Radio Televisyen Malaysia, better known as RTM, is set to end its long-running presence on Astro this July, marking the close of a partnership that has lasted for almost three decades. For many Malaysian households, this is quite a notable change because TV1, TV2, and later Okey have been available through Astro for so long that their presence on the platform almost felt permanent.

According to a report by the New Straits Times, RTM confirmed the decision through a circular dated 11 May. The broadcaster stated that the decision was made after both RTM and Astro faced difficulties in reaching a pricing arrangement and contract terms that worked for both sides. As a result, RTM will stop carrying its channels on Astro's satellite and OTT platforms from 1 July 2026.

Why RTM Is Ending Its Astro Carriage

At the heart of the decision appears to be cost. RTM explained that the rising rental cost for channel carriage had become increasingly difficult to manage. For a public broadcaster, especially one that needs to balance national service obligations with operating costs, that kind of recurring expense can become harder to justify over time.

The affected channels are TV1-HD, TV2-HD, and Okey. These are not niche channels either. TV1 and TV2 are among Malaysia's most recognisable free-to-air television channels, while Okey has served as an additional RTM platform for selected entertainment, community, and informational programming.

RTM's position is fairly straightforward. If the cost of leasing channel space continues to rise and becomes difficult to control, the broadcaster would rather redirect its focus to platforms where it can continue reaching viewers without carrying the same financial burden. In today's media landscape, where viewers are spread across digital TV, apps, streaming platforms, and online video, this decision also reflects how traditional carriage agreements are becoming more complex.

A Partnership That Began In The 1990s

RTM and Astro first began working together in 1996, when TV1 and TV2 were made available through the pay-TV platform. That was a major period of change for Malaysian television, as Astro introduced satellite pay-TV into more households and changed how many viewers accessed entertainment, news, sports, and general programming.

The collaboration later expanded in 2009 with the inclusion of Okey. Before becoming Okey, the channel had earlier identities such as Muzik Aktif and TVi, which reflected RTM's effort to create more targeted programming beyond its two main television channels.

Over the years, the relationship between RTM and Astro was not limited only to channel distribution. RTM also mentioned that the collaboration included several joint production efforts. These kinds of partnerships helped extend RTM's reach while giving Astro subscribers easier access to public broadcasting content alongside commercial and premium channels.

What This Means For Astro Viewers

The biggest impact will likely be felt by Astro users who rely on the platform as their main way to watch RTM channels. Some households may not have a digital UHF antenna installed, especially if they have used Astro as their all-in-one television source for many years.

For these viewers, the removal of RTM channels from Astro means they may need to use another method to continue watching TV1, TV2, and Okey. This is especially relevant for viewers who still follow RTM for national news, government announcements, local programmes, sports coverage, religious content, and public interest broadcasts.

However, RTM is not disappearing from Malaysian screens. The channels are only leaving Astro's platform. Viewers will still have several other ways to access RTM content, depending on their setup and viewing preference.

RTM Will Still Be Available Through Other Platforms

RTM Klik remains one of the most direct alternatives. It is RTM's official streaming platform and mobile app, available for Android and iOS users. Through RTM Klik, viewers can stream RTM television channels, listen to radio stations, and watch selected live events. For users who are already comfortable watching content through smartphones, tablets, or smart TVs, this may be the easiest option.

Unifi TV will also continue to carry RTM content as RTM's official pay-TV partner. This makes Unifi TV an important platform for viewers who still prefer a managed TV service rather than relying fully on apps or over-the-air reception.

MYTV Broadcasting is another major option, especially because it provides free-to-air digital television coverage through terrestrial transmission. Viewers with compatible digital televisions or MYTV decoders can continue watching RTM channels without needing a pay-TV subscription. However, households may need a proper digital UHF antenna depending on their location and signal strength.

RTM also continues to use its digital platforms, including the Berita RTM portal and official YouTube channels. These platforms are particularly useful for news clips, selected live streams, catch-up content, and online updates. This shows how RTM is no longer dependent on one single distribution channel to reach audiences.

The Timing Is Particularly Interesting

This move comes at an interesting time because RTM and Unifi TV were recently announced as Malaysia's official broadcasters for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Under that arrangement, all 104 matches are expected to be shown live on Unifi TV, while RTM will broadcast most matches either live or delayed through free-to-air television and its digital platforms.

That announcement already attracted attention because it marked the first time in around two decades that Astro did not secure Malaysia's main World Cup broadcast rights. For many Malaysian football fans, Astro has long been associated with major international sports coverage, especially large tournaments such as the World Cup.

Astro later confirmed that it was still in discussions with rights holders to carry matches from the tournament, even though it had not secured the main broadcasting rights package. With RTM now also leaving Astro's platform, the broader picture suggests a shifting media environment where content rights, platform partnerships, and distribution costs are becoming more competitive and less predictable.

A Sign Of Changing Viewing Habits

RTM's decision also reflects a bigger change in how Malaysians consume television. In the past, being carried on a major pay-TV platform was one of the most effective ways for a broadcaster to reach viewers. Today, audiences are more fragmented. Some still use satellite TV, some use Unifi TV, some rely on MYTV, while others watch everything through apps and online platforms.

For RTM, the challenge is to remain accessible while controlling costs. As a national broadcaster, it has a public service role that is different from a purely commercial media company. It needs to ensure that important content remains available to the public, but it also has to manage the financial reality of distribution.

For Astro, the loss of RTM channels may not affect every subscriber equally, but it does remove long-standing free-to-air channels that many viewers were used to seeing as part of the Astro experience. It also comes during a period when Astro is facing stronger competition from streaming services, telco TV platforms, and online content providers.

Final Thoughts

RTM's exit from Astro is more than just a channel lineup change. It marks the end of a long relationship that started during a very different era of Malaysian television. When RTM first joined Astro's platform in the 1990s, satellite TV was still a major step forward for local viewers. Nearly 30 years later, the way people watch television has changed completely.

The decision appears to be driven mainly by cost and contract considerations, but it also points to a wider shift in the industry. Broadcasters now have more ways to reach audiences directly, whether through digital terrestrial TV, official apps, online portals, YouTube, or partnerships with other pay-TV providers. At the same time, viewers are becoming more flexible in how they access content.

For Astro subscribers who regularly watch RTM channels, this change may require some adjustment after July 2026. However, RTM's content will still remain available through other platforms, especially RTM Klik, MYTV, Unifi TV, and RTM's online channels. The bigger story here is that Malaysian broadcasting is continuing to move away from a single-platform model and toward a more scattered, digital-first environment where content availability depends increasingly on cost, rights, and platform strategy.