A SEA of Arsenal Football Club (FC) fans decked in red and white kits flooded Lalaport’s BBCC’s Wow Plaza in anticipation of meeting club legend and former England goalkeeper David Seaman.
This marks the goalkeeper's first return to Malaysia since 1999.
Astro hosted the fan meet-and-greet as part of its launch event to celebrate the new Premier League season, which began on Aug 22.
Fans were able to get up close and personal with Seaman, snapping pictures and getting autographs from the Arsenal great.
The massive turnout at the event came as no surprise for Astro chief content officer Agnes Rozario, citing Malaysians’ great love affair with the league.
The company’s role in Malaysia’s football scene is not new, having been an official broadcaster for the league since 1997 and a staple in many homes of football fans.
She said that these events help keep the football fandom alive by creating direct touchpoints with the sport outside of home viewing.
“What we try to do is give them the opportunity to get together with and experience the Premier League more closely.
“We try to give our customers and the fans the best experience possible with the league.”
Alongside the photo op session, the broadcaster also hosted a watch party for the clash between Hull City and Manchester United later in the evening.
Getting the game closer to the fans, the pundit team broadcast live from the mall before an in-person crowd as they debuted their newest addition to the team, former Leicester City defender Danny Simpson.
Ensuring that fans never miss a moment, Astro Sports Pack customers can catch all 380 Premier League matches live across Astro, Sooka and NJOI platforms.
Furthermore, in conjunction with Astro’s 30th anniversary, all subscribers will enjoy complimentary access to the full channel lineup, including Premier League coverage, until Sept 16.
Building on Astro’s diverse sports content ecosystem, from pitchside coverage to exclusive player interviews, the company introduced its latest offering, a local football-themed drama series titled PL, I Love You.
Premiering on Sept 30 on the Astro Ria channel, the fresh drama series will explore the football fandom culture. It also follows the success of the reality show From KL To PL, which first aired in 2023 and saw local celebrities visit iconic English stadiums.
The latest offering marks the third collaboration with the league for the company’s television content, Rosario said.
She noted that the drama format offers a more memorable experience while giving fans new ways to connect with the Premier League.
“This drama is really about the fandom and the traditions of the Premier League that a lot of people don't know about, and gives audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the game.
“Ultimately, we wanted to show how it has captured the hearts of Malaysians.”
She added that the show aims to entertain current supporters while drawing in new fans by highlighting the rich passion and traditions of the Premier League.
Looking ahead, Rozario said Astro will continue bringing fans together through watch parties and on-ground engagements across the country.
For more information, visit Astro’s website.
