Rajkot's DEN network, RCCPL form JV for digital cable network services

Rajkot-based Digital Entertainment Network (DEN) and Rajkot City Communication Pvt. Ltd. (RCCPL) have joined hands to provide digital cable services for the Saurashtra and Kutch region. For this, the firms have formed a joint venture company at an investment of Rs 3 crore.

"We have two control centres. The one is in Surat covers Surat and Vadodara, and the second at Rajkot through a joint venture with RCCPL. The Rajkot centre will cater to markets like Jamnagar, Junagadh, Veraval, Morbi, Gandhidham and many other places of Saurashtra region. As of now, the company has no plans to expand networks to Ahmedabad," said PR Vasu, vice president, Digital Entertainment Network (DEN).

"In future, the new company will acquire local cable network service firms to services single-handedly. Currently, we are providing set top box to customers at reasonable prices of Rs 999," he added.

According to Nitin Nathwani, director of RCCPL, "We hold 49 per cent share of the new joint venture company. The revenue sharing model has been fixed at 51:49 ratios as well. All the existing customers will be brought under the new company and will be migrated to digital connection soon at a cost of Rs.150-250 per connection. The upgradation will result in an increase in number of channels from 150 to 300 including FM radio and internet in two months."

Meanwhile, local news channel City News is also planning to start 24 hours news and entertainment channel within a six months.