PETALING JAYA: Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd
continues to maintain a cautious outlook after posting a net loss of RM25.8mil for the second quarter ended July 31, 2026 (2Q27), with disciplined cost management as a key imperative.
This was in comparison with the net profit of RM16.39mil Astro logged in 2Q26.
The group said the weaker performance was due to a lower earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (ebitda), which fell by 4.2% year-on-year (y-o-y) because of higher cost of set-top boxes and broadband cost, offset by lower staff related costs and content costs, as a percentage of revenue.
Revenue for the period fell by 7% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM633.75mil primarily due to lower subscription revenue.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Astro said revenue for its television segment decreased by 7.5% y-o-y mainly due to lower subscription revenue and advertising revenue. Meanwhile, revenue from its radio segment was down by 1.4% y-o-y as 1Q27 benefitted from festive spending.
For the first half of the financial year ending Jan 31, 2027 (1H27), Astro recorded a net loss of RM24.24mil from a net profit of RM29,87mil in 1H26, or a loss per share of 0.46 sen.
This was due to higher net financing costs, which were impacted by unrealised foreign exchange losses arising from unhedged lease liabilities, tax expense and depreciation of property, plant and equipment, paired with lower ebitda.
Revenue in 1H27 declined by 7% y-o-y to RM1.29bil as a result of lower subscription revenue and advertising revenue.
Astro said it continues to “elevate local content through high-quality productions and fresh storytelling across Astro Originals, signature titles and movies”.
The company said initiatives such as the Astro Shaw Cinematic Universe mark an important step in strengthening its intellectual property engine for the long term, as it continues its transformation towards a more digital-led, scalable and profitable content business.
“As a consequence, we continue to enhance customer value by expanding the volume and diversity of content in lower tiers, while lowering entry pricing across Astro and Sooka to grow our subscriber base. To this end, Astro launched Astro X3, its new streaming-first offering which requires no box, no installation and soon, no contract.
“The intent is to give customers greater freedom and flexibility to enjoy Astro, whilst serving a previously unserved segment. At the same time, we are accelerating our adjacent businesses—Sooka, Enterprise, Digital and Social Advertising, and Studios—targeting wider market segments with greater flexibility, while transforming legacy cost structures to support this growth strategy. A strategic review of Astro Fibre is underway, with an aim to have clarity by 2H27,” it said.
Astro added it continues to position itself as a comprehensive advertising ecosystem that captures both attention and impressions across screens, on air and on the ground.
“Our digital marketing play is gaining traction by helping brands drive stronger reach and engagement through branded content, social platforms, influencers and shoppable formats,” it said.
