Reliance Communications to shut down the DTH services

New Delhi, Oct 24: The India's business magnet Anil Ambani-led telecom operator Reliance Communications is shutting down its direct to home (DTH) business Reliance Digital TV with effect from 18 November due to the expiry of its DTH license.

The decision to shut down the DTH business comes following failed attempts to hive-off and sell it to a potential buyer. The telecom major had also toyed with the idea of merging the DTH business with Sun Group’s Sun Direct however that move also came a cropper.

In July, the debt-laden company had included the sale of its DTH business as part of its long-term plan to reduce debt. Reeling under Rs 45,000 crore debt, RCom had planned to cut down its debt by 60% by September and 80% by December.

"Reliance Digital TV informs its customers that due to the expiry of our licence we will be shutting down our DTH services across India wef 18 November. Customers are advised to make alternative arrangements to keep watching their favourite TV channels. We regret the inconvenience caused," Reliance Big TV said in its notice.

Reliance Digital TV is the smallest among the six pay DTH platforms in the country with a measly 2% of 65.31 million active pay DTH subscribers, as on 30 June. Dish TV is the biggest DTH operator with 24% share followed by Tata Sky (23%), Airtel Digital TV (21%), Videocon d2h (20%).