Reliance Bluemagic to launch its DTH services soon
Vipin Bajaj - Televisionpoint.com
The DTH space is getting hotter and heavier and it was only very recently that Marans' Sun Network offered its DTH services - Sun Direct. Now, industry sources claim Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group's (ADAG) Reliance Bluemagic too will launch its DTH services very soon.
What's more, it's looking for a tie-up with the recently launched Kalaignar TV, a channel owned by DMK chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi's family, to compete with Marans' Sun Network.
Reliance ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani is believed to have spoken to the top officials of Kalignar TV seeking the channel's blessings to ensure the success of his new venture.
"He spoke to them a few days back. During the telecon, he said Reliance would softlaunch its DTH services between November and December 2007. Initially, Reliance will offer its services to a select few customers," sources close to Kalaignar TV said.
The prospect of a tieup between Reliance and Kalaignar TV generates a great amount of curiosity since industry experts see it as an attempt to take the battle to the DTH space. Kalaignar TV which has ensured an impressive opening with an excellent TRP rating is already being seen as a potential threat to Sun TV's established market leadership.
Determination on the Kalaignar's part to fight it out with Marans got manifested further when the DMK government recently announced, it'd set up its own cable distribution network to neutralise the monopoly of Marans' Sumangali Cable Vision. It's believed Reliance in tieup with Kalaignar TV will price its services well below that of Sun Direct which plans to offer 75 channels for Rs 75.
In fact, Reliance Bluemagic would be the fifth player to offer DTH services in the country followed by DD Direct, TataSky, Subhash Chandra owned Dish TV and the recently announced Sun Direct.
Interestingly, Sunil Mittal-promoted Bharti subsidiary, Bharti Telemedia also holds an LoI from the I&B ministry for its yet-to-be-launched DTH services. Raj TV is yet another aspirant from Tamil Nadu which is trying to get into the DTH market this year.
Marans' Sun Direct presently in the process of collecting subscription is yet to beam its DTH services. Sources said Reliance timing its DTH soft-launch and tying up with Kalaignar TV can negatively impact Sun Direct.
"Reliance Bluemagic has already received its transponder space and would be officially launched by February 2008," sources said, but declined to disclose any further details.
Dishnews Satellite Television Discussion Forum - Reliance Bluemagic to launch its DTH services soon
Vipin Bajaj - Televisionpoint.com
The DTH space is getting hotter and heavier and it was only very recently that Marans' Sun Network offered its DTH services - Sun Direct. Now, industry sources claim Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group's (ADAG) Reliance Bluemagic too will launch its DTH services very soon.
What's more, it's looking for a tie-up with the recently launched Kalaignar TV, a channel owned by DMK chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi's family, to compete with Marans' Sun Network.
Reliance ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani is believed to have spoken to the top officials of Kalignar TV seeking the channel's blessings to ensure the success of his new venture.
"He spoke to them a few days back. During the telecon, he said Reliance would softlaunch its DTH services between November and December 2007. Initially, Reliance will offer its services to a select few customers," sources close to Kalaignar TV said.
The prospect of a tieup between Reliance and Kalaignar TV generates a great amount of curiosity since industry experts see it as an attempt to take the battle to the DTH space. Kalaignar TV which has ensured an impressive opening with an excellent TRP rating is already being seen as a potential threat to Sun TV's established market leadership.
Determination on the Kalaignar's part to fight it out with Marans got manifested further when the DMK government recently announced, it'd set up its own cable distribution network to neutralise the monopoly of Marans' Sumangali Cable Vision. It's believed Reliance in tieup with Kalaignar TV will price its services well below that of Sun Direct which plans to offer 75 channels for Rs 75.
In fact, Reliance Bluemagic would be the fifth player to offer DTH services in the country followed by DD Direct, TataSky, Subhash Chandra owned Dish TV and the recently announced Sun Direct.
Interestingly, Sunil Mittal-promoted Bharti subsidiary, Bharti Telemedia also holds an LoI from the I&B ministry for its yet-to-be-launched DTH services. Raj TV is yet another aspirant from Tamil Nadu which is trying to get into the DTH market this year.
Marans' Sun Direct presently in the process of collecting subscription is yet to beam its DTH services. Sources said Reliance timing its DTH soft-launch and tying up with Kalaignar TV can negatively impact Sun Direct.
"Reliance Bluemagic has already received its transponder space and would be officially launched by February 2008," sources said, but declined to disclose any further details.
Dishnews Satellite Television Discussion Forum - Reliance Bluemagic to launch its DTH services soon