Neo sports, an Indian pay television channel, was launched by Nimbus Communication on 1st October, 2006. This channel is dedicated to cricket programming and has right to broadcast all domestic and International Cricket matches.

A `NEO` approach to cricket viewing. Neo Sports is a 24- hour, cricket-centric sports channel, and the very first of its kind. Nimbus Sports Broadcast, a globally leading distributor/owner of cricket rights and producer of cricket coverage, appointed STAR India to exclusively distribute its bouquet of NEO sports channels. The legacy business of Nimbus is television content production in Indian languages, in which it has produced over 5000 hours of programming over 15 years, including seven No.1 shows and fifteen top-10 rated shows. This channel was launched in the last quarter of the year 2006. The channel made its debut with the Challenger Series for NKP Salve Trophy, which was played in Chennai.

STAR India has exclusive distribution rights for this channel till 2010 and will also distribute any future sports channels from the Neo Sports stable. Nimbus chose STAR as its distribution partner based on the broadcaster`s market knowledge, quality of management team, distribution reach, and leadership position in India. With nearly 200 days of cricket every year lined up on Neo Sports, of which over 100 days will be live India cricket including all BCCI events and between 3-4 international series every year; Neo Sports is expected to reach a majority of the cable & satellite homes, especially since it will be powered by STAR India`s distribution capabilities. The cricket assets showcased on Neo Sports ensures that viewers catch quality broadcasts of their favourite sporting events. This also includes domestic cricket events. The channel also showcases various cricket related programming, interviews with top cricketers, analysis and other shows around cricket. Star Network has taken Neo Sports across the length and breadth of this country. The channel is available on Cable, DTH and new media platforms. Neo Sports is expected to reach a majority of the cable and satellite homes, since it will be powered by Star`s distribution capabilities.

Neo Sports has an interesting and innovative theory for all its subscribers. For the first time in domestic cricket the viewers are able to enjoy features like top angle shots and pan vision, speedometer, 3D animation and graphics, spin vision camera for tight bowl vision and spin action. Neo Sports will broadcast on an average 3 international cricket series every year featuring India and six domestic tournaments, in addition to which it will broadcast several other international cricket matches. It will broadcast close to 150 days a year of live cricket.

This Channel has been ranked as the No. 1 Sports channel as per annual half hour cumulative ratings for sport channels, TAM viewer ship data for calendar year 2008, 2009 and 2010 amongst viewers in C&S homes. The channel achieved its peak full match TVRs during the Challenger Series for the NKP Salve Trophy in 2006. The channel is using PAS 10 satellite and is currently available in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Middle East, Hong Kong and New Zealand. The live cricket coverage on the channel will include a pre; mid and post-match show `Extra Cover` targeting the young viewers. Young cricketers Rohan Gavaskar and Hrishikesh Kanitkar would make their maiden appearance in the show. Neo Sports has also signed two known TV anchors Archana Vijaya and Neha Sareen for `Extra Cover`. Neo Sports is taking up this challenge to show the `Fresh` start of the Indian cricket team.

With the help of its unique content line up of live cricket events and cricket based programmes, the performance of NEO Cricket has improved remarkably, since its launch and today, it remains the No.1 Sports channel in India. Its shows have received widespread admiration, Sports Zone - rated as the No.1 Sports Update show of 2008 and Dial C for Cricket - rated as the No.1 cricket show of 2008. Amongst its range of cricket centric programming is all Indian International Cricket matches organized by BCCI played in India including ODI`s, T20 and Test matches.

One reason behind Neo Sports`s success could be the fact that India has the highest number of sports viewers compared to any other country. Mostly people watch the events live on their television sets. Neo Cricket has the rights of showing all domestic cricket events.