HBO DEFINED and HBO HITS hits the air waves!

HBO Asia and Eros International Media Limited today announced the launch of HBO DEFINED and HBO HITS in India with two of the leading DTH operators, Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV. These carriage deals come shortly after the December 2012 announcement of the landmark strategic tie-up between HBO Asia and Eros to launch two new premium advertising-free movie channels in India. The channels are currently on air and will be available for a free preview in the initial phase of the launch.

HBO DEFINED and HBO HITS will showcase the best of Hollywood and Bollywood content through HD and SD* feeds on Dish TV (channels 24 and 25 on HD and 414 and 415 on SD boxes respectively) and SD feed on Airtel Digital TV (channels 199 and 200 respectively). These will be offered at a special introductory price of Rs.49** & Rs.69** for SD and HD services respectively.

“The launch of HBO DEFINED and HBO HITS on Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV will reach out to a wide network of subscribers all over India,” said Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia. “Subscribers in India will be able to enjoy a first class cinema experience that is 100% advertising free in the comfort of their own home.”

Jyoti Deshpande, Executive Director, Eros International Media Limited said, “We are excited about the quick response from the DTH operators to offer our premium channels to their customer base and are thankful to Dish and Airtel for partnering with us. We are confident that our compelling and unique content offering of Bollywood and Hollywood plus an advertising-free viewing experience will make this an instant hit with subscribers”.

Catering to all movie lovers and each having a distinct identity, HBO DEFINED (www.hbodefined.in) is a 24-hour advertising-free premium programming subscription service and home of the latest Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters and award-winning HBO Originals, while HBO HITS (www.hbohits.in) is a high-octane 24-hour advertising-free premium

Subscription service that is packed full of entertainment with a bold, honest and unapologetic attitude and indulges the viewers with genre driven anchors and iconic HBO Original series.

Over the next few months viewers can expect an overwhelming line-up of “first time in India” Hollywood blockbuster premieres such as Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Bollywood premières of titles such as Chakravyuh, Award winning titles such as The Iron Lady and exclusive and award-winning HBO Original programmes such as Veep, Game of Thrones, True Blood and Boardwalk Empire as they premiere close to U.S. airdates. In addition, dual language options of either English or Hindi are available for selected Hollywood blockbusters. Some of the upcoming titles in dual language are Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Kung Fu Panda 2 and Journey 2 Mysterious Island.

A high impact multi-media marketing campaign will be launched to promote the two new channels across platforms. The campaign will commence mid March.