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."

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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