Big TV to Monetise its Interactive Services

Reliance Big TV has partnered with NetworkPlay.in, multi-genre brand ad networks, to monetise all their interactive and video channel offerings. Big TV offers 23 pay-per view movie channels and a range of interactive zones like IAstro, IStock, ICooking, and ICare.

According to the company, advertisers will be roped in for video on-demand, electronic program guide (EPG) and interactive offerings of Big TV. Video on demand service will be monetised through TV commercials, similar to a commercial break on TV channels.

Sanjay Behl, CEO, Reliance Big TV, said, "With the robust technological back end of Reliance ADAG and measurable digital TV viewing experience in over two million homes, Reliance BIG TV now has a platform for advertisers to latch onto, especially when they are looking for their brand communication to reach the right audience in the most cost-effective manner."

While for the interactive services, there are plans to offer advertising spots including static and dynamic banner ads, branded skins and sponsorships of entire interactive sections or channels.

The deal further implies that Networkplay will also create landing pages for the ads, so if a user clicks on a banner ad by pressing a red button available on the remote control, it will redirect users to a landing page, where more information about the advertised brand will be offered.

With competition increasing among DTH operators, each one is opting for new technology and ways to monetise its offerings. Many DTH players are also studying viewing habits of subscribers and they may ask for a higher premium from advertisers to share that information.

Audience Measurement and Analytics (aMap), a ratings agency, is close to inking a deal with Big TV. aMap will employ a proprietary format independent content identification technology which measures all types of interaction of a DTH subscriber with the television, be it digital broadcast, use of interactive service or time-shifted viewing.

Read more » Big TV to Monetise its Interactive Services

Big TV Announces Year End Dhamaka

With the festive season around the corner, Reliance BIG TV has announced the year-end dhamaka for its customers. The scratch and win offer gives an opportunity to subscribers to win gifts like a free Big TV connection and discounts on installation of BIG TV. The offer is valid till December 31st, 2009.

Apart from this a major development that can give a boost to BIG TV's popularity was the strategic marketing alliance with Fox Star Studios for the India release of James Cameron’s Avatar. The tie-up allows Big TV to showcase exclusive interviews with Cameron and the stars of Avatar as well as videos of behind the scenes of the film.

Speaking on the launch of this offer and the recent development, Umesh Rao, senior vice-president, BIG TV said, "This limited period offer is to spread the festive cheer during Christmas and New Year. We plan to introduce a host of new content, offerings during this season and the tie-up with Avatar is one of our larger initiatives towards our goal."

This marketing alliance also provides a scratch card opportunity where customers can win a visit to the movie sets in New Zealand, trips to Malaysia, Goa and Avatar merchandise. Currently Big TV is running a 30-sec commercial promoting the film across leading channels.

Read more » Big TV Announces Year End Dhamaka

Big TV Aims 3 Million, DTH Sector to Rise

With the DTH subscribers in India expected to more than double from the current 16 million to over 32 million in two years, Reliance Big TV has set its sights firm on capturing a bigger share of the growth.

Big TV's major marketing initiative with allocation of over Rs 100 crore to improve brand visibility, special incentive programmes for the retail channel partners and improved ARPU (average revenue per user) is aimed at crossing three million subscribers by March 2010 from the current two million.

Umesh Rao, senior vice-president, Reliance BIG TV, said, "We are focusing on competitive advantages in sales and marketing campaigns and we aim to target profitable growth in the DTH business."

BIG TV currently showcases 237 national and regional channels, of which 21 are dedicated to movie on demand content. The company has also witnessed a surge in demand on the PPV platform, and that has prompted to tap non-movie content and new releases, with focus on sports, international and national music content.

The tremendous growth in the DTH industry by 2011 will be driven by increase in number of LCD and LED TV sets in households as the prices are expected to drop. With cable operator services still being largely analog-based, consumers will shift to DTH services offering better viewing experience and a variety of content options.

Read more » Big TV Aims 3 Million, DTH Sector to Rise

Big TV's Joy of Ownership Campaign

To solidify its foothold in the Indian market, Reliance Big TV recently unveiled its brand campaign based on the concept of 'Joy of Ownership'.

The Rs 50 crore campaign focuses on customer testimonials, where users speak about their viewing experience, freedom from the cable operators, wider choice of channels and upgrading their standard of living.

The 360 degree campaign will spread across, print, radio, online, Out-of-Home, television and BTL. More than 100 publications, 50 radio stations and 1000 websites are being targeted for the campaign.

You can watch one of the commercial of Big TV's new campaign in the video below.

While other DTH players have been using celebrities to endorse their product, Big TV has resorted to a different route to woo consumers. Umesh Rao, senior vice-president, Reliance Big TV, said, "Keeping up with the trend of not involving a celeb brand ambassador, the new TV commercial is structured on customer advocacy designed to promote a sense of 'joy of ownership'."

Reaching out to online audiences, BIG TV has planned a day-long online roadblock for websites such as Yahoo!, Rediff, MSN and Sify. On those days only the campaigns of BIG TV will run across these sites.

Read more » Big TV's Joy of Ownership Campaign

Big TV Adds 14 Regional Channels for South

Stepping up it focus in the South India market, Big TV has added 13 new regional channels to its bouquet. Subscribers in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu can view eight Tamil channels namely Jaya Plus, Makkal TV, Mega TV, Zee Tamizh, Aditya TV, Seithigal, Sripoli and Vasant TV and five Telugu channels like Sri Venkateshwara Bhakti, Bhakti TV, Sakshi TV, TV5 Telugu News and GCV.

Reliance Big TV CEO, Sanjay Behl, said, "Our latest offer gives more choice of channels to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh customers, especially the locally popular channels. This is a part of Reliance Big TV's commitment to continuously enhance customer experience."

BIG TV has also introduced a new package for South market priced at Rs 2590 with 120 channels including 15 Sun channels and more South regional channels. The South Bronze pack is priced at Rs 127 per month which subscribers can now avail for ten months and get two months free view.

Read more » Big TV Adds 14 Regional Channels for South

Big TV Introduces Special Onam Offer for Kerala

Reliance BIG TV has introduced a special offer in Kerala for Onam festival. The new Smart South 2590 offer comes with a Get Starter Kit priced at Rs 1490 and recharge voucher worth Rs 1100, inclusive of all charges.

Subscribers in Kerala are in for a treat as the offer comes with total of 83 channels, including 15 Sun Network channels and more South regional language channels. So customers will get to watch at least 11 Malayalam channels.

Smart South 2590 offer also comes with 12-months free subscription of South Starter Lite Pack plus 8 channels, one free regional pack, an interactive service application and 10 audio channels.

This offer is available till September 9th. Customers will also be able to watch ESPN, Star Sports, Star Cricket, NDTV India, NDTV 24X7, NDTV Profit, and Animax, Discovery, Discovery Travel and Living and Nick.

Competition is rapidly increasing in the DTH market with new entrant Airtel Digital TV claiming to have surpassed the one million mark after launching its services nine months ago. Following the steps of Big TV, its rival Dish TV is planning to raise Rs 1,000 crore from foreign markets by the end of this quarter.

Read more » Big TV Introduces Special Onam Offer for Kerala

Big TV Launches Offer for Ganesh Chaturthi

In a bid to expand its customer base Big TV owned by Reliance ADAG has launched a Ganesh Chaturthi festival offer for new customers.

The offer states that a new customer can get a Big TV DTH connection for Rs 1,590 and this includes all the installation and hardware charges.

To make it even more enticing the company has offered its starter pack two for two monts at no charge.

The starte pack two has 95 channels and is available at price of Rs 185 + taxes.

Read more » Big TV Launches Offer for Ganesh Chaturthi

DTH Market to See Growth, but Profits Uncertain

The DTH market is expected to grow 57% by December this year as opposed to the same period last year, according to the latest projections made by Media Partners Asia (MPA), the international media research agency.

The five DTH operators, Big TV, Airtel Digital, Dish TV, Tata Sky and Sun Direct are expected to add six million new subscribers by the end of December, to take the overall subscriber base to over 17 million. But the report also pointed out that the DTH operators will face rising economic challenges.

Although one-third of the subscribers of DTH service in Asia will come from India alone by end of the year, the five DTH operators will still have only around 30% market share by 2013, as compared to 70% for the cable operators. Vivek Couto, executive director, MPA, said, "The economics of the DTH industry are risky, as both subscriber acquisition costs and other key operating expenses, including content, will continue to outweigh revenues for another five years for most players."

While some DTH service providers are optimistic about their growth. Reliance BIG TV said it will cross the three million subscriber mark by the end of the current financial year. Mahesh Prasad, President, Reliance Communications, for BIG TV, explained, "Currently, Reliance BIG TV has a subscriber base of 1.8 million and is aiming at a 40% share of the incremental subscriber base in the Indian DTH Sector."

Read more » DTH Market to See Growth, but Profits Uncertain

Big TV Slated to Launch New Channels

In a bid to give their subscribers more variety and channels Big Tv is in talks with international music labels like Sony, BMG and Universal according to industry sources. Reliance ADAG is supposedly preparing to start broadcasting a lifestyle channel focused on fitness as well as an English music channel.

Recently the company sold telecast rights of 25 Hindi Movies to UTV Movies, hence a Hindi movie channel is not their foremost priority. Some sources claim that Reliance has had talks with Sahara One Media & Entertainment Ltd. to acquire, Filmy, its Hindi movie channel, but they could not agree on the cost.

It seems impossible for the company to launch a Hindi Channel with the lack of content in the market. According to sources, the companies only option is to acquire a movie channel or start syndicating content. Although the possibilities of running a big movie channel on syndicated content is rare.

Though the company has stated producing regional content through Big Productions and has applied to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for 20 non-news channels, including regional and channels targeting children.

Read more » Big TV Slated to Launch New Channels

Big TV Launches iStock to Track Market News

Reliance Big TV in partnership with Reliance Money has introduced another interactive feature, iStock, that provides information about Indian and international indices, currencies, commodity, stock and market news. This would be India's first portfolio tracking application through the DTH platform.

iStock will also provide subscribers with value-added services including a personal portfolio management tracker. The portfolio manager will also allow users to add, track upward/downward movement of their stocks automatically and the overall gain/ loss of their investments.

Mahesh Prasad, president, Reliance Communications, said, "We would like people to be able to trade from their living rooms. However, that will happen provided the regulatory body or the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allows trading on the DTH platform. This will be followed by a chat facility and then allowing people to address customers. But that will take time."

In its bid to penetrate among the masses Big TV also recently launched various interactive features like iNews, iCooking and iAstro, iSports and iGames. The company is set to surpass two million subscriber base and intends to reach three million mark by end of the year.

Read more » Big TV Launches iStock to Track Market News

Big TV, Oxigen Tie-up for More Recharge Options

In a bid to enhance its customer service experience, Big TV has tied up with Oxigen, the single point recharge services in India, to offer its subscribers an option to recharge from Oxigen outlets across the country.

Subscribers can now make payments through credit cards, debit cards, internet banking, IVR, mobile mode payment (SMS) or by calling the toll free number 1800-200-9002.

Big TV customers availing these easy recharge options will get an electronic 12-digit pin number from the retailer, that has to be punched in either through SMS or by calling the toll free number and following the IVR instructions. This will credit the value of the recharge voucher into their Reliance Big TV account.

Mahesh Prasad, President, Reliance Communications, said, "We have partnered with Oxigen, a premium recharge service provider, to enable our customers to enjoy uninterrupted television viewing."

Big TV has adopted the strategy similar to the telecom sector, in fact many of the DTH players, of providing recharge vouchers at various retail outlets. Oxigen also provides recharge vouchers of Tata Sky, Dish TV, Airtel and Sun Direct. Big TV has over 100,000 outlets spread across 10,000 towns including local grocery stores, gift stores, and utility stores.

Read more » Big TV, Oxigen Tie-up for More Recharge Options

Big TV in Talks with Carlyle & Providence for Funds

Further to Big TV's talks to sell stakes to private equity firms, Carlyle Group and Providence Equity have emerged as the front runners to clinch the deal.

According to reports, Deutsche Bank has been authorised to facilitate the deal and Big TV is looking to divest about 20% of which 10% will be sold now for around US$ 50-75 million. A senior official from Reliance said that Big TV needed between Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 crore for its expansion purpose.

While Government norms allow 49% foreign investment in DTH, it restricts FDI in a DTH operator at 20%, so Big TV is most likely to dilute its equity in stages.

Big TV is on an expansion spree. The company is also in talks with general entertainment channels such as Colors, Star Plus, Sony and Zee TV to acquire broadcast rights for some of their popular television shows.

Also in the offing is an aggressive ad campaign across TV, print, online and radio stations. Currently, Big TV has around 1.8 million subscribers, and is the third biggest player in the DTH market, after Dish TV and Tata Sky.

Read more » Big TV in Talks with Carlyle & Providence for Funds

Big TV Launches Aggressive Ad Campaign

As part of its 360 degree marketing approach Big TV has decided to advertise with not only with the top 15 radio stations in the country covering 10,000 radio spots, but also carry out an intensive television, print advertisements and online promotion in a bid to promote its DTH service.

The 360 degree campaign is to promote the message of Big TV as a one-stop entertainment source in India in the next two months. According to the company they offer more channels, more movies and more interactive services than any other DTH provider.

Big TV is in talks with Radio Mirchi, Radio City, Red FM, Big FM, Radio One, Club FM and Surya FM. This is not new to Reliance Big TV as the company has done nearly 12 campaigns on radio since its launch in August 08.

15 - 25% of the advertising budget has been allocated towards radio, most of the radio campaigns target tier II and tier III cities.

Philip Jose, sales head, Club FM, Kerala, recalls, "Last year, we had major activations while Big TV was launching in the market. The activations were divided into pre launch, launch and post launch phases and many contests giving away free subscriptions were conducted. We are in talks with Big TV for their recent campaign and will finalise soon.”

Read more » Big TV Launches Aggressive Ad Campaign

Big TV to Tie-up with Warner Bros, Fox Channels

Big TV is certainly going global. Reliance is slated to finalise deals with
Fox, Warner Brothers and Korean Broadcasting. This move is in line with Big TV's strategy to increase the number of channels from 200 to 400.

Once the agreement is inked, Big TV will introduce five global channels of Fox and one global channel each of Warner Brothers and Korean Broadcasting. The channels include are Fox Adventure, Fox Crime, Fox FX, Fox History, Nat Geo Music, Warners WB Movies and KBS World.

KBS is Korea's flagship public service broadcaster with two domestic terrestrial networks that provides over 15 hours of programmes a day with English subtitles.

In April Reliance announced its decision to divest up to 49% stake to private equity companies and global DTH players. According to company official, "The company has commenced the process of identifying a partner and is likely to complete the exercise by end-June. The enterprise value of Big TV is pegged around $3 billion. A 49% stake dilution can get fresh infusion of over $1.6 billion."

Read more » Big TV to Tie-up with Warner Bros, Fox Channels

Big TV's Express Service to Resolve Issues in 2 Hours

In a bid to improve its customer service, Reliance Big TV has announced the launch of Premium Express Service across India that will help resolve customer issues within 2 hours.

Currently, the service is available in select cities and towns, but the customer service infrastructure will span across 500 towns covering metros as well as tier-II and tier-III locations. This will be one of the largest roll-out of DTH customer service operations in India.

BIG TV’s Premium Express Service will offer on-the-spot solutions to subscribers. Many customers complained about Big TV's after-sales service being inefficient, so this step to address customer queries and problems is in the right direction to strengthen its foothold in the DTH market.

The company has set-up a team of over 15,000 technical experts and installation professionals as part of its after sales service infrastructure. Even the customer relationship management resources has been decentralized to improve and enhance market response time. Sanjay Behl, CEO, BIG TV said, "With a focus on IPL and elections leading to an increased TV viewership till midnight by our customers, we have put in place a dedicated customer service team and robust process framework.

He further added, "We will expedite our installation turnaround timelines at a marginal premium of Rs 250 only. We guarantee addressing all customer complaints within 2 hours of its registration with us." The customer service timings are also extended till midnight during the IPL season.

Read more » Big TV's Express Service to Resolve Issues in 2 Hours

Big TV to Sell 49% Stake to Private Firms

Following footsteps of other DTH players, Reliance Big TV is planning to divest up to 49% stake to private equity companies and global DTH players. According to a business daily, several private equity companies like the Carlyle Group, Sequoia Capital, KKR and US-based DTH firm Direct TV are in talks with Big TV.

Reliance expects to raise around Rs 8000 crore from this deal, because the DTH market is highly competitive in India and to increase subscriber base one needs to have better and affordable pricing. The deal is expected to close this quarter.

Government norms allow 49% foreign investment in DTH, with a rider that the foreign direct investment (FDI) cannot exceed 20% within the overall 49% foreign investment cap.

Currently Big TV has around 1.8 million subscribers out of 12.5 million DTH customers in India, making them the second smallest DTH player in India. Dish TV and Tata Sky are leading at present with 5 million and 4 million subscribers respectively.

Read more » Big TV to Sell 49% Stake to Private Firms

Big TV Announces Special Summer Offer

Big TV has announced special packages for this summer season priced at Rs 1490 and Rs 1790. With Rs 1790 offer, subscribers get free subscription along with a regional pack for the first three months. Post that customers can purchase add on packs to view their choice of channels.

While in the 1490 offer, customers will have the option of buying multiple channel packages ranging from Rs 98 to Rs 465 per month. Its a good deal as the starter pack of Rs 98 comes with 68 channels, which include the main channels like Star, Sony, Sahara, Set Max etc.

Mahesh Prasad, President, Reliance Communications, said, "Our new offers are part of BIG TV’s continuous endeavour to offer increased value to customers. We’ve also added 3 NDTV channels for the 1790 offer. This goes to show BIG TV stands for the benefit of its customers at all times."

Further BIG TV has also extended the promotion on the other existing package priced at Rs 2490. It will come with four months of free subscription and one month free SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) for its customers.

Read more » Big TV Announces Special Summer Offer

Big TV Launches iNews with CNN-IBN

With the elections round the corner, Big TV has launched interactive election special called iNEWS as part of its interactive services.

The iNews feature will allow viewers to access current news and information, short text-based stories, headlines and ticker in a user-friendly interface. Some of their other interactive services include iCooking (cuisine), iAstro (astrology) and iGames.

This service is launched in association with news channel CNN-IBN and would be available to all Big TV subscribers.

Through iNEWS, the viewers can watch news and navigate through an 8-window PIP mosaic of video feed options. The user screen includes dedicated news and highlight feeds as well an access to sub genre-based text news stories, news headlines and tickers. Viewers can choose from eight windows including live feeds of CNN-IBN and IBN 7, top headlines, Lok Sabha 09 (dedicated feed for news and views on General Elections 2009), sports and weather.

Mahesh Prasad, president, Reliance Communications, "Reliance BIG TV has always been at the forefront of enhancing customer value through relevant and easy-to-use innovative product features. We are delighted on our partnership with CNN-IBN, with such topically relevant Election Special with interactivity through a 8-window mosaic framework. This will define a new paradigm of customer experience with quality content."

The launch of this new interactive service is way to attract new subscribers as TV sales go up during elections. Big TV aims to capture 40% market share in the next one year.

Read more » Big TV Launches iNews with CNN-IBN

Sanjay Behl, the new CEO of Big TV

Big TV has appointed Sanjay Behl as its new CEO to look after the company's DTH and IPTV operations.

Behl currently serves as Reliance Communications Group Head, Brand and Marketing Operations. He will continue to oversee the current responsibilities as well.

Behl's appointment comes at a time when Reliance is looking at doubling its subscriber base within the next one year to three million.

According to the company, "It is also planning to double its channel bouquet from the current 200 to 400 channels and with Sanjay in the lead role, BIG TV will soon reach greater heights in terms of content and competition."

Prior to joining Reliance Communications in August 2005, Behl was Head of Marketing for Nokia's India operations. In November last year, Big TV's former CEO Arun Kapoor stepped down from his position and Mahesh Prasad was the acting president of Reliance Big TV for a short while.

Read more » Sanjay Behl, the new CEO of Big TV

Big TV Opens Service Camps in Karnataka

Cashing in on its success in South India, Reliance Big TV has now introduced service camps in Karnataka to educate prospective subscribers about its features, pricing etc.

This day-long camp will also provide 'on the spot' demos to its present subscriber base, thereby testifying ease of use of the product and personal attention towards resolving any customer grievances.

These service camps will be conducted at Circle headquarters first and then in other locations progressively offering the interested customers to get instant connection with a hands-on demo of the DTH service.

Karnataka is an important market in the South as Big TV has nearly 150,000 subscribers there, out of the 5 lakh subscribers in that region. Through this campaign, BIG TV aims to reaffirm belief of its retailers about the company’s resolve to be a dependable and leading DTH player in the market.

Read more » Big TV Opens Service Camps in Karnataka

Latest Hindi Films on Big TV's Pay-Per-View Channels

Big TV has rolled out slew of latest Bollywood films on their pay per view (PPV) channels for the month of March. Reliance is in talks with several producers for DTH rights and are also exploring the option of exclusive rights for some films.

According to Mahesh Prasad, president - Reliance Communications, "The emerging DTH sector is opening new revenue opportunities for film-makers. Over the last few years, the satellite rights have emerged as a key revenue generator and DTH pay-per-view will be key streams for film makers to generate revenues."

Lined up for this month are latest flicks like Gauri – The Unborn and Love Story 2050, the films will be shown back-to-back throughout the day on dedicated channels and subscribers will have to pay a nominal fee of Rs 65 for Gauri-The Unborn and Rs 75 for Love Story 2050.

On subscription, they will get access to the channel from the time they pay, till mid-night of the same day. Subscribers can also enjoy blockbusters like Amitabh Bachchan starrer Aetbaar and Ek Din 24 Ghante and other films like China Gate and Jungle.

BIG TV offers its subscribers a monthly subscription of Rs 50 per month for viewing 10 Hindi and 10 regional films. The films on these channels are changed every fortnight, so a BIG TV subscriber gets to watch 20 Hindi films and 20 regional films every month at just Rs 50.

Other movies include -

Action – Jung and Mela;
Family – Khilona and Milan;
Drama – Ganga Jamuna & Bhawani Junction;
Romance – Rain and Must;
Suspense – Daraar and Sharmilee;
Comedy – Ramgadh Ke Sholay and Anubhav;
Art – Bhumika and Ankur; and
Classics – Anari and Anupama.

Read more » Latest Hindi Films on Big TV's Pay-Per-View Channels

Big TV Rolls Out Rs 30 Crore Ad Campaign

At a time when companies have tightened their advertising budget due to recession, Reliance Big TV has rolled out a Rs 30 crore advertising campaign to promote its to-be launched interactive services.

The campaign, 'Get the big world of entertainment’ will run in print and air for three weeks, and is targeted towards tier-II and tier-III cities. Big TV is slated to launch three interactive services, iNews (news), iCooking (cuisine) and iAstro (astrology).

Big TV already has a subscriber base of 1.3 million, even as incremental additions are coming in these cities. To further gain visibility in non-metro cities, Big TV has embarked on an ‘Entertaining and Educating Rural Andhra’ promotion.

Big TV branded float vans with dummy dish will go around various towns like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Kurnool, Srikakulam, Warangal and surrounding rural towns promoting its service. The campaign will also cover remote educational institutions and IT sector across Andhra Pradesh.

According to the company, "The on-ground team has already captured small towns like Kakinada by installing more than 3,000 connections during the promotion. And, more than 90 per cent of the town was connected with Big TV DTH with the nameplate of the house with Big TV branding.

Read more » Big TV Rolls Out Rs 30 Crore Ad Campaign

Big TV Delays Launch of New Channels

Reliance Big TV has postponed its plans to foray into broadcasting, due to economic slowdown. The company had announced in May last year to launch and operate a bouquet of 20 channels under two new entities — Reliance Big TV Entertainment and Reliance Big TV News.

"There is no change in the business plan. Since it is tough time around, we will decide the timing of the launch later. Currently, the company is proceeding with studies and analysis," said a company executive.

Reliance will consider acquiring sick broadcasters as most of them are in deep financial trouble. The company also held back its plan to launch its Digital Video Recorders owing to the global situation.

Apart from this, Big TV has been in the news for pulling out of Indian Premier League, citing contractual violations with Sony. Big TV had signed the DTH deal with IPL last August for US$ 31.16 million over four years.

Read more » Big TV Delays Launch of New Channels

Big TV Postpones DVR Launch

The economic crisis has taken its toll on the DTH industry, with several providers postponing the launch of Digital Video Recorders (DVR). Reliance Big TV, who was planning to launch its DVR by mid-October, might unveil the product only in the beginning of next fiscal.

The DVRs are upgraded DTH set-top boxes which allow the viewers to record multiple programmes from different TV channels, this feature also comes at a higher price, DVRs would cost between Rs 7000 to Rs 9000.

"The sale of DVR service comes with heavy cost implications to DTH service providers, which only adds to their existing financial burden of offering the basic DTH services. This may be among the reasons why some of the existing DTH players are holding back the launch of their DVR services," said an industry expert.

Reliance also intended to launch its IPTV service by end of 2008, but that has been deferred as well.

Read more » Big TV Postpones DVR Launch

Big TV Crosses 5 Lakh Subscribers in South

South India has always been a major market for Big TV, as it crosses another milestone in the DTH segment. Big TV has touched 500,000 subscribers in the four Southern States within five months of its launch.

Bangalore with Karnataka leads the way with 150,000 subscribers. According the company, this was possible because of offering viewers their favourite regional bouquet of channels along with popular channels all bundled with a competitive pricing.

Mahesh Prasad, president, Reliance Communications, said, "It's heartening to note that we're scoring impressively in the South which has diverse content needs. Reaching the magic figure of 5-lakh customer milestone in the four Southern States was a great New Year gift to us. It is indeed a testimony to the superior product and the best proposition offered by BIG TV and its success in accelerating the growth momentum of DTH sector in India."

The company had indicated a possibility of a price hike in the South market, due to global scenario and increase in cost of importing set-top boxes. The rise in price was expected to have little effect on the increasing demand.

Read more » Big TV Crosses 5 Lakh Subscribers in South

Big TV Enhances After-Sales Service

Consumers have been disappointed with Big TV's customer service, claiming to ineffecient and lack of assistance from the distributor or the call center. So I guess the company has taken note of it and set up new support in after-sales service.

According to the company, its after-sales team comprising 10,000 trained installation personnel and demonstrators along with customer service are equipped to install 50,000 connections daily.

This move to enhance its service capabilities is in line with Big TV's aim to capture 40% market share in the DTH market.

Mahesh Prasad, president, Reliance Communications, said, "After-sales service is a crucial element of our business. A lot of time and effort has been invested in training our teams in technical aspects as well as soft skills necessary for customer experience management."

Big TV has set up call centres capable of handling queries in 11 Indian languages. Recently, Big TV also improved its graphic user interface by adding couple of new features including direct links like remote key access to Program Guide and select (12 channel mosaic preview), etc.

Read more » Big TV Enhances After-Sales Service