KUALA LUMPUR,  20 October 2006

Satellite TV broadcaster ASTRO has decided to cease "live" telecast racing on Channel 501 with immediate effect.

Telelink account holders were notified of this by SMS today. A similar message is also posted on Channel 501.

ASTRO began telecasts of racing in Malaysia and Singapore, and also simulcasts from Hong Kong and Macau, in early September.

First to go was the simulcasts from Hong Kong and Macau. Then, three weeks after it began, ASTRO ceased telecast of races from the three turf clubs in Malaysia.

This, it was reported, after the three clubs recorded a drastic drop in revenue from gates and car parks, and also rental of corporate boxes.

However, telecast of Singapore races continued until last weekend and now they have decided to cease the broadcast altogether.