MUMBAI: Thomson, the provider in digital video technologies, has entered into an agreement with Astro, the satellite TV operator in Malaysia to provide a new set-top box with digital video recorder. 

At present, Thomson is providing Astro with an entry-level digital satellite TV set-top box in support of the operator's ongoing customer acquisition programme. The new Thomson set-top box will enable Astro to launch Malaysia's first DVR service, according to an official release.

The deal to provide the new set-top box with digital video recorder coupled with an extension to the existing contract for entry-level set-top boxes is the fruit of Thomson's commitment to broaden both its media and entertainment product offering and client base globally including in the Asia Pacific region.

Thomson technology to help drive Astro's growth strategy

With over 1.8 million residential TV subscribers across Malaysia, Astro is the largest multi-channel TV business in Asia, outside Japan. The company is continuing to increase subscriber numbers by extending the content and services it provides customers.

The new Thomson set-top box will enable Astro to launch the DVR service. In addition to the recording functionality, advanced features such as pausing or rewinding live TV, will give Astro subscribers greater control, choice and flexibility over what they watch and when, than ever before. Customer acquisition is a priority for Astro and Thomson's set-top box expertise and technology will provide it with fully-featured products to help the operator achieve its new subscriber targets and tap new revenue streams, informs the release.

"We are very excited to be launching the new DVR technology in Malaysia, re-enforcing our position of product innovator in the television domain. The continued expansion of our subscriber base in Malaysia is testament to the quality and variety of programmes and services we offer and the new generation platform is a perfect example of our desire to lead the field. We are very pleased to renew our long term partnership with Thomson drawing on its innovations, expertise and proven international track record." said Astro Group COO David Butorac."We are delighted to have achieved yet another milestone as Astro's lead supplier for set-top boxes," said Thomson CEO Satellite, Terrestrial and Cable Business unit Koen Van Driel. 

"In selecting our DVR solution, Astro has demonstrated its confidence in Thomson's ability to bring advanced content-delivery platforms to market. When taken with our agreements with major operators in the region such as Starhub in Singapore, AUSTAR in Australia and Tata Sky in India , this contract places Thomson at the forefront of the Asia-Pacific set-top box market," he concluded.