Independent TV (India)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Direct-to-home television |
| Predecessor | Reliance Big TV |
| Founded | 2008-08-19 |
| Defunct | 2019-06-12 |
| Fate | Subscriber base migrated to Tata Play |
| Headquarters | India |
| Owner | Pantel Technologies & Veecon Media (from 2018) |
| Parent | Reliance Communications (until 2018) |
Independent TV, initially known as Reliance Big TV, operated as an Indian direct to home (DTH) television service provider. It functioned under the ownership of Reliance Communications until 2018, after which control shifted to Pantel Technologies & Veecon Media. Eventually, its subscriber base was migrated to Tata Play (previously Tata Sky).
History
Reliance Big TV commenced operations on 19 August 2008 and rapidly expanded, acquiring one million subscribers within three months, aided by minimal market competition. The brand was later changed to Reliance Digital TV before Pantel Technologies & Veecon Media took over in January 2018.
In March 2018, the company launched a pre-booking DTH service, generating revenue without delivering installations. Subsequently, Pantel Technologies & Veecon Media rebranded the platform as Independent TV.
Due to nonpayment issues, the agreement with Star India expired, preventing the company from completing installations or issuing refunds. On 23 July 2018, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) instructed Star India and Independent TV to finalize a new contract within four weeks.
Operations were disrupted following missed payments to Antrix Corporation, culminating in Independent TV halting services on 12 June 2019.
Independent TV Limited possessed a DTH license granted by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, which was renewed on 19 June 2019 for a six-month period ending on 31 December 2019. Despite suspended satellite transmissions, the firm introduced “ITV 2.0,” a strategic initiative aimed at restarting services and attracting customers.
By January 2020, TRAI’s performance report confirmed that Independent TV had completely ceased operations, leaving only four Pay DTH providers active in India.
See also
References
- Reliance Group
- Indian direct broadcast satellite services
- Television networks in India
- Indian brands
- 2008 establishments in Maharashtra
- Telecommunications companies established in 2008
- Indian companies established in 2008
- Indian companies disestablished in 2019
- Telecommunications companies disestablished in 2019