Big CBS, Den Networks sign deal

Big CBS Networks, the television joint venture between Reliance Broadcast Network and CBS Studios International, has sealed yet another distribution deal, this time with cable TV distribution company Den Networks.

With the closure of this deal, Den Networks will distribute the three channels of Big CBS - Big CBS Prime, Big CBS Spark and Big CBS Love - on its analogue and digital cable television platforms.

Ashutosh, chief operating officer, Big Broadcasting, says in an official communiqué, "We want to reach out to all our relevant audiences. Den's strong presence among our relevant target audiences helps us take Big CBS's reach deeper into the markets, while giving their audiences the entertainment that they desire."

SN Sharma, president, Den Networks, says, "The addition of the three new channels on our platform further strengthens our promise to deliver a wide variety of entertainment."

Earlier, in a similar move, Big CBS Networks had inked a cable TV distribution deal with Digicable for the three channels.

Prior to this deal, Big CBS had walked into a distribution tie up with Reliance ADAG's DTH company, Big TV, for the carriage of the three channels.

As reported earlier, the other two channels - Big CBS Spark and Big CBS Love - will be launched in December and February, respectively.

The programming lineup for Prime has been drawn from CBS' programme library and includes fresh seasons of shows such as NCIS, Survivor, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Rachael Ray, Judge Judy, Frasier, The Insider and Entertainment Tonight.

The international shows will be aired almost concurrent to their US broadcast and will target the English entertainment seeking audience in the age group of 18-34 years.