RCom close to striking a deal with Digicable

30 Jun 2010 Evaluate

RCom is close to striking a second deal, even as it completes the merger of its hived-off telecom tower business with GTL Infrastructure Ltd. It is in talks for merging its direct-to-home (DTH) and Internet protocol television (IPTV) businesses with Digicable Network (India) Pvt. Ltd, a leading cable TV distribution company or a multiple system operator (MSO), according sources.

Following the merger of RCom’s digital television businesses with Digicable, RCom would own a majority stake in the restructured entity. This person added that the deal would be an all-stock one and involve no cash transfer. Digicable is not a listed entity and its valuation is not known.

Digicable has aggressively grown its subscriber base which is spread across Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. It claims to have a subscriber base of 8.5 million. The merger, if it goes through, will help R-Adag fill in a blank in its media and entertainment business. The conglomerate has a significant presence in movie distribution and runs a multiplex chain.

A foothold in all forms of television distribution—DTH, IPTV and cable—would create synergy for the television content broadcasting business that R-Adag plans to enter. Tapping into Digicable’s large existing customer base would help Reliance market the new channels it plans to launch better.

Reliance BIG TV and Reliance IPTV are the two RCom units that currently operate DTH and IPTV businesses, respectively. Reliance BIG TV has 2.4 million subscribers and a 12% market share of the DTH industry.

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