Reliance Communications’ (RCom) DTH services arm, Reliance BIG TV today signed a deal with UTV subsidiary, Indiagames to offer gaming services to its DTH subscribers.  

On the occasion, Sanjay Behl, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Big TV said, “Our strategic tie-up with Indiagames is an extension of our business relationship with the UTV Group. iGames also signifies our focus to further enhance and monetize our VAS capabilities towards a profitable growth in the DTH business.”

Samir Bangara, Chief Operating Officer, Indiagames said, “This initiative, and the DTH partnership with Oberon Media, marks our foray to the third screen of gaming making us the first Indian triple play games company with a strong presence across– mobile, PC and now DTH. With unparalleled content and cutting edge technology from Oberon, optimized for a rich user experience, we are truly taking the gaming experience on TV to a whole new level.”

The gaming services will be offered under the Interactive Services of BIG TV branded as ‘iGames’. The alliance will offer eight different games to be refreshed every month. US-based  Oberon Media will develop the games for the DTH platform.

Some of the games to be offered include Galapago, Solitaire (with 4 different versions including Classic, FreeCell, Pyramid and Towers), MOODiES, Space MOODiES, Air Hockey, and Darts, as well as premium 3rd party licenses. Games with local flavor such as T20 cricket games and Bollywood games like Chance Pe Dance, Kaminey and Jodhaa Akbar amongst others will also be launched.

BIG TV is eying revenues of Rs 100 crore through its iGames offerings over the next 5 years. VAS revenues presently contribute 5% to BIG TV’s overall revenues and the company is now aiming to double this contribution. The company as a strategic focus has categorized its VAS revenue streams from PPV, Interactivity and Advertising. Some of the upcoming initiatives include introducing services such as iJobs, iHolidays, iMatrimony, iEstate, iJuniors, iEducation, iHealth etc.