Create Your Own Astro TV Streaming App – A Step-by-Step Guide

All-Asian Satellite Television and Radio Operator or Astro is a leading satellite television, streaming television, and IPTV provider in Malaysia and Brunei. It operates from All Asia Broadcast Centre in Kuala Lumpur and MEASAT in Cyberjaya.  

In 2016, Astro achieved 71% penetration in Malaysia. And it has grown only stronger from there. Hence, in 2024, Astro STB is a crucial platform for streaming services looking to make it big in the Asian markets.     

In this blog, we will tell you about Astro Set Top Boxes and Astro TV Apps in detail. We will discuss the steps you need to follow to create your own Astro TV app, along with cost, key features, and other details. So, let’s get started!

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Understanding the Astro Set Top Boxes

Astro has consistently evolved its set-top box technology in the last few years. Its latest models deliver enhanced viewing experiences. Let’s take a closer look at the evolution of these set-top boxes. 

Evolution of Astro Set-Top Boxes

Astro’s set-top box journey can be divided into three phases:

• Early Days: These set-top boxes were initially manufactured by Nokia and Philips. At that time, these boxes offered basic cable TV services.
• Astro B.yond Era: Astro soon introduced Atro B.yond with advanced features like PVR, HD channels, and interactive services. Pace and Technicolor were the primary manufacturers of these boxes.
• Current Generation: After Samsung took over the manufacturing, models like the Ulti Box and Ultra Box came up. These boxes offer 4K UHD, cloud recording, and seamless user interface.

Key Features and Benefits

Modern Astro set-top boxes come with multiple key features and benefits, like:

• HD and Ultra HD capabilities for stunning picture quality.
• Personal Video Recorder or PVR which allows users to record, pause, and rewind live TV.
• Video on Demand streaming and access to a vast library of movies, TV shows, and other content.
• Cloud Recording of programs for later viewing.
• Interactive features like games, polls, and other interactive experiences.
• User-friendly interface with intuitive navigation and easy access to content.

Popular Astro Set Top Box Models

While specific models may change over time, Astro has consistently offered popular options like:

• Astro Ulti Box: This box comes with a sleek design and advanced features.
• Asttro Ultra Boxes V1 and V2: Emphasizes 4K UHD capabilities and plug-and-play convenience.

Astro STB Hardware Specifications

Astro TV Apps

Astro’s set-top boxes often come pre-loaded with a selection of apps. While the exact lineup can vary based on the box model and subscription package, here are some common apps you might find:

Popular Apps on Astro Set-Top Boxes

1. Video Streaming Apps:
   • Netflix
   • Disney+ Hotstar
   • YouTube
   • iQiyi
2. Music Streaming Apps:
   • Spotify
   • Joox

Why You Should Create An Astro TV App   

Creating an app for Astro TV can be a strategic move for a streaming business due to several compelling reasons:

1. Vast Audience Reach:

• Astro enjoys a huge subscriber base. This subscriber base can become a ready-made audience for your content.
• Astro caters to a wide range of demographics, especially in the Asian continent. Hence it allows you to reach different audience segments.

2. Enhanced User Experience:

• Most of the Astro TV apps offer a seamless user experience if they are created specifically for the Astro ecosystem. 
• Users can easily access your content on their TVs, enhancing convenience.

3. Monetization Opportunities:

• You can offer premium content or exclusive features through this app. You can charge subscription fees for this content. 
• Generate revenue through in-app advertising.
• You can also let users purchase content or merchandise directly through the app.

4. Data Collection and Insights:

• Gather valuable data on user preferences, viewing habits, and demographics.
• Use this data to refine your content strategy and improve user engagement.

5. Competitive Advantage:

• Stand out from competitors by offering a dedicated app on Astro.
• Early adoption can help you establish a strong foothold in the market.

Steps to Create Your Own Astro TV App

Since it is an HTML5-based app, it merely requires a web domain to sideload the URL via their WPE Browser. At Muvi, we help you create your own Astro TV app without any coding or tech team. We follow the below-given process for creating your Astro TV App:

1. We’ll request you to provide us with some application-related details. These details will typically include the app name, metadata, logo, and others. We will send you a form that you need to fill out. 
2. After receiving the details, we create a web-based application with the supported Astro RCU key codes.
3. This web-based application is then hosted on a custom or shared server.
4. We use the WPE Webkit browser to side-load the application on the Astro TV by specifying the application URL.

Please note that it won’t be available under the App Dashboard. So, if you want to raise a request for this app please click here. Our sales team will get in touch with you as soon as we receive your message. 

Click here to know more. 

How Much Will It Cost?

If you are developing your app using Muvi One, you don’t need to invest thousands of dollars. You will need to pay just $499/month for this app. 

How To Publish Your Astro TV App?

After we finish building your app, we will share a hosted URL with the Astro team. They will use it as a staging app in the Astro TV Apps Dev section until the app is deployed.

The Astro team will then verify the staging app in a series of phases until the application is faultless enough to go live.

Here, please note that publishing functionality lies with you and Astro Team. The Astro team will provide you an application integration guideline document, which is supposed to be confidential. 

This document will contain information including the hardware specification, supported fonts, supported languages, native APIs for testing various functionalities, STB memory usage, the application debugging process, and so on.

Key Features of Astro TV Apps

Astro TV apps typically incorporate features that enhance user experience and engagement. Some of the key features include:

• Real-time broadcast of TV channels with ad-support.
• HD and UHD support for improved visual quality.
• Easy-to-use interface with clear menus and options.
• Access to a library of movies, TV shows, and other content.
• Ability to watch missed programs within a certain period.
• Electronic Program Guide or EPG
• Efficient search for content based on titles, genres, or actors.
• Personalized recommendations based on viewing history and preferences.
• Simultaneous streaming on multiple devices.
• Store recorded programs in the cloud for later viewing.
• Parental controls for safeguarding content for children.

To Sum Up

Astro set-top boxes enjoy high user penetration and popularity among users in the Asian continent, specifically in countries like Malaysia and Brunei. So, an Astro TV streaming app is extremely crucial if you want to take an edge over your competitors in these regions. 

With the help of Muvi One, you can easily create your own branded Astro TV app without any major investment or IT team. Just click here to request an Astro TV app, and our team will get back to you as soon as possible!