Dishtv and Indiatimes 58888 enter Strategic tie up to offer VAS services Launch Mobile VAS to set new grounds, redefines the mobile internet experienc

, Indiatimes.com, the internet venture of India’s largest media house – the Times Group and Dishtv – India’s No. 1 direct-to-home company and part of the largest media conglomerate – Zee Group, have entered into a strategic tie up to offer the customers a host of Mobile Value added services on TV.

Dishtv has partnered with Indiatimes.com to offer mobile interactive services “Mobile Active”. Viewers can now preview the mobile services on TV and download their favorite mobile content onto their mobile handsets. The content spans across ringtones, wallpapers, text alerts and contests.

Evolution of cellular technologies and increasing number of mobile subscribers in India has driven telecommunication industry to become one of the fastest growing industries in India today. Mobile Active service is aimed to meet this demand. Salil Kapoor, COO, Dishtv said, “Mobile Active is our latest initiative to drive convergence in the entertainment and communication space. In our endeavor to take TV beyond entertainment, we have recently launched internet powered interactive Life services, wherein Dishtv customers can search for jobs, seek their life partner and plan their dream vacation by a click on TV remote. Through our latest offering Mobile Active, our main focus is on empowering our young customers and giving them an easy user interface to download mobile VAS products. Gone are the days when TV was called an idiot box, we are in the process of creating a whole new user experience of TV viewing by offering a plethora of services including information, connectivity with internet services along with entertainment. We are pleased to join hands with Indiatimes.com, India’s leading portal to bring yet another novel service “Mobile Active” to our 5.7 million subscribers.” Salil Kapoor added.

Speaking about the tie-up, Times Internet Limited CEO Rishi Khiani said: “Our mobile VAS division has witnessed rapid expansion since past one year with the launch of new services like 58888 IVR portal, Active Deals, etc. With this tie up we at Indiatimes 58888, will be able to enhance our customer touch points and maximize revenue opportunities. As a news and media conglomerate, our primary asset and USP is quality content and with this strategic tie-up, our content would become more accessible via DTH platforms enabling 360-degree convergent delivery, and ensuring wider reach. Our partners, Dishtv too, would be able to offer its subscribers this value-add as part of an enhanced bouquet of services.”

About Dishtv India

Dishtv is India’s No. 1 direct-to-home company and part of the biggest media conglomerate – Zee group. Dishtv has on its platform 240 channels & services including 21 audio channels with over 5.7 million subscribers, which is growing. Dishtv has a vast distribution network of about 700 distributors & 48,000 dealers that spans around 6600 towns across the country. Dishtv has 24* 7 call centre with 1600 seats in 11 different languages to take care of subscriber requirements at any point of time. For more information on Dishtv, visit www.dishtv.in

Introducing 58888 Follow

Indiatimes 58888 is proud to announce the launch of a new SMS-based service called “58888 Follow” that allows consumers to stay updated on their favorite celebrities, all from their mobile phone. 58888 Follow is incredibly simple to use- the user sends a text message: “Follow [Celebrity’s Name]” (e.g. “Follow Lara”) to 58888, and that’s it. They’ll automatically receive regular updates about the star’s day-to-day happenings. Best of all, the service is free*.

The 58888 Follow team has also worked hard to make sure the experience is as rich as possible for the user. In addition to text updates, the user will get exclusive photos, videos, and audio clips about their celebrity as they unfold. And it’s accessible to all cell phone users in India, through the most recognized short code in the country – 58888.

Simply put, 58888 Follow is the premier method of keeping up with all of your favorite stars, free for anyone in India with a cell phone connection.

Rishi Khiani, CEO of Times Internet Limited, says: “We are always striving to cater to and engage with the youth of India on virtually every medium or device, around the things they care about. For this reason, we are excited to launch a service that will let users stay connected real-time with their favorite stars on the go. 58888 Follow will send across the celeb’s hottest news updates, public appearances, and social interactions as they happen. We hope to expand the service even further as it gains traction.”