Reliance's Big TV DTH all information

**curious** · 18-02-2008

Dear friends,

Let's start a new thread to share all information on Reliance's soon to be launched Big TV DTH service.

Reliance's Big TV starts test run with 60 channels
Big TV has started test run with 60 channels from all major broadcasters in homes of ADAG employees even as it has drawn up an aggressive plan plan to build a sizeable direct-to-home (DTH) subscriber base.

It has offered the boxes to its employees through internal mailers at the highly subsidised rate of Rs 1,000 per subscriber.

Industry sources said that the price of Reliance DTH would remain unchanged when it is commercially launched a few weeks from now.

Big TV plans to show close to 300 channels when fully functional, a possibility because of the MPEG 4 format it will be using.

The company, which has reportedly ordered two million set-top boxes (STBs), has developed a technological solution which can upgrade an existing MPEG 2 STB to MPEG 4 level.

A source said that Reliance would deploy this solution as a marketing tool to capture the existing subscribers of Tata Sky and Dish TV.

A price war is imminent. While TataSky has already lowered its charges by half of what it started with a year ago, just to stay in competition, it is still above the price Reliance is offering.

Dish TV officials were not ready to let their plans be public, saying "something will be done."

But the real impact of Big TV's launch could be felt on the cable sector with the entry cost falling to as low as Rs 1,000.

Source: _ttp://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k8/feb/feb170.php

**kreacher** · 19-02-2008

Nice thread, they have already soft launched with an offer for Reliance employees - hxxp://bigtv.co.in/bigtv/Emailer/Offer_advantage.html

dreammaker1979 · 24-02-2008

In which satellite they have launched?

**Analoguesat** · 24-02-2008

Measat 3 91.5E - which yopu could easily have found out using Google!

**curious** · 11-03-2008

MUMBAI: Anil Ambani is readying for the big fight in the broadcasting arena. Reliance ADAG has applied to the information and broadcasting ministry for 20 channels in the non-news segment, sources tell Indiantelevision.com.

Reliance is looking at five general entertainment channels (GECs), spread over regional markets. The GECs will be in the English, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati and Marathi languages, sources add.

Reliance is also planning to create a pack of five movie channels including Hindi, English and regional languages. The south is part of this strategy.

The menu will also include a kids channel and 3-4 music channels. Besides Hindi, there are plans to launch music channels in the regional languages.

Reliance's bouquet will have lifestyle channels, suited for the digital delivery platforms. The Group is set to launch its direct-to-home (DTH) service by April-end.

"This is the largest list of channels applied at one go. Besides, the broadcasting piece of Ambani's media and entertainment empire will also include news channels," sources say.

Source: _ttp://indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k8/mar/mar107.php

meetdhil · 12-03-2008

Anyone knows the exact launch date of reliance dth?.

new_dxer · 29-03-2008

Originally Posted by meetdhil

Anyone knows the exact launch date of reliance dth?.

In mid APR
currently they are appointing dealers

**URPradhan** · 31-03-2008

Website home page updated with new image _http://www.bigtv.co.in/

**curious** · 05-04-2008

Guys, sorry to share a bad news on Big TV.

As per the hindustan times report, Big TV wants to test it's service in heavy rain before launching it so the service may not be launched before August.

I've some doubts about the credibility of atleast some pieces of the reports. First of all, the reason for delaying the launch does not sound strong enough. The report does not quote any official from Big TV, the report also says Sun will be soon in the DTH market, while we all know that it has already started the service. Let's hope that the report is false and the Big TV service starts soon

Here is the report:
Reliance’s DTH venture Big TV may not launch anytime before August. The reason is that although the redundant site located at Bangalore is ready, till there is heavy rain, the service can’t be tested.

When contacted, Rajesh Sawhney, president of Reliance Entertainment said, “No comments.”

A source close to the development says, “The service has to be tested in heavy rain. One cannot simulate rain. It is likely that the launch will take place only in August 2008 by when heavy rains will hit the site.”

The source further adds that once launched, Big TV may be offered through outright purchase, leasing as well as hire purchase options. It is also believed that in all probability, the company may offer DTH services free to some of the Dish TV and Tata Sky subscribers in order to develop its subscription base. If given free, the service charges would be Rs 200 per month. The company would be targeting 5 million subscribers in three years.

As of now, the potential pay DTH market is about 12 million, of which Dish TV and Tata Sky have already acquired 3.5 million subscribers. Soon, four more players, Videocon, Reliance, Airtel and Sun will be in the market.

With a total of twelve transponders on the mpeg4 format, Reliance’s Big TV will be able to show as many as 240 channels to its subscribers.

source:
_ttp://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=ba9e13b8-5c88-4ab6-b97c-0075ffffe643

**curious** · 15-05-2008

Looks like BigTV is getting ready for the launch.

Their website has been updated.
_ttp://www.bigtv.co.in/bigtv/big/index.html

**curious** · 19-05-2008

TV viewers fed up with bad signal reception are set to get more choice, with Anil Ambani group company Reliance Communication on Sunday announcing the road map for launching competitively priced Direct-To-Home (DTH) services across 4,000 towns in the next few weeks.

The company has already completed trial runs across 2,400 towns and the service, under the brand name, Big TV DTH. The service is currently available for customers of other DTH operators for just Rs 1,000, compared to nearly Rs 4,000 being charged by existing DTH operators.

At monthly price of Rs 325
The company claims that as of April this year, it had a subscriber base of 40,000.
Reliance, however, is offering the service at a monthly price of Rs 325, which includes Rs 100 worth free "pay per view" content, and is hoping to make a dent in the customer base of existing operators with aggressive pricing strategies.

Asked about the commercial launch of services, a company spokesperson declined to comment and give any specific date for starting Big TV DTH, but said: "The DTH offering under the Big TV brand would be launched during the course of coming few weeks."

Latest MPEG4 technology
Company sources said that Reliance is deploying the state-of-the-art MPEG4 technology compared to MPEG2 technology used by Tata Sky, Dish TV and DD Direct. This would enable Big TV to offer over 240 channels versus the 160 channels that can be offered on MPEG2 Platform.

In a scenario where a broadcaster has to offer equal terms to all DTH operators, Reliance's capability of carrying 33 per cent more channels would lend it a strategic edge.

While at the entry level, the company is likely to come out with aggressive pricing strategies, the monthly charges are likely to remain at similar levels but the company aims to provide better services and offerings at the same price charged by competitors.

Multi-bouquet offering
RCOM also plans to offer a comprehensive multi-bouquet offering as well as channels on a-la-carte basis. Prior to September 2007, DTH operators had to carry all the TV channels from the channel bouquets to get access to any one channel in the bouquet.

However, after the Reference Interconnection Order (RIO) regulation, broadcasters have been asked to offer the choice of six sub-bouquets and all channels on an al-a-carte basis similar to that for cable operators.

While no DTH operator has been offering channels on an a-la-carte basis, RCOM's Big TV is likely to start the trend shortly.

Currently Tata Sky offers services in 1,700 towns, whereas Dish TV is present in 2,200 towns. The subscriber base of Tata Sky stands close to 2 million and that of Dish TV around three million.

Besides Reliance, Bharti Airtel and Sab TV are also likely to start their DTH operations across the country soon.

Source: _ttp://www.ndtvprofit.com/2008/05/18141656/Anil-Ambani-firm-set-to-launch.html

**curious** · 19-05-2008

Friends,

Please refer to my prevous post (Anil Ambani firm set to launch DTH service Big TV in few weeks).

The news says:
1. The service is currently available for customers of other DTH operators.
As far as I know, the service was only available to the ADAG employees and their referrals, Reliance energy customers from Mumbai and Reliance PCO operators. Have they really started offering it to the customers of other DTH operators?

2. Sab TV is also likely to start its DTH operations across the country soon.
It's the first time I heard about Sab TV starting its DTH operations. Does anyone have any idea about it?

(I've underlined these in the previous post)

**curious** · 23-05-2008

The battle for subscribers in the direct-to-home (DTH) market is hotting up with Reliance Communications (RCom) close to finalising a bulk deal with the country's leading TV manufacturers — LG Electronics, Samsung India and Sanyo — which will be offered to customers at a hefty discount bundled with a DTH package.

The telecom company, which has already started a soft launch of its DTH services under the name Big TV, is expected to launch it formally sometimes in June this year.

Under the scheme being prepared, customers will be offered a choice of an array of LCD set, which will be around 25 per cent cheaper than the market price of the model, and will come bundled with a DTH service offer for a certain number of years.

A senior LG executive said: "Reliance Communications had asked us to submit our quotiation for the 26-inch LCD television sets, which we have already done." LG insiders, however, add that the order range could be as large as 30,000-40,000 LCD sets initially.

The LG 26-inch LCD televisions have a maximum retail price of about Rs 34,000, but because of such large orders, Reliance Big TV may actually acquire them 25-30 per cent discounted rates, LG executives added.

Sources in Samsung also admitted that talks are on for a bulk deal. A RCom spokesperson, however, declined to comment on the issue.

Industry experts say that schemes between DTH operators and consumer electronics companies have been tried by others though no one has offered discounts on the TV sets.

The country's largest DTH company, Dish TV, has offered similar schemes to the consumers before with LG and others where if the consumers bought a particular LG television set, a Dish TV connection came free.

Even Tata Sky, the second largest DTH operator, has had similar tie-ups with Korean electronic major Samsung for its LCD and plasma television sets.

Last year, Tata Sky came out with an offer where, depending on the size of the television sets, the consumers got discounts on the set-top box.

For example if consumers bought a 21-inch television from Samsung, they got that much of a discount (they would get 21 per cent off) on their Tata Sky connection.

Meanwhile, Reliance is also talking to contract manufacturers in Korea and Taiwan for offering even a branded Big TV LCD set in the market by next year that will be priced even cheaper than LG and Samsung models.

Industry sources say that the estimated LCD market in the country for this year is just less than one million but it is virtually doubling every year.

Sources point out that they expect Reliance to pick up an order of around 100,000-200,000 to begin with and that Reliance will get it at a volume discount.

The move by Reliance to bundle LCDs comes close on the heels of cut throat competition, which is expected to be seen in the DTH service business. Exisiting players — like Dish TV — have already announced attractive offers, which includes offering connections free of cost to face the impending competition.

With a subscriber base of around 5.5 million, the DTH services business is expected to face tough completion with new players like Reliance, Bharti and Videocon joining the fray in the next few months. With more DTH players joining in, industry experts say that the existing subscriber numbers may double within the next 12-18 months.

Big TV is currently undergoing a test launch under which it's serving close to 45,000-50,000 customers. The test offering has been offered to employees and select associates at an entry cost of Rs 1,000 and a monthly subscription fee of Rs 325. In the monthly fee, Rs 100 worth of pay per view is bundled in free.

Source: _http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=lmnu9&subLeft=&autono=3238 31&tab=r

**curious** · 09-06-2008

Friends,

Big TV is ready to be launched on June 24th.

Source: _http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=5&contentid=20080 609200806090207326016b12b04a

Dushie · 10-06-2008

well as of now people have bee giving multiple dates and no launch has happened from last 3 months, hopefully this time it may happen

**curious** · 18-08-2008

Friends,

As per the news in business-standard, ADAG will launch it's DTH service in Mumbai on 19th August. No idea about the nation wide launch... may be a few days later. I know, many such Big TV launching dates have come and gone but nothing happened. This time it seems to be different because it's the first time that the news article quotes ADAG senior executive. Let's hope, it really launches on 19th and follows with a nation wide launch soon.

Big TV, the much-awaited direct-to-home service from Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, will be launched on August 19 in Mumbai.

Big TV's entry in the DTH segment is expected to intesify the competition among the three existing DTH operators on the pricing front, industry sources say.

Big TV will be the fourth entrant in the 7-million private DTH subscribers market following Dish TV's launch in 2003, Tata Sky (2006) and Sun Direct (2007). Doordarshan's DD Direct Plus is the fifth player (also launched in 2003) but is a free-to-air service.

"We will launch Big TV in Mumbai on August 19," a senior executive of Reliance ADAG told Business Standard. Big TV has been testing its service since last year and came close to launching the service a few times earlier this year, sources said.

"Big TV will be launched with over 200 channels in the basic bouquet, the largest offering compared with Dish TV and Tata Sky," a company executive said.

Big TV will offer 25 movie channels, 8-10 special interactive offerings, gaming channels among others using the MPEG-4 compression technology (also offered by Sun Direct currently). Under MPEG-4, service providers can compress more channels per transponders (about 30 per cent more channels) compared to those with MPEG-2, which is used by Dish TV and Tata Sky.

Big TV will initially come out with three to four schemes on the set top boxes similar to offers from the rival DTH operators. The company is also likely to offer its monthly subscription fees at aggressive price points of around Rs 200-250.

Big TV is also likely to bundle offers like discounts on 26-inch LCD television sets along with its subscription. Big TV is expected to spend Rs 200 crore on marketing and promotions in the first year of its launch, which is nearly the same as the amount currently spent by the existing players, industry sources said.

Source: _http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=331705

user12148 · 19-08-2008

Originally Posted by curious

Friends,

As per the news in business-standard, ADAG will launch it's DTH service in Mumbai on 19th August. No idea about the nation wide launch... may be a few days later. I know, many such Big TV launching dates have come and gone but nothing happened. This time it seems to be different because it's the first time that the news article quotes ADAG senior executive. Let's hope, it really launches on 19th and follows with a nation wide launch soon.

Source: _http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=331705

lets see,what's happen???

.many people are eagerly waiting for their official launch.

**curious** · 19-08-2008

No confirmation on the BigTV launch yet. However, their website is now updated. Looks like they are very close to the launch.

BigTV website: _http://www.bigtv.co.in/bigtv/html/index.htm

**curious** · 19-08-2008

Friends,

As per the news in business-standard, the much awaited BIG TV DTH service has been launched. And as a pleasant surprise, the service is launched across 6,500 towns in the country (not just Mumbai as per the previous news). The news does not mention about package/price of BIG TV. The BIG TV site is also currently down (for updation I guess).

So let's welcome the 5th DTH player in the country. Let's hope that BIG TV was worth waiting for and it comes up with attractive offers and forces existing DTH operaters to respond with even more attractive offers.

BTW, the next in line for launch are Airtel DTH and Videocon's D2H.

Reliance BIG TV, the Direct to Home venture of Anil Ambani group, today announced the launch of DTH services in the country.

The company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RCom, plans to offer 200 channels to customers in the initial phase, it said in a statement here.

The service will be available across 6,500 towns in the country, the company said.

The company has set up a call centre to facilitate the service roll out.

The centre is capable of handling over 50,000 calls per day and would operate from two locations to enable speedy response to consumer queries, the release added.

Source: _http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?tp=on&autono=44886

**curious** · 19-08-2008

The Big TV offers are out. Please check Big TV website for details. To be honest, there's nothing to rejoice. The offers and channel bundling are confusing. Big TV compared their offer with Dish TV and Tata Sky offers. I must admit, it's an honest comparison. Please see the screenshot attached.

As per the comparison, the only differentiating factor between Big TV and Dish TV offers is free movies. I am not sure if it's this bigger advantage. Yeah, Big TV uses MPEG 4, but who cares? It does not make difference for the non techie end user. I think, Big TV is just gauging the response from the consumers. To really achieve their internal target of becoming number 1 DTH operator in the country within the first year of the launch, Big TV needs to come up with much better (killer) offers in the festive season ahead. Hope, we get better offers from all DTH players soon.

aaronlewis · 08-09-2008

Do you think it will be possible to get Big TV in dubai?? I checked online and the MEASAT 3 footprint covers this area but i dont know if reliance have focused big tv footprint on india only. Info on this matter will be helpful!

navaneetham · 21-09-2008

Originally Posted by aaronlewis

Do you think it will be possible to get Big TV in dubai?? I checked online and the MEASAT 3 footprint covers this area but i dont know if reliance have focused big tv footprint on india only. Info on this matter will be helpful!

Please refer the MEASAT3 coverage map at
_http://www.lyngsat-maps.com/maps/mea3_sasia.html
GCC countries are not within the coverage range, so it may not be possible to get BIG TV channels.

naren64 · 14-10-2008

Originally Posted by aaronlewis

Do you think it will be possible to get Big TV in dubai?? I checked online and the MEASAT 3 footprint covers this area but i dont know if reliance have focused big tv footprint on india only. Info on this matter will be helpful!

it is possible to get big tv.but before u bring it to dubai better make sure ur able to bring as dishtv and tata sky r not allowed it will get conficated at the dubai airport.my friend has brought it in bahrain and signal is very good.

browneyeblore · 22-10-2008

Isn't there any Zee channels available on any of the starter package?

Marshal · 2 Weeks Ago

Originally Posted by naren64

it is possible to get big tv.but before u bring it to dubai better make sure ur able to bring as dishtv and tata sky r not allowed it will get conficated at the dubai airport.my friend has brought it in bahrain and signal is very good.

Hey Naren,
How is the signal strength of Big TV in Bahrain, Compare to DISH TV/TATA SKY?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)