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Big TV Delays Launch of New Channels

Reliance Big TV postpones plans to launch 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.
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Big TV Postpones DVR Launch

Big TV digital video recording (DVR) 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.
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