KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 11): Astro Holdings Bhd expects its business to grow next year on the back of increased revenue from its various operations, reported Bernama.

"The other lines of revenue are sales of content and programming rights not only within Malaysia but in the region," chief executive officer Datuk Rohana Rozhan was quoted as saying at Astro's launch of 10 new channels here today.

Rohana said subscriptions are the main contributor to Astro's revenue, with advertising at between 6% and 7% of total revenue.

On the Goods and Services Tax to be implemented next year, Rohana said it would not affect prices for consumers as it had always been a part of its service charge and the only change would be in the name.

Bernama also reported that Astro chief operating officer Tan Poh Hock as saying that the new channels, which will air from Nov 16, will give customers a choice of over 180 channels.

He added that the company will revise its HD fee to RM25 from RM20 effective Dec 1, the first increase since it was introduced in 2009.

"Today we are enjoyed by 4.2 million households and 16 million viewers nationwide.

"Astro is now the choice of over 60% of Malaysians with our viewers spending two-thirds of their television viewing on Astro," said Tan.