MUMBAI: Reliance Communications Ltd on Tuesday announced the launch of its DTH venture, Reliance BIG TV Ltd, which boasts of world’s most advanced MPEG4 Direct-to-Home platform. Reliance Big TV is targeting 40 per cent market share within a span of one year. It will offer a bouquet of 202 channels with digital quality picture and sound.

Currently, DTH accounts for only 4 per cent in Indian market compared to 95 per cent analogue cable services. “The huge potential of a quality and value offering in the home entertainment service market offers us a unique opportunity to tap the strengths and synergies of telecommunications and entertainment sectors embedded within Reliance ADA Group.

With the launch of BIG TV DTH, we aim to accelerate the growth momentum enhancing value of many million shareholders of Reliance Communications,” Chairman of Reliance ADA Group, Anil Ambani, was quoted as saying in a release. The upfront charges of BIG TV services would be between Rs 1,490 and Rs 3,990 (plus installation charges) depending on the scheme a subscriber opts for.

To create its customers base, Reliance ADA is planning a huge ad campaign across the nation to promote BIG TV. At the same time, it will tap its existing 61 million customer base in India (in different business verticals). The company has 2,000 plus stores in India to offer subscription. Besides, it has 500 plus channel partners to disseminate product information.

It is the largest home entertainment service rollout in India, which is available in over one lakh outlets across 6500 towns, says a release by the company. According to Sanjay Behl, group head – brand & marketing, Reliance Communications, BIG TV is based on four pillars. “It is magnanimous in nature. It brings some surprise offers in terms of subscription. We want to make it contagious so that the product gains ground through people to people talks.

Finally, we have made it extraordinary by introducing certain advanced technology in it,” claimed Behl. Some unique features of Big TV includes ‘subscription video on demand’ on 50 channels, adaptability to any tv set, more than 30 exclusive movie channels. Added Arun Kapoor, CEO, Reliance Big TV, “through BIG TV, your favourit programme can get recorded even when you are not at home and your TV set is not switched on. Till date, this system is existing in US. Reliance Big TV is planning to add more features into it. Tuesday on NSE, Reliance Communications stock ended at Rs 399.80, down by 3.06 per cent from the previous close