ITV

Tag: Big CBS Prime

  • RBNL-CBS part ways

    RBNL-CBS part ways

    MUMBAI: Two giants came together around three years ago: the Los Angeles based CBS Studios International and the Reliance ADA group’s Reliance Broadcast Networks Ltd (RBNL)’s subsidiary Reliance Television to set up Big CBS Networks, which would roll out a bunch of niche channels targeted at various specific audiences. Three channels emerged: Big CBS Prime, Big CBS Love, and Big CBS Spark.

    On 31 December 2013, the two parted ways and the shutters were downed on the joint venture, though Big CBS Prime and Love stopped getting carriage on DTH platforms and cable TV networks in November itself. At that time, when indiantelevision.com contacted RBNL CEO Tarun Katial, all he said was no comment but the channel spokesperson stated that the channels were being aired on platforms where carriage fees were not being charged and that efforts were being made to redeem the situation.

    But the fact is that a large US studio exited from the channel business in India just as the new year dawned, though it continues to operate in India and has been striking syndication deals with channels such as AXN from the Sony Entertainment Television network, Star World from Twenty first Century Fox and Zee Cafe from the Zee Network.

    RBNL officials say that the parting was healthy and happened mutually. Sources indicate that the two channels Love and Prime had eight employees and they have been absorbed in RBNL in other departments.  Big CBS Spark Punjabi has been renamed as Big Spark Punjabi and the network says it will be focusing on regional channels going forward.
     

  • RTL Group joins forces with CBS Studios International

    RTL Group joins forces with CBS Studios International

    MUMBAI: The RTL Group is joining forces with CBS Studios International to launch two channels, one focused on general entertainment and the other featuring reality, action and extreme sports, across South East Asia.

     

    RTL Group began targeting Asia in 2011, partnering with Reliance Broadcast Network to launch the BIG RTL Thrill network in India in 2012. CBS Studios International also has a partnership with Reliance in India for three channels: BIG CBS Prime, BIG CBS Spark and BIG CBS Love.

     

    The RTL-CBS venture, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, will be based in Singapore, reporting to a board featuring representatives from both companies. It will operate RTL CBS Entertainment, slated for a September 2013 launch, delivering shows like FremantleMedia’s The X Factor, America’s Got Talent and Celebrity Apprentice and CBS’s Elementary and Under the Dome. In spring 2014, RTL CBS Extreme will roll out offering action/adventure, reality series and extreme sports, such as NCIS: Los Angeles, Hawaii Five-0 and Fear Factor. The channels will have ongoing access to content from FremantleMedia and CBS Studios International.

     

    RTL Group co-CEO Guillaume de Posch said, “We are delighted to team up with CBS Studios International. By joining forces with such a renowned global partner, we are continuing our tried-and-tested build strategy, expanding our business to more countries in Asia with high growth potential. CBS is a highly creative and professional organisation with world-leading content which complements FremantleMedia’s catalogue very well. I am very confident that this venture will benefit strongly from the combined broadcasting and production expertise of both parties.”

     

    CBS Global Distribution Group president and CEO Armando Nu?ez added, “This is another opportunity to use CBS’s internationally successful content to be part of a new channel venture in one of the world’s fastest growing TV regions. It’s even better to do it with a best-in-class partner such as RTL Group, one of the most accomplished and respected broadcasters anywhere. We’re excited to create an additive way to monetise our content in Asia and provide audiences throughout the region the best television from two of the world’s most successful programming companies.”

  • Big CBS Prime uses Obama’s India visit to launch first campaign

    Big CBS Prime uses Obama’s India visit to launch first campaign

    MUMBAI: Big CBS Prime, the soon to launch English entertainment channel, has launched its first campaign – After you, Mr. President.
     
    Conceptualised  by its creative agency McCann Erickson, the campaign uses US president Barack Obama’s India visit to tell its target audience that the launch of the channel will be followed by president’s visit.

    The channel is being launched by Big CBS, the joint venture company between Reliance Broadcast Network and US network CBS Studios International.

    The campaign will go up on outdoor sites and on radio from today, two days before president Obama arrives in Mumbai. The outdoor creative is visual and self explanatory, with the channel saying “After you, Mr. President”.

    Reliance Broadcast Networks senior vice president marketing Anand Chakravarthy says, “That the president of the US is coming to India just before Big CBS Prime launches is a great coincidence and so we decided to use the opportunity. With a promise of providing the latest, freshest and hottest entertainment concurrent with the US, the creative idea is a smart way of reinforcing the product proposition. All the media hype surrounding the president’s visit only helps us cut through more effectively and get into our consumers mind.”