KUALA LUMPUR – Euan Daryl Smith is set to succeed outgoing Henry Tan Poh Hock as Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd’s new group chief executive officer from February 1, 2023, onwards.
In a statement, today, the company’s board of directors immediately appointed Smith as group chief executive officer designate with immediate effect as part of Astro’s succession plan.
Smith joined Astro as group chief operating officer and chief executive officer of Pay TV in 2020 and brings with him immense Pay TV experience, having held senior leadership roles in Sky UK and Fox US.
He was a key member of the team that engineered Sky Germany’s successful turnround and was instrumental in helping Foxtel Australia move into the streaming era.
The board is confident that Smith will continue to transform and lead Astro into the future, supported by a strong management team comprising Malaysian and international talent.
“The board wishes to record their deepest appreciation to Tan for his invaluable contribution to the group since 2008.
“Tan has been an inspirational leader to all at Astro, having steered the team through
different phases of the business, achieving several key milestones in the media and entertainment industry.
“An advocate of local content, Tan is best known for transforming local movies into box office sensations, and for building a vault of valuable content and original intellectual property, which is central to Astro’s core,” said group chairman Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz.
Recognising Tan’s invaluable expertise in content, Tunku Ali said he will continue in his role as advisor to strengthen Astro’s content pipeline to serve the group’s businesses and platforms.
“I would like to thank the Astro team whose dedication has been fundamental to achieving many firsts – from the introduction of HD, freemium multi channel NJOI TV, raising the stature of Astro’s own content Signatures and Originals, launching and growing Astro’s education brand Tutor TV to its 5 million reach, to Astro First, Malaysia’s largest in-home cinema – all of which were instrumental in cementing Astro's position as the entertainment destination for Malaysians.
“I am also grateful for all the leaders before me who put the foundations in place and inspired me and the team to achieve many successes in our journey to better serve Malaysians.” said Tan.
Meanwhile, Smith said: “Today’s announcement underscores what has long been a hallmark of Astro — our unwavering embrace of the future.
“I wish to thank the board for the opportunity to lead Astro to the next level, and to Henry for all the support he has offered me as a valued colleague and friend. I look forward to working with him in his new role.
“Team Astro has made great strides over the last two years, including the aggregation of the best global streaming services all in one place, the introduction of a sparkling new, personalised Astro via our hybrid Ultra 4K UHD and Ultra HD boxes, entry into the internet service provider market with Astro Fibre, the launch of our new OTT product, sooka, and many more.
“I believe Astro is now uniquely positioned to maximise the opportunities presented by the ever-changing media and entertainment landscape.” – The Vibes, September 26, 2022
