BigFlix Shuts Down Physical Distribution Biz; Switches To Paid Streaming

BigFlix, a video content service from Reliance Entertainment has decided to shut down its physical distribution business and move into Video on Demand service that will be subscription based, according to Medianama. Earlier, in an exclusive interview with Techcircle.in, Rohit Sharma, CEO (Digital), Reliance Entertainment had indicated about the shift.

He had said, "We are completely revamping the BIGFlix platform and product this year and will launch a brand new platform and product in the next few months. We are attempting to make BIGFlix more online-based and want to reduce physical intervention as much as possible. It will be available across multiple platforms- be it PC, mobiles, Tablets, connected TVs or consoles."

The company has already started informing its subscribers that instead of delivering movies to homes, BigFlix will directly stream them from December. The cost of streaming will be Rs 249 per month, although a few movies, music videos and trailers will be provided free of cost. The company will also launch applications for Connected TVs, Tablets and mobile phone operating system's like iOS and Android.

The rampant piracy of DVDs, lack of logistics infrastructure in India and the growing popularity of torrents (widely used for free movie downloads) could have been some of the reasons as to why the company decided on the shift. Earlier this year, Seventymm, an organised DVD rental service and BigFlix's competitor in India also swung into movie merchandising and launched a beta version of its e-commerce portal for Bollywood buffs. As of September, over 50 per cent of the company's revenues came from e-commerce.