Subscription video on demand (SVOD) entertainment streaming service Qalbox by Muslim Pro, the Singapore-based Muslim content entertainment streaming service provider, has joined forces with Malaysian pay-TV firm Astro to exclusively stream Muslim-focused content in Malaysia.
Astro said in a statement on Thursday that in line with Muslim Pro’s aim of becoming the digital home for all things Muslim, this strategic alliance represents a pivotal moment in the country’s entertainment landscape, offering Astro’s customers an unparalleled selection of enriching Muslim-centric content, elevating the entertainment experience for viewers across the country.
Under this collaboration, Qalbox will be available on all Astro Ultra and Ulti Boxes as an add-on, offering an extensive array of content for the Muslim community.
As part of this strategic partnership, Astro customers who own an Ultra/Ulti Box will enjoy an exclusive two-month complimentary subscription to Qalbox, along with a Muslim Pro subscription, starting from July 27 2023 until September 26 2023.
Since the inception of Qalbox, which is readily accessible within the Muslim Pro app, on web and TV, Muslim Pro has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to investing in the Malaysian market.
Acknowledging the nation’s young and tech-savvy Muslim population and the government’s vision of establishing Malaysia as a tech hub for Islamic content, Muslim Pro launched Qalbox in Kuala Lumpur in December 2022.
The latest collaboration with Astro further strengthens Muslim Pro’s dedication to serving the Muslim community in Malaysia by enhancing accessibility for users.
This partnership enables a more dedicated and seamless experience, ensuring that Muslim-focused content is readily available to a wider audience, enriching the entertainment landscape in Malaysia.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Astro, Malaysia’s leading entertainment provider, to expand Qalbox’s reach and impact within the Malaysian audience,” said Fara Abdullah, co-Chief Executive Officer of Muslim Pro.
She said that through this partnership, the firm’s vision of establishing ourselves as a global Muslim content and entertainment hub and providing a platform for Muslim creatives and filmmakers becomes more concrete.
“With our diverse content offerings, we are confident that Qalbox will deeply resonate with the Malaysian audience, delivering an unparalleled entertainment experience,” she added.
According to the statement, Qalbox continuously aims to showcase Muslim identities and how faith is integrated in everyday lifestyles of Muslims via a comprehensive scope of genres, including iconic feature films, binge-worthy series, enlightening Islamic-focused documentaries, children’s animations, reality TV and much more.
“We are excited to announce Muslim Pro’s Qalbox on our platform, further enriching our suite of the best global streaming apps,” said Shafiq Abdul Jabbar, Astro’s Group Chief Financial Officer.
According to him, the firm’s Muslim viewers can enjoy Muslim-centric content with the addition of over 1,000 hours of Qalbox’s SVOD content available for streaming on its 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,
“We are delighted to have this venture with Muslim Pro, the world’s most popular Muslim lifestyle app, and believe this will further complement Astro’s robust content offering, from Astro Signatures and Astro Originals, to the best in live sport and news, to children’s animation and now the rich diversity of Muslim cultures globally, all within a simple touch of a button, he added.
According to the statement, both Astro and Muslim Pro are dedicated to nurturing a community of entertainment enthusiasts who find joy in culturally diverse and spiritually enriching content.
It said that this partnership is set to redefine entertainment for the Malaysian audience, providing a dedicated space that celebrates Muslim culture and identity within the comfort of their homes.
The Muslim Pro app is a popular Muslim lifestyle app with more than 150 million downloads worldwide in over 190 markets.
Starting in 2010 as a mobile application with a founding ambition of providing accurate prayer times for the Muslim community, Muslim Pro has grown with the evolving needs of its users into a comprehensive app serving millions of users.
The app’s main features support the religious needs of users through its accurate prayer times and tracker, azan (call to prayer), full audio of the Holy Quran, qibla compass, Hijri calendar, zakat (alms) calculation, as well as lifestyle-inspired content such as its stories, inspiration and community features that cater to the diverse interests of the global Muslim community.
Astro is a content and entertainment company, serving 5.5 million homes or 69 percent of Malaysian TV households, 8,600 enterprises, 18 million weekly listeners across FM radio and online, 7.8 million digital monthly unique visitors and 3.3 million shoppers across its TV, radio, digital and commerce platforms.
The firm serves Malaysians with three distinct services – Astro Pay-TV, NJOI Prepaid and sooka, its own over-the-top (OTT) for the millennials; and Astro Fibre, its own broadband service.