Starhub to drop Discovery channels over price disagreement

The cable company will introduce a lineup of seven new channels by 3 July instead.

Starhub TV will end its broadcast of channels from Discovery in two phases starting 30 June due to failed negotiations between the two companies regarding price increase, an announcement revealed. Following the move, Starhub will launch seven new channels by 3 July.

“Our firm belief is that quality content should come at a sensible price, without our customers having to bear unsustainable increase in costs,” Starhub content business unit head Lee Soo Hui said.

According to Lee, all of the seven new channels will be added to customer subscription groups without additional cost. She added that they will offer bill rebates to customers as a sign of gratitude for their support.

Channels that will be axed from Starhub’s lineup include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery Asia, Discovery Science, Eurosport, and Setanta Sports. The second phase of Discovery’s broadcast cancellation will take effect on 31 August.

For the meantime, customers may access a free preview of over 30 channels from the News, Kids, Education, Entertainment and Lifestyle Basic Groups, until 15 July as the new channels are still undergoing preparation for launch.

The new roster of channel lineup that will be launched by 3 July will include CuriosityStream HD, Travelxp HD, Gusto TV HD, Makeful HD, GEM HD, FIGHT SPORTS HD and COLORS Tamil HD–will be launched progressively in the coming months, commencing from 3 July.