Reliance-RTL JV splits, Big RTL Thrill to be rebranded

Technoglitch

Technoglitch

Core Member
  • After an association of three years, Anil Ambani’s Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd (RBNL) and European firm RTL have ended their joint venture that operated action-oriented entertainment channel Big RTL Thrill in India. Similar to CBS, the split marks the exit of RTL from the Indian television broadcasting space.

  • The JV operated Big RTL Thrill, which aired English action-oriented shows dubbed in Hindi. RBNL bought out RTL’s stake in the equally owned joint venture in May this year. Following the break-up, the channel will be rebranded as Big Thrill and will air local male-oriented action content.
  • Even as the regulatory approvals are underway, RBNL is presently looking out for concepts and is set to invest in regional content for the channel by the end of the year. The company had forged the joint venture with RTL in May 2011.


  • Even as its international joint ventures have ended, RBNL is now laying its focus on its two regional channels, Big Magic and Big Magic Bihar and Jharkhand. The next move ahead for the company is to rebrand Big Magic Bihar and Jharkhand as Big Magic Ganga, which reflects the ethos of the location as Ganga is a part of Purvanchal. RBNL has applied for a name change, and the approval is pending with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

  • Tarun-Katial.jpg

  • Although the channel is not available on Tata Sky, RBNL has entered into a contract with the DTH player for this channel as well as Big Magic. Similarly, the network is focused on the regional base, and has been building a network on local insights and content through Big Magic. The channel too was rebranded as a comedy channel in April this year from a light entertainment channel. The makeover coincided with the launch of new shows like ‘Akbar Birbal’. Going ahead, the channel will bring second seasons of its shows ‘Nadaniyaan’ and ‘Raavi’ by the end of this month. The new season of ‘Nadaniyaan’ will see the popular comedian Upasana Singh in the lead role.

  • http://www.televisionpost.com/television/reliance-rtl-jv-splits-big-rtl-thrill-to-rebrand/ | TelevisionPost.com
 
IndianMascot

IndianMascot

Core Member
They have separated long back. And now we are getting official wordings.

Reliance is late even in press releases too.
 
Teufel

Teufel

EntMnt Knight
Finest Member
So no one wants to be with Reliance? :p I think CBS, RTL and Universal should launch their channels directly without partnering with any local broadcasters.
 
Teufel

Teufel

EntMnt Knight
Finest Member
Anyway, BBC shouldn't have withdrawn their two channels from India. India was yet to digitised then. They should have waited for sometime, if carriage fee was their problem.
 
Technoglitch

Technoglitch

Core Member
BbC has a local office and it got license through the local office same as CNN which got license through tv18.
BBC entertainment couldn't sustain the more loss hence shut down and would might return later.
 
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