RBNL, Germany's RTL in pact for thematic TV channels

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Broadcast Network (RBNL) today said it has entered into an agreement with RTL Group, a leading European entertainment network, to launch thematic television channels in India.

"RTL Group and RBNL (through its subsidiaries), announced the signing of a joint venture (JV) agreement to launch thematic television channels in India through an equally owned, joint venture company," RBNL said in a statement.

Under the agreement, RBNL and RTL Group will form a 50:50 joint venture company.

The initial scope of the investment will include two English-speaking thematic TV channels, a reality channel with international content, mainly from RTL Group's production arm FremantleMedia; and a channel primarily targeting male viewers with action-oriented content.

"This joint venture brings Europe's leaders into India and RBNL is proud to be at the core of creating a revolution in the Indian English entertainment space," RBNL CEO Tarun Katial said.

This is RBNL's second major international partnership signed in the last one year.

RBNL signed an agreement with US-based CBS Studios International in August last year to launch a bouquet of three English language entertainment channels. All three channels are on air.

RBNL operates FM radio (Big FM) and television channels (Big CBS). The RTL Group is majority-owned by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann. It has 40 television and 33 radio stations in 10 countries.

"RTL Group believes strongly in the Indian market – a market with a young population, which loves TV and impressive potential for further growth.

We are thrilled to have such a strong local partner as RBNL for our first broadcasting venture in Asia," RTL Group Vice President (Regional Operations and Business Development) Central and Eastern Europe Andreas Rudas said.