RBNL plans to launch TV channels in neighbouring countries

Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd, a part of Anil Ambani-led ADA Group, is in the process of launching television channels in neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

The company has already launched a general entertainment TV channel — Big CBS Prime — in partnership with CBS Studios International in India and two new channels — Love and Spark — are slated for launch next month.

“We have already started the process to launch the CBS channels in our portfolio in neighbouring countries and applied for permissions for down-linking through our agents in the respective countries,” Big Broadcasting, COO Ashutosh told PTI. Big Broadcasting manages the broadcast business of RBNL.

He, however, did not specify the time-line for launching the channels as it would depend on official approvals from respective countries, but said the company was hopeful of doing so within this calendar year. Ashutosh said in terms of revenues, the company expects to do better in the neighbouring countries immediately as in most of the locations RBNL will not have to pay carriage fee to air its channels, unlike in India.

Besides, expanding internationally, RBNL is also enhancing its distribution within India. “We are currently reaching about 30 million homes in India and the viewership is growing fast. We are also getting very good response from advertisers,” he said. The channels are currently available in India through DTH service providers such as Videocon, Sun and cable operators.

“We have signed up with Airtel digital and are looking at Tata Sky and Dish TV. Even a lot of corporate enquiries are coming such as from hotels and offices,” he added. The company is also working on a plan to increase the number of channels in its bouquet.