Big CBS adds to slate, readies HD net

US-Indian joint-venture broadcaster Big CBS Networks is prepping a new HD channel and has unveiled fresh international programming.

The 50/50 partnership between CBS International Studios and Reliance Broadcast Networks (RBN), launched last year, will use content from its three existing Indian English-language channels for new stable member Big CBS HD.

RBN said it is “in talks with several DTH and cable operators to explore distribution alliances,” ahead of a December launch.

Big CBS currently premieres 25 hours of new content in India each week on its networks Big CBS Prime, Big CBS Spark and Big CBS Love. RBN claimed the broadcaster is now India’s leading English-language channels offering.

RBN’s TV channels business head Nikhil Mirchandani added the firm expected a 25% increase in subscriptions by January 2012, according to news wire Reuters. Last month, the company appointed Vodafone India exec Vishal Rally as its new business head.

“The channels have grown the market and we have been able to successfully bridge the existing void in international quality programming that existed,” said Mirchandani in a statement.

“We now enter our next growth phase and are completely equipped with our hand-picked shows that match the tastes and sensibilities of our target audiences.”

His words came as Big CGS announced its latest content acquisitions. Male-skewed Big CBS Prime will air Jerry O’Connell-starring drama The Defenders and the new season of Hawaii Five-0 from CBS Studios, as well as Survivor South Pacific.

It also gets entertainment formats Aspire and Big Wheel from Bloomberg UTV and Lucre Libre, a new format featuring Mexican wrestlers.

Female-skewed Big CBS Love gets reality series Kid Nation and Indian series India’s Glam Diva, as well as health and fitness series Jo Fit Hai Woh Hit Hai. Other shows include Rules of Engagement, Canada’s Next Top Model and New Zealand’s Next Top Model.