve the CRM -related issues and regain the customer goodwill that has been lost as a result, and thereby improve Astro’s customer retention rate.” (A stro Annual Report 2006)
8.0 SBU Current Strategies & Recommendations
8.1 Market Strategies
Total Market Strategy
Currently, Astro is applying the total market strategy. Astro is trying to capture the whole market with its variety of TV channels to attract different level of consumer. For example, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network are targeting the kids and HBO, Cinemax and STAR Movies are targeting the young people. Besides that, Astro also encourage the subscribers to subscribe a second account at fifty percent (50%) discount on the second account, this are enable to reduce the subscription fees being paid by the subscriber who having more than two person watching TV at the same time but different channels. By doing this, Astro are able to capture more market share and this method are recommended to be continue in the future and Astro may also giving more rewards for those who subscribe for second account.
Market Demography
Astro also using market demography method by expanding its service business to different countries, even though the investment spent in Indonesia did not return favourable and making losses, Astro are required to continue with the business setup in Indonesia due to there is a huge market size in Indonesia and may making profit in the next five (5) years. Besides that, Astro also have Joint-Venture (JV) with several corporate in difference country especially in Asia. From this issue, we are able to tell that Astro is diversify the investment to other countries and making profit with the international businesses. From the article extracted from CFO Asia, it has mentioned that Astro having insufficient funds for investment, but it is recommended Astro keep continue to invest in different countries with their available funds and this may help the company grow and making profit in the future.
8.2 Product Strategies
Product Repositioning
Over the past three years, Astro have added a total 24 new channels to the subscribers, although there are positive response from the viewers due to free charges for the trial period, but there also have negative feedback saying the additional c hannels are not favourable by the subscribers, in order to improve the situation, Astro are advised to increase the channels but which the channels is favourable by the subscribers.
8.3 Pricing Strategies
Optimal Pricing
Currently Astro facing the increase of cost of programming especially in the live sports channel broadcast and Astro have been absorbing the increase in cost for the last three year starting from year 2004 till 2006; it is recommended that Astro continue with their price revision between RM5 and RM15 in order to cover certain costs. The increase of price should be optimal that enable the company cover all the costs and making reasonable profit.
Value-Based Pricing / Flexibility Pricing Strategy
Beside the price revision, Astro have repackaged all the channels, and now, all the subscribers have the flexibility of choosing two mini-packages instead of the previous starting point of three minipackages. It is recommended due to the repackage will benefit to all the subscribers by selecting the favourable package at an appropriate subscription fee. Besides that, the subscription f ees charged are based on the customer’s needs and w illingness to pay for the package chosen.
Penetration Pricing Strategy
Astro is also introducing a lower entry-level package at RM37.95 down from the current entry-level package at RM49.95. It is recommended due to by setting a lower entry-level package, Astro may able to attract those low income subscriber and helpful in increase the subscribers which have meet one of the objective of Astro. This may also help to increase the market share of TV household rate.
8.4 Distribution Strategies
Direct Channels Strategy
Astro are providing broadcast services to the subscribers, unlike the other product which required intermediaries to distribute their product to the final consumer. What had Astro done for its distribution is by setting up Customer Service Center in different location to do the registration, payment and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) that handling complaints. B y using this method, Astro have ensured the quality o f service toward customers. It is recommended that improve the skill of the employees to maximize the usage of the service center.
Astro facing lost of revenue will have been analyzed previously are due to the system of Astro company, from an interview with one of the subscribers of Astro, we have found that the person are satisfy with the employees attitude but dissatisfy with the system of Astro, the employee cannot settle the complaint on the spot and required a period of time to let the company technician to find out the problem, sometimes the billing system have overcharge t he monthly subscription fees and
payment method only limit to credit cards and cheques payment which have bring inconveniency to the customers. Regarding Astro Call Center, it has a limit of time and sometimes no one answering the phone call, this has made the customer frustrated with the service provider (Astro). It is recommended that Astro should improve the system of Astro Company used and consent to the Astro Call Center in order to provide a better and quality service to the customers.
8.5 Communication Strategies
Sales Promotion
Astro currently are promoting the new low entry-level package in certain low cost area by setting up a small counter and using promoter to promote the new package, this method is incurred a lower cost compare advertise through newspapers or billboard, and level of reaching to the customer is better but having a low response to the registration for new customer. It is advised that Astro may use other promotion method such as waiving 2 months subscription fees for those low entry-level package, this may increase the registration for those low income subscribers.
Advertising
For business such as Astro which in the entertainment services by broadcasting, advertisement through Television could not reached to the people who did not subscribe Astro. Astro may consider using different kind of advertisement such as advertise thru the newspapers by introducing new services and programmes channels, advertise thru billboard may capture certain group of people who does not concerned to reading material such as newspapers, and sponsorship fo r event have expand the reaching level to the people in the society. By using sponsorship method, it not only can help to advertised itself but also build up a strong goodwill to the public.