RBNL, RTL name their JV channel as Thrill

MUMBAI: Big RTL, the television JV between Reliance Broadcast Network (RBNL) and Europe?s entertainment firm RTL Group, has named its new channel as Thrill.

The new channel marks RTL Group?s entry into the Asian television market. This is Reliance ADAG?s second International JV in the broadcasting space, the first being with CBS Studios International.

Positioned as the ?first action entertainment? channel, it will be launched by the end of June. The company believes that there is a void in the action space. Thrill will serve international content from across the globe, dubbed in Hindi.

The target audience that the channel will cater to is males in the age group of 15-44, across metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas in the Hindi-speaking markets, who are action and adventure lovers.

RBNL CEO Tarun Katial said, ?We are excited to offer India its first action entertainment Channel, Thrill which will showcase world-class international content, dubbed in Hindi. The channel fills a need gap that exist in the entertainment landscape and we are confident that our proposition, backed by consumer insights, will resonate excellently with viewers and marketers alike.?

In order to provide diverse programming content, the channel has signed strategic deals with various leading international content providers for successful global formats and series across a variety of genres: action reality, action thrillers, fighting and wrestling championships, shocking, never seen before films, extreme sports, late night entertainment and a robust library of hit Hollywood action movies, all dubbed in Hindi.

Big RTL has teamed up with DTH service provider Reliance Digital TV, a Reliance ADAG company, to distribute Thrill. The company says that this will help in giving the channel access to 3 million digital television homes across India. It is in the process of closing deals with other operators.

Thrill will be distributed as part of a 7-channel bouquet of RBNL which includes Big CBS Prime, Big CBS Love, Big CBS Spark, Big CBS Spark Punjabi, Big Magic and UTV Bloomberg.