MUMBAI: In what can be termed as a severe blow to Nimbus, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has terminated the contract with the sports broadcaster.

Cricket?s richest board, BCCI, took the decision at its Working Committee meeting on Monday after Nimbus failed to agree to the BCCI?s terms that it pay 50 per cent of each months stipulated amount 30 days prior to commencement of the recently concluded West Indies series.

At the BCCI?s emergent working committee meeting, members were unanimous in scrapping the telecast deal for India?s home series matches.

It is also learnt that the BCCI may encash the Rs 20 billion bank guarantee. Nimbus had renewed the contract with the BCCI is 2009-10 for four years, for a whopping Rs 20 billion.

As per the contract, Nimbus was to pay a sum of Rs 315 million for each Test, 50-over and Twenty20 international played in India in that specific four-year period.

This means that domestic cricket, including Ranji Trophy, does not have a broadcaster. Reports add that the BCCI was not happy that World Series Hockey was being promoted during the live cricket broadcast.

However, with no international cricket matches scheduled in India for the next eight months, the BCCI obviously felt that now was the right time to terminate the contract and enter into a fresh deal. Terminating the deal now gives it enough time to plan for the future.

MUMBAI: With new sporting properties under its belt, Neo Sports Network is further strengthening its programming lineup with launch of new shows while exiting ones are being revamped.

Neo is making the push to coincide with the India England ‘Payback Series‘.

Some of the new programmes that will be launched include:

Dial S for Sports: This will use the same format as Dial C for Cricket which airs on Neo Cricket. The show airs on Neo Sports and gives fans the opportunity to interact with experts live.

India?s Next 11: Neo Cricket has the rights for all domestic cricket events in India (Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy, etc). This new programme will analyse and present the emerging stars, who can make the cut and be part of the national team.

Academy: This will be launched shortly on Neo Cricket. The show aims to give viewers the chance to learn the finer nuances of the game from an expert. The programme will also invite user generated content in terms of videos of emerging players and the expert will help correct the technique.

In addition, the existing programmes are being revamped to enhance the viewing experience. All the current shows including Sports Zone, Cricket Central and Dial C for Cricket will be further strengthened in terms of enriching the content offering.

Dial C for Cricket will introduce new formats and segments like Friday Fan Night, State of Cricket, Dial C on the Road and Big Interview.

Neo Sports Broadcast executive VP programming Mautik Tolia said, ?Neo?s new programming mantra is to provide authoritative and entertaining content to our viewers and the mix of the new shows are reflective of this philosophy. The new programming mix coupled with the blockbuster live action is an unbeatable combination and will delight every sports fan in India. There are several new initiatives in the pipeline that will be revealed in due course."