Malaysian sports fans now have another convenient way to follow the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with RTM's dedicated sports channel Sukan+ officially joining Astro on Channel 806. The addition is part of a wider expansion of the renewed partnership between Astro and Radio Televisyen Malaysia. Alongside Sukan+, Astro has also introduced Berita RTM on Channel 505 and restored several RTM radio stations to its platform, giving viewers and listeners broader access to public-service news, sports and community programming.
The timing is particularly significant because RTM is Malaysia's official broadcaster for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which runs in Scotland from 23 July to 2 August 2026.
Sukan+ Becomes Astro's Main RTM Sports Channel
Sukan+ is now available to Astro customers on Channel 806, serving as the main RTM channel for coverage of the Commonwealth Games.
Rather than creating a temporary event-only channel, Astro is adding RTM's existing sports service to its wider channel lineup. This means Sukan+ can continue carrying other Malaysian and international sporting events even after the Games conclude.
Astro's expanded RTM television lineup now consists of:
Berita RTM operates as RTM's dedicated news service, while Sukan+ focuses on live sports, event coverage, sports analysis and related programming. Their arrival increases the number of RTM television channels carried by Astro from three to five.
Glasgow 2026 Brings a More Compact Commonwealth Games
The 2026 Commonwealth Games is taking place across four main venue clusters in Glasgow, 12 years after the Scottish city hosted the 2014 edition.
This edition features a more compact programme built around 10 sports, including athletics, swimming, artistic gymnastics, boxing, judo, netball, track cycling, lawn bowls, weightlifting and 3x3 basketball. Six of the sports also include fully integrated Para events.
Approximately 3,000 athletes from as many as 74 Commonwealth nations and territories are expected to participate. The competition is concentrated within an eight-mile area, using venues including Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Scottish Event Campus and the Glasgow International Arena.
Although the sporting programme is smaller than some previous editions, the compact structure is intended to keep the competition active throughout the day while reducing the cost and complexity of hosting such a large international event.
Almost 100 Hours of Coverage for Malaysian Viewers
RTM says it will provide almost 100 hours of Commonwealth Games programming, covering the opening and closing ceremonies, live sporting action, daily reports and dedicated highlights.
The main daily coverage is divided into two broadcast sessions to account for the time difference between Malaysia and Scotland.
The first session runs from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Malaysian time, beginning on 24 July and continuing until 2 August. The second session is scheduled from 1:00 AM to 4:00 AM, beginning on 25 July and ending on 2 August.
A separate one-hour highlights programme will also be shown daily from 25 July until 3 August, allowing viewers who cannot stay awake for the early-morning action to catch up on important results and Malaysian performances.
The opening ceremony coverage was scheduled from 2:30 AM to 5:30 AM on 24 July through Sukan+, reflecting Glasgow's evening timing and Malaysia's early-morning time zone.
Malaysia Sends 59 Athletes to Glasgow
Malaysia's Glasgow 2026 contingent consists of 59 athletes, including 37 able-bodied athletes and 22 Para athletes. They are competing in 64 events across eight sports.
Malaysia is participating in:
The national contingent has set a target of five gold, two silver and four bronze medals, based on the athletes' recent performances and prospects across the selected events.
With Para sport fully integrated into the Glasgow programme, viewers will be able to follow both able-bodied and Para athletes through the same broadcast coverage rather than treating the events as separate competitions.
Astro Is Only One of Several Ways to Watch
The arrival of Sukan+ on Astro does not make the platform the exclusive destination for RTM's Commonwealth Games coverage.
Malaysians can also access Sukan+ through MYTV Channel 111, while online coverage is available through the RTMKlik application and website. RTM is additionally distributing selected updates and content through its official social-media platforms.
This gives viewers several options depending on the devices and television services available to them:
Astro customers can tune in to Sukan+ on Channel 806, while terrestrial television viewers can access the channel through MYTV. Those watching on a smartphone, tablet or computer can use RTMKlik.
The multi-platform approach is particularly useful for events held in a different time zone. Someone may watch an evening session on television, follow an overnight event through a mobile device and later view highlights through RTMKlik.
RTM Radio Stations Also Return to Astro
The expanded partnership also restores seven RTM radio services to Astro from 23 July 2026.
The returning stations are:
These stations serve different languages, regions and communities across Malaysia. Their restoration gives Astro users access to a wider selection of news, music, cultural programming and community broadcasts directly through their television receivers.
The radio additions are not directly limited to the Commonwealth Games, but they form part of the broader agreement to make more RTM content accessible through Astro.
A Partnership That Nearly Ended After 30 Years
The expansion is notable because RTM and Astro appeared to be heading towards a complete separation only a few months earlier.
In May 2026, RTM announced that TV1, TV2 and TV OKEY would be removed from Astro's satellite and digital platforms from 1 July. The planned withdrawal followed difficulties in reaching an agreement over carriage fees, rental costs and contract terms after almost three decades of cooperation.
Astro subsequently informed viewers that the three channels would no longer be available through Astro, NJOI and Sooka once the previous arrangement ended.
However, the situation changed on 26 June when RTM and Astro announced that they had agreed to strengthen and expand their strategic partnership instead.
Under the renewed arrangement, TV1, TV2 and TV OKEY remained available, while both organisations confirmed that Berita RTM, Sukan+ and RTM's radio network would also be introduced to Astro customers.
Neither organisation publicly disclosed the full commercial terms behind the renewed agreement. Their joint announcement instead focused on improving access to trusted public-service content, supporting local content development and building a more sustainable broadcasting ecosystem.
The Agreement Benefits Both RTM and Astro
For RTM, remaining on Astro significantly expands the reach of its public-service programming.
Although RTM already broadcasts through free-to-air television, MYTV and RTMKlik, many Malaysian households use Astro as their primary television interface. Carrying RTM channels on the same decoder means viewers do not need to change devices, antennas or applications to access public broadcaster content.
For Astro, the agreement strengthens its lineup with additional news and sports programming at a time when viewers increasingly expect major events to be available across both television and streaming services.
Sukan+ is especially valuable during major international competitions. Its addition gives Astro customers access to RTM's Commonwealth Games presentation while allowing Astro to expand its sports offering without creating a completely separate broadcast operation.
Berita RTM provides similar value by adding another Malaysian news channel alongside Astro's existing news services.
Why Public-Service Channels Still Matter on Pay Television
It may seem unusual for free-to-air government channels to be carried through a subscription television provider, but the arrangement remains important for accessibility.
Many homes rely on a single Astro decoder connected to the main television. Removing RTM channels would mean those households might need to switch to MYTV, install another antenna or use an internet-connected application to continue watching the same content.
Maintaining RTM channels on Astro ensures that public announcements, national events, emergency information, educational programming and major sporting competitions remain available through a platform already used by millions of viewers.
It also demonstrates that free-to-air and subscription television do not necessarily have to operate as direct competitors. Both can serve different distribution needs while carrying the same public-interest content.
RTMKlik Is Becoming a Bigger Part of RTM's Strategy
The Glasgow 2026 coverage also highlights the growing importance of RTMKlik.
RTM has been expanding the platform as its central digital destination for live television, radio and catch-up programming. Its successful use during other major sporting events has shown that the broadcaster is increasingly capable of reaching viewers beyond traditional terrestrial television.
For younger viewers and Malaysians watching away from home, an internet-based service may be more convenient than a fixed television channel. RTMKlik also allows viewers to move between devices and, where available, revisit programmes that they missed during the original broadcast.
However, conventional television remains important for viewers with limited internet connectivity, older audiences and households that prefer watching major events together on a larger screen. Carrying Sukan+ on both Astro and MYTV therefore gives RTM a more balanced national distribution strategy.
Final Thoughts
The arrival of Sukan+ and Berita RTM on Astro represents more than a temporary arrangement for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
It marks a significant expansion of the relationship between Malaysia's public broadcaster and its largest subscription television provider, only weeks after the two appeared ready to end their long-running partnership.
For sports fans, the immediate benefit is straightforward: Sukan+ on Astro Channel 806 provides another convenient way to follow Malaysia's athletes throughout the Games. Berita RTM and the returning radio stations meanwhile add more news, cultural and community programming to the platform.
More importantly, the agreement gives Malaysians greater flexibility. Viewers can follow the Commonwealth Games through Astro, MYTV, RTMKlik or RTM's digital channels, choosing whichever platform best suits their location and viewing habits.
As television audiences become increasingly divided between satellite, terrestrial broadcasting and streaming, this type of collaboration may offer a practical model for keeping nationally important content widely accessible.
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