Date:26/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/26/stories/2008012651951600.htm

Back Dish TV to tap into Future Group’s retail network

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Jan. 25 Kishore Biyani’s Future Group is following up the Rs 250-crore equity investment in DTH company Dish TV, with marketing support.

The two companies announced a marketing alliance under which the direct-to-home connection will be available at a subsidised price, at more than a 100 outlets of Future Groups’s Big Bazaar, Pantaloon and E-Zone formats. In December, the Mauritius-based private equity arm of Future Group, Indivision, acquired 4.9 per cent stake in the Essel Group company.

Future Group is announcing the Big Bazaar’s biggest annual promotion ‘Sabse Saste 3 Din’ starting from Jan 25-27. During this period, consumers will be able to get a Dish TV set-top box installed for Rs 999, as against the Rs 2,250 charged normally. After a week’s free connection, consumers will have to pay for their subscription depending on the choice of package.

“With growing awareness and brand recall, the aspirations for owning Dish TV have grown manifold, through this tie up with the Future Group stores, we are happy to enable consumers to embrace Dish TV at very attractive prices, thereby fulfilling their desire for an enhanced TV viewing experience,” said Mr Arun Kapoor, CEO, Dish TV, in statement from the company.

The Big Bazaar ‘Sasbe Saste 3 Din’ promotion for Dish TV connections will be available across its 80 stores in 45 cities.