Spark Punjabi Comes to Reliance Digital TV

Its going to be Bhangra time on Reliance Digital TV, with the launch of Spark Punjabi on 15th June.

Spark Punjabi, owned by Big CBS, is the first regional channel that will offer CBS's content dubbed in Punjabi. The channel will be available in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh (PHCHP) regions.

Spark Punjabi will have shows like, Amreeka Di Top Models, Veer Hawaii De, Jerry Di Adalat, Kadi Te Has Bol Ve and Zabardast Kushti Nakabposh Veer that will be aired on channel No. 952 on the Reliance direct-to-home platform.

With a market share of approximately 30 per cent, Spark Punjabi is hoping to grow with the ability to reach 4.5 million Reliance Digital TV subscribers.

Anand Chakravarthy, evp marketing, RBNL, said, "As we equip and prepare for the impending digitisation, we want to ensure the best reach and viewing experience for Spark Punjabi. We are happy to be available on our group company Reliance Digital TV, which will fortify the position of the channel amongst the people of and from the region. We will through the product continue to offer value to both consumers and marketers alike."

While Ashutosh Srivastava, business head, Reliance Digital TV, added, "By adding Spark Punjabi to our bouquet of channels, we now offer the dedicated international content dubbed in Punjabi along with reality shows in the same language for our subscribers from the Punjabi speaking regions of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh thus, providing superior quality entertainment directly in the comfort of their homes."

The channel is currently distributed across PHCHP region on digital and analog formats and claims a reach of 6 million households.

Read more » Spark Punjabi Comes to Reliance Digital TV

Digital TV to Showcase Big Magic Channel

In a bid to expand its presence in the Hindi-speaking belt of the country - UP, MP, Bihar and Jharkhand - Reliance Digital TV has formed an alliance with the entertainment channel, Big Magic, part of the Reliance Broadcast Network. The new channel will replace Imagine TV, channel No 213, on Reliance Digital TV - thereby increasing its reach to an additional 4.5 mn digital homes.

This also marks the beginning of a slew of digital alliances that Big Magic is in the process of closing. The partnership with Reliance Digital TV will be promoted aggressively on BIG MAGIC as well as on 92.7 BIG FM. It will also be featured on BIG MAGIC’s recent campaign - ‘100% UP Wale/100% MP Wale’.

Speaking on this occasion, Ashutosh Srivastava, Business Head, Reliance Digital TV, said, "By adding BIG MAGIC to our bouquet, we now offer the unique regional variety entertainment content like movies and daily soaps for our subscribers from the Hindi speaking states of UP, MP, Bihar and Jharkhand directly in the comfort of their homes."

Big Magic is currently being distributed across all cable operators like DEN, Digicable, WWIL, Hathway, Darsh and Maurya amongst others in the states of UP, MP and Bihar, reaching approximately 10 million households in the heartland.

Read more » Digital TV to Showcase Big Magic Channel

Reliance Digital TV & BIG RTL Crack Distribution Deal

In a first of its kind tie-up for the company, Reliance Digital TV announced their association with BIG RTL, the joint venture between Reliance Broadcast Network and the RTL Group, as the distributors of Big RTL's latest offerings - a reality channel and an action entertainment channel.

The tie-up will provide BIG RTL the reach it needs to provide world-class programming to maximum audiences in the country, while Reliance Digital TV can provide its 30 lakh subscribers with top-rated international TV shows.

Reliance Broadcast Network currently offers a bouquet of 7 channels, and its joint venture with RTL and subsequent tie-up with Reliance Digital TV is all set to bring them one step closer to bridging the apparent gap in entertainment programming in India.

Big RTL also recently launched the 'Choose Your Set-Top-Box Wisely' campaign designed to raise awareness among consumers to choose the right set top boxes and enabling operators to build their brand equity.

Read more » Reliance Digital TV & BIG RTL Crack Distribution Deal

Discovery Turbo Now on Reliance Digital TV

Taking advantage of the buzz the F1 race created in India, Reliance Digital Tv has chosen to add the Discovery Turbo channel to their channel list. Discovery turbo, serves content that consists of the A to Z of motoring. It includes shows like American Choppers, Monster Garage, Fifth Gear, Trick My Truck and Wheelers Dealers.

Rahul Johri, senior vp, gm, Discovery India, said, "We have received tremendous response for Discovery Turbo across India, where people watch and connect with our engaging and unmatched content. The availability of Discovery Turbo on Reliance Digital TV expands the reach of the channel, as it continues to offer the best entertainment experience to our viewers."

Sanjay Behl, ceo, Reliance Digital TV, added, "At Reliance Digital TV, we have been constantly engaged with enhancing the entertainment experience for our customers by providing them quality entertainment that spans across a wide spectrum of audience interests. With the addition of Discovery Turbo to our bouquet of over 250 channels, we are sure to delight our customers with the engaging content delivered to them through a superior technology platform ensuring an unmatched viewing experience."

Read more » Discovery Turbo Now on Reliance Digital TV

Digital TV to Sell 49% Stake to Foreign Investors

Following the imminent hike in foreign direct investment (FDI) cap in DTH to 74 per cent, Reliance Digital TV (formerly known as Big TV) is looking to forge an oversees alliance by selling up to 49 per cent stake in its DTH venture. According to reports, if the deal goes through, it will raise Rs 2,000-2,500 crore.

Prospective buyers include overseas private equity investors, broadcast and cable companies like Comcast Corporation, the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider and the fourth largest home telephone service provider in the US.

Digital TV is the only DTH provider that doesn't have a foreign stake, and is now looking for funds to more than double its subscriber base from around 4 million in the next 12 to 18 months.

Tata Sky has STAR Group and Singapore-based PE firm Temasek as foreign investors. Sun Direct has partnered with Malaysia's Astro while Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV too have overseas partners.

Sanjay Behl, CEO, Reliance DTH and IPTV, said, "DTH is a capital-intensive industry that requires substantial investment. Our four-screen strategy is to dominate mobile, computers, television and cinema, in which we already have significant presence. Reliance Digital TV has among the best ARPU in the industry and higher percentage of active subscriber base which will only become better going forward."

Read more » Digital TV to Sell 49% Stake to Foreign Investors

Reliance Digital TV Moves out of the House

No longer will Reliance Digital TV be only part of your house, soon you may find Big Tv embedded in your train seat or in your SUV.

According to Sanjay Behl, chief executive officer, Reliance DTH & IPTV, said, “Reliance Digital TV has capability to provide services in cars, buses and trains. We are keen to evaluate all tenders in this regard, including that of the Indian Railways.”

The best part is this service is actually free for the railways and the customers, as the service providers will cough up the sum for the cost of development, management and maintenance as well as the provision of audio and video content, Internet surfing and games.

How does the service provider make the money? Advertisements, yes the service provider is allowed to have adverts as 20% of the content. They can also provide value added services such as ticketing and reservations for hotel. Although passengers will have to pay for Value added services.

Although Dish TV has bagged the pilot project on the Kalka Shatabdi, let see what Reliance Digital Tv has up its sleeves.

Read more » Reliance Digital TV Moves out of the House

Reliance Digital TV's Special Offer for Kerala

Reliance Digital TV has announced a special offer on the festive season of Onam for its customers in Kerala. Through its 'Moonu Varangal' offer, new subscribers on the lookout for a DTH connection can purchase Reliance Digital TV's special entry pack starting at Rs 1,590 with free installation and 6 months free viewing of Value Sports Pack.

The customers also get free unlimited viewing of Malayalam blockbusters till September 30th, 2011 and earn loyalty points for every rupee spent. Even the existing subscribers of Kerala can avail of the loyalty program.

With this program, subscribers can accumulate points for every rupee spent with Digital TV and redeem their points to choose from a wide range of channel packages and value-added services.

For new TV buyers, Reliance Digital TV has tied up with MIRC Electronics, makers of the Onida consumer durables, to offer a new connection for just Rs 899 with any Onida HD ready LCD TV model with 1 month free viewing of 'Silver Plus' pack.

Customers purchasing any of Onida’s Full HD LCD/LED TV model can now enjoy over 250 High Definition channels with Reliance Digital TV's HD box for Rs 1,199 with free subscription for one month of 'Diamond Pack+2 HD channels'. This special deal is valid only in the state of Kerala till September 15th, 2011.

Read more » Reliance Digital TV's Special Offer for Kerala

Digital TV to offer Star India's Asli HD Channels

Reliance Digital TV (formerly known as Big TV) has tied up with Star India to show its bouquet of 5 Asli HD channels like Star Plus, Star Movies HD, Movies Now HD, Nat Geo HD and iConcerts HD. This is an addition to its existing bouquet of 250 channels available in full high-definition quality.

The channels will have a resolution of 2 million pixels on each frame (2 megapixels), which is five times clearer than a regular DTH broadcast. Sanjay Behl, CEO, Reliance Digital TV said, "Reliance Digital TV has always been a front-runner in innovation in the DTH industry. It has been our continuous endeavour to enhance our subscribers' viewing experience."

The subscribers can watch the HD channels by taking the ‘Ultra Sharp 2 pack’ at Rs 75 (plus taxes) per month. Alternatively, the channels are available on a-la-carte basis at Rs 30 per month.

Read more » Digital TV to offer Star India's Asli HD Channels

Reliance Digital TV adds iKids Interactive Service

Expanding its portfolio of interactive services, Reliance Digital TV (former Big TV) has introduced an educational service for pre-schoolers.

Available to subscribers for Rs 25 per month, its focus will be on developmental games like - Find the Number, Math Tree, Play Ball and Under the Sea. These simple games will help kids to identify numbers, pictures, shapes and alphabets.

Sanjay Behl, CEO, Reliance Digital TV, said, "With the launch of iKids, we are delighted to give our subscribers an 'edutainment' experience that makes learning fun for kids."

Digital TV's other interactive services include iAstro, iCricket, iCare, iConcerts, iNteractive, iMall, iGames and iCooking.

Read more » Reliance Digital TV adds iKids Interactive Service

Big TV to Have More HD Content

Reliance Communications is focusing on Big TV to drive its revenue and plans on focusing on satisfying the end users desire for quality content.

The company plans on give its subscribers a variety of new international HD content. Below are the key highlights from a video interview.

• Reliance BIG TV in talks for Rs 150cr HD content acquisition
• Big TV to invest an additional Rs 350 crores in the next 4 years in content acquisition
• Reliance Digital TV in advanced talks with comedy central, BBC and CNN for non film HD content
• The Company expects DTH segment to drive business

You can watch the video below:

Read more » Big TV to Have More HD Content

Big TV to Offer Live Music Concerts in High Definition

Reliance Big TV is set to introduce a new live music service at the click of a button on its Subscriber Video on Demand (SVoD) platform.

The DTH operator in association with Transmedia is bringing iConcerts, featuring over 1000 premium concerts (Santana, Dire Straits, Usher, Lady Gaga etc.) and live performances from variety of genres in standard and high definition format.

This makes Big TV the only operator to introduce this music service in India.

Sanjay Behl, CEO, Reliance Big TV said, "Big TV subscribers will now be able to enjoy high-quality international concerts at the click of a button. Introduction of iConcerts is yet another step in enriching our bouquet of offerings for the Indian market."

Read more » Big TV to Offer Live Music Concerts in High Definition

Big TV Launches DD Sports HD for CWG

After recently launching 13 channels during the festive season of Ganesha, Big TV has launched 7 new channels yet again.

This time with the Common Wealth Games on, the company has chosen to launch DD Sports HD ( an HD version of DD Sports), Saakshi TV channel (a Telugu News channel), Subhavartha TV ( a Telugu Religious channel), Aaseervatham TV ( a Malayalam Religious channel), Ruposhi Bangla (a Bangla Entertainment Channel) and DY 365 (a North East News channel). Pushing the total number of channels available to around 240 channels.

But unfortunately unlike other service providers big tv was charging a fee of Rs 28 for the DD Sports HD channel that is a free to air channel. Some complaints have been found on the India Broadband forum about the cost of DD Sports HD. It now seems that the company has decided to air the channel free of cost, further news is awaited.

But in a bid to broaden their subscriber base, Reliance Big TV has reduced its connection cost for a new customer to Rs 990 without a monthly subscription fee, with free installation and a Set Top Box (STB).

Read more » Big TV Launches DD Sports HD for CWG

Big TV Gears up for Ganesh, Adds 13 New Channels

Expanding its offering, Reliance BIG TV has added 13 new channels to its bouquet to take the total number to 245.

Big TV has added channels like Star Plus HD (high definition), NGC Wild, NGC Adventure, NGC Music, UFX, HM TV, Mahaa TV, Day & Night News, ETV Bihar, Polimer TV, Saam TV, Chardikla Time and Nepal One.

Umesh Rao, senior vice-president, Big TV, said, "We have added 13 new channels on the platform and going forward we plan to add significant momentum through relevant and differentiated content on Reliance Big TV."

Big TV is gearing up for Ganesh Chaturthi, starting from September 11, with several promotional activities. Recently the company tied up with Samsung to offer high-definition digital video recorder free on purchase of Samsung LED TV range.

The DTH firm will carry out in-store promotions through 450-plus outlets in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Kolhapur, and places where the festival is celebrated, and Big TV also plans to have kiosks near popular pandals housing idols of Ganesh.

During the campaign the company will offer trade promotion programmes or incentives to distributors and retailers, to boost its retail presence by 20%.

Read more » Big TV Gears up for Ganesh, Adds 13 New Channels

Big TV Offers Free HD DVR with Samsung LED TVs

In its bid to promote the new high-definition digital video recorder (HD DVR), Reliance Big TV has joined hands with Samsung India, to provide this new service free on purchase of Samsung LED TV range.

Customers can also avail of two months of free silver pack subscription along with one HD channel without any installation or activation fee. The offer is available across India till September 15, 2010.

While recently Big TV also slashed the price of the HD DVR offering to Rs 4990 from the earlier launch price of Rs 7490 in May.

Speaking on the new offer, Umesh Rao, senior vice president, Reliance BIG TV said, "Our partnership with Samsung will take the television viewing experience to its next level. With HD transmission and digital video recording capability from Reliance BIG TV set top box, Samsung LED TV customers are set for a veritable treat in their living rooms."

Read more » Big TV Offers Free HD DVR with Samsung LED TVs

Big CBS Networks to Hit India

Reliance Big Tv and Cbs Networks, have joined hands to provide an equally owned joint venture, christened, Big CBS Networks. Big CSB Network is all set to launch a series of English entertainment channels that are customized for the Indian Audience.

The newly formed venture will launch three new English channels, that will be branded BIG CBS Prime that falls under the premium English general entertainment, while the next BIG CBS Spark, will be the countries first English youth channel and last but not the least BIG CBS Love, India's first English entertainment channel dedicated to the fairer sex.



The channels will begin to premier in the fourth quarter of 2010 with most of the content from the CBS catalogue. The Indian audience can expect to see programs like, Hawaii Five-0, the NCIS franchises, America’s Next Top Model, Survivor, 90210, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Frasier and Entertainment Tonight.

Tarun Katial, chief executive officer, Reliance Broadcast Network, said, "This is truly a landmark moment not just for us but the entire Reliance ADA Group. We are confident that our deep understanding of the Indian consumer's entertainment requirement and advertiser needs, coupled with CBS' reputation for creating superior content, will offer unmatched and pioneering entertainment to audiences in India."

Read more » Big CBS Networks to Hit India

Big TV's New Interactive Services - iMall & iHolidays

Big TV has expanded its interactive services portfolio to include 'iHolidays' and 'iMall', both targeted at providing users a complete experience of their DTH service.

iHolidays as the name suggests allows subscribers to search, view and book their dream holiday packages on the travel portal - Ezeego1.com, and also get affordable and discounted deals on international and domestic hotels.

While iMall is a dedicated shopping channel where users can choose from a range of products - jewelery, clothes for all occasions etc. - offered at special prices to BIG TV subscribers.

This service is in association with JPearls, one of the retail brands offering its customers to view and buy gold, diamond and pearl jewellery from the comfort of their homes.

Umesh Rao, senior vice president, Reliance BIG TV, said, "Going forward, we plan to build significant momentum in the VAS (value-added services) space. We are committed to bringing in enriched and differentiated content to delight our subscribers."

Read more » Big TV's New Interactive Services - iMall & iHolidays

Big TV to Show Marathi Plays

Tapping newer segments, Big TV will now air successful Marathi plays on its Choice Pay Channel for just Rs 25. The plays will be available to the subscribers all through July till August 10th. 2010.

The show includes works from Marathi Theater such as Purush, Raigada La Jevha Jaag Yete, Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoay, Hasva Fasvi, Ranaangan Tee Phool Rani, and Kusum Manohar Lele and many more.

Umesh Rao, Senior Vice President, Reliance BIG TV said, “This is a small initiative from our side to promote Marathi art and culture. This will surely open the doors for our audience to the wide and wonderful world of Maharashtrian theatre."

Read more » Big TV to Show Marathi Plays

Big TV Integrated under New Firm, Reliance Digicom

Reliance recently acquired Digicable, the cable television service provider, in an all stock deal, to form a new firm - Reliance Digicom. Big TV, IPTV and Reliance broadband services will be merged with Digicable.

The new entity, claimed to be the world's fifth largest cable television operator, will start with a subscriber base of 11 million homes.

Speaking on this occasion, Anil Ambani, Reliance Communications, chairman said, "The Digital TV and broadband space is poised for similar explosive growth in the years ahead. With this game-changing move, we hope to lead the next revolution in digital home entertainment in India by offering a world-class TV experience and ultra high-speed broadband capability to a billion people."

This acquisition will offer a wider reach to Big TV that is aiming to add five million new customers every year, along with access to ground digital cable distribution network to compliment Big TV's satellite distribution.

Read more » Big TV Integrated under New Firm, Reliance Digicom

LG TVs Bundled with Free Big TV Connection

Reliance Big TV has inked a deal with LG Electronics to provide customers with Big TV connection bundled with a 1-month free silver pack on purchase of select LG colour televisions.

However, the customers will have to pay Rs 399 as installation charges. This offer is launched across Karnataka, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Haryana, and is valid till June 30, 2010.

Umesh Rao, senior vice president, Reliance BIG TV, said, "We are excited about this partnership that brings in a dramatic scaling of reach and unprecedented value proposition for LG customers. We will aggressively pursue cross-category alliances to reach out to a broader spectrum of end users."

Also in line with the launch of its high-definition set-top box (STB) with digital video recorder (DVR), Big TV is conducting in-shop display campaign in retail outlets across 100 cities. This includes demonstration units, array of merchandising aids and trained in-shop promoters who will communicate the features and benefits of its high-definition STB and DVR.

Read more » LG TVs Bundled with Free Big TV Connection

Big TV Launches High Definition STB with DVR

The wait is finally over. Reliance Big TV has introduced its high-definition set-top box (STB) integrated with digital live TV recording feature, across 100 cities in the country.

Priced at Rs 7490 and Rs 7990, this HD DVR set-top box offers five times clearer and sharper image quality with two million pixel resolution and digital surround sound effect.

The digital video recording includes features like pause, play, rewind Live TV, record a program while watching another channel, capability to record up to 200 hours of video programming, 3-in-1 universal remote to give its subscribers the advantage of using single remote to control three devices like the TV, set-top box and any other music player system.

Sanjay Behl, CEO, Reliance Big TV, explains, "This is India's first product with a dual benefit of High Definition viewing and Digital Video Recorder in a single Set Top Box. Further, Reliance BIG TV is the only service provider to offer recording capability upwards of 200 hours and a universal remote control which can manage up to 3 devices."

The pricing differs region wise, in the Southern market the entry offer is priced at Rs 7790 bundled with five months of value pack with a full bouquet of sports channels. While in other regions, Big TV is launching the entry offer at a higher price of Rs 7990. Under this offer, subscribers get three months of Diamond Pack bundled with HD National Geographic and 152 channels. The existing Big TV customers will benefit with an upgrade option from standard definition (SD) to HD DVR at the cost of Rs 5990, discount of Rs 1500.

To further extend its offering, Big TV is planning to introduce two new transponders in the next three months that will enable them to broadcast another 60 channels, including Big TV's HD movie and entertainment channels. BIG TV has also signed a HD content deal with National Geographic to telecast their programs in India, and is also in talks with various global HD content providers like CBS, ESPN, FOX News and Discovery.

Apart from this, Big TV plans to launch six new interactive services by this year. Its also open to diluting up to 20% stake to a strategic partner. Behl said, "We are open to diluting our stake up to 20 per cent to a strategic partner. In that case there would be possibilities of Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) as well as other investors showing interest."

Read more » Big TV Launches High Definition STB with DVR