01 Sep 2023
WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY AND UNIFI EXPAND PARTNERSHIP WITH LAUNCH OF HBO PACK & HBO GO ON UNIFI TV
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (September 1, 2023) – Warner Bros. Discovery and Unifi today announced an expansion of their partnership in Malaysia, with the launch of four HBO channels and the HBO GO streaming service.
HBO, HBO Family, HBO Hits and Cinemax will launch on Unifi TV, offering audiences access to some of the world’s best TV series and movies. All Unifi TV Pack subscribers will be able to enjoy them as a 30-day free preview from September 1.
With HGTV and Cartoon Network also added on Unifi TV in August, WBD now offers nine of its channels as well as the regional streaming service, HBO GO, which will be available in October.
Shonali Bedi, Head of Affiliate Distribution & Digital Partnerships – Southeast Asia & Hong Kong, Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “WBD’s content portfolio with Unifi is going from strength to strength. With the addition of the HBO channels on Unifi TV and HBO GO, more fans in Malaysia will be able to enjoy HBO’s unique brand of premium entertainment than ever before. HBO GO offers subscribers a chance download and stream the greatest array of storytelling for all audiences, with movies and series across genres – drama, comedy, kids, factual, lifestyle and more – anytime, anywhere.”
Anand Vijayan, Unifi’s Executive Vice President, said, “We are pleased to work with Warner Bros. Discovery once more to expand our international channel selections for all Unifi TV customers. These movie channels will be a great addition to our line-up bringing our offerings to 77 channels. Through this partnership we are strengthening Unifi TV’s international channel and streaming app offerings which already includes global streaming partners and enhancing online content and entertainment options at affordable prices for all Malaysians. To thank our loyal customers, we will offer these channels as a 30-day free preview to all Unifi TV Pack subscribers from September 1.”
HBO is one of the most respected and innovative entertainment brands in the world, known for shows like Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon and The White Lotus – as well as many of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, including Emmy® award-winning dramas Succession and Barry.
Unifi TV customers will have access to current hit titles, including the second season of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, HBO Asia Original MarkKim + Chef, and new movie premieres on HBO in September including Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Tár and Dungeon & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. From October onwards, HBO GO will also become available to Unifi TV subscribers giving them unparalleled streaming access to DC series and movies, HBO Originals, Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry and much more across multiple devices.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
TM & Astro collaborate to deliver high quality digital experience
TM provides Astro with full suite of wholesale infrastructure and connectivity solutions to enable Astro to serve its customers with reliable broadband and content services. Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd (Astro) today inked deals to collaborate in delivering a high quality digital experience to all Malaysians. The collaboration also signifies both companies' commitment to support the “Jalinan Digital Negara” (JENDELA) initiative in providing wider broadband coverage and a better experience nationwide. The agreements were signed by Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer of TM and Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Executive Vice President, TM WHOLESALE while Astro was represented by Henry Tan, Group Chief Executive Officer and Shafiq Abdul Jabbar, Group Chief Financial Officer. Through this strategic collaboration, TM, via TM WHOLESALE, its global and wholesale business arm, will provide Astro with a full suite of infrastructure and connectivity solutions that comprises the whole range of wholesale services inclusive of high speed broadband (HSBB), bandwidth, backhaul and Internet access. This extensive and robust fibre network infrastructure will enable TM together with Astro to provide high-quality and reliable connectivity to their end-users. With TM’s HSBB service, Astro also will be able to provide broadband services to its customers without having the need to build a new infrastructure while extending its coverage to wider areas across the country via a fibre network. As for Internet services, TM’s internet access solution will enable Astro to offer high performance internet connectivity and a comprehensive solution to its customers. To complete the services, TM will also provide Astro with its Content Delivery Network (TM CDN), a newly developed content platform service that delivers seamless, faster and secure digital content. This will enable Astro to strengthen its video streaming efficiency to its current service offerings. Commenting on the collaboration, Imri said: “TM as the leading infrastructure partner for High Speed Broadband wholesale services, leveraged its superior network nationwide to support the industry’s broadband growth. We are also the primary mobile backhaul infrastructure provider for the industry with extensive coverage and capacity. As the digital infrastructure accelerator in Malaysia, we have always been a strong advocate of infrastructure sharing. Thus we are honoured to be given this opportunity to leverage each other’s expertise to provide Malaysians with high quality broadband and content services that we have. This strategic collaboration also demonstrates our commitment to ensure Malaysians are provided with a seamless and “always-on” connectivity experience. We are happy to work with Astro and this is yet another testament to our pivotal role as the enabler of Digital Malaysia aspirations.” Meanwhile, Henry Tan said: “This strategic partnership with TM lays the foundation for Astro to be an internet service provider. Astro’s goal is to provide Malaysians with the best digital experience and broadband value proposition. Leveraging on the strength of TM’s wide HSBB network will enable Astro to realise new revenue streams, scaling our broadband service with content bundles, or standalone broadband and other product lines. This deal gives us more flexibility to offer great value and convenience to our customers.”
PETRONAS AND TM DRIVE SUCCESSFUL PRIVATE 5G NETWORK DEPLOYMENT AT PETRONAS LNG COMPLEX BINTULU
BINTULU, 9 AUGUST 2024 – Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) in collaboration with TM inaugurated a Private 5G network at the PETRONAS LNG Complex in Bintulu, Sarawak – signalling further advancements in connectivity and efficiency for the energy industry. The event was attended by Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo, Deputy Minister of Digital Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Liwan Lagang, and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), the nation’s 5G network provider. Following the historic launch of Malaysia's first Private 5G network for enterprise at PETRONAS’ Regasification Terminal Sungai Udang (RGTSU) in 2022, the new Bintulu location is one of four of PETRONAS’ sites installed with the technology. The PETRONAS LNG Complex is one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants in a single location with a production capacity of 29.8 million tonnes per annum, and deployment of the 5G network is expected to improve productivity and increase operational efficiency across critical production processes. In his speech, Gobind Singh Deo emphasised the role of 5G technology in the energy sector transformation, saying, “5G is amongst the key technologies that is gaining importance in the energy sector. The technology, which offers ultra-high speed coupled with low latency communication between control hubs, production sites and vessels, helps to streamline the growing complexity in operational activities. Increased use of 5G-enabled intelligent systems such as industrial IoT, drones, robotics, extended reality (XR), and artificial intelligence (AI) enhances operational efficiency and safety. “Energy companies around the world are racing to modernise their operations, and I applaud PETRONAS, TM and DNB for taking the lead in digitalising Malaysia’s energy sector.” Meanwhile, PETRONAS Senior Vice President of LNG Assets Abang Yusuf Abang Puteh said, “PETRONAS is positioning itself at the forefront of the global technological race while meeting the evolving demands of the energy landscape. The integration of 5G with the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and automation will streamline workflows, increase productivity by automating data collection, while enhancing safety across all levels.” Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group CEO said, “This private 5G deployment is the next phase in TM and PETRONAS’ long-standing partnership to future-proof its businesses for a sustainable future. Leveraging on advanced technologies like AI, the Enterprise 5G application is expected to yield optimum operational efficiencies for its highly secure reliable connection, real-time monitoring and analytics as well as remote maintenance. “Furthermore, this collaboration will further catalyse digital innovation and industry adoption which are key to ensure business resiliency in the future and this intent is also aligned with TM’s aspiration of becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030,” he added. Looking ahead, PETRONAS and TM aim to explore opportunities to transform the energy industry through potentially expanding the distribution of Private 5G networks to newer sites for greater integration and efficiency.
Unifi TV kickstarts 2023 offerings with addition of popular beIN SPORTS 2, Moonbug Kids and one premium channels
Unifi, a leader in converged home, mobile and lifestyle services via its digital content arm, Unifi TV, today announced three new premium channels via partnerships with leading content providers – beIN Asia Pacific; Moonbug Entertainment, a subsidiary of Candle Media; and Korea’s KC Global Media. Starting February 2023, viewers will be able to enjoy these popular channels via their Unifi TV subscriptions: beIN SPORTS 2 – featuring top-tier European football, international tennis competitions and most recently, full Formula 1 coverage; Moonbug Kids – designed for families with pre-school children; and ONE – for fans of the latest Korean drama and entertainment. Two of the three new channels, Moonbug Kids and ONE will also be available for free preview throughout the whole of February for both existing and new Unifi TV subscribers. This brings Unifi TV’s channel offerings to a whopping 71 premium channels, along with 17 app partners including Disney+ Hotstar, Viu, WeTV and Lionsgate Play – the largest selection of streaming apps over a single platform. Ho Hock Doong, Head of Content, Unifi TV said, “We are excited to partner beIN Asia Pacific, Moonbug Entertainment, and KC Global Media in bringing their popular channels to Unifi TV and to provide more quality offerings to our local audiences. “At the end of 2022, Digital Market Insights projected that Malaysia’s Home Entertainment revenue was expected to reach an annual growth rate (CAGR 2022-2027) of 8.36%, with a projected market volume of US$48.57 million and 1.1 million active users by 2027. “With these prospects in mind, we are strengthening our partnerships with leading global content providers to offer an inclusive selection of digital entertainment solutions – bringing Unifi’s ‘all-in-one’ value proposition to all audiences,” he added. beIN SPORTS 2 will join the line-up of three existing beIN SPORTS channels as well as the beIN SPORTS CONNECT app already available on Unifi TV, offering the widest live sports coverage from beIN SPORTS in Malaysia. In addition to the Formula 1 broadcast rights which will be extended to Unifi TV viewers, the channel will also include the Australian Open, ATP and the upcoming Roland-Garros. Mike Kerr, Managing Director, beIN Asia Pacific, said, “As we continue to expand and strengthen our sports offering, we are excited to enter into the next phase of partnership with Unifi TV. Now with Formula 1, fans can immerse themselves in more live coverage than ever before on beIN SPORTS. We look forward to working alongside Unifi TV to grow our audiences in Malaysia.” Putting families in the forefront, Moonbug Kids on Unifi TV will feature all of Moonbug’s IPs including CoComelon, Blippi, Gecko’s Garage, Morphle, Arpo, Little Baby Bum and recent acquisitions Little Angel and Oddbods – offering wholesome and quality entertainment for preschool and early-years viewers. Unifi TV is also the first digital content platform in Malaysia to offer selected Moonbug Kids programmes on demand that are localised in Bahasa Melayu and Mandarin – bringing these edutainment programmes to more of Malaysia’s multi-lingual audiences. “We are extremely excited to launch our Moonbug Kids channel on Unifi TV via their on-air and online platforms. We have had a strong start to 2023 in maintaining our strategy of rolling out our content and channels across APAC and EMEA and are now very much looking forward to sharing our beloved characters and stories with families across Malaysia,” said Nicolas Eglau, Managing Director EMEA & APAC, Moonbug Entertainment. Leading K-entertainment channel, ONE, on the other hand, will bring the best of Korean entertainment to Malaysia. The channel will feature drama series Kokdu: Season of Deity within 24 hours of release in Korea and a line-up of romantic specials in February such as Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo and Backstreet Rookie. Fans of travel variety shows will also be treated to Dopojarak: Story of Homme the K-Wanderer, featuring personalities from K-pop, K-drama, fashion and sports. George Chien, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of KC Global Media shared, “We are excited to enhance our partnership with Unifi TV to bring the best entertainment from around the world to every household and mobile device in Malaysia! With the addition of ONE channel on Unifi TV, fans can look forward to an endless stream of freshly curated programming direct from South Korea’s biggest broadcasters and studios.” “These channels are quality additions to our platform and will strengthen our lifestyle offerings as part of Unifi’s Converged solutions for broadband, mobile and digital content. Our aim is to provide seamless customer experiences via extensive and affordable services that meet today’s digital demands, including online entertainment both at home and on-the-go,” Ho shared. “As we kick off 2023, we aim to continue expanding our digital content, providing more customisable, value-for-money selections together with Unifi’s other converged solutions to bring something for everyone,” he concluded.
NEWSLETTER
Just drop your details and stay updated with the world of Telekom Malaysia. We promise – no spam!