Sony India and airtel digital TV come together to expand the Flat panel TV viewing opportunity this cricket season

New Delhi, Feburary 3, 2011 : airtel digital TV, the DTH service from bharti airtel and Sony India have come together to expand the Flat Panel TV market ahead of the sports season this year. Customers of Sony’s Bravia range of LCDs can take this opportunity to experience the magic of next generation MPEG4 DVBS 2 DTH technology on airtel digital TV. With sale of TV sets having a direct positive impact on the growth of the DTH category, this partnership aims to make a powerful impact in the marketplace this season, which starts with an action packed 90 day long high velocity international cricket action.

Offer details:

- Customers purchasing Sony Bravia LCDs 32" and above will get an airtel digital TV HD connection by recharging an additional Rs.1000.

- Customers purchasing 22" or 26" Sony Bravia LCDs can go in for a Standard Definition (SD) airtel digital TV connection by recharging an additional Rs.750!

All the above offers include the cost of the set top box, installation charges, along with a 3-month subscription to airtel’s Economy Sports Pack OR 4-months of South Economy Sports pack. In addition, HD customers also get a 3-month free subscription to NGC HD. Both the Economy Sports Pack and the South Economy Sports Pack include all the leading channels that will telecast key cricket and other sporting events throughout the year, namely ESPN, Star Sports, Star Cricket, Ten Sports, Ten Cricket, Ten Action+, DD Sports and SetMax.

According to Sugato Banerji, CMO-DTH services, bharti airtel, "This alliance with Sony, the market leader in the flat panel category, is consistent with our strategy of furthering innovation through industry leading partnerships. The power of airtel’s MPEG4 DVBS2 technology together with Sony Bravia’s Engine 3 technology will enable customers to experience crystal clear, vibrant images in enhanced detail on both SD and HD. With sports events clearly being inflection points for TV, DTH sales we are confident of leveraging our combined synergies to lead the growth in these categories this season.”

According to Mr. Tadato Kimura, General Manager, Marketing, Sony India, said, "With World Cup being broadcast in High Definition for the first time, the HD phenomenon will certainly gain further momentum in the Indian market. To ensure that our consumers are able to enjoy this strikingly superior viewing experience, we have partnered with Airtel to provide free Airtel HD DTH connection on purchase of BRAVIA TV. We are confident that this association would be mutually beneficial from a business as well as cultural perspective as both companies wish to promote HD viewing in India."

airtel digital TV - the DTH service from Bharti airtel – has over 4.9 million customers and is one of the leading national level DTH service in the country which offers its customers MPEG 4 with DVBS 2 – currently the most advanced digital broadcasting technologies available in the world after HD broadcasting. Additionally, airtel digital TV was the first to bring many firsts to the DTH segment in India including a Universal Remote which operates both the Set Top Box and TV set as well as several unique Interactive Applications. airtel digital TV recorder was the first to offer the capability to record live television, anytime, anywhere and recently added HD services to its portfolio. Users can also update themselves on the latest stock news. All this is backed by 24x7 customer care. airtel digital TV launched its services in October 2008.