Reliance Big TV launches in India, promises HDTV by year-end

Reliance Communication just gave a whole swath of Indians a new way to receive television programming with the launch of Reliance Big TV. The service is built around MPEG-4 technology, which bodes well for it keeping its promise of adding 8 to 10 high-def channels by the end of this year. Currently, the service offers a total of 202 channels -- all in standard-definition -- though we really see a great possibility for HD expansion in this venture. After all, it's the whole "still using MPEG-2" thing that's holding Freeview up in Australia.