The Hindu Business Line : RComm, Sun TV ink pact for mobile content

Chennai April 11 Reliance Communications has entered into an "exclusive long-term agreement" with Sun Network Ltd to broadcast the company's television content on mobile handsets with GPRS and video viewing capability.

Initially, content from the Sun TV channel will be available to Reliance subscribers.

The company is planning to broadcast other Sun Network channels later.

On a timeframe for accomplishing this, Mr V.G. Somasekhar, Hub Head, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Reliance Communications, told Business Line that Reliance could launch all 20 Sun Network channels immediately, but was waiting for viewer feedback to determine future broadcasts.

Both companies did not disclose details of investment or revenue sharing involved.

Currently, Sun TV content can be viewed in two formats - video streaming (for ongoing programmes) and clip cast (for viewing 1-2 minute-long pre-recorded video content).

Available throughout India, video streaming is priced at Rs 15 per session (about five minutes duration).

Clip cast is available at an introductory price of Rs 7 per clip (1-2 minute duration).

Additionally, subscribers will have to pay network access charges of 10 paise per 10 KB viewed.

A colour video clip of 1-2 minutes duration is about 300 KB in size, while a black and white clip is about 70 KB, said Mr Mahesh Prasad, President, Applications, Solutions and Content Group, Reliance Communications.

The company is working on making the audio of Sun TV programmes available to those without a video viewing handset.

He also refused to share the company's revenues from distributing video based content saying data services (including video) contributed about 15 per cent to total revenues.

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RComm, Sun TV ink pact for mobile content