Reliance Media Powerhouse in Making Buys stakes in Cable,Broadband and Content

Reliance Industries which is India’s biggest oil and gas company is set to become one of India’s largest media players as well. Reliance with its massive war chest of cash has been buying stakes in both content generation and delivery across the spectrum in India. The company recently bought controlling stakes in one of the largest TV broadcasters Network 18 coupled with its earlier stake in Eanadu . Reliance  earlier bought the broadband spectrum rights for broadband transmission in a deal with over $1 billion.

Reliance Industries the biggest private company in India with billions of dollars in free cash flow being generated by its oil and gas business,is set to make a  massive investment into the broadband business through 4G. Reliance which is primarily an oil and gas company is investing heavily into Retail, Financial Services and Media. The company is set to become a media behemoth after buying substantial chunks into the content business of NW18 and Eenadu network.

Reliance has a massive balance sheet which is has used strategically to acquire 4G spectrum (Infotel) and content.The company had revolutionized the telecom space through the Monsoon Hungama campaign when it had provided super cheap telecom  mobile plan with handsets. It could do the same in the Internet space through providing super cheap Tablets like Aakash with super cheap broadband plans on 4G. It already has content to provide its subscribers.Note broadband companies in India provide poor service at high rates, so Reliance can takeover the broadband space in India easily if it executes right.

With voice becoming a commodity with super low or free pricing,data is the only way to earn money for telecom companies in India. If Reliance executes its strategy right,then these telecom companies like Idea,Vodafone,Airtel would see their revenues and valuations crushed.

The company is planning to introduce a big bang plan for broadband  coupling a cheap tablet with a cheap monthly plan. This is on the lines of a mobile phone with a monthly connection. Reliance has a  good chance of winning the broadband market which remains under penetrated and high cost. It poses a direct existential threat to India’s telecom companies which have failed to compete on data effectively.

Reliance in continuation of its strategy in the media industry has bought a small stake in Den Networks one of India’s largest cable networks though one its subsidiaries. The company is slowly and methodically capturing the entire media development and delivery network  in the country. The stake in the cable companies will give it leverage to deliver its broadband and content.

Reliance Strategic Investments, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has bought a 1.14% stake in DEN Networks, one of the two listed cable distribution companies in India. As RIL has acquired interests in media firms dealing with content, it makes sense for the Mukesh Ambani-controlled group to invest in a distribution network now, several analysts told ET.