BIG CBS Networks Bulks Up Programming

MUMBAI: BIG CBS Networks has added 25 hours of fresh programming each week per channel, as it also readies for the launch of HD content.

For BIG CBS Prime, the shows The Defenders, Hawaii 5.0 and Survivor: South Pacific are all to be featured. The channel also features Lucha Libre wrestling. Aspire and BIG Wheels are on the slate. The formats, from BloombergUTV, are both male-skewed and focus on engineering.

BIG CBS Love plans to serve its female audience with shows such as Kid Nation, a reality series, and the Indian property India’s Glam Diva. The health and fitness show Jo Fit Hai Woh Hit Hai is also on the roster. Rounding out the slate are Rules of Engagement, Canada’s Next Top Model and New Zealand’s Next Top Model.

The BIG CBS channels are in talks with several DTH and cable operators to explore HD distribution alliances. The network also readies to launch the with the best of HD content from the CBS library.

Nikhil Mirchandani, the business head of television channels at Reliance Broadcast Network, said, “We are very pleased with the way the Channels have shaped and delivered. The channels have grown the market and we have been able to successfully bridge the existing void in international quality programming that existed. We now enter our next growth phase and are completely equipped with our hand-picked shows that match the tastes and sensibilities of our target audiences.”

Mirchandani added, “BIG CBS’s programming is in keeping with our endeavor to offer Indians the latest, freshest and hottest content straight from America. Today, audiences have evolved and are looking for more than just soaps and films. The well travelled Indian viewer is always looking for quality content and we continue to bring the best of American television to our viewers here. Also, our effort to give audiences India-grown content has worked excellently for us with the overwhelming response to India’s Sexiest Bachelor. Tracing this success, BIG CBS is now launching the next Indian property, India’s Glam Diva. With this and more shows planned BIG CBS Network is poised to become a network to reckon with.”