From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ASTV
(Asia Satellite TV) was a Thai satellite television station and network operating from 2004 to 2014, after which it rebranded as
News1
. Originally operating under
Manager Media Group
(owner of the
Manager Daily
newspaper), the station was established by Manager founder
Sondhi Limthongkul
, a prominent critic of Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra
, and operated as an ultra-partisan political news channel promoting an anti-Thaksin viewpoint. It played a role in popularizing massive protests by the Sondhi-led group the
People's Alliance for Democracy
, which led to political crises that helped bring down Thaksin-aligned governments
in 2006
and
2008
.
ASTV introduced the partisan television format to Thai politics, and inspired the opposing channels
Asia Update
and
Voice TV
, which catered to the
Red Shirts
. Facing financial difficulties, ASTV suspended satellite operations in 2011, and most of its viewership was absorbed by
Bluesky Channel
. The station has since resumed broadcasting, though its political influence has largely faded.
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