Tag Archives: Video Streaming

Netflix Is Getting More Expensive. Here’s What You Need to Know

November 16, 2024 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Popular streaming service Netflix just got a lot more pricey for Malaysians. Netflix has adjusted its plans for the Malaysian market across the board. The adjustment comes nearly a year after the increase of subscription prices in the U.S..

Source: Pexels

In Malaysia, the prices are increasing by about 10% across the board. The Mobile only plan will now set you back RM18.90 which is an RM1.90 increase from the previous pricing of RM17.00. The same RM1.90 increase also applies to the Basic plan which was priced at RM28.00 and is now RM29.90. The Standard plan is now priced at RM49.90 which is an RM4.90 increase of its previous price of RM45. The Premium plan sees an increase of RM7.90 from RM55.00 to RM62.90.

Screenshot 2024 11 15 at 22 36 48 Netflix — *Screenshot of Netflix Sign Up Page taken on 15 November 2024.*

This will be the second price adjustment for Netflix in Malaysia since its launch in 2016. The service revised its Standard plan price to RM28.00 in 2023. When the service launched, it introduced three plans at RM33.00 (Basic), RM41.00 (Standard) and RM51.00 (Premium). In 2019, the Mobile plan was introduced for RM17.00.

What Happens to My Subscription?

With the revision of the prices, there have been many users second guessing their decisions to subscribe to Netflix. However, it’s worth noting that if you are subscribed to Netflix directly, the service has indicated that any changes in pricing will be communicated in black and white through email a month before it goes into effect. At the time of writing, none of the writers and editors at techENT or their peers have received the email.

However, it seems like those who are already subscribed to bundles from Astro and Unifi TV will be seeing an increase in their prices in due time. Astro has confirmed that existing subscribers will not see a change in their subscription pricing until March 2025. There is no official word from Unifi TV yet. However, it has been reported that prices will be changing as of 21 November 2024. New subscribers regardless of how they are subscribed will be paying the newly adjusted prices.

There’s good news for those subscribed to Netflix with an extra member slot, you will continue to enjoy your plans at RM13.

Why is Netflix Increasing Its Prices?

Netflix has not officially commented on the price increase. However, according to their FAQ, the service regularly revises its pricing to adjust to current market conditions and address taxes which may be levied by local governments. This means that the company is adjusting to address inflation among other market realities including exchange rates.

However, it is more likely that Netflix is increasing their prices to address the increasing cost of maintaining their servers and also production costs for their original slate of programming. In Malaysia and Asia at large, this slate has expanded significantly since Netflix started out.

It’s also worth noting that Netflix pays licensing fees for shows on its service. Increase in these fees over the past few years and the rise in the number of competitors both internationally and locally will drive up pricing as marketing and licensing fees increase.

So, will you be continuing your subscription to Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!

Entertainment, Gaming

From Pixels to Primetime: Minecraft Blocks its Way to Netflix

June 1, 2024 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

The trend of video game adaptations continues to gain momentum, with the iconic sandbox phenomenon Minecraft being the latest to join the ranks. Buckle up, block-loving fans, because an animated Minecraft series is officially in the works at Netflix!

This exciting announcement comes hot on the heels of successful video game adaptations like Netflix’s own “The Witcher” and “Arcane” on the same platform. It seems the lines between gaming and mainstream entertainment are blurring faster than a Steve sprinting away from a Creeper.

Minecraft, developed by Mojang Studios and acquired by Microsoft in 2014, boasts a unique, blocky aesthetic and a focus on creativity and exploration. It’s no surprise this beloved title has captivated players for over a decade, selling a staggering 238 million copies as of 2023.

The upcoming Netflix series will be an original story featuring new characters, all set within the familiar world of Minecraft. The animation will be handled by WildBrain, the studio behind popular shows like “Carmen Sandiego” and “Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu.” Details about the plot, characters, and release date are still under wraps, but one thing’s for sure: this is a major move for the Minecraft franchise and a potential game-changer for the animated series landscape.

Minecraft Series | Official Announcement | Netflix

However, not everyone is celebrating with a bucket of lava and a diamond pickaxe. Some have expressed concerns about the timing of this announcement. Minecraft’s core audience skews younger, and some viewers worry that a Netflix series might not capture the essence of a game known for its open-ended creativity and player-driven experiences.

Despite the concerns, the potential of a Minecraft series is undeniable. In the right hands, it could introduce a whole new generation of players to the joys of building, exploring, and battling creepers. Only time will tell if this adaptation lives up to the hype, but one thing’s for certain: the blocky world of Minecraft is about to take centre stage on Netflix.

Editorial, Lifestyle

3 Shows You Should Be Watching This September

September 3, 2023 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

August has come and gone… and with the strikes happening in the U.S., it can seem like there’s not many things that you can add to your watchlist – whether it’s offline or on one of the growing number of streaming platforms. But, don’t be down in the dumps, we’ve got a rundown of a few shows that should be on your watchlist, if they aren’t already.

1. Wheel Of Time (Amazon Prime Video)

If you missed the first season, what have you doing with yourself!? This is arguably one of the best epic high fantasy series on streaming right now. The series is based on a series of 15 books called “The Wheel of Time” and follows a group of young people, an Aes Sedai and her warder as they try to stave off the Dark One.

WOFT S2 UT THIJAN 00136 1 700 jpg — Source: Amazon Prime Video

Season 2 picks off where Season 1 left off with our main characters scattered to the winds as the end of the world quickly approaches. After the events that happened in Fal Dara, we see Nynaeve and Egwene learning the ways of the Aes Sedai while maneuvering the politics that have seeped into the White Tower. Meanwhile, Moirraine and Lan are in a remote hillside as she learns to navigate the realities of being sealed off from the Source. Her inner turmoil straining the bond between her and Lan. Perrin continues the search for Padan Fain as he seeks revenge for the death Fain has wrought.

While all of this is happening, we are left with the threads from season 1’s finale as new, unknown forces have begun to invade from the ocean. Don’t forget, the Dark One is still out there.

The Wheel of Time Season 2 - Official Trailer | Prime Video

Season 2 kicks off on September 1, 2023 with 3 episodes being released simultaneously on Amazon Prime Video. The season will consist of 8 episodes in total. The series stars Josha Stradowski, Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn as Mat Cauthon, and Ceara Coveney.

2. One Piece Live Action (Netflix)

Based on the popular manga and anime series, One Piece brings the adventures of Luffy and band of misfit pirates into live action. The series follows Monkey D Luffy as he quests to find the “One Piece” to become king of the pirates. Luffy’s journey begins in the East Blue Sea, driven by a quest to uncover the legendary “One Piece,” the ultimate treasure left behind by the late King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. His ambition is to claim the title of Pirate King for himself. To achieve this, Luffy seeks to build his own crew, known as the Straw Hat Pirates. Along the way, they are joined by a diverse group of individuals, each with their own unique talents and quirks.

ONEPIECE 108 Unit 00389R2C — (Source: Netflix) One Piece. (L to R) Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp, Mackenyu Arata as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Taz Skylar as Sanji in episode 108 of One Piece. Cr. Casey Crafford/Netflix © 2023

Their journey is anything but ordinary as they cross paths with fellow pirates, bounty hunters, criminal organizations, and revolutionaries. They also face off against enigmatic scientists, soldiers of the morally ambiguous World Government, and a host of both allies and adversaries. As they navigate the vast seas, they inch closer to realizing their dreams and ambitions.

“One Piece” is a tale of adventure, friendship, and the pursuit of one’s destiny, offering a rich and immersive world that continues to captivate audiences around the globe. But then again… you already knew this… right

The series stars Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero and Taz Skylar.

3. Ahsoka (Disney+ Hotstar)

Star Wars fans will undoubtedly already be devouring this series. The new series in the Star Wars franchise follows one of the most popular characters to come from its animated Clone Wars series – Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan.

474f926e650463ed1c40ab1682889de2 4096x2725 60118200.jpeg — Source: Disney+ Hotstar

Having forsaken the Jedi order after the events of the Clone Wars and slowly become a figurehead in Rebel movement, Ahsoka finds herself looking into an emerging threat after the fall of the Empire.

The series premiered back in August and stars Rosario Dawson as the titular character.

Lifestyle, News

Astro Expands OTT Content Selection with Qalbox Partnership

August 7, 2023 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Astro – Malaysia’s largest satellite TV provider – has been diversifying its offerings with partnerships with OTT providers like Netflix and Disney+. These partnerships have seen an increasingly diverse pool of content offered to subscribers via its Ultra Box and Ulti Box. The latest to join that pool is Qalbox.

Photo 1 From left to right Co CEOs of Bitsmedia Nik Emir Din and Fara Abdullah together with Astro Director of Content Agnes Rozario and Group Chief Financial Officer Shafiq Abdul Jabbar — (Source: Astro/Muslim Pro) From left to right Co CEOs of Bitsmedia Nik Emir Din and Fara Abdullah together with Astro Director of Content Agnes Rozario and Group Chief Financial Officer Shafiq Abdul Jabbar

Qalbox is a streaming service by Muslim Pro. The app offers diverse, global content catered to Muslims of all ages. The app will provide an even more diverse, global view for Muslims in our increasingly globalised world that will complement existing channels like Al-Jazeera, Al-Hijrah, Naura and Astro Oasis.

The app, like other apps offered on Astro’s Ultra and Ulti Boxes, will be available on the home screen of the updated interface for the Ultra and Ulti Boxes. Astro subscribers with the Ultra and Ulti box will enjoy a complimentary 2-month subscription to Qalbox starting from July 27, 2023, until September 26, 2023. After this period, it will cost MYR12.90 a month to subscribe.

646ac76dac9f7050e29d3afd Shafiq Abdul Jabbar — Source: Astro

“We are excited to announce Muslim Pro’s Qalbox on our platform, further enriching our suite of the best global streaming apps. Our Muslim viewers can enjoy Muslim-centric content with the addition of over 1,000 hours of Qalbox’s SVOD content available for streaming on our Ultra and Ulti Boxes. We now have compelling content from 12 streaming apps, including our own Astro GO app, which is complimentary to all customers…”

Shafiq Abdul Jabbar, Group Chief Financial Officer, Astro

The announcement comes on the heels of Astro’s big content showcase where the company showcased their upcoming content and new collaborations in a two-hour spectacular show that was live-streamed on YouTube and on Astro’s Gempak channel. The showcase was directed by renowned Malaysian thespian, Puan Sri Tiara Jaquelina.

Lifestyle

Of Heartbreaks And Reunions – This New iQIYI Drama Has It All

July 17, 2023 Rae Lim Leave a comment

If you enjoy Chinese dramas centred around the theme of a ‘young couple separated when they were younger and falling in love again a decade later,’ then you are in for a treat!

iQIYI’s latest and hottest Chinese drama, Fireworks of My Heart (我的人间烟火), features popular star Yang Yang (杨洋) playing the role of a firefighter, Song Yan, along with Wang Churan (王楚然) as a doctor in the emergency department, Xu Qin.

Fireworks of my Heart Unit Still 15EN Courtesy of iQIYI 1

Fireworks of my Heart Unit Still 08EN Courtesy of iQIYI

Fireworks of my Heart Unit Still 40EN Courtesy of iQIYI

In the drama, Yang Yang’s character Song Yan is a tough, passionate firefighter that offers disaster relief to people in need. On the other hand, Wang Churan plays the role of emergency doctor Xu Qin, who is burdened by the weight of familial expectations.

Forced apart by opposition from their families, the star-crossed lovers are reunited through their work 10 years later. Song Yan and Xu Qin work together to save the lives of others. It’s during this time they gradually clear the years of misunderstandings between them reigniting what was once lost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v5FP8JJycg

The drama also features other famous stars like Ian Wang (王彦霖), Wei Daxun (魏大勋), and Yang Chaoyue (杨超越).

Fireworks of my Heart Poster Ian Wang Courtesy of iQIYI

Fireworks of my Heart Poster Wei Daxun Courtesy of iQIYI

Fireworks of my Heart Poster Yang Chaoyue Courtesy of iQIYI

You can watch Fireworks of My Heart on iQIYI now for free. A Premium VIP plan for iQIYI gets you ad-free streaming, early access to episodes and more for as low as MYR6.90 with an enticing 40% off the original MYR16.90 price. You can get even more discounts when you pay using Touch N’ Go EWallet.

In addition to Fireworks of My Heart, you’ll also be able to watch iQIYI’s growing library of local, Malaysian content which includes shows like “Sorry Naik Lorry”, “Rampas Cintaku” and its first brand-integrated show with GrabFood – “5-Star Hunter Bersama GrabFood”.

Business, Lifestyle, News

iQIYI’s New Malaysian Show “Sorry Naik Lori” Seamlessly Integrates Branding & Story Telling

October 26, 2022 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

As consumers, we’re being inundated with more content than ever in this day and age. We’ve also become even more discerning, particularly in advertising and branding. What’s more, with the rise of over-the-top (OTT) services like iQIYI, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar, we’ve become even more selective of where we place our time when it comes to consuming media. Realising these trends, iQIYI has partnered with food delivery provider and app, foodpanda, to marry entertainment and branding with their latest series “Sorry Naik Lori”.

The new series is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between iQIYI and food panda in which the two companies worked from the bottom up to integrate foodpanda’s branding and app in the series. This process started with a collaboration between iQIYI, foodpanda and Universal McCann in developing the scripting and concept for the series. In the end, they produced a quintessentially Malaysian tale that tells the story of a husband and wife as they pursue two different versions of success.

“Sorry Naik Lori” follows the misadventures of Khairul, a young lorry driver living in Penang who is averse to Social Media and his wife, Nadia, who dreams of becoming a successful social media influencer. Nadia stumbles upon success when she becomes “ComelPasembur” when a NikNok video of her at her mother’s Pasembur restaurant goes viral. As her following grows, she is approached by a talent agency and decides to pursue her dreams against her husband’s wishes. This forces Khairul to learn to navigate the world of social media as he tries to keep his marriage alive while Nadia is forced to hide her marriage in pursuit of social media stardom.

The series also integrates a foodpanda rider, Talib, played by Tajul. The character not only plays a role in foodpanda’s brand integration into the series but also helps further the plot and misadventures in the slice-of-life rom-com.

The series is steeped in the Malay culture of Malaysia’s most popular island – Penang. Everything from the mannerisms and dialect used in “Sorry Naik Lori” is infused with typical Penangite flavours. The series stars Nizam Othman as Khairul and Ruhainies as Nadia. They are supported by a notable cast which includes local singer, Tajul, TikToker Ahmad Saffuan, Nafiz Muaz, Sheila Mambo and Asha Zainul.

“Sorry Naik Lori” premieres on 4th November 2022 on iQIYI. iQIYI’s freemium model allows you to enjoy the series for free with ads. However, if you want an uninterrupted viewing experience, you can just sign up for iQIYI’s VIP subscription for as low as MYR11.90.

Lifestyle, News

Astro Moves To Become Your One Stop Entertainment Power House With New Packages and Partnerships

November 11, 2021 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Malaysia’s largest satellite TV provider, Astro, is undergoing a humungous change. It seems like their paradigm on entertainment is changing to be more embracing and forward-thinking. Only recently, the company announced that they will be changing their traditional decoders to the new Ulti Box and the Ultra Box; now Astro is taking a leap forward to turn their set-top box into a living room essential.

astro launch — Launch event Hosted by Astro

While they are still staying true to linear programming with the hundreds of channels already under their belt, Astro is also embracing partnerships with streaming platforms. We already saw the inklings of this with their partnership with Disney+ Hotstar. With their latest announcement, they are embracing even more platforms and giving one of the largest streaming platforms a home on their set-top box. Netflix will now be natively available on Ultra and Ulti boxes with a new software update. The new update is the first to bring native apps to Astro’s platform. They are teasing the availability of more native apps from their partners like iQIYI and Disney+ in the near future.

New Packs and Bundles with App

However, that is only the tip of the iceberg. Together with their big shift, Astro is also revamping their packages. Users don’t have to deal with the confusing mixing and matching that they once had to with Astro’s Superpacks. Instead, the company has revealed more streamlined packages which also include subscriptions to some of the most popular streaming apps.

At the top of the selections, Astro is introducing a new Platinum Pack which will include most of the linear channels available on Astro and subscriptions to Astro Go, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar and HBO GO. The package is priced at MYR219.99. Additional charges apply for Asian Favourites which include Chinese, Indonesian and Indian channels at MYR14.99 for each sub-pack.

Flyer The All New Astro Experienceback — Source: Astro

Below this tier, there is the Entertainment Plus Pack which includes 110 channels covering Korean, Kids, Variety, Horror and Astro Go. It also includes access to Netflix. However, like the Platinum Pack, you will need to top up MYR14.99 for the Asian Favourites sub packs on top of the MYR144.99 cost of the Entertainment Plus Pack. In addition, you can add on other channels including your sports and movie channels for an additional fee starting at MYR14.99 monthly. The Entertainment Pack is a step below with 105 channels covering only the Variety and Kids sub packs without access to Netflix. This is priced at MYR104.99.

Astro’s barebones package is now the Primary Pack which comes with some 90 channels and access to Astro Go for MYR74.99 a month. They also have two combos with the movies and sports sub packs which cost MYR109.99 and MYR104.99 respectively.

Beware the Fineprint

It’s worth noting that aside from Disney+ Hotstar and HBO GO which comes bundled with the Movie Pack, complimentary access to Netflix is limited to the basic HD package of the streaming service. This limits your content to HD resolution with only 2 simultaneous connections. Upgrading to the premium package with Astro will be an addition MYR9.43. Access to the TVB Anywhere+ app is also linked to a subscription to the Chinese sub pack and is limited to HD resolution across 2 simultaneous devices. Access to the iQIYI VIP app is also available for Astro subscribers for an additional fee.

Launch Promos

Astro is having launch promos that bring up to MYR25 in discounts for monthly subscriptions.

A New Satelite-less Experience

Astro wasn’t done with the announcements just yet. It also announced a new plug and play version of the Ultra and Ulti boxes. The new experience removes the need for Astro subscribers to have the now signature satellite dish on their homes. Instead, it will connect to the internet and allow users to have seamless, uninterrupted access to their content – rain or shine.

Lifestyle, Podcast

Tech & Tonic Podcast S02E11 – More Streaming, More Better

Video May 11, 2021 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

This episode is brought to you by Acer. Pre-order your Acer Nitro 5 gaming notebook with AMD’s Ryzen 9 5900HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU from Acer from the 10th May 2021 onward!

In this episode of Tech & Tonic, we discuss the growing number of streaming services. Disney+ Hotstar is finally making its way into Malaysia after a long wait. Disney+ Hotstar joins Malaysia’s long list of streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, Astro Go, iflix, and a few others.

Is having more streaming services a good thing though? Does it still make sense for you to pay for Cable TV services like Astro in Malaysia, especially with certain channels being removed with the introduction of Disney+ Hotstar? Do we need more streaming platforms at this time? Would Disney+ be better than the rest of the platforms?

We discuss this and more in the Tech & Tonic Podcast.

Editorial, News, Podcast

[Podcast] Tech & Tonic S02 Episode 6 – Disney+ is Coming! Is it Going to Be Worth it?

Video March 29, 2021 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Disney+ is coming to Malaysia! Finally, we can watch all the #Marvel series legally. Here is the question though, is it worth subscribing to? Especially with all the services we have already subscribed to. Should we fork out extra money for more contents that we might not even watch?

This is #Disney we are talking about though, they are one of the largest entertainment companies in the world, if not the largest. They are going to have more compelling shows in their catalogue. Is this going to be the case of iflix vs. Netflix again though? Who will emerge the victor in the long run? We don’t know yet. Still we discuss about it and more in Tech & Tonic Podcast Season 2 Episode 6.

News

Netflix Clamping Down on Account Sharing

March 12, 2021 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

A lot of us share accounts when it comes to streaming services. Sometimes it’s with close friends, other times its with family. However, it seems like Netflix isn’t very fond of sharing even though their platform allows up to five profiles in a single user. The company has long been trying to limit account sharing as more and more people seem to be doing it.

In its latest efforts, Netflix seems to be testing out a feature that may make sharing an account more of a hassle. Users who have been sharing accounts are reporting that they are seeing prompts for them to verify the account or sign up for a new account.

https://twitter.com/DOP3Sweet/status/1369395237253222414

In their new effort, it seems like Netflix is trying hard to weed out sharing. In fact, while the practice isn’t illegal, it technically goes against their terms of service – if you don’t reside in the same household. However, the company has acknowledged that the practice is inevitable and a valuable marketing channel. That said, a spokesperson has come on the record to clarify stating, “This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so,”.

It comes as no surprise that Netflix is testing ways to make life a little bit harder for people who are sharing accounts as account piracy has also become increasingly common among Netflix users. If you’ve had your Netflix account compromise, you will be painfully aware that aside from sharing, incidences, where accounts are being accessed by total strangers, are not unheard of.

While it seems like the company is clamping down on “unauthorised” access, the move comes at an interesting time. Disney+ recently reported that their subscriber numbers have surpassed their initial expectations. The new streaming service reported that they are well over 100 million subscribers – something Netflix co-CEO, Reed Hastings, claimed to be impossible in an interview with CNBC.