Proof - The Times of India (8 Jan 2010, Page# 19 - Times
Business)
Big
TV tunes into high-def content
Reliance MediaWorks Acquires UK-Based iLabs
Amrita Nair-Ghaswalla | TNN
Mumbai: The direct-to-home (DTH) subsidiary of Reliance Communications, Reliance Big TV, is now focusing its attention on acquiring content. While on one hand, it is reportedly in talks for high definition (HD) content acquisition deals amounting to Rs 150 crore with global media conglomerates, it plans to invest another Rs 350 crore in content acquisition over next four years. Besides, Reliance Big TV is also in the middle of extending its existing relationship with the Fox Star Group.
In another development, Reliance MediaWorks (formerly Adlabs) has reportedly acquired the assets of iLabs UK, one of the only two filmprocessing facilities operating in London’s Soho, for an undisclosed amount. The UK deal comes close on heels of
Tata Elxsi setting up a 45-seater digital studio in Los Angeles to cater to the growing need of Hollywood.
A Reliance Big TV official who spoke to TOI on condition of anonymity, said Reliance Big TV’s current discussions with global companies to source new content is expected to help target an 8% revenue market share in the DTH value-added services category.
The official further said that the company was in advanced discussions with Comedy Central, BBC and CNN for non-film HD content to be showcased on its PPV platform. Following its high-profile marketing alliance with Fox StarStudios for the India release of James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’, the company has initiated another round of discussion with Fox Star to extend its relationship beyond the current marketing alliance.
When contacted, a Reliance Big TV spokesperson confirmed that the firm was working on an entire bouquet of HD content. As for its digital buyout, the official said the acquisition would help the Reliance ADA Group to offer its services to film-makers and broadcasters in UK. Reliance MediaWorks already has a facility in the US through its LA-based subsidiary Lowry Digital, which has handled projects for leading studios like Walt Disney, Paramount Pictures, MGM and 20th Century Fox, and the restoration work for
Apollo 11.
Commenting on the deal, Reliance MediaWorks CEO Anil Arjun said: “Our expansion plans have been growing at a remarkable pace. Through this deal, we would cater to Hollywood as well as the Hindi film business.”