Astro Launches Mango TV, U Panda TV & Pokémon Exclusive Channel This Month

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 OCTOBER 2026 —

Astro Expands Content Offerings with New Chinese Channels and Free Pokémon Pop-Up Channel to Celebrate Franchise’s 30th Anniversary

Astro, Malaysia’s leading satellite television provider, will launch two new Chinese-language channels—Mango TV (Channel 336) and U Panda TV (Channel 337)—on October 1, alongside a free Pokémon Pop-Up Channel (Channel 121) to mark the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise. The moves reflect Astro’s strategy to diversify its content portfolio while capitalising on growing demand for Chinese entertainment and niche programming among Malaysian viewers.

The new channels and Pokémon special channel represent Astro’s latest effort to enhance its subscription value proposition amid rising competition from digital streaming platforms. Mango TV and U Panda TV will operate 24/7, offering subtitles in Chinese, Malay, and English, while the Pokémon Pop-Up Channel will provide free access to over 600 English-dubbed episodes for Astro, NJOI, and Sooka subscribers until December 31, 2026.

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Mango TV and U Panda TV: Expanding Chinese Content for Malaysian Audiences

Astro’s new Mango TV (Channel 336) will focus on contemporary Chinese drama, variety shows, reality programming, and films sourced from Hunan TV and Mango TV. The channel positions itself as a trend-driven destination for fans of modern Chinese entertainment, featuring popular dramas, original variety content, and high-profile reality series. According to Astro, the channel’s programming aligns with current viewer preferences, offering a cultural and entertainment experience distinct from traditional Chinese-language offerings in Malaysia.

Complementing Mango TV, U Panda TV (Channel 337) will cater to family-oriented and factual content, including documentaries on history, culture, travel, nature, cuisine, and lifestyle. The channel’s programming will allow viewers to explore China’s landscapes, traditions, and communities through informative storytelling and documentary formats. Both channels will operate 24 hours a day, ensuring accessibility for subscribers across different time zones.

Astro has not disclosed specific subscriber acquisition targets for the new channels but has highlighted their multilingual subtitling as a key feature to enhance inclusivity. The launch follows a broader industry trend where Malaysian pay-TV providers are expanding Chinese-language content to tap into the growing Malay-Chinese diaspora and younger audiences increasingly consuming digital media.

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Pokémon Pop-Up Channel: A Free Celebration of the Franchise’s Legacy

To commemorate Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, Astro will introduce the Pokémon Pop-Up Channel (Channel 121), the first dedicated Pokémon television channel in Malaysia. The channel will be completely free for all Astro, NJOI, and Sooka subscribers from October 1 to December 31, 2026, with no additional fees required.

Over 600 English-dubbed episodes from 13 series—including Pokémon: Indigo League, Pokémon: The Johto Journeys, Pokémon the Series: XY, Sun & Moon, and Ultimate Journeys—will be broadcast in chronological order, starting with the original series.

The channel will air eight new episodes daily on weekdays, allowing fans to relive iconic moments from the franchise’s history. Subscribers can also access selected episodes on-demand through Astro GO, NJOI, and Sooka platforms, ensuring flexibility in viewing. For those seeking more recent content, Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series (Season 24), available in Malay dub, will continue airing on Astro Ceria (Channel 611) every Thursday and Friday at 3:00 PM.

The Pokémon Pop-Up Channel’s launch underscores Astro’s strategic partnerships with global franchises and its ability to leverage nostalgia-driven content to attract and retain subscribers. The move aligns with Pokémon’s global marketing push, including recent collaborations with Netflix and other streaming platforms, to sustain the franchise’s relevance among younger audiences.

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Astro X3 Entertainment Pack: A Discounted Streaming Alternative

In tandem with the new channels, Astro has introduced a promotional pricing tier for its Astro X3 Entertainment Pack, offering RM39.99 per month (compared to the retail price of RM59.99). The pack includes live streaming and on-demand access without requiring traditional set-top boxes or additional hardware, catering to cord-cutters and digital-first consumers.

Astro has not specified how long the discounted rate will remain in effect but has framed it as part of its efforts to modernise subscriber engagement.

The promotion follows a declining trend in traditional pay-TV subscriptions in Malaysia, where younger demographics increasingly prefer over-the-top (OTT) services. Astro’s move to bundle streaming with traditional TV packages reflects its attempt to retain older subscribers while attracting younger viewers who prioritise flexibility and digital convenience.

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Market and Sector Impact: Competition and Consumer Trends

The launch of Mango TV and U Panda TV comes as Astro faces intensified competition from digital streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and local players like Viu and iStream. While these platforms dominate on-demand and binge-watching, Astro’s linear television model remains a key differentiator for older demographics and families who prefer scheduled programming.

The new Chinese channels could attract Malay-Chinese viewers who may not have previously subscribed to Astro’s mainstream offerings, potentially stabilising subscriber numbers in the short term.

For Pokémon fans, the free Pop-Up Channel presents a unique opportunity to engage with the franchise without additional costs, potentially boosting viewership metrics for Astro. However, the channel’s limited duration (until December 31, 2026) may create short-term interest spikes rather than long-term retention. Astro’s decision to combine free content with promotional pricing suggests a tactical approach to test audience response before potentially expanding similar offerings.

In the broader Malaysian entertainment market, the move signals Astro’s commitment to diversifying its content mix beyond traditional sports and news. The inclusion of Chinese-language programming also reflects cultural sensitivities and demographic shifts, as Malaysia’s Malay-Chinese population continues to grow. However, the success of these channels will depend on viewer adoption rates, which remain uncertain without pre-launch analytics or subscriber projections.

--- Outlook: A Balanced Strategy Amidst Industry Shifts

Astro’s expansion into niche and Chinese-language content, alongside its Pokémon anniversary celebration, positions the company as proactively adapting to evolving consumer habits. While the free Pokémon channel may drive immediate engagement, the long-term viability of Mango TV and U Panda TV will hinge on audience retention and advertising revenue. If these channels fail to attract sufficient viewership, Astro may need to reassess their content strategy or adjust pricing models to remain competitive.

For now, the launches represent a strategic gambit to retain traditional subscribers while courting digital-native audiences. The success of these initiatives will be closely watched by regional pay-TV operators, who are similarly exploring content diversification to counter the rise of global streaming giants.