Neo Sports Broadcast to launch independent distribution initiative headed by Arun Poddar
In the wake of its fallout with STAR India on the distribution front, Neo Sports Broadcast Pvt. Ltd has announced its intentions to launch an independent distribution initiative with a new bouquet for cable and other TV platforms. Arun Poddar has been roped in as President, Affiliate Sales, to lead this initiative.
Following its fallout with STAR India on the distribution front, Neo Sports Broadcast Pvt Ltd, the broadcasting arm of Nimbus, has announced that it would be leading an independent distribution initiative with a new bouquet for cable and other TV platforms.
Shashi Kalathil, CEO, Neo Sports, informed, “The independent distribution route allows us a rapid ramp-up, better long-term control and superior monetising. For the next two to three months the focus would be on maximising distribution reach for Neo Sports and Neo Sports Plus, our two channels.”
He added, “Post this, basis the considerable interest shown by several channels, existing and new entrants to be part of a bouquet led by a cricket focused sports channel, the best option in the Indian environment to extract revenues from the cable TV distribution chain, the bouquet would be expanded.”
Kalathil further announced the appointment of Arun Poddar as President-Affiliate Sales for Neo Sports, to lead this initiative. Poddar brings more than 23 years of experience and was till recently the CEO of Zee Turner. Before that he had worked at Ten Sports as distribution head and ESPN-Star Sports.
Positioned as ‘Home of Indian Cricket in India’, Neo Sports has cricket series on its content line-up till 2010. In 2007 itself, Australia and Pakistan are scheduled to visit India and play Test matches and One-day Internationals.
