So, MiTV has launched, after delayed for 3 quarters, thanks to defection of around 20 channels to Astro. It’s the second pay-TV service in the country, many said. In fact, Astro is the second, after to Mega TV, have you forgotten it? So, this third pay-TV service in Malaysia, How many of you have installed it at home ?

Just how well is MiTV going to pose a formidable competition to Astro ? For that, we have to look at its programming as well as pricing. Or do we also have to look at it’s reception and its ability to stand against thunderstorm ?

Judging from the channels, it aptly reflected what MiTV has been claiming… Going regional. Contrast to Astro’s mainly English movies, variety, music, news and documentaries channels, most of what MiTV have are regional. Those soap operas and audience-fooling varietiy shows from Taiwan, shooting and dancing shows from the sub-continent, tear-jerkers touchy sweetie romantic series from neighbouring countries… Remember Thorn of Roses and Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas ? Owh I missed Leo, Christian, Mary Ann and Ara… So cute !

But just how many of you couch potatoes will fork out 68 bucks for that ? Their officials said it’s not uncommon to install two pay-TV services at home. I doubt. I doubt how many of you would subscribe to both simutaneusly. True, both are offering a completely different set of channels. Yet, haven’t you heard many said, Astro have had more than they can ever watched. After all, most people just get Astro for AF, TVB series and footie. MiTV have none of these. While Astro have MTV, MiTV have MTV Indonesia… Good, Peterpan and Melly Goeslow good :-)

In overseas, where there are plenty of pay-TV services, it’s not uncommon for different networks to have overlapping package of channels. Unless Astro holds the exclusive rights to HBO, ESPN, Disney, CNN and Discovery (who gives a damn to CNN or Discovery ?), MiTV will surely sign them up too, as these channels are the staple all around the world, be it Taiwan, Hong Kong, Temasek or USA.

So, if any of you are subscribing it, or have friends who do so, go check out, and tell us what you think. What I can say now is, no disregard to Tan Sri Vincent Tan, but… you want Malaysians to part with their AF and EPL, fat hope laa !