MxMIndia

Tag: Big CBS Network

  • The channel, which has positioned itself as a youth channel, boasts of having an intense understanding of their target audiences

    Spark 2B ultimate music destination: Rally

    By A Correspondent

     

    At a time when the numerous music channels are fighting to survive, it’s a big deal to turn one. Big CBS Spark, part of the Big CBS Network – the JV between Reliance Broadcast Network and CBS Studios International, completed one year on May 2.

     

    The channel, which has positioned itself as a youth channel with the core target group of 10-24, boasts of having an intense understanding and research of the entertainment requirements of their target audiences. “The transition to a music channel has helped, as the music content has increased and now people are able to relate to the channel as we are doing more and more stuff on Indian music scene,” said Vishal Rally, business head, Big CBS Networks.

     

    To stand out of the clutter and to reach out to the correct audience,  the channel conducted an extensive research study on various time slots catering to different age groups (what time of the day which age group (TG) prefers to listen to what kind of content). “We have created music time bands like Hip Hop MCs (for rap, hip hop music), Indie Rock Mania (for rock music and independent bands) and Hot Hitz. As we had the music library of major labels, we had the content. Our concern was planning and finding out the right kind of audience. Besides music, the channel also airs shows like the Cheaters, Maximum Exposure, Smash Cuts, Oblivious and Real TV targeting the youth audiences,” added Mr Rally.

     

    Apart from international music, the channel is also concentrating in providing a unique platform for independent artistes of the country to make Spark “the ultimate music destination”. “We offer original local content too with properties like Indie Music and The Great Gig in the Sky. The channel is attempting to incorporate almost every genre of music so that it has something to offer to everyone,” said Mr Rally.

     

    Talking about the channel’s future plans, Mr Rally said: “Our plan is to ensure the channel reaches the best content to its target audiences and strengthens its positioning as the ultimate music destination.”

     

    The first anniversary celebrations kicked off with a jam session between the pioneers of Sufi rock music, Junoon and the Indie Rock artist, Ankur Tewari.

     

  • Three channel bouquet of BIG CBS now available to viewers of Dish TV

    BIG CBS Spark now on Dish TV

    By A Correspondent

     

    Close on heels of closing distribution deals for BIG CBS Prime and Love, the BIG CBS Network, a JV between Reliance Broadcast Network and CBS Studios International has inked the distribution deal for the third channel BIG CBS Spark on Asia’s largest DTH provider – Dish TV.

     

    Positioned as the ultimate music destination, BIG CBS Spark offers the huge 12.5 million subscriber base of Dish TV access to the best music mix from the international and Indian market spread across genres.

     

    BIG CBS Spark, targeted at the youth audiences and catering to their entertainment requirements, is loaded with music and peppered with hit shows like the Cheaters, Maximum Exposure, Smash Cuts, Oblivious and Real TV.

     

    This deal takes the total reach of the BIG CBS Channels to a strong 42.5 million households, making sure it reaches its international English entertainment content to its relevant target audiences in India.

     

    With excellent synergies coming into play, the deal helps both businesses benefit with the digitization reform which is in the anvil.

     

    Speaking on the development, Salil Kapoor, Chief Operating Officer, Dish TV, said: “Dish TV, being the pioneer and market leader in DTH industry, has now the bouquet of Big CBS channels for all its valuable customers. We are proud to extend our partnership to the entire BIG CBS Bouquet – BIG CBS Prime, Spark and Love to our 12.5 million subscribers; Dish TV endeavors to bring entertainment at par best in terms of quality content, we hope that our alliance will mutually benefit each other.”

     

    Speaking on the alliance, Vishal Rally, Business Head, BIG CBS Networks said: “We are happy to have the BIG CBS Channel Network on Dish TV. This is part of our continued endeavour to reach the world-class content from India’s No. 1 English Entertainment Network – BIG CBS’s stable to audiences seeking English entertainment in India.”

     

    This alliance complements Reliance Broadcast Networks’ recent campaign called ‘Choose Your Set-Top-Box Wisely’, designed to increase awareness and empower consumers with adequate information to make the right choice while choosing their set top boxes, while parallely enabling operators to build their brand equity. Reliance Broadcast Network has a robust well crafted 7 channel and is ready to maximize from the digital wave.

     

    An equal joint venture between Reliance Broadcast Network Limited and CBS Studios International, BIG CBS Networks has changed the way English language television entertainment is served to Indian audiences. The JV, at start, launched 3 English language  Entertainment Channels marking not just RBNL’s, but the Reliance Group’s entry into the television broadcasting space and CBS Corporation’s channel  entry into India. The themed channels targeted at India’s fast-growing, upwardly mobile population are branded BIG CBS PRIME, a premium general entertainment channel, BIG CBS SPARK, India’s first international youth entertainment channel and BIG CBS LOVE, India’s first ever international entertainment channel for the contemporary Indian couple.

     

    Dish TV is Asia’s largest direct-to-home company and part of the biggest media conglomerate – Zee Group. Dish TV has on its platform 330+ channels and services including 21 audio channels with 12.5 million subscribers, which is growing. The company has a vast distribution network of about 1400 distributors and 55,000 dealers that spans around 6600 towns across the country.

     

  • To launch with English language feed; distribution deal with Lanka Broadband Network

    Big CBS Network’s channels expand reach into Sri Lanka

    By A Correspondent

     

    Big CBS Networks, a joint venture between Reliance Broadcast Network Limited and CBS Studios International, recently announced its expanded reach into the SAARC region, beginning withSri Lanka.

     

    The company offers its three-channel bouquet – Big CBS Prime, Big CBS Love and Big CBS Spark, and will target the 15+ English speaking audiences inSri Lanka. The channels will be available inSri Lanka, across cable platforms and key hotels in the English language. BIG CBS Networks will also evaluate the possibility of dubbing the content in local languages in the future.

     

    With a GDP of $64.047 billion and a growth rate of 6.5 per cent,Sri Lankais one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It has a youth literacy rate of 98 per cent with the highest literate population amongst developing nations, an indication of a fast-growing English entertainment seeking audience. With limited English entertainment options, the Big CBS Channels are designed to targetSri Lanka’s fast-growing, upwardly mobile population.

     

    The channels will be launched on a fixed licensee fee model and will ensure regular and streamlined revenue from the market which will add to the bottom-line of the JV. Also, the same satellite with existing feed being utilized for this expansion ensures no technical cost to the JV.

     

    At start, the channels will be distributed with the biggest cable operator Lanka Broadband Network but plans are on to soon launch across all platforms across the entire SAARC region comprising of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

     

    Commenting on the same, Mr. Vishal Rally, Business Head, BIG CBS Networks said: “This is a natural extension to make accessible the superlative content of Big CBS to audiences in the international markets. With audience demographics similar to those of urbanIndia, we are confident of the channels doing exceedingly well. As a business model, this is a cost neutral expansion enhancing the JV’s profitability.”

     

    The wide range of popular CBS content to be offered by the channels will include hits such asHawaiiFive-0, America’s Next Top Model, NCIS, Survivor, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 90210, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Entertainment Tonight and more.

     

    Big CBS Networks Private Limited is an equal joint venture between Reliance Broadcast Network Limited and CBS Studios International, BIG CBS Networks has changed the way English language television entertainment is served to Indian audiences.