Astro introduces 'Same Day as the US' campaign

COUCH potatoes heads up!

Astro subscribers can now rejoice as they are able to watch 16 American series under Astro’s “Same Day as the US” Campaign, hours after it premieres in the US.

The titles include British epic drama Downton Abbey, The Blacklist,Scandal, Revenge, The Walking Dead, Sleepy Hollow, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Resurrection.

Fans of the much-acclaimed reality talent series also will be able to catch The Voice hours after its US premiere.

The campaign kicks off Monday with the award-winning drama,Downton Abbey on Diva (Channel 702) followed by The Blacklist(Season Two) on Channel 701/CH721 HD).

The Voice S7 will be aired for two days starting Tuesday on AXN, CH701/721 HD while Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D will meet viewers on Tuesday on Fox (710). 

On Friday, StarWorld will screen the Scandal (Season 4) on StarWorld (Channel 711/722 HD).

On Sept 29, viewers will be able to catch Resurrection (Season 2) on Lifetime (Channel 709) followed by Brooklyn Nine-Nine S2 on DIVA (CH702) on Sept 30.

The Walking Dead (Season Five) will meet viewers on FOX (710) on Oct 13.

Spearheaded by Astro, “Same Day as the US’ campaign includes channel partners HBO, Fox, SPE Networks, NBC, Universal and AETN will provide as many series from US Fall television line-up merely hours after the broadcast in its origin country.

Viewers will also be able to find out not only the latest local and regional shows on Astro but the latest US and UK series.

According to Astro Content Management Group vice-president Agnes Rozario, the broadcaster is elated that Astro is taking the lead in closing the window between US and UK premiere dates in the region to enhance the customer experience and ensure that it remains the easiest and fastest way for customers to access content.

(Left to right): Penny Tan, Marketing Director from FOX International Channels, Gan Ling Sze, Vice President, Affiliate and

Media Sales, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Erika North, Head of Programming from HBO Asia, Agnes Rozario, Vice President of

Content Group, Astro and Ramez Sheikh, Vice President, Network Development & Distribution Asia Pacific from NBC Universal

“We have secured the hottest and latest series to be shown on Malaysian screens on the same day as the US and UK premiere, exclusively on Astro and will continue to work with our partners to extend this offering,” said Rozario.

She also added that The Walking Dead  - Part 2 which was aired hours after its US broadcast in February saw a 70 per cent increase in viewership.

'Same Day as the US' campaign will see no less than 16 new and recurring series premiering within hours after their respective US and UK premieres.

Greater viewing flexibility

The campaign aims to empower customers with greater flexibility in their viewing such as the time-shift options such as recording via Astro Byond PVR.

The new series secured made available on a video-on-demand basis on the PVR/STB and Astro On-The-Go. Customers have to connect their PVRs to the Internet or go to Astro-On-The-Go to catch up on previous episodes for the season.

Kicking off this feature are Season 5 of The Walking Dead, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (Season Two), Scandal (Season Four), Revenge (Season Two), The Blacklist (Season Two), Boardwalk Empire (Season Two) andResurrection (Season Two)

Not only will customers have the pleasure of watching their shows on the same day as the US in HD but also at their convenience when they choose, where they choose and on the screen of their choice be it on TV, online or on mobile. 

- source: ASTRO Awani