Turner & RIL in strategic pact for mobile content

Forging ahead in its aggressive plans to aggregate its content in the rapidly growing interactive digital media space, Turner has made available CNN International for the first time as a live stream 24 hours a day to compatible Reliance mobile phone users across India. Through this strategic partnership, Reliance mobile users (online streaming capable phones) can access CNN International's trademark live breaking news and landmark programming initiatives as it happens directly on their phones or other handheld devices. CNN is also the first international news channel to partner with Reliance. In addition to online streaming of CNN, Hollywood Express episodes will also be streamed on the mobile, providing Hollywood news and updates. On the entertainment side, Reliance subscribers will soon be able to enjoy Ring Tones, Wallpapers, Animations, etc of iconic and hugely popular toon stars such as Tom & Jerry, Scooby "� Doo, The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter, etc of the number one kids' channel of India "� Cartoon Network.

When available, the partnership will also offer users' access to Cartoon Network video clips on streaming enabled phones, bringing the best in entertainment on their handhelds.

Hosted on the popular Reliance Mobile World, the multimedia suite of applications of Reliance Mobile, the 'Mobile TV' menu offers unique experience in viewing CNN's popular content including the Network's latest programming. As the streaming is on-line 24x7, Reliance Mobile customers can watch their favorite programs conveniently from anywhere even while on the move within the state or traveling across the country.

"Our partnership with Reliance Mobile reiterates our commitment to ensure our compelling content is available across multiple platforms. For today's consumer who's always on-the-move, time is a rare commodity, and with technology swiftly changing the traditional means of news & entertainment consumption, it is imperative to be present on platforms that are easily accessible by our target audience. We are extremely excited that Reliance mobile users can now access and benefit from CNN breaking news, even on the go." said Siddharth Jain, Vice President of Distribution and Business Operations (India and South Asia), Turner International India.

Commenting on the tie-up, Mr. Krishna Durbha, Head- VAS Business & Marketing, Reliance Communications said, "Reliance Communications has pioneered video based content on mobile phones in India since its inception. With this major initiative, our mobile phones will offer the best of International content as well. This is in line with Reliance's pursuit of making mobile TV a reality in India & making the phone become an entertainment station in itself. "

Worldwide trend showcases how consumers are upgrading from ringtones and wallpapers, the mainstays of the mobile entertainment, to more advanced features like mobile TV and propelling the growth of TV on the mobile by leaps and bounds. In countries like South Korea and Japan, Mobile TV is already a way of life. Other countries in the Americas and Europe are fast catching up. In India, Reliance Communications is at the forefront of providing such content. Video content on Reliance Mobile World is already a very popular service representing different genre of content such as movie clips, TV news and shows, music, videos, cricket and sports fashion, glamour and animation, providing hours of latest entertainment, and information based rich media content. They have been available to several millions of subscribers with Reliance Mobile World enabled handsets supporting video, for many years and usage of such services have been very encouraging.

Moving ahead in its mission to ensure availability of its content across multiple platforms, Turner has made several innovative efforts in the Wireless and Broadband space in India such as video-on-demand, downloadable mobile content and live streaming.

Part of the Time Warner Company, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. is the arm of Turner Broadcasting System. Inc. (TBS) charged with the sales and marketing of Turner's news and entertainment services in India and South Asia.