Astro is expanding its television line-up in Malaysia with two Chinese-language channels and a dedicated Pokémon channel, all launching on 1 October 2026.

Mango TV (CH 336) and U Panda TV (CH 337) will offer different strands of Chinese programming, while the Pokémon Pop-Up Channel (CH 121) will run until 31 December as part of celebrations marking 30 years of the Pokémon franchise.

Mango TV brings together dramas, variety shows, reality programmes and films from Hunan TV and Mango TV. Its schedule focuses on contemporary Chinese entertainment, including original productions and popular drama series.

U Panda TV takes a different approach, with factual and lifestyle programming covering history, culture, travel, nature and food. Documentaries explore China’s landscapes, traditions and communities, providing an alternative to scripted entertainment.

Both channels will broadcast around the clock in Chinese, with Chinese, Malay and English subtitles. Their addition broadens Astro’s Chinese-language offering for viewers seeking entertainment as well as documentary and lifestyle content.

The third addition, the Pokémon Pop-Up Channel, is a limited-time offering marking the Japanese franchise’s 30th anniversary. Available at no additional cost to Astro, NJOI and Sooka customers, the channel will feature more than 600 episodes in English, spanning 13 animated series.

Expanded Entertainment

The programming line-up covers multiple eras of the franchise, beginning with Pokémon: Indigo League and Pokémon: The Johto Journeys, and continuing through titles such as Pokémon the Series: XY, Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon and Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series.

Episodes will be broadcast in chronological order, starting with the first season, with eight new episodes scheduled each weekday. Viewers can also access selected episodes through On Demand, Astro GO and Sooka.

For those following the franchise’s later seasons, the Malay-dubbed Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series is also available on Astro Ceria (CH 611). Season 24 airs on Thursdays and Fridays at 3pm, ahead of its broadcast on the pop-up channel.

The three launches offer different viewing options, from Chinese drama and factual programming to a retrospective of one of the world’s best-known animated franchises. While Mango TV and U Panda TV will join Astro’s regular channel line-up, the Pokémon Pop-Up Channel will be available for three months, ending on 31 December 2026.